Best job in the Wing??

JimmyK · July 26th, 2005, 00:17

Ok, like I stated in another post on another part of this forum, I recently enlisted into the Marine Corps Delayed Entry Program. Now that I've gotten to this point, its time to pick an MOS. The one I want is 7381 Airborne Radio operator/In-Flight Refueling Observer/Loadmaster but, my eyesight may keep me from getting this. My recruiter says he'll start looking into waivers for that since it is correctable to 20/20 but the liason down at MEPS said he'd never seen a waiver for eyesight as bad as mine(20/400 distant in both eyes). So basically right now I just want to find out what else is out there in case a waiver isn't possible. I know theres a few wingers on these boards and would like to know what you guys have to say. Any and all info is appreciated, thanks!

MikeD · July 26th, 2005, 00:19

oh-three-hundred.......infantry.

USMCmech · July 26th, 2005, 00:31

You are actually choseing a catagory with several possible MOSs.

I choose aircraft maintence. The Corps decided they needed airframe mechanics and sent me to that school. Some guys went to engines (like Loyd), others went to Parachute Rigging/Life Suport and learned how to sew (they were really unhappy).

You need to pick a feild that you think will likely make you happy and stay flexible for whatever the Corps has you do.

At the time I enlisted (Holly Cow! that was 10 years ago!) air wing MOSs required a 5 year contract.

JimmyK · July 26th, 2005, 01:08

[ QUOTE ]
You are actually choseing a catagory with several possible MOSs.

I choose aircraft maintence. The Corps decided they needed airframe mechanics and sent me to that school. Some guys went to engines (like Loyd), others went to Parachute Rigging/Life Suport and learned how to sew (they were really unhappy).

You need to pick a feild that you think will likely make you happy and stay flexible for whatever the Corps has you do.

At the time I enlisted (Holly Cow! that was 10 years ago!) air wing MOSs required a 5 year contract.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry, I guess I should have been more exact when I said what MOS I want. Should read more like wanting occField 73 and crossing my fingers for 7381. If I could get into the enlisted aircrew field I'd be happy with whatever they give me. But like I said my eyesight may prevent me from doing that. Everyone keeps saying go mechanic or avionics but, I dont know if I could sit in a hangar all day. I want to actually get out and go fly. I was thinking parachute riger sounded cool since its one of the few Marine MOS's that get to go to jump school but, from what it sounds like, theres not a lot of jumping out of planes as the name and training would suggest. Anyone know anything about military ATC's? Just another thing I may be interested in. And about the 5 year enlistment, no big deal for me. It will just give me another year to think about what I actually want to do.

MikeD · July 26th, 2005, 01:09

How about enlisted aerial navigator, pending the correctable-to-20/20 allows it. 6785, I believe it is.

The navigators on the KC-130s are enlisted troops, unlike other services.

JimmyK · July 26th, 2005, 01:17

[ QUOTE ]
How about enlisted aerial navigator, pending the correctable-to-20/20 allows it.

The navigators on the KC-130s are enlisted troops, unlike other services.

[/ QUOTE ]

No can-do. They closed the school about a year ago, right after they started taking deliveries of the J-model. I guess no more need for enlisted navs.

MikeD · July 26th, 2005, 01:39

[ QUOTE ]
No can-do. They closed the school about a year ago, right after they started taking deliveries of the J-model. I guess no more need for enlisted navs.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow. Didn't know that. Learn something new every day. I guess with the J-models, it would make sense.

JimmyK · July 26th, 2005, 02:02

Raiders' navigators replaced by KC-130 J technology

Heres the article about it. Thats originally what I wanted to do but on my first visit with the recruiter he looked it up and saw they closed the school. I was kinda bummed but figured I'd try for the next best thing.

bullmastiff · July 26th, 2005, 02:40

[ QUOTE ]
oh-three-hundred.......infantry.

