Posts
software paud
-
Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini (PAUD) dari tahun ke tahun terus mengalami
perkembangan yang pesat setidaknya jika dilihat dari adanya peningkatan
jumlah satuan ...
92Y20, Supply
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
I am a 92Y20, or Supply SGT. I love my job and the military! I have been in the Army since 1989. I am currently a AGR Soldier in Michigan. Being a full time supply SGT has it's challenges. If I was in the active Army, I would have at least one clerk to help me, as it stands I do every thing my self. It adds a lot of stress, but what job doesn't.
I look at supply like being the parent of the unit. I supply all of the soldiers basic needs. I make sure they have food, clothing, bullets, that their equipment is all there and they have everything they need to complete their mission. If I fail to do my job, they will be unable to complete theirs.
If it weren't for the military (which I grew up in), I don't know where I would be. It has been my heartache and my salvation. The military has let me do and be anything I want to be. The only limitations that I feel I have
are the ones that I put on my self. I have been fortunate.
I look at supply like being the parent of the unit. I supply all of the soldiers basic needs. I make sure they have food, clothing, bullets, that their equipment is all there and they have everything they need to complete their mission. If I fail to do my job, they will be unable to complete theirs.
If it weren't for the military (which I grew up in), I don't know where I would be. It has been my heartache and my salvation. The military has let me do and be anything I want to be. The only limitations that I feel I have
are the ones that I put on my self. I have been fortunate.
Air Force Supply Equipment Manager, 2S051
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I have been in the military approximately less than a year, so this is literally my first job. (Amn HUA) My primary duties are the the upkeep of all the Equipment Custodians for all squadrons on this base, as well as all
the Deployment listings/folders. I also assist on the ordering of equipment, and anything else, I can learn and do, to help out other sections in Customer Service. I was born with the sound of jets flying over head, and since then, I have loved planes. So the Air Force was my first choice. My goal is to wear Chief stripes on day. And I will. One day. TEAM MCCHORD......DEPEND ON US, COUNT ON ME.
the Deployment listings/folders. I also assist on the ordering of equipment, and anything else, I can learn and do, to help out other sections in Customer Service. I was born with the sound of jets flying over head, and since then, I have loved planes. So the Air Force was my first choice. My goal is to wear Chief stripes on day. And I will. One day. TEAM MCCHORD......DEPEND ON US, COUNT ON ME.
Field Corpsman -- Navy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Field Corpsman attached with USMC-R unit- 8404 NEC I had always wanted to join the military. After a 4 week FBI class in Hazardous devices at Redstone in Huntsville AL in 1995, I decided to check into joining a reserve unit. The Navy has a program where if you have a skill they need bad enough they will advance you in paygrade (usually E4 or E5) once you complete the prerequisites. It is called the APG program. There isn't any boot camp, only a 2 week AT designed to be a mini-boot camp. Seems as if most of the people in my class were over the age of 25 and mature. There were construction specialties, medical personnel, etc. That was in 1995 I joined. Been great ever since. I completed a field medic course so I can be assigned with the Marines. I have been to 29 Palms CA, New Orleans, Camp Pendelton and Norway for AT. And after hearing NO for so long when I inquire about jump school, I may have found a way to get a seat in a class. Have to thank my Chief for that. This solidifies my thought in that never take no for an answer. There is ALWAYS a way to get it done.
Shipyard Commander Yeoman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I have been in a year and a half now and I am 20 years old. This is my second job while being stationed here at the Shipyard in Pearl Harbor Hawaii. I used to be a Personnel Liaison Representative from the day I got
here till the day I came back from my first time I took leave. I excelled and received many awards for the accomplishments I made while doing tedious and important pay, personnel and administrative actions for the command. I was then promoted to work in the front office to be the Shipyard Commanders Yeoman. I have done many projects with upper management, CINPACFLT, CINLANTFLT, MIDPAC, SUBPAC, NAVSEA etc.... I enjoy this job because out in the civilian world it is the equivalent to a corporate secretary. I do more than just secretarial duties, I have my military commitments as well as my of-duty college classes. I'd say I'm taking advantage of what I have while I'm still young.
