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Navy or Air Farce?
A friend sent this one on to me I hadn't seen it before thought you would all
agree with his comments. Sparky USN or USAF? by Bob Norris Bob Norris is a former Naval Aviator who also did a 3 year exchange tour flying the F-15 Eagle. He is now an accomplished author of entertaining books about US Naval Aviation including "Check Six" and "Fly-Off". Checkout his web site at http://www.bobnorris.com/. In response to a letter from an aspiring fighter pilot on which military academy to attend, Bob replied with the following. 12 Feb 04 Young Man, Congratulations on your selection to both the Naval and Air Force Academies. Your goal of becoming a fighter pilot is impressive and a fine way to serve your country. As you requested, I'd be happy to share some insight into which service would be the best choice. Each service has a distinctly different culture. You need to ask yourself "Which one am I more likely to thrive in?" USAF Snapshot: The USAF is exceptionally well organized and well run. Their training programs are terrific. All pilots are groomed to meet high standards for knowledge and professionalism. Their aircraft are top-notch and extremely well maintained. Their facilities are excellent. Their enlisted personnel are the brightest and the best trained. The USAF is homogenous and macro. No matter where you go, you'll know what to expect, what is expected of you, and you'll be given the training & tools you need to meet those expectations. You will never be put in a situation over your head. Over a 20-year career, you will be home for most important family events. Your Mom would want you to be an Air Force pilot...so would your wife. Your Dad would want your sister to marry one. Navy Snapshot: Aviators are part of the Navy, but so are Black shoes (surface warfare) and bubble heads (submariners). Furthermore, the Navy is split into two distinctly different Fleets (West and East Coast). The Navy is heterogeneous and micro. Your squadron is your home; it may be great, average, or awful. A squadron can go from one extreme to the other before you know it. You will spend months preparing for cruise and months on cruise. The quality of the aircraft varies directly with the availability of parts. Senior Navy enlisted are salt of the earth; you'll be proud if you earn their respect. Junior enlisted vary from terrific to the troubled kid the judge made join the service. You will be given the opportunity to lead these people during your career; you will be humbled and get your hands dirty. The quality of your training will vary and sometimes you will be in over your head. You will miss many important family events. There will be long stretches of tedious duty aboard ship. You will fly in very bad weather and/or at night and you will be scared many times. You will fly with legends in the Navy and they will kick your ass until you become a lethal force. And some days - when the scheduling Gods have smiled upon you - your jet will catapult into a glorious morning over a far-away sea and you will be drop-jawed that someone would pay you to do it. The hottest girl in the bar wants to meet the Naval Aviator. That bar is in Singapore. Bottom line, son, if you gotta ask...pack warm & good luck in Colorado. Banzai P.S. Air Force pilots wear scarves and iron their flight suits. |
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P.S. Air Force pilots wear scarves and iron their flight suits. BRBR
They also flare to land and squat to pee... P. C. Chisholm CDR, USN(ret.) Old Phart Phormer Phantom, Turkey, Viper, Scooter and Combat Buckeye Phlyer |
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With 20 years in the Navy, many of them spent under Army or Air Force commands,
I must say that the AF has it the easiest. While stationed at March AF Base going through a joint service school in the 50s, the Navy platoon sang this as we marched to classes every day: Up in the air, Junior Birdmen Up in the air, upside down Up in the air, Junior birdmen With your noses to the ground When you hear the grand announcement That their wings are made of tin You will know Junior Birdmen Have sent their boxtops in It takes.......... 1 label..... 2 bottle caps 3 boxtops and ...... one.... thin..... dime. Hark! Hark! The Snark! We shot a Snark into the air And when it landed We know not where Hark! Hark! The Snark That was a hundred years ago.... or was it two hundred....... Dave http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html |
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Only in Navy Air do you get a single last shot to come aboard a pitching,
rolling carrier by flying under a steel cable into a nylon net strung above the deck. And survive to brag about it! (just remember to pull that parachute pack out of your puckered sphincter before you deplane. WDA CDR USN end "Pechs1" wrote in message ... P.S. Air Force pilots wear scarves and iron their flight suits. BRBR They also flare to land and squat to pee... P. C. Chisholm CDR, USN(ret.) Old Phart Phormer Phantom, Turkey, Viper, Scooter and Combat Buckeye Phlyer |
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"Elmshoot" wrote in message ... A friend sent this one on to me I hadn't seen it before thought you would all agree with his comments. Sparky USN or USAF? Naval aviation exists for those that can't qualify for the Air Force. |
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A version ofhat song was in a movie I saw when I was a kid in the '50s. Pretty
sure it was To Hell and Back, Audie Murphy's story .. While stationed at March AF Base going through a joint service school in the 50s, the Navy platoon sang this as we marched to classes every day: Up in the air, Junior Birdmen.... |
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Well, I almost went the V12 program in 1950. My buddie's jarhead
aviator brother tried to talk me into it. Then I thought of sailing around in a damn boat for six months at a whack in a strictly male atmosphere and decided not only no but hell no. Next year I joined the Air Force. Never regretted it. Got to fly the hottest airplane in the world - the Dash 19 104A. Also got to spend 22 years in fighter cockpits (F86/F102/F104/F4). Was still flying the F4 and filling a combat slot right up to two months before I hung it up for good. Not too shabby for a 49 year old. Go Air Force! I even almost forgave DCS/P for that 4 years at a desk in USAFE after SEA. Walt BJ |
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