[/ QUOTE ]

You made it!

mtsu_av8er · July 26th, 2005, 11:45

Some of the more bad-ass wingers pick up a Crew Chief gig and have alot of fun with it!

JimmyK · July 26th, 2005, 12:08

[ QUOTE ]
Some of the more bad-ass wingers pick up a Crew Chief gig and have alot of fun with it!

[/ QUOTE ]

I wouldn't mind being a crew chief actually. The only thing I'm confused about is every other branch of the service requires you to start as a mechanic and work your way into a crew chief spot. How does the Corps go about giving people crew chief in their enlistment contract?

mtsu_av8er · July 26th, 2005, 12:37

We just do!

In the Corp, you have a better shot at enlisting as a Crew Chief than you do at working your way up to becomming one.

mtsu_av8er · July 26th, 2005, 12:37

One question - seriously - why not the Infantry?

GatorFC · July 26th, 2005, 15:18

[thread hijack]

Hey Lloyd, I meant to ask you in that other thread where you said you were subjected to joys of Benny and Joon 16 times

what MEUs were you attatched to? Were you in MEUs both as a grunt and then again as a winger in the ACE? If so, which fine Navy Assault Ship served as your ride?

[/thread hijack]

JimmyK · July 26th, 2005, 17:57

[ QUOTE ]
One question - seriously - why not the Infantry?

[/ QUOTE ]

Well why would I wanna do that?

Seriously though, I guess being Infantry 100% of the time just aint my thing. I like how every Marine is a rifleman, and how even though I'll be working in the wing(hopefully), I'll still get the chance to go out and play grunt every once in a while. Plus, my passion is aviation. If the Corps is willing to let me pursue the passion, why not?

mtsu_av8er · July 26th, 2005, 21:18

[ QUOTE ]
Were you in MEUs both as a grunt and then again as a winger in the ACE? If so, which fine Navy Assault Ship served as your ride?

[/ QUOTE ]

31st MEU, U.S.S. Belleau Wood (or the Drift Wood, as we called it . . .).

Never floated with the Wing - right when I was about to go out with the 26th MEU, I got orders to the Schoolhouse.

Ohhhh, and I wanted to see Spain!!!

mtsu_av8er · July 26th, 2005, 21:20

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
One question - seriously - why not the Infantry?

[/ QUOTE ]

Well why would I wanna do that?

[/ QUOTE ]

Why not??

[ QUOTE ]

Seriously though, I guess being Infantry 100% of the time just aint my thing.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's a life you'll never regret!!

[ QUOTE ]

I like how every Marine is a rifleman, and how even though I'll be working in the wing(hopefully), I'll still get the chance to go out and play grunt every once in a while.

[/ QUOTE ]

The closest you'll get is going to the field every other year for a day or two, and cleaning a rifle monthly.

[ QUOTE ]

Plus, my passion is aviation. If the Corps is willing to let me pursue the passion, why not?

[/ QUOTE ]

I can dig it . . . nothing wrong with that. Just remember, this is your chance to be hard!

JimmyK · July 28th, 2005, 00:17

Ok so heres the deal. Went to Wednesday PT today and everyone was talking about the jobs they have or want. My recruiter looks up at me and says "we've got a job for you". Im just say alright and continue on with PT. After PT we sit down and he hands me a contract for Aircraft Maintance. He pulls out his big recruiter binder and we go over every job that is under this field, probably 30 all together. I sit there and think about it and lucklly there was a PFC. doing Recruiters Assistance there who is waiting for his next class to pick up in Pensacola. So I got to talk with him a little bit about it and get some more info then the recruiter can offer. So I sit and think about it more, and more, and then some more and I signed the contract. The more Im thinking about it the more excited Im getting about it. I know I wont get to fly as much as I would have with aircrew, but theres still a bunch of stuff I can do in maitanance that I wouldnt be able to do in aircrew, like carrier deployments and stuff.(providing of course I get a carrier cappable airframe) Also since i'll be in the DEP for 10 months, I can change my MOS as much as I want. So if in 6 months they decide to get a little less restrictive on thier waivers I can still get aircrew, providing the slot is open. Or even if I decide I want to go grunt, I can go grunt, providing theres a slot available. So all in all Im happy with the decision I made, looking forward to five exciting years in the Marine Corps, and excited to be given the chance to become a MARINE.

mtsu_av8er · July 28th, 2005, 09:18

If you're Helicopter aircrew, you'll get to deploy on ships. Not CVN's, but LHA's.

