View Full Version : Average Day
Yeah, i know there is no average day, but please try to give me an idea what daily life is like for a WO aviator. How much flight time per month, what do you do each day at least genericaly. shuffle papers, maintenance, staff stuff, etc. I am really trying to determine if i want to be an Army aviator as opossed to another CMF. My college degree is in Criminal Justice but I do like to fly and have some civilian Fixed wing time. My other career choices are possibly Ranger/SF, MP/CID. So i am searching for information so i avoid so far as is possilbe, a career choice mistake.
Thanks!
Look, let me start by saying, you have left yourself wide open for a serious lashing from the members of this site. Those members are professionals that take our job very seriously and with a great amount of passion. That being said, as you stated there is not average day. We do a large number of things on a daily basis and there are to many to describe. Your flight time will varying great depending on whether you are deployed or not. As a new WO your job will incompass, filling the frig as the frig bitch, sweeping the floors, cleaning the toilets, and doing what you are told by the more serior WO's. If you are trying to decide whether to be a pilot or a cop, don't choose the pilot. We, aviation, only want those that truely,100% want to be here. Not the ones that want it easy. Just my .02. Now I leave you to our regularly scheduled lashing.
Look, let me start by saying, you have left yourself wide open for a serious lashing from the members of this site. Those members are professionals that take our job very seriously and with a great amount of passion. That being said, as you stated there is not average day. We do a large number of things on a daily basis and there are to many to describe. Your flight time will varying great depending on whether you are deployed or not. As a new WO your job will incompass, filling the frig as the frig bitch, sweeping the floors, cleaning the toilets, and doing what you are told by the more serior WO's. If you are trying to decide whether to be a pilot or a cop, don't choose the pilot. We, aviation, only want those that truely,100% want to be here. Not the ones that want it easy. Just my .02. Now I leave you to our regularly scheduled lashing.
Sir;
I truly mean no disrespect. My dad is a retired Marine Msgt and I grew up in the military. i will make a career in the military but I am not sure in which CMF. I was a four year scholarship ROTC cadet when i realized i did not want to be an officer and spend half my career on staff assignments. My degree is in Criminal Justice. I am a hands on kind of guy, I dont want it easy, far from it. My concern with aviation is that there will be too few flight hours and more down time. I just have no way to see into your world without asking questions. Dad was a Mud Marine with infantry and Recon assingments. He was honor Grad from the Army Pathfinder Course and graduated Ranger School in 1968. My mentors had been Infantry SNCO'S and even General Officers growing up. The world of an aviator is new to me. My WOFT package is complete and I am waiting for the Board but still unsure if I want that career. My other considerations are Ranger/SF, or MP/CID, or Long Range Surv Det.
Look, As a new WO your job will incompass, filling the frig as the frig bitch, sweeping the floors, cleaning the toilets...
Kind'a makes you guys miss the AO's, huh?:biggrin:
Sorry...couldn't resist!:rofl:
cheez-n-beer
04 May 08, 15:01
You quit ROTC and will probably quit flight school. Sound like you dont know what you want and you have too much time to daydream in the jag office. Stay a civilian pilot.
Go be a cop.
You quit ROTC and will probably quit flight school. Go be a cop.
Damn thats funny! :rofl:
You quit ROTC and will probably quit flight school. Sound like you dont know what you want and you have too much time to daydream in the jag office. Stay a civilian pilot.
Go be a cop.
I can appreciate your opinion. I have never quit anything. I did not quit ROTC beause it was hard, I dropped ROTC after two years because I realized i did not want to be an officer. I did not drop out of college.When I saw what commissioned officers do, I knew it was not for me.Setting around the TOC takiing reports, drafting orders, and directing operations just does not fit me. if I could guarantee myself a career out in the field that would be fine. But to think that after 0-3 my work would be primarily staff functions was unacceptable.
You are correct, i do not know what I want for my career, but I know what I don't want. I like flying but only if I really get to fly. And you are right, if flying is more down time than flying, then I probably don't want to fly. As respects day dreaming, I do none of that. I spend my time getting physically ready for military service. This includes daily PT, 70 pound ruck marches in our local mountains twice weekly, and study of basic military subjects. I am a very hard worker and have been commnded by my civilian employers for my work ethic. I am NOT seeking an easy career, just the right career. Is it supposed to be a visceral reaction? How can I know whether I want to be an Army aviator if i don't know what that life is like? Why would I take up a slot in IERW that could go to someone who would make it a career? I am merely trying to find out what the career choices would be like so i don;t get locked in a carer I can't get out of. i am not planning a four year stint. I will do 20 plus and I know how hard it is to change CMF's so why start wrong?
