Ask a Naval Aircrewman

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by blacktemplar

Just wanted to stop by and say I'm jealous of all the aircrew types.
If I stay enlisted after I get outta Japan and cross rate to CTX, I'd love to join you all.

Unfortunately, for the most part flying CT's will be a thing of the past in the next few years. There will be a very small handful of billets left over, although they will typically be for guys who've already got their wings.

If you're looking for some fun though, UAVs might be possible for the right people/backgrounds, also Spec War is available for 2nd tour (2nd tour as a CT) guys.

/r
CTT1

[blacktemplar]

Originally Posted by CTT1(SW)Griffin

Unfortunately, for the most part flying CT's will be a thing of the past in the next few years. There will be a very small handful of billets left over, although they will typically be for guys who've already got their wings.

If you're looking for some fun though, UAVs might be possible for the right people/backgrounds, also Spec War is available for 2nd tour (2nd tour as a CT) guys.

/r
CTT1

Doesn't there have to be some sort of new blood with the P8s? I understand the numbers will dwindle though.
V/r
YNSN

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by blacktemplar

Doesn't there have to be some sort of new blood with the P8s? I understand the numbers will dwindle though.
V/r
YNSN

I can't elaborate on here but the short answer is no.

A lot of the transition plans involving the EP-3 and it's personnel are still classified. But suffice to say it will be much different than what it is today, both manning and platform wise.

I got to attend a town-hall kind of meeting with all the head-honchos that are planning this whole thing though and I feel much more comfortable with what they want to do and how they want to do it. Although we as CT's will be doing the same thing, it will be very different at the same time.

There's your smoke and mirrors for the afternoon, courtesy of your friendly neighborhood spook!

/r
CTT1

[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.

[FlyNavy]

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?

AIRC guys won't be going on 60's. If that's what you want then AIRR is the route to go. The reason being is that MH-60 AWS's also function as rescue swimmers, which means you would need to go through RSS (rescue swimmer school), which puts you in that AIRR category.

Originally Posted by tasteytots

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.

It's fine if you want to give them a preference while you're there, but you're still going to get assigned per the needs of the Navy.

Basically, the LPO of the school house will get a list of how many spots of each rate that he needs to fill from each class. Now he may take student desires into account, or he may not. It also depends on what he's given; say maybe someone wants to go AWF but all he has are 20+ AWO quotas. In that situation, he wouldn't have a choice anyway even if he really wanted to give you something else. Make sense?

Originally Posted by tasteytots

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

That's the right attitude to have. Keep up the motivation and hopefully you'll get to come fly with Hassino and I!

FLY NAVY!
/r
CTT1

[tasteytots]

Originally Posted by CTT1(SW)Griffin

AIRC guys won't be going on 60's. If that's what you want then AIRR is the route to go. The reason being is that MH-60 AWS's also function as rescue swimmers, which means you would need to go through RSS (rescue swimmer school), which puts you in that AIRR category.

It's fine if you want to give them a preference while you're there, but you're still going to get assigned per the needs of the Navy.

Basically, the LPO of the school house will get a list of how many spots of each rate that he needs to fill from each class. Now he may take student desires into account, or he may not. It also depends on what he's given; say maybe someone wants to go AWF but all he has are 20+ AWO quotas. In that situation, he wouldn't have a choice anyway even if he really wanted to give you something else. Make sense?

Thanks,

Definitely makes sense, I appreciate the answers. Have they moved people from AIRC to AIRR while they were at NACCS, or offered it if they felt the person had the ability to make it as an rescue swimmer? I know there is the PST for AIRR, I guess another situation based on the needs of the Navy?

Originally Posted by CTT1(SW)Griffin

That's the right attitude to have. Keep up the motivation and hopefully you'll get to come fly with Hassino and I!

Appreciate it, I will keep the drive and attitude! It would be an honor to fly with people like you two!!!

[FlyNavy]

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

[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

[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.