Ask a Naval Aircrewman

[austin_andres]

Originally Posted by tasteytots

I have lurked a couple times previously on this forum page to better inform myself about AIRC. I am currently shipping out to RTC on the 23rd and can not wait to get started.

It is nice to see that a lot of people are willing to jump on the ball and share as much information as they can to us new people entering the Navy and AIRC program.

With that said, I have seen that AIRC as AWS can go into Helos but seem to be going to the MH-53 like I have seen Haasino mention in previous comments. Though can an AIRC/AWS get placed on to a MH-60 or some other sort of helo? I spent some time at the airshow, speaking with a few Marine Aircrew and they shared that if I wanted to end up trying to get onto a helo/ rotary wing that I should let them know at some point in time at NACCS? I know things are at the needs of the navy, and with the switching to P-8s I hear most new AIRC are going AWO.

Completing NACCS and to be able to receive a rating within AW would be amazing no matter what it is given to me. Being apart of the aviation community with the Navy is what I have wanted since I can remember.

Hey I am at NACCS right now, I graduate on the 18th. AWS for the dry guys isn't given out very often, but it depends on your timing. The last few classes AWS was given out to a few guys because a AWS A-school class starts on the 15th. If there are available slots for AWS you will know before disney week, but make it known that you are interested in AWS. If there are slots, your instructors will pick between the people in your class who want AWS, they tend to preference to the best of your class (Class Leader, assistant, and cadence caller). If you are going dry AWS you will be on 53s and you will be stationed in Norfolk from what they have told us. Hope this helped, let me know if you have anymore questions.

[tasteytots]

Originally Posted by CTT1(SW)Griffin

Personally, I never saw them move someone from AIRC to AIRR while I was at NACCS, but that doesn't mean it couldn't happen. I'm not aware of any instruction that doesn't allow it, although not saying one doesn't exist.

CT's don't stay very long at all at NACCS compared to the straight out of boot camp guys (the huge majority of CT aircrew are fleet returnees, not new sailors), so maybe Hassino could add some on that one since he was there longer than I was.

If AIRR is something you want to do though, I would highly recommend you go in as such (ship as one I mean). RSS is physical but it's doable; it's not BUD/S. If your PST scores are good and you feel very comfortable in the water and swimming a lot, I would consider it.

/r
CTT1

That is cool I didn't know CT's actually are a part of NACCS, when do they usually leave or come to NACCS? AIRR is something that interests me, but talking to people and thinking about things I always seem to come back to AIRC. I have good PST scores. My ship date for AIRC is on the 23rd and do not want to wait any longer then I have too!!! I am pumped to go next week lol!

Originally Posted by austin_andres

Hey I am at NACCS right now, I graduate on the 18th. AWS for the dry guys isn't given out very often, but it depends on your timing. The last few classes AWS was given out to a few guys because a AWS A-school class starts on the 15th. If there are available slots for AWS you will know before disney week, but make it known that you are interested in AWS. If there are slots, your instructors will pick between the people in your class who want AWS, they tend to preference to the best of your class (Class Leader, assistant, and cadence caller). If you are going dry AWS you will be on 53s and you will be stationed in Norfolk from what they have told us. Hope this helped, let me know if you have anymore questions.

That is awesome man, congrats for graduating soon!!! While in NACCS, how do you get put into the Class leader, Assistant, and Cadence Caller roles? I am older age wise, I know they technically won't treat me any different but maybe I will have that advantage over some of the younger ones going through NACCS? As awesome as it would be to be placed onto a helo, not going to be the end of the world if I don't. Specially since AW has so many amazing options to go down!

What have you got placed into rating wise within AW?

Any information on the base in Norfolk?

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by tasteytots

That is cool I didn't know CT's actually are a part of NACCS, when do they usually leave or come to NACCS? AIRR is something that interests me, but talking to people and thinking about things I always seem to come back to AIRC. I have good PST scores. My ship date for AIRC is on the 23rd and do not want to wait any longer then I have too!!! I am pumped to go next week lol!

CT's go through the exact same NACCS you do; there's no difference training wise. Fleet returnees won't sit through the waiting periods to class up nearly as much as you guys will though. It costs a whole hell of a lot more to send a PO2/PO1 down there, pay them BAH, Per Diem, etc, etc; versus you guys who cost them significantly less. So they want to get those Fleet returnees in-and-out as fast as possible.

If you keep coming back to AIRC then just do it. There really isn't a bad job in Aircrew IMO. If you end up going P-8, enjoy it. THOSE THINGS ARE CUSH AS HELL! Actual bathrooms, nice chairs, new displays, the works. They're luxury compared to most P-3's haha

On the class leadership front, when I was there last year they usually picked a lot of the BUD/S Duds (guys who dropped from BUD/S and re-rated) since they have a little more time in than most of you guys do. If you have a Petty Officer in your class it'll be hit or miss on if they pick them. Petty Officers already have leadership experience from the Fleet, so it's better to get you junior guys in a leadership role in a training environment to help you develop.
**Note: That doesn't mean you suddenly outrank said Petty Officers. Don't be that guy that forgets that because you will be loudly and publically corrected in a hurry. Only saying that since some guys don't figure that out**

/r
CTT1

[tasteytots]

Originally Posted by CTT1(SW)Griffin

CT's go through the exact same NACCS you do; there's no difference training wise. Fleet returnees won't sit through the waiting periods to class up nearly as much as you guys will though. It costs a whole hell of a lot more to send a PO2/PO1 down there, pay them BAH, Per Diem, etc, etc; versus you guys who cost them significantly less. So they want to get those Fleet returnees in-and-out as fast as possible.

