I think it all depends on how bad you want to fly. If you want to get
to flag rank, then, no. If all you want to do is fly (fighters, of
course!) then it looks good. But cutting them off at W4 is weird and
keeping them from Squadron CO slots is stupid because that's where you
need a top-notch leader and pilot. A super warrant rank equal to O5
would fit the bill but that will never happen in the mighty USN. I
presume in the USN one must fill the CO square to become a CAG and then
command a CV on the way to a flag. (Pardon my ignorance in such
matters.) In the USAF DCS/Personnel rates 'career progression' over
flying performance. USAF operators have looked at and pushed LDO for
quite a few years (personal communications from guys with stars here)
and have always been shot down by the personnel weinies. So - just
about when a pilot gets really sharp in fighters he is given a desk.
I've only been in one squadron (out of eleven) where at least 90% of
the guys were what I would call truly prepared to meet any eventuality
and prevail. The average fighter (!) time in that outfit at that time
was about 2400 hours. The skill doesn't come easy - you have to want to
and you have to work at it - continually. Problem is the DCS/P types
think winged personnel are fungible - one is just as good as the next
one. Hell, civil aviation has amply disproved that concept time and
again. Greek 737, anyone?
Walt BJ