Combat Systems Officer (CSO)

Which airframe? What Crew Position? What base? Aaaaaaand Go.

Anybody know of any guys getting T1s to NAS Pensacola? Any ideas when Whiting is getting T-6s?

Application Package.pdf ***Rated Pilot and Navigator boards are ongoing. Please call for information*** The 192D Airlift Squadron, located at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport is currently accepting applications for C-130 Combat System Operator (CSO) candidates. The ideal applicant is willing to relocate or regularly commute to the local area and actively participate in the flying operations of the unit. The High Rollers of the 192D fly the C-130 Hercules, the premier Tactical Airlifter of the United States Air Force. The C-130 is capable of operating from unprepared and dirt landing strips and is the prime transport for airdropping troops and equipment into hos…

Does anybody know how or when to get selected to get a WSO slot? I have a Nav slot--I just don't know how to get into the strike nav category. It may be too late. The second question is this: If I am going to Randolph how do I secure one of those new CSO slots? I just read about the CSO the the ASA magazine. I wonder if it is all that it is cracked up to be.

i tried to find some direct opinions on the matter. however, my question is what ya'll think the future of navigators/CSO is going to be. certainly technology can replace them. why are they in high demand now? are they going to be groomed into UAV pilots? has the curriculum changed at UNT drastically/often?

I've done enough research that I think the CSO training lasts about a year. Can anyone just confirm this for me? I just got picked up from this past summer's board and I'm join spouse so hopefully my wife can find a job at Eglin/Hurlburt. Obviously the duration of the training will determine whether AFPC moves her down to the area or not. Thanks much!

Headed to IFS (now IFT) next week. Looking to see if there are any differences since the name change or if it just sounded better? Heard that changing it from screening to training came with some differences. Also, any last minute prep info would be helpful. (Other than knowing bold face/ops limits cold) Thanks -Murch

After much thought and discussion, after getting on the ad alternate pilot list I decided to accept a CSO slot. Though not pilot, I'm just excited to be in a rated career field flying in a plane, wearing a flight suit, and dropping bombs ;). With this being said, I've been trying to find more information, with no luck on what the future of the career field is? Are there any new jets being created with two seats. Seems like all the new jets are single seaters. Also, what should I expect when I get to Pensacola? I'm 26 so I'm hoping to live off base. Any and all information would be great! I'm really excited to actually be in a plane!

Is it true that the Air Force is currently sending EWOs to Growlers?

Hello everyone, I have researched both of these occupations and it seems as though they are very similar do you know of any major differences? I realize that both are in different branches of the military. And from what I have read transitioning from NFO to pilot is not possible whereas CSO to pilot is, however it is no easy task. I've recently realized how narrow-minded my flying goals were (ANG slots only) and decided to open up to a more broad spectrum, AD Navy/Air Force, Reserves/Guard, and most recently the CSO/NFO career path. Sure, piloting an aircraft would be an awesome position to be in, however, I do not want to give up my dreams of flying because I was …

I know that many people feel that it is unwise to start a Master's program while in training but if it is possible I would like to try. After getting settled in Pensacola I would really like to at least take a class or two online. I would appreciate anyone's input on this, negative or positive. I just want an honest idea on how much time you spent actively training per week to include voluntary and non-voluntary study time. My view is that if while at training you were able to spend 8 hours a week playing video games or going to the bar, I shouldn't have a problem finishing an easy online course. I went to tech school in Pensacola and my Squadron would not let me …

If the end game is to end up at the airlines; can F-15 WSOs log their backseat time to add to their total time? What is needed prior to officially logging that precious (PIC) time? The F-15 is the only jet that affords CSOs actual "stick time" right?

Are there any current/qualified HC-130 Navs that can expand on capabilities, deployments, quality of life and Nav leadership possibilities in your community? I'm a Strike Eagle SEFE WSO that had back surgery looking to transition (to a non-ejection seat aircraft), but I don't know anyone in your community. My email is mapolus at gmail if that makes it easier. Thanks, Smokus

https://www.12ftw.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1724030/back-to-basics-for-csos-running-long-deep-fast/fbclid/IwAR2mfhtYeJRXRh2XaVLYMQ9UWxYjJ6-EuyxN5JWtXT5O9ZSeBkUHqeLjS7g/

Non-rated Capt here, attempting to go CSO at the next rated board, but do any CSOs in the business have any intel on how the Strike Eagle II replacing the F-15 C/Ds will affect the CSO career field? They will all be two-seaters/WSO capable I've read, but not sure if the AF will use WSOs in the air superiority mission. I imagine they still will for the current Strike Eagles getting replaced by Eagle IIs, but not sure. I've not been able to find any info on that, and I've been super curious.