Pretty big ships!

BTW, ships aren't all that....lol.

JEP · July 28th, 2005, 10:59

[ QUOTE ]
If you're Helicopter aircrew, you'll get to deploy on ships. Not CVN's, but LHA's.

Pretty big ships!

BTW, ships aren't all that....lol.

[/ QUOTE ]

Carrier Vessels.....the only way to go!

BCTAv8r · July 28th, 2005, 12:47

Watching the videos on the Discovery Channel about CVNs I see nothing but people complaining that it sucks to go out for months at a time in one of those.

ETAV8R · July 28th, 2005, 17:07

Brian,
don't you think it would suck to go out for months at a time on any vessel? I think a submarine would be the worst, then a destroyer and battleship. Serving onboard a carrier of any kind would be the best way to do a float.
Would you want to be away from your family for that long?
Would you rather be pounding the ground in the desert? I guess that float wouldn't be so bad afterall.
I watch a lot of discovery and military channel (formerly Discovery Wings). I haven't seen people bitching about their floats/cruises. Those who have served know what they are in for when they sign the line.
To the original poster, being in the wing is good to go. There are several here who are former wingers. Listen to us and not to naysayers like Brian who have no actual knowledge of what you can look forward to. Get your EGA and Semper Fi when that day arrives.

JEP · July 28th, 2005, 20:18

[ QUOTE ]
Watching the videos on the Discovery Channel about CVNs I see nothing but people complaining that it sucks to go out for months at a time in one of those.

[/ QUOTE ]

The carrier is the best ship to be on. There were close to 5000 people on board when we had the air wings attached. We had everything you could need; a workout gym, library, food 24/7, etc... When we would pull into a port, we were always pier side and others would anchor out in the harbor. Does it stink to be gone for 6 months, if you had a family yes. Otherwise it was not bad. The longest we were out for one period was 42 days. Other than that it was usually a couple of weeks and then we would hit another port. We had mail everyday and that couldn't be said for some of the others. Like it's been said before, Size does matter. When the other smaller ships and subs were rocking and rolling in the tyhpoon, we were gently moving side to side. If you gonna be in the Navy on a ship, make it the carrier.

finnerandr · July 28th, 2005, 22:03

My MOS was 7242-Air Support Net Operator. Basically we were the grunts of the airwing. I worked in the DASC(Direct Air Support Center) and we co-located with the FSCC(Fire Support Control Center). The FSCC was our artillery counterpart. Basically what we did was take calls for CAS missions(Close Air Support) and processed them accordingly. We had to communicate with the FSCC to deconflict and at times coordinate the airpower and artillery fire. I say we were the grunts of the airwing because we were always located on the front lines so that we could maintain line of sight communications with our aircraft. Also, we would get sent out on TACP's(Tactical Air Control Parties). This means we would send out small teams with a FAC(Foward Air Controller) sometimes ahead of the front lines so as to more accurately and in a more timely fashion get bombs on target. Pretty neat gig actually, got to see a lot of bombs drop. Nothing like feeling the concussion of Mk82's dropping almost within spitting distance or having hot brass from a Cobra fall on you as it makes a pass with its guns blazing. The time spent on ship sucked though. I too was on the "Driftwood", and spent almost the whole 6 months doing the "Oki 500". Mtsuav8r has already stated what a joy that was!!!

