STARFlight145
Registered User
:icon_tong
Definitely interested in HSC, I'd love to go to one of those squadrons if offered. My dad was in San Diego as a Sikorsky test pilot, training the H-46 guys on the brand new 60S.
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1/C Aviation Cruise Billets
- Thread starter STARFlight145
- Start date
:icon_tong
Definitely interested in HSC, I'd love to go to one of those squadrons if offered. My dad was in San Diego as a Sikorsky test pilot, training the H-46 guys on the brand new 60S.
Realize that middies going to a squadron are mostly going to be seen as a nuisance. Sucks, but that's most likely how it is, especially if they're in the middle of work-ups. They've got a shitload of work to do, every flight hour is fragged for something vital, and nobody has any extra time to herd college kids with no quals around. At best, you're going to get tasked with doing busywork - this is at least good training for being a stashed Ensign.
My point in telling you this is, if you want to get something out of your 1/c cruise, you're going to have to make your own program. You're not likely to get much if any flying time, but you should never find yourself just sitting on your ass in the Ready Room reading the paper. Go explore, talk to the e-dogs in the shops and find out what they do. Ask if you can tag along on a low-power turn, watch a drop check, stuff like that. Neither are you restricted to your own squadron - ashore or afloat, go look about and see what there is to see.
If you for some reason don't get that aviation cruise, don't despair. As noze and others said, you can learn a lot. My firstie cruise was on an SSN in the Med. Hit some great ports, learned a lot about how subs do their business, learned that I don't want to be a sub guy (important lesson). I'll probably never set foot on a sub again, but it was a neato experience.
My point in telling you this is, if you want to get something out of your 1/c cruise, you're going to have to make your own program. You're not likely to get much if any flying time, but you should never find yourself just sitting on your ass in the Ready Room reading the paper. Go explore, talk to the e-dogs in the shops and find out what they do. Ask if you can tag along on a low-power turn, watch a drop check, stuff like that. Neither are you restricted to your own squadron - ashore or afloat, go look about and see what there is to see.
If you for some reason don't get that aviation cruise, don't despair. As noze and others said, you can learn a lot. My firstie cruise was on an SSN in the Med. Hit some great ports, learned a lot about how subs do their business, learned that I don't want to be a sub guy (important lesson). I'll probably never set foot on a sub again, but it was a neato experience.
Uncle Fester brings up a great point......your middie cruises are likely to be your first and only meaningful interactions with the enlisted side of the house for several years if you go the aviation route upon commissioning. My advice would be to try and learn as much about them, their careers, and their responsibilities as you can during this time.
I did a 1/C cruise with HSC-2 in Norfolk. We flew in the helo a whopping two times, but we got stick time with both. It was a sweet experience, but keep in mind it is what you make it. I can't speak for all cruises, but mine wasn't very busy. We only went to the squadron when they had something for us to do, which wasn't that often. If we weren't there, we were in the BOQ or at the beach. To get the most out of it, ASK QUESTIONS! Ask anything you can of anyone. We wound up getting a flight with the C-2 Greyhound guys who were doing quals on that one field out in the middle of no where, and we spent a good 5 hours out with them. We also got to spend a flight in another helo squadron with some of the CORTRAMID East kiddies (in the back, of course). If you don't ask, though, you won't get things!
So don't waste your time. I spent more time in my room than I probably should have. Oh well.
Also, HRT sucks. 2 hours on a bus is boring as crap.
So don't waste your time. I spent more time in my room than I probably should have. Oh well.
Also, HRT sucks. 2 hours on a bus is boring as crap.
STARFlight145
Registered User
I think you answered my next question, which is where do they put you up for the few weeks that you're there? BOQ?
STARFlight145
Registered User
Was just informed by my LT that phase I will not be available to me. Still waiting to hear my options, though. 
Go buy a lottery ticket now, cause you ain't getting any luckier than that anytime soon...
STARFlight145
Registered User
d*mn, still nothing on my end. :icon_rage