I wouldn't like a RPA drop because they work 24/7(i.e, almost there's no free time to spend with family).Just because of this.
Thank you for my laugh of the day!
I am not trying to be mean, but obviously you need to do some more research. Yes, RPAs are undermanned, but you image of what a flier's life is not realistic. Here are some of my memories as a spouse of an F15E WSO.
1. Hurricane barreling down anywhere, and the pilots are flying them out to safety. Spouses typically stay behind and hunker out the storm.
~~ Hurricane Floyd hit SJAFB. Goldsboro was ground zero. It made national news. The aircrews were gone for @10 days. The runway was underwater for that entire time!
2. When we were stationed at Elmendorf, Bullet's squadron was not there ever for what is called break up.
~ His squadron got a no notice deployment to Korea. It came down on Saturday a.m. and they were gone for 4 months by Thursday.
~~ Our DS1 received his 1st Communion while he was gone. Bullet's parents and my Mom flew from the east coast to AK to be there. Guess who was not there? Yep.... Bullet
~~~ I play crud (google it) Unfortunately, I was severely injured....to the point that they placed my on major drugs. The spouses in the squadron took care of our 3 kids under 8, because I could not leave my bed via for 10 days via the docs orders. Bullet was in Korea and they did not send him home. They did allow a daily 10 minute phone call (patch).
3. Bullet was assigned to what is called CGSC (ACSC equivalent/O4 PME school) He was so excited for Halloween. It was going to be the 1st year since our youngest was 4 months old that he would be home for Halloween. Our youngest was now in 2nd grade!
4. I do not have enough fingers or toes on my family of 5, and including our pets to count how many times his jet broke down somewhere or was diverted. Nor how many times he was gone for our anniversary, my birthday or my kids birthdays. Don't even get me started on how many holidays, such as Easter or Thanksgiving he was gone.
Yep, you are right they work long hours, but don't fool yourself, it is not a cakewalk on the rated side either.
Let's be honest RPAs don't work 24/7. RPA community does work 24/7. You are confusing things in my opinion.
OBTW, my DS flies the C130J, so does on of fencers. Our boys are going to deployed for 4 months very shortly. Meanwhile they also probably go TDY at least 1x a month. They also have report times at O Dark thirty. They have at simulators at 3 a.m. That means they are in bed very early even for the show time of O4:30. Think, 30 minutes prior to leaving your home, travel time of 15 minutes, and you want to be there 15 minutes early. That means you will get up at 3:30 a.m. 7 hours of sleep means 8:30 eyes closed, and 8 going to bed. Than again, you could be flying at night, which means a show time at 10:00 a.m., and not getting home until 9 or 10 p.m.
Have you read raimius's blog yet regarding life at USAFA and UPT?
~ He has a blue link on his tag line. Please, please, please read it.