HEY!! Can I shoot him?:shooter:
Welcome, jagkid.
kiowapilots is a magical and interesting place, inhabited by weird and wonderful people. Me you can trust, the others I am not so sure of.
Be especially aware of a regular poster named, ‘Vertigo’.
Sure, she's an attractive woman, and one given to laying around on the beach in various states of undress at that.
But here's the catch;
She never brings any food, drinks, or cash with her to the shore, so she's forever mooching off the other beachgoers.
Here’s an average day in the life of the Kiowa Pilot; You'll come out of the water after some swimming or snorkeling, and there's this naked woman sitting on your beach towel, and rooting around in your picnic basket!
You: Ahem. Can I help you find something?
Vertigo: No, I think I've got it. Ah, here's a ham & Swiss on whole wheat bread. (unwraps sandwich, and begins eating it)
You: Can I perhaps get you a beverage? An apperitif, perhaps?
Vertigo: Yes, please. Mike's Hard Lemonade if you got it.
You: No, I got water and maybe a few beers.
Vertigo: Ah, never mind then. (munches the sammich, and dabs a bit of mayonnaise from the corner of her mouth with your beach towel) Got any napkins?
You: No, that's one thing I neglected to pack. That, and the Mike's Lemonade thingies I guess. Say, do you always sunbathe naked out here?
Vertigo: If you had this body, wouldn't you?
You: Good point. Say, I'm going back in the water for a bit. You mind watching my stuff, and make sure that nobody makes off with my car keys?
Vertigo: Sure. You got A/C in your car, and/or any good CD's?
You: No. But I do have a rather valuable camera in there. I sure wouldn't want anybody making off with that, or taking any prankish photo's with it, and then putting it back like nothing ever happened.
Vertigo: Trust me, I would never do that!!
http://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/PLD/PLD367/px246054.jpg
WOJG4LIFE
04 May 08, 17:56
Oh, sparky... We love you.
jagkid- Basically, the ranks of army aviators are filled with folks who have spent lifetimes or near lifetimes working toward the career we hold today. We were always sure this was what we wanted to do. We want to continue to fill the voids left by those passed with other folks like us. So whether it seems to be a "visceral reaction" or not, the truth is in the above posts... If you're not sure what you want, then dude... Go be a cop. Army Aviation is not for you.
WOJG4LIFE
04 May 08, 18:05
But alright... to answer your question, it goes something like this:
"Average day"- combat: Fly a lot every day, get little or no days off, get shot at, eat (maybe), and sleep. 12 months combat = roughly 900 +/- 100 hours of flight time. Day, night, Goggle, etc.
"Average day" -stateside: Fly 1-3 times a week depending on situation, gunnery, training, YOU, etc. Do your additional duty (Supply, safety, TACOPS, etc...) and STUDY to be a better aviator.
I am not so sure law enforcement wants another waffle.
heidelberg
04 May 08, 19:51
I can appreciate your opinion. I have never quit anything. I did not quit ROTC beause it was hard, I dropped ROTC after two years because I realized i did not want to be an officer. I did not drop out of college.When I saw what commissioned officers do, I knew it was not for me.Setting around the TOC takiing reports, drafting orders, and directing operations just does not fit me. if I could guarantee myself a career out in the field that would be fine. But to think that after 0-3 my work would be primarily staff functions was unacceptable.
I like flying but only if I really get to fly.
If flying is more down time than flying, then I probably don't want to fly
I am merely trying to find out what the career choices would be like so i don;t get locked in a carer I can't get out of
OK, Some things there that you said/wrote jagkid.
OK, that does it! Where do i sign up?
But alright... to answer your question, it goes something like this:
"Average day"- combat: Fly a lot every day, get little or no days off, get shot at, eat (maybe), and sleep. 12 months combat = roughly 900 +/- 100 hours of flight time. Day, night, Goggle, etc.
"Average day" -stateside: Fly 1-3 times a week depending on situation, gunnery, training, YOU, etc. Do your additional duty (Supply, safety, TACOPS, etc...) and STUDY to be a better aviator.
__________________________________________________ __________________________
Thank You sir! I sincerely apprecciate the response. I can also appreciate protecting your communmity from FNG's like me. I have much to learn but always thought it best to learn from those who have gone before me and avoid some stupid mistakes. You have all answered my query and I will now gracefully withdraw from active posting. I may lurk from time to time as I progress on my path to see if any useful posts occur.
