Two questions about the Marines

[46Driver]

Although its still probably the #1 choice, its not that hard getting Cobras. Quite a number of Marines want to go transports (46's and 53's) and a lot choose location over platform (want to go to California, Hawaii, Okinawa, or New River). So if you want Cobras regardless of location, you have a decent chance depending upon the class you select with. Also, if you time off between intermediates and helos, I highly suggest taking TAD orders to a reserve squadron and getting some stick time before starting HT's. Nothing like being able to hover on FAM-1 to set a good precedent....

 

[Jeremy]

I take it you are a ch-46 pilot then? Can you give me a good guide to get to the cobra's including what you said? I hear that HMT-303 is the training squadron for Marine Cobra and Huey pilots (at Camp Pendleton, CA). How long is the training once you get assigned to a cobra training squadron (I assume there is only one)?

-J

 

[phrogdriver]

Guide to getting to Cobras--be #1 in your winging class. As with everything else, the first guy gets what he wants, everyone else gets what they get. That's the truth no matter what your first choice is. Unless it's CH46 Okinawa--then you'll almost certainly get it, even if you're last!

The Cobra and Huey RAGS (or FRS, to use the offical term) are the longest. They can take 4-6 months to get through. I'm not sure what the exact programmed time to train is.

Phrogs phorever

 

[splendid_splinter]

the trick to getting cobras is, getting below a 50 in primary, and then getting #1 in your advanced class... everyone(marines) above a fifty has been going to play with the nerds lately.

 

[46Driver]

You are correct: HMT-303 is out at Pendleton. No idea how long the FRS takes, like everywhere else, it depends on the backlog of students. How to get Cobras? Do as well as you can in AI and Primary because those grades are factored in. The best leg up I can give you is to get PTAD to a reserves helo squadron and get 20-40 hours of stick time. When you show up for helos, you will likely do much better in FAMS than someone who has no helo time. In other words, that will probably net you an easy 3 or 4 aboves more than the SNA with no helo time.
Also, remember that most students show up at South Field wanting Cobras but by selection time that number dead set on Cobras drops significantly for a variety of reasons.

 

[Jeremy]

Probably because of the danger involved with it. I don't care about danger. I think I can protect grunts with close air support as good or better than anyone doing it now. I want Cobras period, so I guess I have to bust my ass. No big deal, I have done it many times. Now when you talk about stick time on PTAD, when do you mean that is? Do I take the TAD after Pensacola? I don't understand yet the exact course of instruction for Helo pilots so maybe you can break that down and tell me the optimal time to put in for TAD to get that 20-40 hours. I am not married, no girlfriend, and a huge desire to succeed in this so I'll devote every waking hour if that is what it takes.

-J

ps what are the "variety of reason" that you are talking...I'm quite interested in knowing.

 

[46Driver]

Probably because of the danger involved???? While the Cobras are shooting (and for that I am grateful) who do you think goes into hot LZ's to insert/extract the grunts? The 53's doing the night inflight refueling mission into the Somolia embassy / the 46's doing the Jessica Lynch rescue (my old C.O. led that mission) can get pretty hairy. Watch "The Gauntlet" and you might understand the mission.... The Phrogs are covered in armor for a reason. All of the missions are dangerous.

The variety of reasons? Location is the #1 reason. Also, community reputations. 53's are going to get a lot of special ops stuff because of the capability of the platform. Likewise, a flight of 6 on NVG's in tight formation is a blast - welcome to the world of the 46. It is no secret that SNA's going Cobras have another 2-3 years of intensive studying ahead - after flight school everyone is sick of studying. The transport (46 and 53) communities are much more laid back. Also, if you fly 46's, you have a higher probability of getting C-12's as a follow on tour due to the fact that at jet bases the CH-46D's fly Search and Rescue - these pilots also fly the station C-12.

Figure a timeline as such: TBS - Delay waiting for PCola (chance for PTAD) - Primary/Intermediates - Delay waiting for Advanced Helos (chance again for PTAD) - Advanced Helos - FRS - Fleet. Stick time is just that - a chance to fly. Finally, until you've been in a Cobra squadron for a tour, its probably best to keep quiet about your skills otherwise you are going to be the object of much humor.....

 

[AirGrunt]

Ok, enough about the helos (JK). What about those Marines that have a desire to fly specific fixed-wing aircraft? For instance, how hard is it to get the KC-130? Personally, I wouldn't mind learning how to fly the new KC-130J.

 

[46Driver]

From what I remember, C-130's are highly sought after and difficult to get due to the small number of slots available. (When you select, you will either get jets, props (C-130's) or helos). If there are any primary students or instructors with better gouge, speak up.

 

[thor44]

I would be interested in this info as well. Would love to fly jets.

Live Pure,
Right Wrong,
Speak True,
Follow the King,
Else Wherefore Born?

 

[phrogdriver]

2nd what 46 said. Assault support is about as dangerous as anything else in aviation. While the skids are in a BP (battle position) over or even some distance away from the objective, the assaults are going into that zone. With the bad guys, no to mention the brownout, limited waveoff corridor, limited power, etc.

Biggest reason people change their minds about skids--the perceived attitude of the skid community. Also, the 46 community has better command opportunities, if you're into that sort of thing. Other students want to get the chance to lead Marines again. Having a crewchief and aerial observer in the back is a big responsibility, and very cool. Additionally, assault support puts you in the nucleus of the ground scheme of manuever--helos are 75% of a MEUs tactical mobility. If you don't believe that, fly 100NM, then walk, or even take an amtrak back.

Phrogs phorever

 

[Banjo33]

Lately (within the last couple of months) there has been 1 C130 slot a week. Not too competitive (if you've got a fifty or above you're going jets--probably who ever has the closest to a fifty will get the herc slot). Changes VERY often. From what I understand there had only been one C130 slot since November up to March or April.

 

[Jeremy]

46Driver, thanks for the rounds. I have many questions and don't know what or who to ask sometime. Maybe if you have a chance sometime offline to talk, I could drill you with some good questions. Let me know if this is feasable.

Semper Fi,

-J

 

[46Driver]

Give me a yell next week - I am out the door right now for Boston and my airline job. My student last night was the perfect example of what I was talking about: dead set on Cobras when he arrived and now as he is approaching winging wants 53's. Nothing at all wrong with wanting Cobras, but honestly, you will have a blast flying whichever aircraft you get - nothing like going downrange on a mission with your buds flying escort and looking in the back and seeing another TBS bud as the platoon commander - we are all on the same team. That's why I really suggest picking location first and then getting whatever platform available at the place you want to go. Its good there is a forum like this so questions can be answered and the new students can learn from our experiences and mistakes.

In the interim, I heartily recommend: www.rathergood.com/moon_song/ It only gets better with beer.....

 

[Jeremy]

Send me a pm with your phone number so I can give you a hollar sometime. Also, let me know your real name.
Thanks,


-Jeremy