Looking for advice on picking a service and a pipeline

[AirSpiral]

In the event I'm selected for OCS and get a spot at API, I'm pretty clueless about what way to go after primary school

Like most guys I guess I really only know about the jets. However my uncle used to fly F-14's and he said that the fighter jets just aren't for everybody and that I might enjoy another pipeline better.

I think helicopters are hella tight (excuse my lame lingo) but if I go Navy, are there any helicopters with guns? Not that blowing shit up is my only motivation but it'd sure be cool. Aside from choppers I don't know much about the other aircraft the Navy uses

Conclusively, after talking with my uncle I'm not sure if I'm going to think fighter is my favorite even if I'm selected. He made it sound like choosing my pipeline is the most important choice of my life and that I could really mess up if I pick the wrong one.

How do I know which pipeline is right for me?!?

 

[Treetop Flyer]

Don't worry about it too much now. Talk to IP's during flight school from different communities, go to any fleet fly-ins and ask lots of questions. You will get a feel for who does what and what kind of lifestyle you want.

 

[AirSpiral]

I did hear that if I went Marines, there are more attack based aircraft but that if you go Marines you can't get guaranteed into API. I don't want to end up infantry

Not that there's anything wrong with infantry, its gutsy shit but as priorities go I want to get in the air first and second pull a trigger

 

[zippy]

Conclusively, after talking with my uncle I'm not sure if I'm going to think fighter is my favorite even if I'm selected. He made it sound like choosing my pipeline is the most important choice of my life and that I could really mess up if I pick the wrong one.

How do I know which pipeline is right for me?!?

Don't worry, in the end it is all going to boil down to the needs of the Navy anyways- if those needs happen to match your wants, then you get what you want. If not, you get what you get...

 

[HeyJoe]

I did hear that if I went Marines, there are more attack based aircraft but that if you go Marines you can't get guaranteed into API.

You need to get better sources. Marines will give you an air contract and via PLC, you can get it during college. Tell 'em you heard it here!

 

[helolumpy]

In the event I'm selected for OCS and get a spot at API, I'm pretty clueless about what way to go after primary school

Like most guys I guess I really only know about the jets. However my uncle used to fly F-14's and he said that the fighter jets just aren't for everybody and that I might enjoy another pipeline better.

I think helicopters are hella tight (excuse my lame lingo) but if I go Navy, are there any helicopters with guns? Not that blowing shit up is my only motivation but it'd sure be cool. Aside from choppers I don't know much about the other aircraft the Navy uses

Conclusively, after talking with my uncle I'm not sure if I'm going to think fighter is my favorite even if I'm selected. He made it sound like choosing my pipeline is the most important choice of my life and that I could really mess up if I pick the wrong one.

How do I know which pipeline is right for me?!?

A bunch of primary instructors used to say; 'whatever aircraft you fly will be the best kept secret in the Navy'. Everything has it's advantages and disadvantages. My advice is to ask the instructors what they flew and what they liked and disliked about their community and aircraft. You may find that something (land basing, small-boys or carriers) appeal to you more than others. If you don't ask questions you'll never know.

Most folks start flight school with dreams of flying fighters; living the Top Gun dream. But you will soon learn that some communities are better fits for your personality than others.

Besides if you're not one of the top guys in your class, then you have nothing to worry about.... the Navy will make that decision for you!

 

[scoolbubba]

All I gotta say is after this deployment (my first) , my green nomex is going to need two diamonds. Since P-3s don't do traps or cat shots, we gotta keep track of something...and Per Diem is something worth keeping track of. The hours down here are not bad, either. Lot of flight time, lot of time at the pool, lot of time at the casino.

War is hell.

 

[AirSpiral]

All I gotta say is after this deployment (my first) , my green nomex is going to need two diamonds. Since P-3s don't do traps or cat shots, we gotta keep track of something...and Per Diem is something worth keeping track of. The hours down here are not bad, either. Lot of flight time, lot of time at the pool, lot of time at the casino.

War is hell.

Forgive my FNG lack of vocabulary haha but could you tanslate that last one for me?

 

[scoolbubba]

Haha, I'm busting boat guys' balls. They get to drive the sexy birds, but I get paid extra loot to stay in a king bed in a hotel on this deployment. I have a feeling next deployment will be to trashcanistan or somewhere equally shitty, so I'm living it up right now. The only ones with a better scam are COD bubbas, or Reservistas.

 

[HeyJoe]

Forgive my FNG lack of vocabulary haha but could you tanslate that last one for me?

It's a famous quote from the Civil War, which he adapted to his "hellish" life in the Maritime Community raking in Per Diem while hanging out at the pool and taking his Per Diem spoils to the Casino. To some that would be Hell, but he means it as a joke. Get it?

 

[AirSpiral]

Ah, yes I get it now...little over my civilian head

Anyways...just had a chat with a pilot who said if I want to fly, then everything works out if you've already made it to primary but if I want to be a trigger man then go join the army.

This true?

Frankly pilot is what i want, not just explosions and gun fire. I'm sure I'm just way overthinking this.

 

[MIDNJAC]

Plenty of USN and USMC pilots pulling triggers on the daily. Certain communities get a little more of that action than others, but either way you will be an aviator in the armed forces.

 

[jtmedli]

Ah, yes I get it now...little over my civilian head

Anyways...just had a chat with a pilot who said if I want to fly, then everything works out if you've already made it to primary but if I want to be a trigger man then go join the army.

This true?

Frankly pilot is what i want, not just explosions and gun fire. I'm sure I'm just way overthinking this.

You are overthinking it. Decide what you want (pilot or infantry) and go after it with no reservation whatsoever. FWIW there are plenty of people in the Army, AF, USMC, and Navy who are not 'trigger pullers' and aren't pilots either.

 

[AirSpiral]

Plenty of USN and USMC pilots pulling triggers on the daily. Certain communities get a little more of that action than others, but either way you will be an aviator in the armed forces.

true dat

 

[HeyJoe]

I'm sure I'm just way overthinking this.

Yep. Just take wanting to be a pilot in the service and figure out what you need to do to get selected once you narrow down which service. Note: you don't need a college degree to go into Army aviation if that matters. Lots of threads here on what its like to fly in the repsective services. Recommend you spend some time researching those threads. Good stuff in them answering qquestions like yours from people who were in your shoes.