here till the day I came back from my first time I took leave. I excelled and received many awards for the accomplishments I made while doing tedious and important pay, personnel and administrative actions for the command. I was then promoted to work in the front office to be the Shipyard Commanders Yeoman. I have done many projects with upper management, CINPACFLT, CINLANTFLT, MIDPAC, SUBPAC, NAVSEA etc.... I enjoy this job because out in the civilian world it is the equivalent to a corporate secretary. I do more than just secretarial duties, I have my military commitments as well as my of-duty college classes. I'd say I'm taking advantage of what I have while I'm still young.
Women Army -- 97D20, Military Intelligence Coordinator
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I was a 97D20,Mil Intel Coordinator. Basic duties included classified control of documents. My office conducted background and other security investigations in Wash DC, and I logged reports from other federal
agencies (CIA, FBI, etc.). Also was acting 97B40, mil intel agent, and reviewed files at State Dept as well as officer files at The Adjutant General's Office (all branches--Pentagon as well as Tempo ABC). Also did
all office clerical typing, filing, teletyping to other detachments, courier preparation, and daily office workload reports.
agencies (CIA, FBI, etc.). Also was acting 97B40, mil intel agent, and reviewed files at State Dept as well as officer files at The Adjutant General's Office (all branches--Pentagon as well as Tempo ABC). Also did
all office clerical typing, filing, teletyping to other detachments, courier preparation, and daily office workload reports.
Not Enough of Women Army Us
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not Enough of Women Army Us
I am a serving Battalion level CSM only one of two in the ordnance corps, with 26 years of service and I am having the time of my life.
I truly enjoy my job, the OPTEMO is very high speed, it is the second best job I have had, the first one was of course when I was a 1sg did that job for six years.
In July of 2002 once I return from a six month deployment I will retire. Why my body is breaking down my feet are flat my knees are bad my back is going bad and at 47 I just don't run as fast as I once did.
What I don't understand is why there are not more of us, I came in the service as a 63H back then it was both wheel and track but in the 80's it changed to just track mechanic up until I made 1sg I worked every level of my CMF, I am not good looking and my typing skills were lacking but I was one hell of a wrench turner and I was good with people and my chain of command knew it.
Upon my retirement my next great job would be as a motivational speaker for the UP.SO. Army, When I see so many young people men and women with no one to look up to I ask why. A short true story (on year while at NTC I was walking to one of the mess pads for lunch I notice that a lot of soldiers were looking and pointing at me both male and
female I thought I may of had toothpaste on my face but come to fine out that the soldiers were from a airborne unit and although they have females in there Bde none of them had ever seen a female csm I WAS SO PROUD). I am a good public speaker, and I have a great story to tell. The only problem is I want to get paid. As a mechanic to CSM I have seen and heard it all.
I am a serving Battalion level CSM only one of two in the ordnance corps, with 26 years of service and I am having the time of my life.
I truly enjoy my job, the OPTEMO is very high speed, it is the second best job I have had, the first one was of course when I was a 1sg did that job for six years.
In July of 2002 once I return from a six month deployment I will retire. Why my body is breaking down my feet are flat my knees are bad my back is going bad and at 47 I just don't run as fast as I once did.
What I don't understand is why there are not more of us, I came in the service as a 63H back then it was both wheel and track but in the 80's it changed to just track mechanic up until I made 1sg I worked every level of my CMF, I am not good looking and my typing skills were lacking but I was one hell of a wrench turner and I was good with people and my chain of command knew it.
Upon my retirement my next great job would be as a motivational speaker for the UP.SO. Army, When I see so many young people men and women with no one to look up to I ask why. A short true story (on year while at NTC I was walking to one of the mess pads for lunch I notice that a lot of soldiers were looking and pointing at me both male and
female I thought I may of had toothpaste on my face but come to fine out that the soldiers were from a airborne unit and although they have females in there Bde none of them had ever seen a female csm I WAS SO PROUD). I am a good public speaker, and I have a great story to tell. The only problem is I want to get paid. As a mechanic to CSM I have seen and heard it all.
