NFO future in the Marine Corps?

[Feet Wet]

There seems to be lots of plans for the NFO as far as Marines go. Like everything else think it will be "needs of the Marine Corps" and whether or not they line up with your plan at the end of your commitment.

I have also had to sit through multiple briefs on the future of Marine Air, and the answer is always different, so if somebody does know the future its lost in all the noise of everyone else opinion.

In the end if you want to go NFO, and there is a slot take it. I have had a blast so far.

Yeah, the writing seems to be on the wall WRT USMC NFO's....sad, but true. Buy hey, look on the bright side, I'm sure they will have some really fullfilling lat moves such as CFT coordinators and Semper Fu Instructors!

 

[KBayDog]

Yeah, the writing seems to be on the wall WRT USMC NFO's....sad, but true.

FWIW, the writing has been on the wall for Phrog guys for over 20 years now. Guess what? We're still here (though the writing is still on the wall...sad, but true), with new pilots being trained every day.

Like Fester said, a lot can (will) change in ten years.

 

[MackOhare]

Say what? Marine NFOs have already been through TBS. Want to reword that to make more sense?

Okay, sorry for the confusion. Am fully aware that all Marine officers complete TBS, so what I meant to say was that the winged Marine NFO would not have to complete a 6-month long Navy equivalent because the Navy doesn't have one, whereas I was curious if a winged Navy NFO would have to go back and complete TBS?? I don't even know if that happens at all, but was simply asking if that's how it would work?

 

[Ken_gone_flying]

Okay, sorry for the confusion. Am fully aware that all Marine officers complete TBS, so what I meant to say was that the winged Marine NFO would not have to complete a 6-month long Navy equivalent because the Navy doesn't have one, whereas I was curious if a winged Navy NFO would have to go back and complete TBS?? I don't even know if that happens at all, but was simply asking if that's how it would work?

TBS is for Marines only.

 

[jfulginiti]

Okay, sorry for the confusion. Am fully aware that all Marine officers complete TBS, so what I meant to say was that the winged Marine NFO would not have to complete a 6-month long Navy equivalent because the Navy doesn't have one, whereas I was curious if a winged Navy NFO would have to go back and complete TBS?? I don't even know if that happens at all, but was simply asking if that's how it would work?

If for some reason a winged Navy NFO or pilot switched to the Marines, he/she would have to do TBS. It happened about 3 years ago... Navy jet guys got winged as LTJGs, switched to the Marines as 1stLt's, went to TBS, then went to the FRS.

 

[MasterBates]

It was also done with helo guys in the past. It was an option when I was in advanced, and I considered it. Would have done it for a guaranteed Cobra slot.

 

[phrogpilot73]

^^ Can't do that as a Marine.

What's your point? Command of a Carrier? Whoopy Ding Shit. You sure can't do this in the Navy:

(MEU Change of Command - you can keep your big grey ship and it's jets. I'll take the 30 days of self-sustaining straight up honest to god WAR.)

Brett -- very good point, sir, on the EA missions. But what about the -18Ds and the role of airborne FAC? I imagine that's still going to be a relevant role in the MAGTF in the future as well? Or are most FACs ground-based nowadays? I honestly don't know? I'm totally ignorant on the fact, to be honest..

FAC(A) is capable of being done from the F/A-18D, AV-8B, AH-1W, and UH-1N. Our most common implementation of the MAGTF is the MEU, and the composite squadron has all of the above, minus the 18. So, are we really losing a whole lot? I don't think so.

Not to mention that the whole two-dudes required to do FAC(A) thing went away once MAWTS-1 blessed the AV-8B's FAC(A) syllabus.

 

[MAKE VAPES]

The future is unmanned, till they figure out that it aint war if noone actually dies... two anchors first to go... then single anchors... replaced by technology again... is skynet selfaware yet?

 

[Feet Wet]

FWIW, the writing has been on the wall for Phrog guys for over 20 years now. Guess what? We're still here (though the writing is still on the wall...sad, but true), with new pilots being trained every day.

Like Fester said, a lot can (will) change in ten years.

The last two years has seen a ton of VERY qualified 7562's not picking up 0-5, and fighting for incredibly competitive command opportunities. The '46 is still around, but it's not like the community is growing by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[KBayDog]

The last two years has seen a ton of VERY qualified 7562's not picking up 0-5, and fighting for incredibly competitive command opportunities. The '46 is still around, but it's not like the community is growing by any stretch of the imagination.

Understood. My point was not that the OP should avoid being an NFO, if that's what he wants to do, simply because of a projected timeline. That said, yes, all choices have consequences (positive and negative).

 

[zoomiesailor]

Future of Marine Corps NFOs ?

I was wondering if anyone know's what the future holds for Marine Corps NFOs? With the F-35 eventually coming online to replace the F/A-18s and the EA-6Bs going away, will the NFO MOS be a thing of the past?

 

[murryton]

I think 2016 is the last year slated to take more NFO's, but that will probably get pushed back. Plus, they don't even know how the JSF is going to do filling the FAC(A) role, yet.

 

[Uncle Fester]

Asked and answered before. Many, many, many times.

 

[HeyJoe]

I think 2016 is the last year slated to take more NFO's, but that will probably get pushed back. Plus, they don't even know how the JSF is going to do filling the FAC(A) role, yet.

Doubt that will be a factor as there are plenty of single seat FAC (A)s dating as far back as Kosovo (of course many "customers" preferred working with two seat FAC (A)s).