MikeD · July 28th, 2005, 23:04

[ QUOTE ]
My MOS was 7242-Air Support Net Operator. Basically we were the grunts of the airwing. I worked in the DASC(Direct Air Support Center) and we co-located with the FSCC(Fire Support Control Center). The FSCC was our artillery counterpart. Basically what we did was take calls for CAS missions(Close Air Support) and processed them accordingly. We had to communicate with the FSCC to deconflict and at times coordinate the airpower and artillery fire. I say we were the grunts of the airwing because we were always located on the front lines so that we could maintain line of sight communications with our aircraft. Also, we would get sent out on TACP's(Tactical Air Control Parties). This means we would send out small teams with a FAC(Foward Air Controller) sometimes ahead of the front lines so as to more accurately and in a more timely fashion get bombs on target. Pretty neat gig actually, got to see a lot of bombs drop. Nothing like feeling the concussion of Mk82's dropping almost within spitting distance or having hot brass from a Cobra fall on you as it makes a pass with its guns blazing. The time spent on ship sucked though. I too was on the "Driftwood", and spent almost the whole 6 months doing the "Oki 500". Mtsuav8r has already stated what a joy that was!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Know you guys well, having worked with the DASC/ASOC as both an FAC-A and GFAC, qualed in both.

July 26th, 2005, 00:17	#1
JimmyK Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 121	Best job in the Wing?? Ok, like I stated in another post on another part of this forum, I recently enlisted into the Marine Corps Delayed Entry Program. Now that I've gotten to this point, its time to pick an MOS. The one I want is 7381 Airborne Radio operator/In-Flight Refueling Observer/Loadmaster but, my eyesight may keep me from getting this. My recruiter says he'll start looking into waivers for that since it is correctable to 20/20 but the liason down at MEPS said he'd never seen a waiver for eyesight as bad as mine(20/400 distant in both eyes). So basically right now I just want to find out what else is out there in case a waiver isn't possible. I know theres a few wingers on these boards and would like to know what you guys have to say. Any and all info is appreciated, thanks!

July 26th, 2005, 00:19	#2
MikeD Administrator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pinal Airpark Posts: 6,897	Re: Best job in the Wing?? oh-three-hundred.......infantry.

July 26th, 2005, 00:31	#3
USMCmech Old Skool Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,607	Re: Best job in the Wing?? You are actually choseing a catagory with several possible MOSs. I choose aircraft maintence. The Corps decided they needed airframe mechanics and sent me to that school. Some guys went to engines (like Loyd), others went to Parachute Rigging/Life Suport and learned how to sew (they were really unhappy). You need to pick a feild that you think will likely make you happy and stay flexible for whatever the Corps has you do. At the time I enlisted (Holly Cow! that was 10 years ago!) air wing MOSs required a 5 year contract.

July 26th, 2005, 01:08	#4
JimmyK Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 121	Re: Best job in the Wing?? [ QUOTE ] You are actually choseing a catagory with several possible MOSs. I choose aircraft maintence. The Corps decided they needed airframe mechanics and sent me to that school. Some guys went to engines (like Loyd), others went to Parachute Rigging/Life Suport and learned how to sew (they were really unhappy). You need to pick a feild that you think will likely make you happy and stay flexible for whatever the Corps has you do. At the time I enlisted (Holly Cow! that was 10 years ago!) air wing MOSs required a 5 year contract. [/ QUOTE ] Sorry, I guess I should have been more exact when I said what MOS I want. Should read more like wanting occField 73 and crossing my fingers for 7381. If I could get into the enlisted aircrew field I'd be happy with whatever they give me. But like I said my eyesight may prevent me from doing that. Everyone keeps saying go mechanic or avionics but, I dont know if I could sit in a hangar all day. I want to actually get out and go fly. I was thinking parachute riger sounded cool since its one of the few Marine MOS's that get to go to jump school but, from what it sounds like, theres not a lot of jumping out of planes as the name and training would suggest. Anyone know anything about military ATC's? Just another thing I may be interested in. And about the 5 year enlistment, no big deal for me. It will just give me another year to think about what I actually want to do.

