How long do nfo's normally serve?

[Flash]

How many have been relieved due to incompetence (or anything else for that matter)?

More a concern about tactical competence, an experienced gator SWO I know expressed the same and unlike most shoes he actually seems to know what he is talking about. It is the same legitimate concern when a transition takes command of a squadron with no previous experience in the platform or mission, sometimes it doesn't work out too well.

 

[robav8r]

More a concern about tactical competence, an experienced gator SWO I know expressed the same and unlike most shoes he actually seems to know what he is talking about. It is the same legitimate concern when a transition takes command of a squadron with no previous experience in the platform or mission, sometimes it doesn't work out too well.

OK, but again, where is the empirical evidence ??? Are Amphib operations that tactically complex compared to CVN TTP's? While my Amphib experience is limited, I find it a stretch to say that our best NFO's aren't able to compete with Amphib SWO's in this arena. Just my .02c

 

[Flash]

OK, but again, where is the empirical evidence ??? Are Amphib operations that tactically complex compared to CVN TTP's? While my Amphib experience is limited, I find it a stretch to say that our best NFO's aren't able to compete with Amphib SWO's in this arena. Just my .02c

Gator navy fun may not be as complex as carrier ops but there is something to be said for having someone with experience at the helm no matter the military discipline.

As for empirical evidence, I got nothing but that certainly hasn't stopped us (me included) from arguing about things before now has it?

 

[robav8r]

As for empirical evidence, I got nothing but that certainly hasn't stopped us (me included) from arguing about things before now has it?

Fair enough It will certainly be something to watch going forward. Leadership, competence & passion is everything - regardless of designator or community. Cheers !

 

[thebluto]

NFO stands for No Future Outside. So, the answer is forever.

 

[ea6bflyr]

NFO stands for No Future Outside. So, the answer is forever.

Thanks for the original content that adds nothing to this thread.

If you were trying to be funny, it certainly didn't come across well.

 

[Flash]

Thanks for the original content that adds nothing to this thread.

If you were trying to be funny, it certainly didn't come across well.

Well, he is a former FO so just take it with a grain of salt. That and the extra stripe he just got might be going to his head...

 

[Mos]

My mom once asked me, "So as an NFO, what civilian job could you do that involves flying?" The first vision that came to mind was of me walking through the P-3C tube setting Condition 5 prior to takeoff - making sure everyone had their seat belts fastened, seat backs in the upright position, gear secured, etc - so I said, "Flight attendant." That being said, I'm not anywhere near 'the outside' so I can't speak to possible futures. I've heard of a lot of NFOs that have done well for themselves though.

 

[Charles Edward]

There's no limitations on your career for NFOs. You have the same opportunities as any pilot to be a CAG, commodore, carrier CO, admiral, etc. The current Supe of the Naval Academy is an NFO. As was Admiral Fallon.

Before someone points it out, no, not all pilots or FOs are eligible for all billets. CAGs are fixed-wing carrier types and traditionally big-deck phib COs are helo guys, for example. But the point is those are community-limited billets, not pilot-vs-FO limitations.

Is it awkward when an NFO outranks a pilot in the same aircraft or even squadron? I've read that a senior NFO often gets paired with a junior pilot and vice versa. However, isn't the aviator always the "pilot in command"? Does this ever cause friction/problems, subtle or otherwise between an NFO in a command position and pilots under him/her? Thanks.

 

[robav8r]

NFO's are much smarter and should ALWAYS be placed in leadership & supervisory positions over pilots. Pilots get too wrapped around that whole "safety of flight" thing which prevents them from focusing on mission commander and other leadership duties . . . . .

 

[Uncle Fester]

Only if the pilots and/or Trunk Monkeys involved are unprofessional assholes.

But really - it depends on the airplane how responsibilities and positions are divvied up. The difference between rank authority and positional authority is something that gets discussed a lot during CRM refreshers. In an E-2, for example, it's not at all uncommon to have a LT aircraft commander, LT NFO mission commander, and an NFO Skipper in back sitting ACO because being mission commander requires a lot of preflight mission planning and he's got Skipper shit to do. In theory the CAPC signed for the plane and he's responsible for it. But the Skipper owns the plane and he's also responsible for it. So if there's an issue, ultimately the CAPC will do what the skipper tells him to - but both will have to defend and explain their decision making later. If everyone's being professional, it'll be a collective decision everyone's comfortable with. What won't wash is someone saying "we're doing this because I'm the (x), end of discussion."

 

[robav8r]

If everyone's being professional, it'll be a collective decision everyone's comfortable with. What won't wash is someone saying "we're doing this because I'm the (x), end of discussion."

Tru-Dat !

 

[Renegade One]

My mom once asked me, "So as an NFO, what civilian job could you do that involves flying?" The first vision that came to mind was of me walking through the P-3C tube setting Condition 5 prior to takeoff - making sure everyone had their seat belts fastened, seat backs in the upright position, gear secured, etc - so I said, "Flight attendant." That being said, I'm not anywhere near 'the outside' so I can't speak to possible futures. I've heard of a lot of NFOs that have done well for themselves though.

TINS: Sometime while I was going through training, there was a pub of some sort which listed civilian jobs compatible with military experience. The only one listed for NFO was "Taxi Cab Dispatcher". Would have been a righteous transition job...

 

[Renegade One]

Is it awkward when an NFO outranks a pilot in the same aircraft or even squadron? I've read that a senior NFO often gets paired with a junior pilot and vice versa. However, isn't the aviator always the "pilot in command"? Does this ever cause friction/problems, subtle or otherwise between an NFO in a command position and pilots under him/her? Thanks.

Happened about half the time in Phantoms and Tomcats…and elsewhere, I presume. "One Team…One Fight!"

 

[Charles Edward]

Happened about half the time in Phantoms and Tomcats…and elsewhere, I presume. "One Team…One Fight!"

I.e...friction happened about half the time?