Any US Marines here?
- Thread starter SixthSide
- Start date
We have 4 tracks within 20 minutes of us. Two of them will be AMA sanctioned by April, the third close behind . We have had an explosive growth here in the last year and it shows no signs of slowing down. Marine participation makes up about 40% of the riders.
- Jan 20, 2001
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The main reason is that the Harrier fly’s like a jet and a helo, thus the pilot need to be able to transition between two styles of flying. And according to the Pilots it's a hard jet to fly to start with. So for the most part the pilots that do the best in aviation school go the VMAT-203 and learn how to fly the Harrier :)
BigLou: I think the Osprey is a sound platform. When you compare flight hours to the F-14, F-16 and F/A-18 (IIRC) during testing it’s a safer bird. :) And would you rather fly on a CH-46 :eek:, I wouldn’t.
I can't dispute whether the Harrier is more difficult to fly or not. But, I believe the F/A-18 is more versatile and has a more varied weapons capability than the Harrier. If that is so, wouldn't it stand to reason that a better pilot would be needed to make use of these weapons, not to mention the speeds at which the majority of these weapons are employed? Maybe I'm not on the same topic. I think I've rambled off into whose pilot is smarter, or something.
Once again, I'm learning here, not arguing.
Once again, I'm learning here, not arguing.
B
biglou
I admit that I like the concept of the Osprey, but it's been on the board for over 20 years now (or close to it). When I was in, we thought it was going to be the next CH46. Here we are almost two decades later and its still not fully operational. Don't get me wrong, if we're making progress with it that is fine. It's just that from the outside (now) it looks like things are moving excruciatingly slow.
As far as transitional flight, the Osprey and the Harrier do share that. Ya gotta be sure you have enough forward airspeed before you point your thrust aft!
Another point (albeit unrelated) I'd like to bring up-I wonder how many folks we all know in common? I bet some pimple-faced PFC Plane Captian from my day is now the flightline chief or something! Yelling at Kav to zip up his field jacket! ;)
As far as transitional flight, the Osprey and the Harrier do share that. Ya gotta be sure you have enough forward airspeed before you point your thrust aft!
Another point (albeit unrelated) I'd like to bring up-I wonder how many folks we all know in common? I bet some pimple-faced PFC Plane Captian from my day is now the flightline chief or something! Yelling at Kav to zip up his field jacket! ;)
mlshacmpnd
Member
- Dec 25, 2001
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semper fi
i am a m marine stationed at miramar. just a few hours from glamis as well. airwinger i dont think so!!(5811 mp) no offense. i can't stand the wingers. i have been in for just under six years. i was stationed at lejeune for my first enlistment with the ground pounders (3/8). spent many days deployed either to japan or the med. wht ever you do sixthside don't ever give up. keep reminding yourself of why you joined and how you can serve your country better!!! stand stall and proud and you will do just fine.
i am a m marine stationed at miramar. just a few hours from glamis as well. airwinger i dont think so!!(5811 mp) no offense. i can't stand the wingers. i have been in for just under six years. i was stationed at lejeune for my first enlistment with the ground pounders (3/8). spent many days deployed either to japan or the med. wht ever you do sixthside don't ever give up. keep reminding yourself of why you joined and how you can serve your country better!!! stand stall and proud and you will do just fine.
B
biglou
Boomer-My answer to your last post, IMO, is that there are different missions involved with the different aircraft. Completely different logistics can be dealt with by selecting the right tool for the job. That's not to say that those two jets don't overlap a great deal, just that their intended purposes somewhat different.
- Jan 20, 2001
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BigLou: do you know a (now) SSgt Payn A/F or GySgt. Delarosa Ord? They were at 513 when you were :) But they never told me to zip up my field jacket, it's too fliping warm to need one! :p
jboomer: The Harrier is a Close Air Suport Aircraft and was made from the ground up for that job, and it IS the best plane in the world for that job. It can fire off or drop most anything the F-18 can. From J-DAM (GPS guided bombs) to AIM-120 AMMRAMs air to air missles. The F/A -18 is a pilot friendy aircraft. Easyer to use, fly, and work on the the Harrier. It was made that way. The F/A-18 is a jack-of-all-trades-but-master-of-none. It does most evey thing you want it to very well, but it's not the best at anything. Both jets have been upgraded over time to make them better at there jobs. And that will continue untill they are removed from a flying status and turned in to "gate guards."