July 26th, 2005, 01:09	#5
MikeD Administrator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pinal Airpark Posts: 6,897	Re: Best job in the Wing?? How about enlisted aerial navigator, pending the correctable-to-20/20 allows it. 6785, I believe it is. The navigators on the KC-130s are enlisted troops, unlike other services.

July 26th, 2005, 01:17	#6
JimmyK Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 121	Re: Best job in the Wing?? [ QUOTE ] How about enlisted aerial navigator, pending the correctable-to-20/20 allows it. The navigators on the KC-130s are enlisted troops, unlike other services. [/ QUOTE ] No can-do. They closed the school about a year ago, right after they started taking deliveries of the J-model. I guess no more need for enlisted navs.

July 26th, 2005, 01:39	#7
MikeD Administrator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pinal Airpark Posts: 6,897	Re: Best job in the Wing?? [ QUOTE ] No can-do. They closed the school about a year ago, right after they started taking deliveries of the J-model. I guess no more need for enlisted navs. [/ QUOTE ] Wow. Didn't know that. Learn something new every day. I guess with the J-models, it would make sense.

July 26th, 2005, 02:02	#8
JimmyK Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 121	Re: Best job in the Wing?? Raiders' navigators replaced by KC-130 J technology Heres the article about it. Thats originally what I wanted to do but on my first visit with the recruiter he looked it up and saw they closed the school. I was kinda bummed but figured I'd try for the next best thing.

July 26th, 2005, 02:40	#9
bullmastiff Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hockey Town, MI,USA Posts: 839	Re: Best job in the Wing?? [ QUOTE ] oh-three-hundred.......infantry. [/ QUOTE ] You made it!

July 26th, 2005, 11:45	#10
mtsu_av8er Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Utopia Posts: 12,477	Re: Best job in the Wing?? Some of the more bad-ass wingers pick up a Crew Chief gig and have alot of fun with it!

July 26th, 2005, 12:08	#11
JimmyK Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 121	Re: Best job in the Wing?? [ QUOTE ] Some of the more bad-ass wingers pick up a Crew Chief gig and have alot of fun with it! [/ QUOTE ] I wouldn't mind being a crew chief actually. The only thing I'm confused about is every other branch of the service requires you to start as a mechanic and work your way into a crew chief spot. How does the Corps go about giving people crew chief in their enlistment contract?

July 26th, 2005, 12:37	#12
mtsu_av8er Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Utopia Posts: 12,477	Re: Best job in the Wing?? We just do! In the Corp, you have a better shot at enlisting as a Crew Chief than you do at working your way up to becomming one.

July 26th, 2005, 12:37	#13
mtsu_av8er Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Utopia Posts: 12,477	Re: Best job in the Wing?? One question - seriously - why not the Infantry?

July 26th, 2005, 15:18	#14
GatorFC Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: da' Bayou Posts: 1,685	Re: Best job in the Wing?? [thread hijack] Hey Lloyd, I meant to ask you in that other thread where you said you were subjected to joys of Benny and Joon 16 times what MEUs were you attatched to? Were you in MEUs both as a grunt and then again as a winger in the ACE? If so, which fine Navy Assault Ship served as your ride? [/thread hijack]

July 26th, 2005, 17:57	#15
JimmyK Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 121	Re: Best job in the Wing?? [ QUOTE ] One question - seriously - why not the Infantry? [/ QUOTE ] Well why would I wanna do that? Seriously though, I guess being Infantry 100% of the time just aint my thing. I like how every Marine is a rifleman, and how even though I'll be working in the wing(hopefully), I'll still get the chance to go out and play grunt every once in a while. Plus, my passion is aviation. If the Corps is willing to let me pursue the passion, why not?

July 26th, 2005, 21:18	#16
mtsu_av8er Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Utopia Posts: 12,477	Re: Best job in the Wing?? [ QUOTE ] Were you in MEUs both as a grunt and then again as a winger in the ACE? If so, which fine Navy Assault Ship served as your ride? [/ QUOTE ] 31st MEU, U.S.S. Belleau Wood (or the Drift Wood, as we called it . . .). Never floated with the Wing - right when I was about to go out with the 26th MEU, I got orders to the Schoolhouse. Ohhhh, and I wanted to see Spain!!!

