VMFA187

VFA-204, the River Rattlers are based out of New Orleans. What I've found is that I really love doing A/A... So why not see if I can't fly a platform that does it the best, exclusively?

Any interest in a Hornet driver? 4 Ship Flight Lead, Instructor Pilot, Aviation Safety Officer, NATOPS Instrument Evaluator ...

No F-15 experience over here, unfortunately. But more than my share of flying with a WSO in F-18s. Bottom line - Single seat trumps all. There are WSOs/Navs who are worth their weight in gold, but I would trade them for having to fly with the others. Something about being up there alone, or even better, with three of your buddies who are all in sole control of their machines.

Gents, I've been toying around with the option of not staying in the Marine Corps once my initial commitment has been completed. This is due to a multitude of factors: 1/1 deployment to home ratios, aging airframes and declining flight hours, etc... That being said, each and every time I come back from a DCA, AI, or BFM flight I swear I'd sell my soul to keep doing it. I'm curious about the ANG and Reserve options, and I've done a fair amount of research, but I still feel relatively in the dark when it comes to the Air Force as a whole. Would a first tour, 4-ship Hornet flight lead be competitive in potentially getting selected for an ANG or Reserve Fighter unit? I know that the Air Force does business a little differently than we do, but I've also served as our Airframes Division OIC as well as our Aviation Safety Officer. Any discussion, guidance, or direction would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys. S/F