VMFA187

Be thankful you're not having to deal with Aspect Angle vs Target Aspect and Sections/Divisions vs 2/4-ships. Congrats on the transfer. A number of my buddies have and are in the process of crossing over.

You don't need them operating in that environment. But it would be nice to have a fighter with the kinematics of an Eagle, with significantly upgraded capes in nearly every area, with the ability to carry more than twice the A-A loadout of any current fighter we're fielding.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/25636/usafs-next-budget-request-will-include-new-f-15x-advanced-eagle-fighter-jets-report Thoughts? One can only hope.

It might be a bit of a long shot to get a TX slot into a strike-fighter aircraft - Every Marine Capt / Maj I know in the Hornet / F-35 is getting out and half of them are looking at the Guard. But don't let that stop you from trying if it is what you really want. I think Homestead F-16s picked up an Army helo guy a year ago or so there is that. I started my transition when I got to VMFAT-101 as a Hornet IP after a four year fleet tour. After visiting multiple units and about 18 months, was offered a TX slot by a Guard FS prior to finding out I was no longer medically qualified. Bottom line, reach out and visit the units you're interested in. The squadron that actually offered me a slot was one in which I found a contact via LinkedIn. After a few messages he gave me the squadron commander's cell phone and told me to call him, I did, he told me to visit, and things went well. They're just looking for good dudes, who are sincere, and want to keep flying tactically.

To be fair, these responsibilities can be separate. And I feel more dudes would be inclined to stay if they were. On a fighter ANG hiring board the squadron commander asked me "How would you feel knowing that you likely won't have an opportunity to be the squadron commander due to your USMC and Hornet background, as well as your year group?" "Sir, I want as much responsibility in the airplane as possible. And as little as I can get away with outside of it." He looked to his patch, then to the third member of the board and turned to me and said, "That is the best possible answer you could've given."

Because Uncle Sam only lets us fly jets when he wants us to.

Completed.

By combining "live" and "constructive" training I think you'd be able to combine 5th gen adversary support constructively by mating that to the TX 4th gen platform, then gain the live training with the actual platform once you get WVR.

What exactly does this mean? "This year, in addition to seeking officers demonstrating commitment to the welfare of our airmen and to our core values, I am using my authority to instruct board members to find officers who have demonstrated that they will nurture and lead in a diverse and inclusive Air Force culture," James said."

I love the Hornet more than most, but having a deck full of a single TMS (MDS for you AF types) limits capabilities fairly significantly, even as flexible of a strike-fighter as the F/A-18 is.

Executed? https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/23/health/gun-deaths-in-men-by-state-study/index.html

What’s your background? It can be pretty decent in the hands of someone with a bit of experience. From my personal collection and the only time I’ve been fortunate enough to fight an Eagle WVR.

Are you serious? It never sucks to be a military flight student. Unless you suck and shouldn’t be there. Perhaps an increase in competition will drive the quality of students up as we in the strike fighter community have seen a relative decline in the past 2-3 years compared to 5+ years ago.

Dude, I don’t care. Was just giving you a hard time for the statement.

Ouch.

Went through flight training with Short. Solid dude. 🍻

DCA. There are other platforms that are clearly more capable than a legacy Hornet, but get 4 experienced bros out there and there is nothing better. Hi-Threat CAS is a close second. Low altitude ingress to a pop delivery. Training only though, I wouldn't want to find myself in a position where that was the only feasible way to support our dudes on the ground.

That’d be great, thank you.

Who knows, this could assist someone else down the line. I had an alcohol induced seizure, which is waiverable, after boozing hard with the squadron over a three day period on 31 Oct 2016. I met with a civilian neurologist who specialized in aviation and his recommendation was to return to flight, but the Navy denied my waiver. I had issues with my EEG which was conducted within days of the event which is to be expected due to the proximity to the event but my sleep deprived EEG months later was clean. I also had an extreme lack of sleep, severe dehydration, excess caffeine, a pre-workout supplement, and an incredibly intense crossfit workout minutes prior to the seizure. I’ve had no further events. Is there a process to get a waiver for a Rated aviator prior to affiliating with a squadron?

It says you cannot receive PMs.

All, I’m an USMC F/A-18 IP on terminal leave with the desire to TX to the AFRES/ANG. I was offered a position with a fighter unit but need a medical waiver. Does anyone have some guidance on who I should speak to about the process ahead? Much thanks for any assistance.

Nothing like coming in for the 500kt break after doing a 4vX with three of your best friends against PL-12 shooters!

Say what you will, and perhaps you’re a better pilot than I. My SA is degraded and my recall is less accurate when I’m not operating all of our displays and systems exclusively and the one issuing targeting. But I always appreciate a solid TG reference!

It’s not as bad as you think because all pilots are trained to be single seat and all the jets are mech’d the same - You can safe the back seat and do the entire flight in a two-seat Delta safe’d up. We always conduct a 3-5 minute TCC brief if we’re flying with a WSO to hammer out responsibilities. Bottom line, a great WSO can be an immense help in a complex CAS or AI environment but an average or poor WSO will be a significant degradation to SA at all times. For A/A, I don’t think even a great WSO provides an added benefit.

Two seat Hornets conduct FAC(A), all other missions are shared. OCA, DCA, CAS, SCAR/AR, and AI. Yes, both single and two seat jets will be assigned to a single squadron. Yes, I believe that is how it will go - Depending on what jets maintenance has up will determine if WSOs go flying. All USMC Hornet pilots go through the RAG (FTU) as single seat pilots. Once they get to a fleet squadron (whichever squadron needs a new pilot) determines if they then fly in a single or two seat Hornet. A pilot can transition back and forth between single and two seat squadrons as his career progresses. That’s how it has been traditionally. RTB, I’m looking at federal law enforcement. Was incredibly interested in Guard fighter units as a Hornet IP but had a medical hiccup 1.5 years ago that might put that in question.