July 26th, 2005, 21:20	#17
mtsu_av8er Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Utopia Posts: 12,477	Re: Best job in the Wing?? [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] One question - seriously - why not the Infantry? [/ QUOTE ] Well why would I wanna do that? [/ QUOTE ] Why not?? [ QUOTE ] Seriously though, I guess being Infantry 100% of the time just aint my thing. [/ QUOTE ] It's a life you'll never regret!! [ QUOTE ] I like how every Marine is a rifleman, and how even though I'll be working in the wing(hopefully), I'll still get the chance to go out and play grunt every once in a while. [/ QUOTE ] The closest you'll get is going to the field every other year for a day or two, and cleaning a rifle monthly. [ QUOTE ] Plus, my passion is aviation. If the Corps is willing to let me pursue the passion, why not? [/ QUOTE ] I can dig it . . . nothing wrong with that. Just remember, this is your chance to be hard!

July 28th, 2005, 00:17	#18
JimmyK Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 121	Re: Best job in the Wing?? Ok so heres the deal. Went to Wednesday PT today and everyone was talking about the jobs they have or want. My recruiter looks up at me and says "we've got a job for you". Im just say alright and continue on with PT. After PT we sit down and he hands me a contract for Aircraft Maintance. He pulls out his big recruiter binder and we go over every job that is under this field, probably 30 all together. I sit there and think about it and lucklly there was a PFC. doing Recruiters Assistance there who is waiting for his next class to pick up in Pensacola. So I got to talk with him a little bit about it and get some more info then the recruiter can offer. So I sit and think about it more, and more, and then some more and I signed the contract. The more Im thinking about it the more excited Im getting about it. I know I wont get to fly as much as I would have with aircrew, but theres still a bunch of stuff I can do in maitanance that I wouldnt be able to do in aircrew, like carrier deployments and stuff.(providing of course I get a carrier cappable airframe) Also since i'll be in the DEP for 10 months, I can change my MOS as much as I want. So if in 6 months they decide to get a little less restrictive on thier waivers I can still get aircrew, providing the slot is open. Or even if I decide I want to go grunt, I can go grunt, providing theres a slot available. So all in all Im happy with the decision I made, looking forward to five exciting years in the Marine Corps, and excited to be given the chance to become a MARINE.

July 28th, 2005, 09:18	#19
mtsu_av8er Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Utopia Posts: 12,477	Re: Best job in the Wing?? If you're Helicopter aircrew, you'll get to deploy on ships. Not CVN's, but LHA's. Pretty big ships! BTW, ships aren't all that....lol.

July 28th, 2005, 10:59	#20
JEP Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Eden Prairie, MN (KFCM) (KMSP) Posts: 10,710 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Best job in the Wing?? [ QUOTE ] If you're Helicopter aircrew, you'll get to deploy on ships. Not CVN's, but LHA's. Pretty big ships! BTW, ships aren't all that....lol. [/ QUOTE ] Carrier Vessels.....the only way to go!

July 28th, 2005, 12:47	#21
BCTAv8r Old Skool Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Boca Raton Posts: 6,067	Re: Best job in the Wing?? Watching the videos on the Discovery Channel about CVNs I see nothing but people complaining that it sucks to go out for months at a time in one of those.

July 28th, 2005, 17:07	#22
ETAV8R Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: SoCal Posts: 527	Re: Best job in the Wing?? Brian, don't you think it would suck to go out for months at a time on any vessel? I think a submarine would be the worst, then a destroyer and battleship. Serving onboard a carrier of any kind would be the best way to do a float. Would you want to be away from your family for that long? Would you rather be pounding the ground in the desert? I guess that float wouldn't be so bad afterall. I watch a lot of discovery and military channel (formerly Discovery Wings). I haven't seen people bitching about their floats/cruises. Those who have served know what they are in for when they sign the line. To the original poster, being in the wing is good to go. There are several here who are former wingers. Listen to us and not to naysayers like Brian who have no actual knowledge of what you can look forward to. Get your EGA and Semper Fi when that day arrives.

