IKE skipper is a West Point grad

A6E Dad

A6E Dad

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This is a really cool story, it's over a year old but I've never heard it until now.

'93 West Point grad, helo pilot transferred to Navy when an 0-3, went to Navy flight school and eventually flew hornets. Was one of the first combat squadrons in Afghanistan in '01, then was CO of IKE covering the withdrawal 20 years later.
Also, while a Navy 0-6, he still roots for Army in the Army/Navy game.

Did the A/N flyover in an F-18

pretty cool story

West Point Association of Graduates

Captain Campagna: From West Point to Commanding Aircraft Carriers
www.westpointaog.org
 
Not the same but somewhat similar.

The First USMC MOH for VN was given to a grad of West Point.

1st Lt Frank Reasoner USMC

Enlisted Marine
NAPS
USMA
Officer Marine

KIA July 12 1965
 
Small Team Bacsi said:
Not the same but somewhat similar.

The First USMC MOH for VN was given to a grad of West Point.

1st Lt Frank Reasoner USMC

Enlisted Marine
NAPS
USMA
Officer Marine

KIA July 12 1965
Click to expand...
Wow, that's not the traditional route. And 4 different boxing weight classes? Interesting read, thank you.
 
I remember the time frame well.
The Army was getting rid of the OH-58A/C as well as most active duty UH-1s. There wasn’t enough money for all the officers to get advanced aircraft transitions. I actually knew an aviation LT who was made XO of the veterinarian clinic- there was no place else to put him.
On the flip side, the Navy went overboard on their post Gulf War drawdown. Pilots just finishing flight school were being shown the door. Flash forward a few years to the mid 1990’s and the Navy realized they cut too much.
The timing was right a several Army pilots were offered the opportunity to inter service transfer to the Navy. A win win for everyone.
I actually looked at it but I was too old.
 
A6E Dad said:
This is a really cool story, it's over a year old but I've never heard it until now.
Click to expand...
I passed the story along to DD also and she enjoyed! Just want to make sure she keeps and open mind to all options. 😉
 
www.penguinrandomhouse.com

Force Recon Diary, 1969 by Major Bruce H. Norton: 9780804106719 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

Elite and highly trained, the 3d Force Recon's eight-man teams were assigned to obtain vital information about NVA operations. Alone, the men of these small teams were sent behind enemy lines, where they...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com

Again not the same but a little somewhat similar.

Doc Norton USN would be the only Navy Corpsman that I am aware if to serve as a USMC recon patrol leader in VN. After his honorable time in the Navy he went to the dark side and retired as a USMC Major.
 
Timing and other services' career choices can make for strange transitions...

For examples...

Rear Admiral Brian Losey, USN, Ret., headed the Naval Special Warfare Command from 2013 until his retirement in 2016.
Rear Admiral Scott Moore, USN, Ret., was the Deputy Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, until his retirement in 2014.

What do they have in common? Well, Scott is a high school classmate of mine (nothing in common there with Brian) but they have one major thing in common:

They are graduates of the United States Air Force Academy Class of 1983.

Strange indeed.
(And they're great guys too!)
 
Capt MJ said:
So who has left the siren call of the sea and gone to other services to build a stellar career? 🤔
Click to expand...
I’ve seen some Navy pilots transition to the Army Guard/Reserves or Air Force Res/Guard side (more common). There was a former Navy pilot in my sister Army Guard unit.
Active I’ve seen a few who went Army WO flight school route, but usually I see enlisted Navy do this. I can only think of one officer. He was a SWO and really wanted to fly.
 
These are al great examples of thinking outside the box and realizing a career that didn’t fit into the cookie cutter mold. Great reads.
 
Prior to the (late) creation of MARSOC (USMC Raiders) I read of a number of USMC recon types that went to the Navy for the spec ops SEAL experience.

I doubt that is happening now.

For a long time , for decades , the USMC fought against and hated the idea, of a designated elite spec ops unit within the Corps..
 
the first female skipper of a carrier is a helo pilot, no doubt doesnt sit well with the fighter mafia
 
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