Thanks again for your assitance.
WOJG4LIFE
04 May 08, 20:58
Everyone's been an FNG before. Everyone's done or said stupid things. Some folks just haven't been there so long they forgot what it's like to be dumb.
Good things, jagkid. Good things. :smoke:
Do NOT withdraw, young sir.
Wade in there, and show your ass (if that's what it takes).
If you want to be a Kiowa Pilot, you will have to display equal measures of intestinal fortitude and bold, brash arrogance.
If you back down now, these guys will eventually eat you alive.
Step forward, kick ass, take names.
Right or wrong, your desire and your resolve is what it will take to get the mission done some day.
At this point, your resolve is all you got.
Wade in there, young jagkid.
Be the man yer daddy always wanted you to be.
:naughty::salute::lookaround::cool::bravo:
Do you honestly think ROTC is representative of being an Officer in the Army? Terrible.
cchambliss
05 May 08, 16:38
Average Day:
1. wake up.
2. get up.
3. Go where you are told.
4. do what you are told.
5. study what you are told.
6. go to bed
7. go to sleep.
REPEAT AS NECESSARY
Do you honestly think ROTC is representative of being an Officer in the Army? Terrible.
Absolutely NOT! My comments are based on many officers and Mustangs i have known growing up around the military services. The ROTC experience was NOT what I based my decision on. I based it on seeing many 0-3 and up spending most of the rest of their career on a BN or Regt staff, or as an ROTC MOI, or recruiter etc. I did not want to serve my career that way. I am just not an Admin kind of person. I am much more in my zone doing rather than directing from the rear.
NO DISRESPECT whatever for those excellent officers who make that choice. Someone with the field experince and training needs to be in those slots, I am just not the guy to do that. I'd rather just dig the hole than tell someone else how to do it. I would make a lousy senior staff officer. I just want to be the best I can at doing my job. I realize as a Warrant Officer, I would be an officer and a pilot, but as I understand it I keep flying. I have seen too many 0-3's and up that only fly their minimums. Maybe I have a really wrong impression looking in from the perspective of a military brat but that is what I saw. It seems that the better one got, the less they let him do it. They put him out to staff or training slots. Again, I know someone has to, but that is why I don't wish to be a general line officer. The Warrant is much more appealing.
Of course, you also get to lead the best troops in the world and be a leader by example by getting your hands dirty and digging that trench with them. You will have time on staff but once you reach a certain level, you can teach at West Point, earn your MBA on the Army's dime or get into Special Operations. Why not experience the Army Officer life for yourself and learn leadership from the most recognized educator in the world?
Of course, you also get to lead the best troops in the world and be a leader by example by getting your hands dirty and digging that trench with them. You will have time on staff but once you reach a certain level, you can teach at West Point, earn your MBA on the Army's dime or get into Special Operations. Why not experience the Army Officer life for yourself and learn leadership from the most recognized educator in the world?
This is off the subject of the thread, and becoming just fuel for flaming wihch is not my intent at all, but do officers really get to dig trenches? I have honeslty never seen one, except for a Mustang, do that. Can you say that a commissioned ( not Warrant) officer continues to fly except for quals, and that Warrants don't fly more hours and missions? Can I go to OCS and then be guaranteed a slot at IERW? I attended the Air Force Academy summer program and found out that they would not guarantee flight school so I turned down an appointment there, opting for ROTC where I thought I might take a look at that possiblity.
My dad told me about WOFT and it seems right. As far as teaching, I have no interest whatever in university or academy level teaching. This is in NO way intended to impugn those who do that great service. I respect their ability to do it. It just doesn't fit me. If I could remain an 0-3 forever, that would be my style, but I realize you have to grow and improve, up or out! Being a military brat has probably screwed me up for life because of the perspective it gave me. In any event that is how it has framed my views.
This is off the subject of the thread, and becoming just fuel for flaming wihch is not my intent at all, but do officers really get to dig trenches? I have honeslty never seen one, except for a Mustang, do that. Can you say that a commissioned ( not Warrant) officer continues to fly except for quals, and that Warrants don't fly more hours and missions? Can I go to OCS and then be guaranteed a slot at IERW? I attended the Air Force Academy summer program and found out that they would not guarantee flight school so I turned down an appointment there, opting for ROTC where I thought I might take a look at that possiblity.