If you keep coming back to AIRC then just do it. There really isn't a bad job in Aircrew IMO. If you end up going P-8, enjoy it. THOSE THINGS ARE CUSH AS HELL! Actual bathrooms, nice chairs, new displays, the works. They're luxury compared to P-8's haha

On the class leadership front, when I was there last year they usually picked a lot of the BUD/S Duds (guys who dropped from BUD/S and re-rated) since they have a little more time in than most of you guys do. If you have a Petty Officer in your class it'll be hit or miss on if they pick them. Petty Officers already have leadership experience from the Fleet, so it's better to get you junior guys in a leadership role in a training environment to help you develop.
**Note: That doesn't mean you suddenly outrank said Petty Officers. Don't be that guy that forgets that because you will be loudly and publically corrected in a hurry. Only saying that since some guys don't figure that out**

/r
CTT1

Would be awesome to end up on a P-8, actual bathrooms for the win! Though the little kid in me wants to poke my head out the side of the helo and/ or the back of the fixed wing, while we are flying lol, I am sure there will be times to goof off. I know some one in CT but didn't know they could end up on fixed wings with us. As a CTT. obviously unsure of what that is, but what do you do if you don't mind me asking?

People that are BUD/S Duds aren't usually coming to NACCS as petty officers right? So I am guessing the Petty Officers coming through NACCS are usually some sort of CT that has been in for 8-12 years? If so will be nice having those people around with that type of experience being in the Navy for so long!!! Will the CT go through the whole training that we go through SERE school etc, after NACCS?

Originally Posted by CTT1(SW)Griffin

**Note: That doesn't mean you suddenly outrank said Petty Officers. Don't be that guy that forgets that because you will be loudly and publically corrected in a hurry. Only saying that since some guys don't figure that out**

Understandable, and a good reminder. I am hoping that being at my age, and the positions I have held as a civilian will work to my advantage in a lot of situations.

I appreciate you taking the time to answering all my questions!

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by tasteytots

Would be awesome to end up on a P-8, actual bathrooms for the win! Though the little kid in me wants to poke my head out the side of the helo and/ or the back of the fixed wing, while we are flying lol, I am sure there will be times to goof off. I know some one in CT but didn't know they could end up on fixed wings with us. As a CTT. obviously unsure of what that is, but what do you do if you don't mind me asking?

Signals intelligence. Intercepting enemy signals of interest, determining what they are, how they're being used, what their intent is, what it all means in the big picture, etc. That's the core of all CT's; find the technical intelligence, process it, and determine what it all means for us as a nation and as war fighters.

Aka we find, track, and help eliminate the bad guys. There isn't an operation out there that doesn't need us to find the bad guys, track them, find out what they're doing, and help eliminate them.

Originally Posted by tasteytots

People that are BUD/S Duds aren't usually coming to NACCS as petty officers right? So I am guessing the Petty Officers coming through NACCS are usually some sort of CT that has been in for 8-12 years? If so will be nice having those people around with that type of experience being in the Navy for so long!!! Will the CT go through the whole training that we go through SERE school etc, after NACCS?

The BUDS guys won't be PO's, you're correct.
The CT's you'll meet could be pretty new, but expect around 5-10 years of service on average.

As intelligence folks, we actually go through more SERE training than you will. After the initial SERE we have several follow-on courses that you guys won't go to. Be happy about that because they weren't fun haha

Originally Posted by tasteytots

I appreciate you taking the time to answering all my questions!

Absolutely. Good on you for getting prepared ahead of time and I very much look forward to serving with you in the Fleet.

GET SOME!

/r
CTT1

[austin_andres]

Originally Posted by tasteytots

That is cool I didn't know CT's actually are a part of NACCS, when do they usually leave or come to NACCS? AIRR is something that interests me, but talking to people and thinking about things I always seem to come back to AIRC. I have good PST scores. My ship date for AIRC is on the 23rd and do not want to wait any longer then I have too!!! I am pumped to go next week lol!







That is awesome man, congrats for graduating soon!!! While in NACCS, how do you get put into the Class leader, Assistant, and Cadence Caller roles? I am older age wise, I know they technically won't treat me any different but maybe I will have that advantage over some of the younger ones going through NACCS? As awesome as it would be to be placed onto a helo, not going to be the end of the world if I don't. Specially since AW has so many amazing options to go down!

What have you got placed into rating wise within AW?

Any information on the base in Norfolk?

