I just don't like the idea of wings for people who don't fly
-
Please take a moment and update your account profile. If you have an updated account profile with basic information on why you are on Air Warriors it will help other people respond to your posts. How do you update your profile you ask?
Go here:
Edit Account Details and Profile
New wings approved for AMDO/Aviation LDO/CWOs
- Thread starter Renegade One
- Start date
I think we Naval Aviators should go back to WWII and wear wings in place of the officers crest on our piss cutters :icon_tong That's just me though.
I for one have no issues with these wings, SWO wings, etc. They all serve to one extent or another. I've heard things like if you're not on the ground fighting as a soldier, you're not reallying serving. Stupid shit like that is really absurd. Besides, us aviators really know which wings look best
I for one have no issues with these wings, SWO wings, etc. They all serve to one extent or another. I've heard things like if you're not on the ground fighting as a soldier, you're not reallying serving. Stupid shit like that is really absurd. Besides, us aviators really know which wings look best
Anything to piss the SWOS off, and you better believe it would!
Just about EVERY professional, aviation maintenance officer I have spoken to doesn't like, or desire this breast insignia. I don't think any of them feel the need to have their profession illuminated by a new piece of chest candy. Having said that, ALL of them deserve it. And, for the record, all of you cartoon characters who think that they "don't deserve wings" or are somehow threatened my this, get over it. And, while your at it, spend an extra 30 seconds in maintenance control the next time you're reviewing the ADB and realize there is a WHOLE bunch of stuff that has a direct impact on your safety and mission accomplishment that you never see because these "professionals" have your back. just my .02c
Tread lightly, the last time that urge to make everyone feel special in the Army we all got issued black berets (and subsequently stole them from the Ranger Regt).
An insignia usually indicates a special skill set. Managing a phase flow and a bunch of wrench turners is not one of them. If that's the case, then the LT supervising the motor pool or small craft yard should get a distinctive device as well right? (I'm now a part time AMDO in addition to flying so I don't feel bad about saying it.)
MR-
What was wrong with the EAWS wings that I saw every AMDO wear throughout my Navy career? You were an officer and you weren't wearing gold wings, so I knew you must be King of the Wrench Turners.
MR-
So by that rationale, where's the harm in holding the few of the more skilled occupations in the Navy in a little higher esteem, and make the priviledge of wearing a distinctive insignia motivation for a Sailor to challenge him/herself to earn the pin; undertake the rigorous training, actually sacrifice a year spent studying, subject yourself to personal discomfort, or subject themselves to a higher risk occupation. That's how we distinguish a Nuke, SEAL, Aviator, NFO, AC, etc from the "smoe" that get's an insignia from simply filling a particular job billet.
Heaven forbid we tell someone "If you'd like to wear a gold insignia, you'll have to choose from XXXX or YYYY school. Oh, you don't want that 2 years of school, or you don't like being cold and wet? Well then here's your orders, good luck."
If you allow everyone to think they're all equal without having to put forth equal effort, then there's no reason for anyone to strive for anything else.
There's a definition for that...oh yeah, it's called Socialism and re-distribution of wealth.
MR-
As a side note to this thread, a lot of people seem to be confusing AMDO's with LDO's in aviation maintenance-related designators. An Aviation Maintenance Duty Officer (AMDO) is a Restricted Line officer with a 1520 designator (or a 1500 if a CAPT for 2+ years which is when the designator combines with the AEDO's). While they might be prior-enlisted, they don't have to be. An LDO working in Aviation Maintenance has a 63xx designator and in the field they worked during their enlisted career. LDO's are all prior enlisted picked up through a competitive selection board that meets yearly.
Don't know that I 'get' the thrust of your post ... but 'WINGS', gold or lead or otherwise, are for guys that 'fly' ... Officer or Enlisted ... but not for groundpounders that happen to work in Aviation fields ....
If you don't 'fly' ... then you don't get Wings ... until you're in Heaven.
Good point, I just never saw an AMDO who wasn't prior enlisted, hence the comment about an AMDO wearing EAWS wings.
MR-
Many aviation maintenance professionals will probably agree with you - I have met several who don't wear any breast insignia and take great pride in not having to "justify" or "display" there profession with an insignia. EAWS wings however are authorized, accepted and worn with pride by many prior enlisted turned aviation maintenance officer, despite the fact they don't "fly."
I never said everyone should get a "feel good pin". The thrust of my post was that a LDO/CWO/AMDO working the MMCO/Det MO job is a highly skilled individual. Maybe they didn't get a year long school, but most of them have years spent in the enlisted ranks were they learned their trade from the ground up. A distinctive pin for them I think would definitely give a Sailor plenty of motivation to earn that pin. Just because you or I as a winged aviator can do their job in no way takes away from the work they put out.
My community used LDO/CWOs extensively. A good majority of them made the MO job look easy. Good I be a DET MO? Absolutely. But I'd be pulling my hair out a lot of the time. Having them on board was great because it allowed us to focus on the flying side of things and they ensured that the birds were good to go.
And I'll agree with what rob8vr has already said. Most LDO/CWOs that I've met and worked with want nothing to do with this pin. But most of them have more than earned the right to wear something to set them apart.
Finally, it seems odd that people are blaming the AF for "badge creep". As the community with the oldest warfare device, doesn't that make us the outbreak monkey/patient zero of the "badge creep"? I'm sure many of the same comments were said by members of the Gun Club when the LT Ellyson decided that he had to make himself "feel good" by wearing gold wings.
And that's O.K. by me ... as they 'earned' those Wings ... reference the repeated observations @ 'retired guys' sporting Wings of varying sizes, shapes, and colors ... again, they EARNED them.
One of the tower Chiefs in Meridian was a NAP ... he wasn't 'flying' anymore but wore his Naval Aviator Wings w/pride each & every day ... he earned 'em ... and he had everyone's respect for what he had experienced and lived through to tell the tale ...