0451 Air Delivery Specialist (Parachute Rigger), USMC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0451 Air Delivery Specialist (Parachute Rigger), USMC
I am Sgt in the United States Marine Corps and am an 0451 Air Delivery Specialist (Parachute Rigger). I have been a Marine since 22 May 1995. I have served in Air Delivery Platoons both in Camp LeJeune and Okinawa, Japan. Our mission is to provide the Aerial Delivery of supplies and equipment when ground re-supply is not possible. I pack parachutes and rig cargo to be airdropped. We can drop something as small as a box of MRE's to 5 Tons, bridge pieces, and Howitzers. You name it-we can rig it and drop it. I am also a qualified Static Line Jumpmaster and Pathfinder responsible for ensuring that each jumper's equipment and parachute are properly rigged/inspected. I also rig cargo to be lifted externally and can establish and control Helicopter Landing Sites and Drop Zones as a
Pathfinder.
I am Sgt in the United States Marine Corps and am an 0451 Air Delivery Specialist (Parachute Rigger). I have been a Marine since 22 May 1995. I have served in Air Delivery Platoons both in Camp LeJeune and Okinawa, Japan. Our mission is to provide the Aerial Delivery of supplies and equipment when ground re-supply is not possible. I pack parachutes and rig cargo to be airdropped. We can drop something as small as a box of MRE's to 5 Tons, bridge pieces, and Howitzers. You name it-we can rig it and drop it. I am also a qualified Static Line Jumpmaster and Pathfinder responsible for ensuring that each jumper's equipment and parachute are properly rigged/inspected. I also rig cargo to be lifted externally and can establish and control Helicopter Landing Sites and Drop Zones as a
Pathfinder.
Cryptologic Technican Technical (CTT) Women Army United States Navy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cryptologic Technican Technical (CTT) Women Army United States Navy
CTT's perform a variety of specialized duties associated with processing of airborne, shipborne and land-based radar systems and associated signals. Operate Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) receiving, direction finding, recording and related computer equipment, sophisticated state-of-the-art radar electronic equipment, magnetic or digital recording devices, analysis terminals and associated peripheral equipment. Perform a variety of duties associated with computer equipment, video display terminals, computer interface consoles and non-morse communications systems.
What They Do:
Duties performed by CTT's include:
-- Operate sophisticated, state-of-the-art, electronic receivers, signal modifiers, magnetic recording devices and associated peripherals in the collection of airborne, shipborne and land-based radar signals;
-- Operate collection equipment as crewmembers onboard Navy land aircraft to provide tactical and strategic electronic intelligence (ELINT) to forward-deployed units in support of fleet operations;
-- Operate collection and analysis consoles as direct support augmentees on surface and subsurface and as permanently assigned personnel on surface collection platforms to provide ELINT support to forward deployed unit commanders;
-- Apply analytical knowledge and techniques in the formation of technical reports and briefs for operations departments at shore support facilities in continental United States, Hawaii, Japan, Spain, Great Britain and various remote sites throughout the world;
-- Perform state-of-the-art technical analysis of radar signals/systems to produce technical reports and briefs for local and national level agencies and provide naval and national database maintenance;
-- Create and maintain technical databases, files and technical documents associated with prescribed duties;
-- Routinely works with highly classified and technical material in support of national security.
CTT's perform a variety of specialized duties associated with processing of airborne, shipborne and land-based radar systems and associated signals. Operate Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) receiving, direction finding, recording and related computer equipment, sophisticated state-of-the-art radar electronic equipment, magnetic or digital recording devices, analysis terminals and associated peripheral equipment. Perform a variety of duties associated with computer equipment, video display terminals, computer interface consoles and non-morse communications systems.