jboomer: The Harrier is a Close Air Suport Aircraft and was made from the ground up for that job, and it IS the best plane in the world for that job. It can fire off or drop most anything the F-18 can. From J-DAM (GPS guided bombs) to AIM-120 AMMRAMs air to air missles. The F/A -18 is a pilot friendy aircraft. Easyer to use, fly, and work on the the Harrier. It was made that way. The F/A-18 is a jack-of-all-trades-but-master-of-none. It does most evey thing you want it to very well, but it's not the best at anything. Both jets have been upgraded over time to make them better at there jobs. And that will continue untill they are removed from a flying status and turned in to "gate guards."
longtime
Member
- Oct 7, 1999
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JBoomer -- former Navy pilot here. As I'm sure you know now, you're fortunate in that you're going to be trained side by side with the best pilots in the world -- us (no bias here, of course ;) ). Your squadron mates, both instructors and students, will be approximately 1/4 Corps and 3/4 Navy. (Unless they've changed things recently). Give me a pm if you'd like and I'd be more than happy to fill you in on the gouge of what to expect.
And for now there's a clear-cut airplane you should be drooling after -- the F/A 18. No doubt about it. You probably already know why, but if not, we can talk about that if you wish.
I'm jealous of what's in store for you. Make sure you're in good shape -- pulling g's wins fights (along with lightning-fast-yet-relentless, patient, dogged, skilled agression). And it's not easy business.
And for now there's a clear-cut airplane you should be drooling after -- the F/A 18. No doubt about it. You probably already know why, but if not, we can talk about that if you wish.
I'm jealous of what's in store for you. Make sure you're in good shape -- pulling g's wins fights (along with lightning-fast-yet-relentless, patient, dogged, skilled agression). And it's not easy business.
longtime
Member
- Oct 7, 1999
- 843
- 0
Kav -- I just saw your post. You are very, very mistaken about your evaluation of the Hornet. Understandable, due to your allegiance. But don't let that fool anyone. Your facts are very far off the mark. "Master of none?" Um, ok. If "none" doesn't count the two missions it's intended for -- close range fighting and close air support. Your pilots won't tell you this, for obvious reasons, but I can guarantee you not only that 8 out of 10 of them wish they were in Hornets, but also that 10 out of 10 of them would choose to be in a Hornet if the **** ever really hit the fan in a furball. It is not only better at close air support, but, more importantly (from the pilots standpoint when he gets jumped), ACM (air combat maneuvers). By FAR. Heck, if the difference weren't so obvious, your pilots wouldn't go to such pains to convince you otherwise. (You never see Hornet drivers bagging on other airplanes -- until provoked). :p
An F-4 would stand a better chance against a Hornet than a Harrier would. Heck, even a skilled A-4 driver might. A Harrier would have one -- and only one-- chance for survival against a Hornet: hope it could use the VTOL ability to drop down quickly so you and your buddies could drape a tarp over it before it got shot.
An F-4 would stand a better chance against a Hornet than a Harrier would. Heck, even a skilled A-4 driver might. A Harrier would have one -- and only one-- chance for survival against a Hornet: hope it could use the VTOL ability to drop down quickly so you and your buddies could drape a tarp over it before it got shot.
I'm a RETIRED Marine:D I retired off I&I duty up here in Nor.Cal. I was a 3531, 3538 and 3537, all Motor Transport MOS's. Out of my 20+ years I served 12 years with the 1st Marines @ Camp Horno, Camp Pendleton, with 2/1, 1/4 and HQCO 1st Mar. Regt, all Infantry units. I also served in a Communications unit and a Truck Company. If you want to be where the ruber meets the road, or in your case, the leather meets the road, then the Grunts is your kinds of place.
While stationed at Camp Pendleton, Ca there is plenty of places to ride. On of the draw back is that living in the barracks you need a place to store your bike. The Company Gunny won't like you lubing your chain in his BEQ room, nor will the Battalion CO want to see you bike in the room during barracks inspection so you'll have to keep your bike some place else. My advice to you is, buy yourself a full size Ford, Dodge or Chevy van with NO windows. That way you can keep your bike locked up and you'll have a place to store your riding gear, tools and things while you out in the field training.
