backseatdriver

If the tickets are campus tickets given out by students/university employees, why on earth would you report them? They're not civil involvements, they have nothing to do with the police. They're a university fine.

YGBSM. What do you think Navs do - not work with a/c? If you ask me, if you're gonna be sitting at a desk, it's a lot better to be in a plane than on the ground.

Niiiiiice.

Now you're talkin'. Got any good OEF stories for us Clearedhot?

Yes. [ 14. March 2005, 17:32: Message edited by: backseatdriver ]

Everyone starts at Little Rock. ACs go through Phase 1 and then finish up down here at Hurlburt. Talons and Shadows do Phase 1&2 and then finish up at either Kirtland (Talon 2s and Shadows) or Hurlburt (Talon 1s).

Clearedhot would be the expert on this, but to get to AC-130s (either U-boats or H-models) you'll need to track to T-44s and hope the assignment Gods smile on you and put a gunship in your drop. From the pilots I've talked to here at Hurbie that came straight from Corpus, you'll need to be in the top of your T-44 class to get any AFSOC bird if it's in the drop. As far as flying the "Reapers", I've never heard that nickname. AC-130U = Spooky or U-boat. AC-130H = Spectre or H-model. Granted, I'm new, but I'm pretty sure Reaper is not a nickname used in the community. [ 10. March 2005, 23:27: Message edited by: backseatdriver ]

So if you're still in academics, you can switch?

Don't you start T-38s/1s like the day after you track select?

That pretty much sums it up. A lot of the difference depends on your platform. In the RC world and EC world, which both center around beeps and squeaks type stuff, the EWO has a much more involved role in the mission since they are the mission. In these communities the nav isn't doing a whole lot since the majority of the flying is high-level orbits. In AFSOC, the nav is very involved with the mission planning, and with the "flying" of the mission (i.e. directing and backing up pilots, monitoring/talking on radios, fuel calculations, etc.) EWOs are there to make sure you don't get your ass shot off. Meaning unless you're in bad guy land, the EWO isn't doing jack (i.e. no one is shooting at you when you're flying CONUS). This is similar in the BUFF as well from what I've heard.

Once an Eagle by Anton Myrer. While it isn't aviation related, it's an awesome book with great examples of the type of leader to be and not to be. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it's required reading at West Point and used to be at the Air Force Academy (might still be). It's about 1300 pages, so it's a long one, but well worth it.

It depends on your commissioning source. In ROTC, you're correct, your CC ranking is much more important than PCSM. However, for OTS/guard types, PCSM is of much higher importance.

wow :rolleyes: [ 28. January 2005, 11:53: Message edited by: backseatdriver ]

For the USAFE guys (or anyone who knows) - where'd this name come from?

C-21, It's no different than getting an incentive ride in the backseat of any other fighter. They're not actually doing WSO stuff. Plus, since the WSO isn't a co-pilot, your heavy example doesn't really work. [ 18. January 2005, 13:13: Message edited by: backseatdriver ]

Don't worry, you'll get the helo hoist at water survival (if you go to an aircraft with parachutes).

GPS is for pussies. :D

Well, I'm no doc, but I have torn an ACL, and I know I was told they couldn't know for sure about the ACL without a MRI. I've got a buddy who tore his and the first doctor he went to told him his knee was just sprained a little, and a month later went to another doc and found out he had a torn ACL once they MRIed it. So with my limited knowledge of such things, I would press to get the MRI done.

Any nav student at Randolph can easily get morale patches made for you. There's a patch shop right out of the gate that custom makes them.

I sure hope you're trolling. If so, then good on you, cause this is a gem. If not, let me be the first to say Oh. my. gay.

There's no such thing as an "honest mistake" when you're flying for the Thunderbirds.

For navs, NIQ is initial qual (Phase I) and NMQ is mission qual (low level stuff). I assume the acronyms match up.

Ladies and gentlemen, please don't feed the trolls.

I know some places charge you for the perks, but very little. There's a place in Houston (I'm sure someone here knows the name, I never went there) that gives you a meal and a t-shirt for $1. So that way they're not giving the crew anything for free - wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

Are you thinking of Dirty Nellie's? Also, as far as Howl at the Moon goes, get there early on Friday and tell them you're with one of the parties. Explanation: They give out these parties to people and they can bring 100 people with them. Basically it's just a way for them to get people in the door early, just say you met this girl/guy last night and they invited but you can't remember their name. You get in free (usually $8 or so) and get two tickets for 50 cent drinks, and they have free appetizers from Hard Rock Cafe. Plus you'll actually be able to get a table before the crowd gets there on the busiest night of the week. Good times!