April 2014 SNA and NFO Board

[utswimmer37]

I'm with you there. I've heard jet pilots are more likely to get sort of "burned out," and while I wanted jets when I started out, I'm leaning towards P-8's and E-6's.
Just a heads-up, when you finish Primary, your 4 choices for the dream sheet will likely be: Jets, Helos, tailhook (E-2/C-2), and multi-engine maritime (as in landbased - P-3/P-8/E-6). After you get one of those pipelines and finish further training, then you'll narrow it down to specific aircraft. Further, I've heard that the vast majority of people who pick the tailhook pipeline get E-2's, although that will vary between classes. But yeah, I'm hoping to pick multi-engine, and then if there's an E-6 slot that no one wants, I'll grab that.

what exactly is burnout? I know my dreams are much different than reality which is why I'd like to try and keep an open mind, plus there is so much school ahead no matter what platform you go. Anyone talked to any helo guys with experience? I've heard they get a more broad job as in could do anything from anti-sub to humanitarian/disaster efforts which would be a solid job.

 

[The_Pants]

1)F/A-18 or the Growler
2.)Osprey, Super Stallion, or C-130

Definitely don't want to be doing anti-sub. Would rather be where the action is dropping or extracting SEALs/Marines from combat zones.

 

[Tycho_Brohe]

what exactly is burnout?

Basically when the lifestyle is more strenuous than you may have anticipated, and you don't think you could keep it up for a 20+ year career. That's why their (jet pilots) ACCP bonuses are so much higher, they have a retention problem, and they need to offer more money to keep people from serving their eight years and getting out. When you think of flying P-3's in Sigonella or Hawaii vs. 7+ month carrier deployments flying something much harder and faster and every landing is essentially a controlled crash, which one do you think you could keep up for a longer amount of time?

 

[Mozart]

I may sound crazy but I want to be depolyed and fly F18's all the time. Ive went to school for 6 years and loved it. Never got burned out. Im not the type. The harder the better, and if I spend 18 hours killing myself in the cockpit and doing takeoffs/landing over and over and over and over, that means the end of the day will be THAT much better. I'm not trying to brag, its just how ive always been.

Did a 40 mile hike in the San Juan forest last year to a 14er peak, half way through we added an extra 5 miles to bag another peak. Got back to base camp, destroyed, and wondered if we could eat a quick meal and hoof the 15 miles back to the car before midnight. Opened the car door at 11. Im just naturally into those kinds of serious tests of will power and strength.

Cant wait to see what the Navy has to throw at me.

 

[unclelou]

I have absolutely no idea what I would like to fly.
Flying is the dream and an obtainable goal that I will pursue.
I know some marine attack helo pilots and some fighter pilots.
Be happy to devote my life to either.

 

[VoodooNova]

After starting my application in January 2013, I've been fortunate enough to have a fantastic recruiter who has been a wealth of information and encouragement. It has been ulcer-levels of anxiety waiting since I submitted my package (Primarily from worrying about whether or not I'll be accepted), so now that these boards are almost here, it'll be great to know if all the hard work and patience will pay off.

As for the aircraft, here is my top 3 list: P-8, E-6, E-2.

 

[utswimmer37]

I may sound crazy but I want to be depolyed and fly F18's all the time. Ive went to school for 6 years and loved it. Never got burned out. Im not the type. The harder the better, and if I spend 18 hours killing myself in the cockpit and doing takeoffs/landing over and over and over and over, that means the end of the day will be THAT much better. I'm not trying to brag, its just how ive always been.

Did a 40 mile hike in the San Juan forest last year to a 14er peak, half way through we added an extra 5 miles to bag another peak. Got back to base camp, destroyed, and wondered if we could eat a quick meal and hoof the 15 miles back to the car before midnight. Opened the car door at 11. Im just naturally into those kinds of serious tests of will power and strength.

Cant wait to see what the Navy has to throw at me.

"everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth"...i get the feeling that quote applies to this platform or else people wouldn't be saying what they are

 

[brogdawg32]

Looking through everyone's posts has definitely confirmed for me I'll be happy flying just about whatever the Navy gives me. Maybe I'll have an actual dream sheet once I'm in API... But as of right now, give me a ProY and put me in anything!

 

[JackThoma5]

I just have my mind on the board next week but I have always wanted to be not just a pilot but a fighter pilot so it's F-18 for me. I don't think I will be happy in anything else which is why I'm going to bust my ass in flight school to make sure I get a slot. Cheers to next week!

 

[Kees]

Question for my fellow aviation hopefuls:

Assuming we all get selected, survive the NAMI Whammy, successfully complete OCS, perform like Rock stars in API enough to have our choice of platform, and have the stars align perfectly enough for the “needs of the Navy” to match said choice; which aircraft would you like to fly? List your top two.

1) Poseidon
2) Rhino

Seriously, Jay Mouton, call Kenny Loggins, cuz you're in the Danger Zone...

1.) F/A-18E/F
2.) E/A-18G
3.) F-35C (assuming the thing ever makes it to active service)

However, like many others on this forum, I'm more concerned with getting a slot at this point. This opportunity means absolutely everything to me--not a goal or a dream, but my calling, my purpose.

To be a U.S. Naval Aviator--is there anything greater in the world? Not in my book!

 

[vladivostok391]

Just want to say good luck to all you guys and gals awaiting SNA and NFO boards. My dream was to be a naval aviator since I was a kid; I wanted to fly the old A-6 Intruder when I was younger haha. Anyway, I'm too old now and my vision was far too bad to ever have a shot, so cheers to all you guys vying to become our next generation of naval aviators. Best of luck to you all.

 

[tdogsmith]

All of you that have almost peer to peer or friendly relationships with you're OR, such as texting you, are lucky. My OR is extremely hard to get ahold of, doesn't respond to emails, and I've discovered that he will only answer phone calls occasionally as long as I call his office phone around 1 or 2 pm. I can't bad mouth the guy though because he seems to get what he needs done, although I don't have a reference to compare him to. He didn't tell me that my application was submitted until after the fact when I contacted him. I asked him about CIRIMS or whatever that is being able to show my app status and he just told me to standby for results of the board and essentially that he couldn't give me a status except that he was certain my package would be seen.

Anyway: 1) F-35C, 2) F/A-18E or F, 3) EA-6B - Low bypass turbojets or bust!

 

[Hopeful Hoya]

Anyway: 1) F-35C, 2) F/A-18E or F, 3) EA-6B - Low bypass turbojets or bust!

I apologize is this is bad gouge, but I thought I remembered reading that the Navy is no longer training new pilots in the Prowler, and all the VQ FRSes have transitioned to the Growler?

Also, best of luck to everyone whose packages are going to be seen at the board. It's amazing how many of you have such strong packages, so hopefully we'll be hearing about a lot of Pro-rec Y's the next few weeks!

 

[tdogsmith]

I apologize is this is bad gouge, but I thought I remembered reading that the Navy is no longer training new pilots in the Prowler, and all the VQ FRSes have transitioned to the Growler?

Also, best of luck to everyone whose packages are going to be seen at the board. It's amazing how many of you have such strong packages, so hopefully we'll be hearing about a lot of Pro-rec Y's the next few weeks!

I believe you're right about that. I just think the A-6 airframe is awesome, its a shame its going away

 

[AaronJB]

I apologize is this is bad gouge, but I thought I remembered reading that the Navy is no longer training new pilots in the Prowler, and all the VQ FRSes have transitioned to the Growler?

Also, best of luck to everyone whose packages are going to be seen at the board. It's amazing how many of you have such strong packages, so hopefully we'll be hearing about a lot of Pro-rec Y's the next few weeks!

Yeah I am pretty sure that the last VAQ-129 Prowler departed Whidbey last month.