Navy vs. Army vs. Air Force Aviation

[CWJones411]

What are the advantages/ disadvantages of an aviation career in the Navy, Air Force, or Army. I know this forum is slightly biased, but in all seriousness, in what ways are the respective branches different?

 

[Slammer2]

theres been a bunch of threads on this subject in the past. I would reccommend looking through those and then asking mroe refined questions that may come up. Its too broad of a topic to just put out like that.

 

[Kickflip89]

LETTER ON WHETHER TO BECOME AN AIR FORCE PILOT...... OR A NAVAL
AVIATOR......

The piece is written by Bob Norris, a former Naval aviator who also did a
3 year exchange tour flying the F-15 Eagle. He is now an accomplished
author of entertaining books about U.S. Naval Aviation including "Check
Six" and "Fly-Off". In response to a letter from an aspiring fighter pilot on which military academy to attend, Bob replied with the following:


22 December 2005

Young Man,

Congratulations on your selection to both the Naval and Air Force
Academies. Your goal of becoming a fighter pilot is impressive and a fine
way to serve your country. As you requested, I'd be happy to share some
insight into which service would be the best choice. Each service has a
distinctly different culture. You need to ask yourself "Which one am I more
likely to thrive in?"

USAF Snapshot: The USAF is exceptionally well organized and well run. Their
training programs are terrific. All pilots are groomed to meet high
standards for knowledge and professionalism. Their aircraft are top-notch
and extremely well maintained. Their facilities are excellent. Their
enlisted personnel are the brightest and the best trained. The USAF is
homogenous and macro. No matter where you go, you'll know what to expect, what is expected of you, and you'll be given the training & tools you need to meet those expectations. You will never be put in a situation over your head. Over a 20-year career, you will be home for most important family events. Your Mom would want you to be an Air Force pilot...so would your wife. Your Dad would want your sister to marry one.

Navy Snapshot: Aviators are part of the Navy, but so are Black Shoes
(surface warfare) and Bubble Heads (submariners). Furthermore, the Navy is
split into two distinctly different Fleets (West and East Coast). The Navy
is heterogeneous and micro. Your squadron is your home; it may be great,
average, or awful. A squadron can go from one extreme to the other before
you know it. You will spend months preparing for cruise and months on
cruise. The quality of the aircraft varies directly with the availability
of parts. Senior Navy enlisted are salt of the earth; you'll be proud if
you earn their respect. Junior enlisted vary from terrific to the troubled
kid the judge made join the service. You will be given the opportunity to
lead these people during your career; you will be humbled and get your
hands dirty. The quality of your training will vary and sometimes you will
be over your head. You will miss many important family events. There will
be long stretches of tedious duty aboard ship. You will fly in very bad
weather and/or at night and you will be scared many times. You will fly
with legends in the Navy and they will kick your ass until you become a
lethal force. And some days - when the scheduling Gods have smiled upon you - your jet will catapult into a glorious morning over a far-away sea and
you will be drop-jawed that someone would pay you to do it. The hottest
girl in the bar wants to meet the Naval Aviator. That bar is in Singapore.

Bottom line, son, if you gotta ask...pack warm & good luck in Colorado.


Banzai


P.S.: Air Force pilots wear scarves and iron their flight suits.

From This Thread

As for army, there are a few threads on this, click on the search button and search for Army Aviation or some such thing and you should find some info on it.

 

[Slammer2]

Oh man...Pags promised to pistol whip the next person who posted that.

 

[Kickflip89]

Oh man...Pags promised to pistol whip the next person who posted that.

Woops, didn't realize

 

[Stearmann4]

Let me phrase it this way. The only reason I'm an Army Aviator is I was too old for Navy and Air Force flight training (in that order) when I finally got released by the SEAL Teams.

The Army's admission criteria is somewhat more flexible than its sister-services.

 

[HueyCobra8151]

Army

Air Force

Navy

-or-

-or-

Marine Corps

 

[Herc_Dude]

Marine Corps

There was one branch missing ... I was waiting for one of my brothers to break the ice ... and you did it in style

 

[phrogpilot73]

The Great Santini - all around spectacular book and movie. I once had an XO walk into the ready room while the Capts were watching it, and he said "Now that's how you raise a kid." And he was serious!

 

[sardaddy]

"There was one branch missing ... I was waiting for one of my brothers to break the ice ... and you did it in style"

Actually there is one more.

US Coast Guard, Army aviation at its finest.

 

[bobbybrock]

"There was one branch missing ... I was waiting for one of my brothers to break the ice ... and you did it in style"

Actually there is one more.

US Coast Guard, Army aviation at its finest.

I actually think I have more classmates from Army flight school on active duty with the Coast Guard than the Army.