Fleet Life Questions

[e47242]

So I have a few questions that I would like answered by people who have actual fleet experience as Aviators. I am currently waiting for API and have been throwing around the idea of redesignating for family sake and ease of stress on the family.

Here is my situation. I'm currently married to an active duty Marine. She is a DASCateer, you know the hot voice you check in with. She is at Pendleton while I am in Pensacola for flight training so we live apart, boohoo I know. Anyway I was looking for some insight on what life will be like once I actually get out to the fleet. I am also looking for any insight from anyone who may be in a similar situation with an active duty spouse. I want to shoot for skids so if anyone has any HMLA experience that would be awesome.

How often are deployments for skids? How long are the workups generally? What is life like being the boot pilot? What is squadron life like when deployed, when working up, and when you're not? What is family life like? How realistic is it that we both stay in the Corps and raise a family?

I've got a couple of deployments under my belt already so I know what thats like as an enlisted Marine. Just curious about the officer side especially as an aviator.

I appreciate any input.

 

[phrogdriver]

Don't redesignate, for god's sake. You will find your ass as an MMCO or something and deploying with the same squadron, but on the wrong side of the counter at Maintenance Control. Plus, staying in aviation will at least make you able to be stationed at the same bases as your DASCateer.

I won't speak to HML/A deployments, other than to say they have been deploying like crazy, though it has started to slow down a little bit of late.

Being the boot pilot is not so bad. It is not as if there's a haze-ex involved, just some extra busy work and a lot of studying.

Having a family with both of you in the Corps will be difficult. Can't lie to you there. You will have to have a plan in case both of you get deployed at the same time, e.g. grandparents taking the kid for a bit, etc. It can be done, though. The one bad thing about aviation vs other MOSs is that aviators have irregular hours. Most days, it may be 0730-1600 or 1700. Other days, though, you may show at 1400 and fly until midnight. It depends.

 

[Birdog8585]

A good buddy of mine's wife is an active duty LogO in Okki. Her rotation date is coming up and since we are headed to New River (he's a plopter stud as well) the monitors have done a pretty decent job of matching things up. She will be stationed in Lejeune and he will most likely be assigned an east coast VMM as a result. So bottom line, they will try to keep you as close as they can without sacrificing practicality.

 

[e47242]

Thank you for your input gents.

 

[Steve Wilkins]

She is a DASCateer

Is that like a Mouseketeer?

 

[Uncle Fester]

Mil-mil life is tough, but there's no way in hell having a different designator/MOS will make it easier on you. I've counseled more than a few O-1's who were in this situation. Redesignating won't fix the real problem - time apart, deployment skeds overlapping, PRD's that don't line up - and you'll just wind up watching your former classmates zooming off the Gator or Bagram or wherever. You want to be in that situation?

 

[Ralph]

Is it possible to stay at the same base for much of your time in? For certain aircraft there are only 2 bases. Or do they want you to move?

 

[e47242]

Is that like a Mouseketeer?

I am flattered that you went out of your way to find a picture of Mousekateers. Haha!