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Marine or Naval Aviation?

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fitz

Registered User
Hello to all aviators. I'm currently deciding between beginning the Marine Aviation path (via PLC) or joining up with the Navy and going their aviation route.
I appologize if that is a redundantor confusing statement: A Marine recruiter told me that the Marines and Navy are linked, but I can't figure out wether that means that Naval Aviators are the same "bunch" as Marine-enlisted aviators. :confused:
I would appreciate any advice or information anyone could give me on the difference/similarities between Marine and Navy piloting.
I hope I'm not making an ignorant ass out of myself. I've tried to gather information online by websites/books/brochures, but to no avail. I'm hoping that the Air Warriors community can help me with this issue.
Thank you,
fitz
 
batman527

batman527

Banned
I believe, and someone smarter correct me if I'm wrong :dunce_125, that the Marine's air component is more ground-support-centered than the Navy's, which tends to be more air-to-air. This isn't to say that each service doesn't do what the other one does, but are more centered around their specialty.

On the flip side of the coin however, Marine's are a part of the Navy, and Marine Aviators are actually Naval Aviators. I don't know how the training squadron's work, i.e. whether or not they are segregated by service, but I do know that instructor pilots at the flight schools are both Marine's and Naval Officers. That's the best I got, I apologize if any of it is inaccurate, but I think all the smart people are in bed now, like I would be if I were smart.;)
 
zippy

zippy

Freedom!
pilot
Contributor
Look through the OCS and BDCP threads for info on Navy paths to flight training.

Both Navy and Marine SNAs and SNFOs go through the same training in flight school. Marines go to TBS prior to flight school.
 
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fitz

Registered User
Thanks for the info guys. I've browsed through the "Best Threads" before and found them quite useful. So Marine pilots are generally ground support, and Navy is more air to air? ...what's the Air Force?
 
Brett327

Brett327

Well-Known Member
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
fitz said:
Thanks for the info guys. I've browsed through the "Best Threads" before and found them quite useful. So Marine pilots are generally ground support, and Navy is more air to air? ...what's the Air Force?
Click to expand...
That's probably confusing and not very accurate. The focus of Marine Air is support of their troops on the ground while the Navy is more centered on strike warfare. In the end, it's really an esoteric distinction because both services do air to air, and both services drop bombs on bad guys (as does the USAF). As with everything else, the devil is in the details, but probably not a major concern for you at this point.

Brett
 
cWood30

cWood30

PLC Sr's Candidate
A4sForever said:

5 handicap golfers ....
Click to expand...

:D :D That's what I'm talking about! I'm rooming with an AFROTC kid this semester. Great kid, but man they do get some jelly beans in their ROTC... Kinda ridiculous what they'll take next to the Marines standard.
 
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phrogpilot73

Well-Known Member
The biggest difference is in how we integrate our air. The Marine Corps utilizes what's known as a MAGTF (Marine Air Ground Task Force). It is organized based on the task at hand (MEU, MEB, MEF, SPMAGTF), so it's size may vary. We get very, very good at working very, very closely with our ground bretheren across all six functions of Marine Aviation. While the Navy and the Air Force can support us (we'd all choose Navy over Air Force), some of the things that are "understood" in the Marine Corps because we work so closely together may have to be explained to other services.

Of course, that's in a traditional deployment. All bets are off with the whole OIF thing... And of course, I can't speak as intelligently about the Navy, but I would say they do a WHOLE hell of a lot more than air-to-air. Seems to me, it's the Air Force that is convinced they're going up against a fleet of Red China Migs next week. That and strategic high altitude bombing is the wave of the future. But I digress...
 
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Blutonski816

Guest
cWood30 said:
:D :D That's what I'm talking about! I'm rooming with an AFROTC kid this semester. Great kid, but man they do get some jelly beans in their ROTC... Kinda ridiculous what they'll take next to the Marines standard.
Click to expand...

I've seen High School JROTC kids that were in better shape than some of the AFROTC guys here... and more than just "belly beans" I saw one guy during their Friday Morning Inspection, and the only way to describe him was "Fatass"...

/threadjack
 
scotty008

scotty008

Back at last
pilot
I always wanted to fly for the Navy growing up. My Dad was a Naval Aviator, and my Mom was an officer as well. Growing up surrounded by the constant jarhead stereotypes, I had my heart set on the Navy and never really considered the Marine Corps until circumstances led me in that direction. Although my time in the Marines is limited to OCS and almost 6 months of TBS, I can say without hesitation that things worked out for the best. Awesome people, great training, and still a ticket to Pensacola with a chance to one day fly. Both services are excellent, and I encourage you to look into both before deciding. Talk to as many people as you can (this forum is filled with extremely knowledgeable people willing to offer advice and the occasional bad joke), and do some research. I don't think that you can go wrong in either service- it just comes down to which works better for you individually. Good luck with the decision.
 
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