Good luck in Boot Camp:p
Semper Fi!
Rick
While stationed at Camp Pendleton, Ca there is plenty of places to ride. On of the draw back is that living in the barracks you need a place to store your bike. The Company Gunny won't like you lubing your chain in his BEQ room, nor will the Battalion CO want to see you bike in the room during barracks inspection so you'll have to keep your bike some place else. My advice to you is, buy yourself a full size Ford, Dodge or Chevy van with NO windows. That way you can keep your bike locked up and you'll have a place to store your riding gear, tools and things while you out in the field training.
Good luck in Boot Camp:p
Semper Fi!
Rick
KWJams
~SPONSOR~
- Sep 22, 2000
- 1,163
- 4
Congratulations
You are about to start in the greatest experience of your life. :cool:
I was in the infantry not Recon, but heard the stories from friends who were, the one word of advice I recall was when you start Recon School they tell you to go down to the river bottom and choose a rock, :eek: Most guys want to show how tough they are and they grab a big heavy one, how surprised they are when they learn that is their training partner and they go completely through training carrying that rock everywhere.
Good Luck and pay attention to what MR.WR suggested, in the infantry you live in a squad bay with very little storage room for gear and personal items. A 3/4 ton van would be the best deal, gas would cost more so plan on getting a buddy to split costs with.
Good Luck
You are about to start in the greatest experience of your life. :cool:
I was in the infantry not Recon, but heard the stories from friends who were, the one word of advice I recall was when you start Recon School they tell you to go down to the river bottom and choose a rock, :eek: Most guys want to show how tough they are and they grab a big heavy one, how surprised they are when they learn that is their training partner and they go completely through training carrying that rock everywhere.
Good Luck and pay attention to what MR.WR suggested, in the infantry you live in a squad bay with very little storage room for gear and personal items. A 3/4 ton van would be the best deal, gas would cost more so plan on getting a buddy to split costs with.
Good Luck
Posted by KW Jams
KW,
Not sure when you were last in the Corps, but for the most part, everyone is in a 2-3 man BEQ room now. A few Marines from my last unit (Camp Pendleton BLT 1/4) had bike and was forced to keep them stored in the back of there pick-up truck which really exposed the bikes to the weather 24-7...NOT GOOD!!
SixthSlide,
I"m not sure if you know if, but the Grunt's have KLR650's that are used to Recon, Convoy escorting, messaging and a host of other duities. I was involed in the Marine Corps Motorcycle program for several years. Not a bad duty assignment!!! You might want to work your way up into the Recon unit slowly. Spend a few years in the Grunts, learn the ropes. In a "regular" infantry unit you have a PLT call STA Plt (Surveillance,
Target Acquisition Platoon). They are part of H&S Company and they are the Battalion CO's eyes and ears of the BN. That is where you will find the snipers & scouts. They get alot of "high speed" training, which will prepare you for a tour with Recon. To get into STA Plt you will need to go though a indoc:eek:
http://www.specwarnet.com/americas/USMC_MSPF.htm
http://www.marinescoutsniper.com/
http://www.marinescoutsniper.com/indoc.html
Good Luck
Semper Fi!
KW,
Not sure when you were last in the Corps, but for the most part, everyone is in a 2-3 man BEQ room now. A few Marines from my last unit (Camp Pendleton BLT 1/4) had bike and was forced to keep them stored in the back of there pick-up truck which really exposed the bikes to the weather 24-7...NOT GOOD!!
SixthSlide,
I"m not sure if you know if, but the Grunt's have KLR650's that are used to Recon, Convoy escorting, messaging and a host of other duities. I was involed in the Marine Corps Motorcycle program for several years. Not a bad duty assignment!!! You might want to work your way up into the Recon unit slowly. Spend a few years in the Grunts, learn the ropes. In a "regular" infantry unit you have a PLT call STA Plt (Surveillance,
Target Acquisition Platoon). They are part of H&S Company and they are the Battalion CO's eyes and ears of the BN. That is where you will find the snipers & scouts. They get alot of "high speed" training, which will prepare you for a tour with Recon. To get into STA Plt you will need to go though a indoc:eek:
http://www.specwarnet.com/americas/USMC_MSPF.htm
http://www.marinescoutsniper.com/
http://www.marinescoutsniper.com/indoc.html
Good Luck
Semper Fi!