I won't know my rating until i graduate, also a lot of us are going to be put on hold because it is taking forever to get security clearances... I am hoping for AWO, but all of aircrew looks pretty awesome so whatever i get ill be happy with. To get a leadership role you just need to be proactive and volunteer and then not mess up at all throughout school, its not too hard. I don't have any information on Norfolk, I have family there and they love it, but I have heard that most people don't really like it.

[tasteytots]

Originally Posted by CTT1(SW)Griffin

Signals intelligence. Intercepting enemy signals of interest, determining what they are, how they're being used, what their intent is, what it all means in the big picture, etc. That's the core of all CT's; find the technical intelligence, process it, and determine what it all means for us as a nation and as war fighters.

Aka we find, track, and help eliminate the bad guys. There isn't an operation out there that doesn't need us to find the bad guys, track them, find out what they're doing, and help eliminate them.




The BUDS guys won't be PO's, you're correct.
The CT's you'll meet could be pretty new, but expect around 5-10 years of service on average.

As intelligence folks, we actually go through more SERE training than you will. After the initial SERE we have several follow-on courses that you guys won't go to. Be happy about that because they weren't fun haha




Absolutely. Good on you for getting prepared ahead of time and I very much look forward to serving with you in the Fleet.

GET SOME!

/r
CTT1

I have been, told by a few people and recruiters that I seem to be the type that will enjoy and excel at SERE. It is definitely one of the parts I am most looking forward to. I can understand why you guys would have to go through some more SERE training then ourselves. Very intense I am assuming. " extreme camping" lol someone's post I read on this forum somewhere

Thank you, I have been all over the past couple months trying to gain all the knowledge that I can from who I can. I have had some good talks with a fellow redditor who is a instructor at an FRS school and this site has been amazing pool of knowledge!

I couldn't ask for more meeting the people who have passed knowledge on to me, yet possibly being able to serve by their side!!

I think I am in a good position going to RTC, hitting excellent line for the PFA in all categories for my age bracket. I obviously know my sailors creed and memorized all 11 general orders. Still haven't fully got down in detail how they want us to explain everyone's collar devices and patche etcs. But I do know how to recognize them and who is who!!

Originally Posted by austin_andres

I won't know my rating until i graduate, also a lot of us are going to be put on hold because it is taking forever to get security clearances... I am hoping for AWO, but all of aircrew looks pretty awesome so whatever i get ill be happy with. To get a leadership role you just need to be proactive and volunteer and then not mess up at all throughout school, its not too hard. I don't have any information on Norfolk, I have family there and they love it, but I have heard that most people don't really like it.

Goodluck! Hopefully you will update us once you know!!! Any favorite parts so far of NACCS? Jeeez how long do security clearances take? I was thinking they would have those done before shipping, or do they not start them till later? I guess there are many factors that go into whether a person likes or dislikes a bass

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by tasteytots

I have been, told by a few people and recruiters that I seem to be the type that will enjoy and excel at SERE. It is definitely one of the parts I am most looking forward to. I can understand why you guys would have to go through some more SERE training then ourselves. Very intense I am assuming. " extreme camping" lol someone's post I read on this forum somewhere

Oh it's much more than "camping" haha

I promise you will contemplate your entire life in there, who you are, why you're doing this, and how much it's really worth to you.

If you make it through however, you'll leave with what I can only describe as a PROFOUND new sense of what freedom means and the real sacrifice it takes to defend it. Not just the movie BS. The real deal.

/r
CTT1

[tasteytots]

Originally Posted by CTT1(SW)Griffin

Oh it's much more than "camping" haha

I promise you will contemplate your entire life in there, who you are, why you're doing this, and how much it's really worth to you.

/r
CTT1

LOL, I was thinking the same thing. Sounds like quite the adventure and experience to truly test every aspect of your self.
Even after NACCS, and A school do a lot of people have a hard time adjusting physically or mentally or even possible both when it comes to SERE school then?

Originally Posted by CTT1(SW)Griffin

If you make it through however, you'll leave with what I can only describe as a PROFOUND new sense of what freedom means and the real sacrifice it takes to defend it.

This hits the spot. It truly makes me think of whats to come and how lucky we are to have the chances to make something of ourselves not just in the Navy or for the matter at hand any other branch of military(Navy is the best!!!).. but within ourselves to provide something greater for the next generation, sometimes it truly blows my mind and I am glad to be a part of this. All this said might be cheesy to others, but I am ready to make a difference!

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by tasteytots

LOL, I was thinking the same thing. Sounds like quite the adventure and experience to truly test every aspect of your self.
Even after NACCS, and A school do a lot of people have a hard time adjusting physically or mentally or even possible both when it comes to SERE school then?

Physically you'll be able to push through it, but that doesn't mean it sucks any less. The suck factor can get up there depending on what time of year you go. I even went through in a decent part of the year to be there and the suck was still significant haha It is what it is though. The more you "get into it" though the more you will get out of it.

Mentally, they will get inside your head and live there. It's not a matter of "if", it's how soon and how bad. Some people didn't do so hot and others did a little better. No matter what though, both you and the people around you will see sides of each other you never thought you would. It's eye opening to say the least.

/r
CTT1