I here many people say "Marine 1st and Pilot 2nd." To what extent does this mean, and how come only the Marines have this saying? Other than TBS what is the difference between other branches(other than the trash talk between them)? Im just trying to see what Im getting myself into.
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Must want to be a Marine first then pilot second?
- Thread starter chelu55
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I hear that AF pilots are there just to fly- and thats it- and I heard the same as stated above in reguards to how we and the Nancy- wait I mean NaVy are. I know nothing about the Army. I have heard what other jobs these pilots have and it sounds to be more like others juobs and responsibilitys than leading enlisted types. Thats one drawback to flying- is that you dont get the same leadership experince as you would were you some other type of officer- (course I head that from a 0302, so..................)
Read the descrption from the MOS Handbook on the TBS web site. It says something to the effect that KC-130 pilots aren't routinely expected to rotate to other billets.
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Mongol General: ...Conan, what is best in life?
Conan: To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women!
Mongol General: That is good.
46Driver
"It's a mother beautiful bridge, and it's gon
Ok, this was beat to death in the "B-billets" thread. Suffice it to say that there is a good chance you could get sent to the ground side. However, HQMC is reviewing the whole FAC thing per the June issue of the Marine Corps Gazette (I am still trying to get my hands on it to read the full story.). What happens is that after your initial tour (could be 3,4,5,6 years in your primary billet, you will rotate out to a B-billet. EVERYBODY. 46pilots, Harrier pilots, C-130 pilots, infantry officers, Motor-T officers, everybody. That B-Billet could be a flight school instructor, TBS instructor, FAC tour, MEU staff tour, EWS student, etc. However, if you go to the reserves, you generally stay with your unit until you get promoted out of a billet - thus guys are at a reserve C-130 unit, a reserve CH-46 unit until they pin on LtCol which could be 5 to 8 years. In my case, I was winged in '92 and have never been out of the cockpit - even though I tried to get Naval Attache tours.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
trevor jones
Registered User
what do you billet or B billet? So i need to expect to be infantry if i decide to go for the marines. I guess thats why they are such hard asses. I love the idea of being a Marine, but I need to fly, and if out of a 6-8 year contract i only get to fly half, maybe shooting for the air force is better. i seems like a waste to go through all the flight training and then be on the ground, how can you become a great pilot?
Again, look at the "B-billets" thread for more. Yes, you are an officer 1st and pilot second. However, you will fly a pretty good amount, probably as much as your USAF brethren. You just have a ground job IN ADDITION TO everything else. Yes, in the Marines (and to some extent the Navy) you actually work harder. No surprise there.
FAC tours are 11 months to 1 year, not 3 yrs. Your B-billet is usually a flying job unless you go FAC (again, not always mandatory--out of my group of peers in my squadron, only 35% did FAC), or you ask for a non-flying job or school. Most guys instruct at the RAG or flt school, though there are other jobs out there.
This B-billet thing is getting way too much attention. The USMC want you in the cockpit. Too much time (i.e. more than 3yrs at a shot) out of the ckpt is a career ender as well. The Corps will expect you to do a turn in the non-flying barrel sometime, but so will the other services. The USAF is notorious for staff billets, if you think they're home free. They're so top-heavy with Os, they have to go somewhere!
Phrogs phorever
FAC tours are 11 months to 1 year, not 3 yrs. Your B-billet is usually a flying job unless you go FAC (again, not always mandatory--out of my group of peers in my squadron, only 35% did FAC), or you ask for a non-flying job or school. Most guys instruct at the RAG or flt school, though there are other jobs out there.
This B-billet thing is getting way too much attention. The USMC want you in the cockpit. Too much time (i.e. more than 3yrs at a shot) out of the ckpt is a career ender as well. The Corps will expect you to do a turn in the non-flying barrel sometime, but so will the other services. The USAF is notorious for staff billets, if you think they're home free. They're so top-heavy with Os, they have to go somewhere!
Phrogs phorever
vegita1220
User
I believe the BIG issue with most ppl is what you do after your first flying tour. Well, as other people have informed you, you'll be stuck with something other than flying. The point is, USMC is more likely to go humping in the boonies with the grunts, which may not exactly be your cup of tea. In that case, look into the Navy/Air Force. Those two services of course have their own pros and cons for you to work with.
jcrens8392
Registered User
I definitely agree with the Marine first and pilot second analysis; although I'm still a college student but have been to OCS. I do know that if I did not want to be a Marine first I wouldn't have made it through OCS...it's not fun and if you only want to be a pilot you can go the less demanding(?) route of the Air Force. Plus my buddy just got his NFO contract taken away 2 months or so prior to being commissioned. A lot of people (including myself) want to become Marines because it isn't easy and they'll make you earn it. I've always wanted to fly and that's my dream job, but if they take my flight contract away (which I don't think happens all that often) I'd still go through with it and go Infantry or something along those lines. Point is, it's hard work and if you don't want it you won't get it.
wildflyin69
Grad of OCS 187 Charlie Co. 3rd Plt.
Yeah, I want to know that too. Was he NPQ'd or did he do something?
"Push the stick foward, the houses get bigger; pull back, the houses get smaller... unless you keep pulling back, then they get bigger again."
"Push the stick foward, the houses get bigger; pull back, the houses get smaller... unless you keep pulling back, then they get bigger again."
Didn't Phrogdriver just say that %65 percent or so end up with a "flying" B-Billet. And, you don't get ""STUCK"" with a gound job, most of the Marines that go FAC request it.
If someone REALLY, TRULEY wants to be a MARINE then who the hell cares about a stinking B-Billet thats 4-6 years down the road!!!! You all are worrying about the wrong damn things. Focus on getting your commission, then on flight school.
Beetle
towbubba
boot 46 pilot
Phrogdriver or other Marine helo pilot,
What is the NSS for selecting Cobras or Hueys out of advanced? Is it difficult to get Cobras right now? I am in primary now and will get to South Field soon. At least I want Cobras or Hueys right now, you never know. How long is the RAG for helos?
What is the NSS for selecting Cobras or Hueys out of advanced? Is it difficult to get Cobras right now? I am in primary now and will get to South Field soon. At least I want Cobras or Hueys right now, you never know. How long is the RAG for helos?
There is no NSS for Hueys or Cobras. It depends on what your compadres winging that week ask for. If the top guys all want 53s and 46s, the NSS for skids could be knuckle-dragging low. Other weeks you have to be number one. Hueys are usually the least asked for airframe for some reason--every so often there's a "Huey draft." 53s are a very hot property many weeks.
The FRS is different by airframe. AH1 is the longest, followed by the UH1, 53, and 46.
The FRS is different by airframe. AH1 is the longest, followed by the UH1, 53, and 46.
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