My dad told me about WOFT and it seems right. As far as teaching, I have no interest whatever in university or academy level teaching. This is in NO way intended to impugn those who do that great service. I respect their ability to do it. It just doesn't fit me. If I could remain an 0-3 forever, that would be my style, but I realize you have to grow and improve, up or out! Being a military brat has probably screwed me up for life because of the perspective it gave me. In any event that is how it has framed my views.
So you are saying , based on your experience....that being a CPT would be your wet dream........You need to make up your mind, talk to a recruiter and get off the pot.
So you are saying , based on your experience....that being a CPT would be your wet dream........You need to make up your mind, talk to a recruiter and get off the pot.
I have talked to a recruiter. My WOFT package is complete and at BN. Gentlemen this thread is geting out of control and I am only feeding it. I am also failing to communicate. I do want to be an aviator. i do nto want to cjhoose that career if it means only flying for the first few years then spending an eternity on office or staff functins and only seeing the airframe once a month.These are my problems soley, i was just seekiing information to help me evaluate my career choice. You guys have all been great and have given me what I need. I am not trying to flame anything or anybody. I know my thoughts are not in the general run of things, but they are how I need to process what is a big decision. I accept all you say and must move on and stop feeding this thing.
Very Respectfully;
Out
Oh, come on--we were just getting started!
Combat Dan
05 May 08, 22:55
Your average day will filled with flying, and when you're not flying, you will drink mass amounts of rum, kill a few hookers, and punt the occasional purse across a bar. Shit, thats my normal day. . .
WOW He "OUTED" somebody....:rofl:
Your average day will filled with flying, and when you're not flying, you will drink mass amounts of rum, kill a few hookers, and punt the occasional purse across a bar. Shit, thats my normal day. . .
Does it have to be rum? or is that just your unit SOP? And what do you do with the left over hooker parts afterward?
Combat Dan
05 May 08, 23:04
You can go with what ever spirit works for you. And as far as the parts, I feed them to the bears and wolves out in the tundra.
You can go with what ever spirit works for you. And as far as the parts, I feed them to the bears and wolves out in the tundra.
Whew!! I thought I was going to have to give up my tequila (Tila Tequila that is) if I went to WOFT.I am afraid I would have really had to pull my package if that was Rucker SOP. As far as the parts, I usually eat them with a little Dijon and fava beans. That way the Officer of the Day will never see the evidence. Oops! that may have violated OPSEC?
Combat Dan
06 May 08, 00:03
Wow, we were just talking about killing hookers, and now you're talking about eating them, what kind of forum do you take this for? Sicko.
AndyMiller
06 May 08, 01:00
Dan, you rock.
jagkid, quit while you are still ahead.
This is still a forum for Kiowa pilots, right? :lookaround:
Dan, you rock.
jagkid, quit while you are still ahead.
This is still a forum for Kiowa pilots, right? :lookaround:
Roger That! See Ya in about two years when I become a Kiowa driver.
Out here!!
cheez-n-beer
06 May 08, 23:30
Jagkid .....you should hang out with Viking.
young gun
07 May 08, 00:17
OK, Some things there that you said/wrote jagkid.
[QUOTE=jagkid;126806]I can appreciate your opinion. I have never quit anything. I did not quit ROTC beause it was hard, I dropped ROTC after two years because I realized i did not want to be an officer. I did not drop out of college.When I saw what commissioned officers do, I knew it was not for me.Setting around the TOC takiing reports, drafting orders, and directing operations just does not fit me. if I could guarantee myself a career out in the field that would be fine. But to think that after 0-3 my work would be primarily staff functions was unacceptable.
i hear ya, heidelberg, but i'm gonna give him a break on the first underlined statement based on the other two i underlined. seems clear he was referring to RLOs and his reasoning looks to be the same as many a Warrant officer and even others based on the new apparent trend of active RLO's going warrant (granted i haven't seen the stats on that, and this just may be a fluke rush of those where i am.
young gun
07 May 08, 00:25
dan, quit exaggerating, crack whores do not qualify as full blown hookers.
Q: whats the difference between a pile of dead crack whores and a corvette?
A: there's no corvette in Dan's garage!
Combat Dan
07 May 08, 01:02
I think they do. A crack whore is higher level of a whore. Whoring around to get money for baby formula just wasnt enough, they needed to add crack to the list of reasons.
vBulletin® v3.6.8, Copyright ©2000-2010, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.