Hello! First time caller, long time listener. I have been in the ANG for 9 years now. I am a TSgt getting ready to go to TFOT then CSO school. I currently hold a Secret security clearance. Does anyone know if I have to have a TS clearance as a navigator? My commander is questioning my need for one and I have to get a straight answer as I have IFT scheduled for June 19th, 2018. Thanks in advance!

Howdy all, I'm looking ahead at assignments after a term at Ellsworth as a B1 WSO. I've heard a lot about ALO and of course going back to Pensacola. Any thoughts on a b1 test squadron? I have BS in computer engineering technology (not the best grades, but I have the paper on my wall).

Hi, I'm currently a cadet at the Zoo with about three more semesters to go, so I apologize in advance for any ignorance. I am ranked decently high enough to guarantee myself a pilot slot but would much rather be a CSO. I would like to bounce off my rationale in hopes I don't screw myself over: I do not really love flying and feel I do not have the "monkey skills" to rank high enough in UPT. A lot of cadets are satisfied with flying anything, but I am really adamant on AFSOC platforms. My rationale is that I will be able to perform better in CSO training to hopefully get the aircraft I want. Just by browsing the track assignments for CSOs and UPT, I can gauge I have…

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I have recently been selected as a CSO for the Missouri Air National Guard and am simply curious as to what I could do to prepare myself for the next 2-3 years. I took my initial physical at MEPS yesterday (that could be a whole other topic), will be sworn in on Tuesday, and then work on my Top Secret Clearance. It is my understanding that I will ship off to AMS in roughly 6-12 months, and the rest of my training will fall in line. What can I do physically and mentally to prepare myself for the next couple of years. Thanks guys.

Hello, I've been considering going CSO for a while since I apparently have a better chance at landing a slot than pilot. Most pilots seem to fly for a living outside the Guard/Reserve (G/R). However, what do CSOs do on the other side? I reckon since they don't do much actual flying, landing a flying job based on their flying experience in the G/R does not seem as likely. I'm not asking because I'm on the fast track to becoming some airline guy or whatever. I'm just genuinely curious to see if CSO would open up any other doors for me in the civilian world. I work for the government at the moment, so I'm thinking I might still be in security as a CSO. Which is fine.…

I was recently selected for OTS with a CSO slot. I’m still unsure about which airframe I’d like to work on, but ISR seems like one of the more interesting jobs you can do as a CSO. Plus, location is among my top, if not my top priorities when choosing an airframe, and RC-135’s have some great bases. Anyone here who has experience on the RC-135 and can speak to what the daily life of an EWO is, your deployment schedule, and the base options for the RC-135?

I’m only a month or so away from submitting my “dream sheet” in UCT, and I’ve been doing a good amount of research on the planes I’m interested in. The U-28 mission interests me a lot, but I’m concerned with the lifespan of the airframe and the CSO’s role in the mission. I’ve read a lot of articles and heard a lot of rumors around the squadrons here about the mission going away for the CSO and it all going to the MC-12s, etc. I can’t find a lot of solid information on the topic so I’m hoping someone on here can shed some light on the subject. Thanks for your help. https://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/cpquery/?&dbname=cp113&sid=cp1130zsNS&refer=&r_n=sr176.113&a…

I'm told CSO candidates going through the Pueblo IFT syllabus spend more time in reading maps/charts than the pilot syllabus. If anyone has more detail, would you post it? Are they using Sectional Charts? What altitude (AGL) are the flights done at? Is there anything else significant that we should take note of? Thanks!

Hey all! First post on these forums, so let me introduce myself. I'm currently working on a PPL (solo'd in a Cessna 172P on 8 Aug 2015) and I'm enrolled at the University of Maryland (College Park), I hold a Private Pilot-Glider license, and have been chair flying on video games since the age of six. I'm a current AFROTC freshman cadet w/ a Type 2 AFROTC scholarship at UMCP and haven't been able to really get a nice straight answer from my Det on this: benefits and cool stuff about being a CSO. I'm definitely looking at being a pilot, but vision is likely to let me down (20/80 w/o glasses at my last checkup), so I was hoping on still flying anyway as a CSO. There are some…