Air Craft Options

FØB Zero

Enthusiastically American
Joined
Jul 30, 2019
Messages
205
Hi,
I am applying to USAFA and USNA. I am curious for both, Navy and AF, what are the differences of lifestyle between each air craft? I would like a career that’s busy and offers many traveling opportunities. Also, how is the lifestyle of a NFO different from a Navy pilot? I’ve read stuff online about this, but would love your input.
Thanks a ton!
 
Retired NFO here. The lifestyle is the same, and command opportunities are the same as well. Some communities are exclusively pilot (helo, for example), but career and leadership opportunities are the same.
 
There are MANY different aircraft, and even in the same type, different units have different missions. In general, transport and cargo aircraft travel more than fighter/bomber types. ISR and C2 aircraft may or may not travel a lot.
 
If i am violating any rule by entering a link to a different website, please excuse me and let know and I will delete if possible. However, if you are interested in a specific AF plane and the lifestyle, please hit the link to Flying squadron. Some of the posts are old and things may have changed by then, but you should get a good idea about the community, tempo and other intangible items about flying a specific plane

 
You should concern yourself far more about the differences between the Navy and Air Force than the differences between types of aircraft within those services.
 
I dont know if this is true, but once read this about the difference between the Air Force and the Navy. If true, its a great explanation about the diffrence in philosophy. The Navy tells you what you cant do and while the Air Force tells you what you can do.
 
I dont know if this is true, but once read this about the difference between the Air Force and the Navy. If true, its a great explanation about the diffrence in philosophy. The Navy tells you what you cant do and while the Air Force tells you what you can do.
The Air Force tells you what you can do, the Navy takes it one step further and tells you what what you're going to do.
 
With the Air Force, we use aircraft to wage war. That's pretty much our mission statement. With the exception of cyber, missiles, and space, all other specialties in the Air Force exist in some way to support our aircraft and aircrew. Since we prioritize aerial warfare, we have the most options in terms of aircraft to fly and missions to execute. We've got everything from planes that fly through hurricanes to gather data, to reconnaissance aircraft that touch the edge of space, to unmarked civilian aircraft that transport and support special forces and three letter agencies. With the other services, their air arms exist to support their primary mission. Which is cool, because you inherit that service's traditions and mission as an aviator. For example, as a Navy P-8 patrol pilot you're out there hunting for submarines to protect your ships, and as a Marine attack helicopter pilot you're protecting Marines on the ground. In the Air Force, pilots are prioritized for command positions, and almost all of our highest ranking generals are pilots or aircrew. While you certainly have high-ranking aviators in other services, they tend to choose flag officers that are a part of their primary mission set (surface warfare, Marine/Army infantry, etc.).

I'd say if your goal is to be a pilot with the most options in terms of aircraft and locations, pick the Air Force. If you value the culture and mission of a certain branch and want to be a part of their mission while also being an aviator, I'd choose that branch while accepting fewer options of aircraft and (potentially) less career mobility.
 
The Air Force tells you what you can do, the Navy takes it one step further and tells you what what you're going to do.

actually, the old expression is:

"The Air Force tells you what you can do, the Navy tells you what you can't do"

the implication is that the Air Force is much more prescriptive, and the Air Fore pilots aren't given leeway to be creative or show initiative, whereas the Navy only tells you specifically what you CAN'T do, the implication being that you are free to do whatever you want, as long as it isn't prohibited.

neither of these is completely accurate, but like most legends there is more than a grain of truth to both
 
actually, the old expression is:

"The Air Force tells you what you can do, the Navy tells you what you can't do"

the implication is that the Air Force is much more prescriptive, and the Air Fore pilots aren't given leeway to be creative or show initiative, whereas the Navy only tells you specifically what you CAN'T do, the implication being that you are free to do whatever you want, as long as it isn't prohibited.

neither of these is completely accurate, but like most legends there is more than a grain of truth to both

There's more than just a grain. There are a number of Air Force pilots instructing in Primary for the USN/USMC/USCG. Nearly every single one of them will tell you how glad they are to be around Naval Air training for a few years, since they have so much more freedom to make decisions (aka do pilot stuff) that the USAF would not allow. The Navy instructors on the other hand, are very glad to be out of Air Force land. There are a lot of specifics this encompasses, and I have good pilot friends in the AF, but I am very thankful which side of the house I ended up on.
 
While you certainly have high-ranking aviators in other services, they tend to choose flag officers that are a part of their primary mission set (surface warfare, Marine/Army infantry, etc.).
Absolutely not true for the Navy. Navy has had many many non-SWOs as CNO and in fact, for a rather long period had almost no SWOs in that role. Generally it now splits almost thirds between Aviation, Surface and Subs and over time each has had its era in the sun.
 
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