July 28th, 2005, 20:18	#23
JEP Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Eden Prairie, MN (KFCM) (KMSP) Posts: 10,710 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Best job in the Wing?? [ QUOTE ] Watching the videos on the Discovery Channel about CVNs I see nothing but people complaining that it sucks to go out for months at a time in one of those. [/ QUOTE ] The carrier is the best ship to be on. There were close to 5000 people on board when we had the air wings attached. We had everything you could need; a workout gym, library, food 24/7, etc... When we would pull into a port, we were always pier side and others would anchor out in the harbor. Does it stink to be gone for 6 months, if you had a family yes. Otherwise it was not bad. The longest we were out for one period was 42 days. Other than that it was usually a couple of weeks and then we would hit another port. We had mail everyday and that couldn't be said for some of the others. Like it's been said before, Size does matter. When the other smaller ships and subs were rocking and rolling in the tyhpoon, we were gently moving side to side. If you gonna be in the Navy on a ship, make it the carrier.

July 28th, 2005, 22:03	#24
finnerandr Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Deland, Fl Posts: 36	Re: Best job in the Wing?? My MOS was 7242-Air Support Net Operator. Basically we were the grunts of the airwing. I worked in the DASC(Direct Air Support Center) and we co-located with the FSCC(Fire Support Control Center). The FSCC was our artillery counterpart. Basically what we did was take calls for CAS missions(Close Air Support) and processed them accordingly. We had to communicate with the FSCC to deconflict and at times coordinate the airpower and artillery fire. I say we were the grunts of the airwing because we were always located on the front lines so that we could maintain line of sight communications with our aircraft. Also, we would get sent out on TACP's(Tactical Air Control Parties). This means we would send out small teams with a FAC(Foward Air Controller) sometimes ahead of the front lines so as to more accurately and in a more timely fashion get bombs on target. Pretty neat gig actually, got to see a lot of bombs drop. Nothing like feeling the concussion of Mk82's dropping almost within spitting distance or having hot brass from a Cobra fall on you as it makes a pass with its guns blazing. The time spent on ship sucked though. I too was on the "Driftwood", and spent almost the whole 6 months doing the "Oki 500". Mtsuav8r has already stated what a joy that was!!!

July 28th, 2005, 23:04	#25
MikeD Administrator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pinal Airpark Posts: 6,897	Re: Best job in the Wing?? [ QUOTE ] My MOS was 7242-Air Support Net Operator. Basically we were the grunts of the airwing. I worked in the DASC(Direct Air Support Center) and we co-located with the FSCC(Fire Support Control Center). The FSCC was our artillery counterpart. Basically what we did was take calls for CAS missions(Close Air Support) and processed them accordingly. We had to communicate with the FSCC to deconflict and at times coordinate the airpower and artillery fire. I say we were the grunts of the airwing because we were always located on the front lines so that we could maintain line of sight communications with our aircraft. Also, we would get sent out on TACP's(Tactical Air Control Parties). This means we would send out small teams with a FAC(Foward Air Controller) sometimes ahead of the front lines so as to more accurately and in a more timely fashion get bombs on target. Pretty neat gig actually, got to see a lot of bombs drop. Nothing like feeling the concussion of Mk82's dropping almost within spitting distance or having hot brass from a Cobra fall on you as it makes a pass with its guns blazing. The time spent on ship sucked though. I too was on the "Driftwood", and spent almost the whole 6 months doing the "Oki 500". Mtsuav8r has already stated what a joy that was!!! [/ QUOTE ] Know you guys well, having worked with the DASC/ASOC as both an FAC-A and GFAC, qualed in both.

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