What They Do:
Duties performed by CTT's include:
-- Operate sophisticated, state-of-the-art, electronic receivers, signal modifiers, magnetic recording devices and associated peripherals in the collection of airborne, shipborne and land-based radar signals;
-- Operate collection equipment as crewmembers onboard Navy land aircraft to provide tactical and strategic electronic intelligence (ELINT) to forward-deployed units in support of fleet operations;
-- Operate collection and analysis consoles as direct support augmentees on surface and subsurface and as permanently assigned personnel on surface collection platforms to provide ELINT support to forward deployed unit commanders;
-- Apply analytical knowledge and techniques in the formation of technical reports and briefs for operations departments at shore support facilities in continental United States, Hawaii, Japan, Spain, Great Britain and various remote sites throughout the world;
-- Perform state-of-the-art technical analysis of radar signals/systems to produce technical reports and briefs for local and national level agencies and provide naval and national database maintenance;
-- Create and maintain technical databases, files and technical documents associated with prescribed duties;
-- Routinely works with highly classified and technical material in support of national security.
Surface Warfare Officer, U.S. Navy Women Army
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Surface Warfare Officer, U.S. Navy Women Army
SS NASSAU (LHA 4), I then attended Engineering Officer of the Watch School in Newport, Rhode Island. So far, everything sounds pretty normal, right? When I reported to my ship, they didn't need me in Engineering, so they made me the Assistant Navigator. That doesn't sound so bad either except my only navigation experience was gained in Luce Hall at the Academy. About a week or so after I arrived, the
Navigator left, with no replacement. Since I was not qualified, the Quartermaster Chief took over. About three months later, after the new Navigator arrived, they decided to move me to Deck Department. I was given Second Division, in charge of the well deck and vehicle storage areas. It was a blast, but I was quickly forgetting all my engineering knowledge. Just about the time I had forgotten engineering even existed, they gave me the Aft Engineering Plant (MP-2). I was one of six women stationed on that ship. All of us were officers since we were not fitted for enlisted female berthing. During deployment we had a couple nurses and flight surgeons on board too. Besides being shuffled around a bit while they fixed up an official female "wing" complete with a head, I had a great experience on that ship.
When it came time to transfer, I requested a smaller ship for a different experience. The detailer told me I'd be going to USS THORN (DD 988). However, they currently did not have any females on board and I'd be the first one. Apparently, they were not ready for a single female on board because when my orders came, I had about 6 months worth of schools and working for the squadron. When it came time to report to the squadron, a few "problems" arose. They would be embarking THORN and planned on bringing me along. The ship didn't seem to happy about this since they sent me to the squadron to delay my report date until the female XO arrived. The Commodore brought me along
anyway. Three fellow officers had to move out of their room to make space for me and a sign was quickly added to the head - one side said "males" and the other said "females". Not the first impression I wanted to make, but I usually adapt well. So as to not create any more unpleasantness, I tried to awake early to take my shower so the men would not have to wait. This usually meant getting up during the "mid-watch" - around 0300. Luckily, we were only there for a couple days and I disembarked with the squadron staff and did not return to the ship for another month. I finally did officially report to the ship, but the female XO was still not onboard. She, and two female Ensigns, did not arrive for another few weeks. Again, I got shuffled around a little bit. I was supposed to report as Navigator, but was not needed in that capacity. I was given the title of Weapons Officer, even though there was no official billet for a Weapons Officer. I actually became the Combat Systems Officer's assistant. Shortly after I arrived, the Combat Systems Officer took a few weeks leave - right before the scheduled Ammo Onload! Since the ship had also sent me to Legal Officer School, I took over that job. Eventually, duties and circumstances led me to be the full time Administration Officer, Public Affairs
Officer (PAO), Legal Officer and Morale Welfare and Recreation Officer (MWR). Yes, I became the "sh**** little jobs officer". But, nothing lasts forever and I eventually got shore duty in Great Lakes, exactly the job I wanted.
All in all, my experience has been educational and unexpected. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
SS NASSAU (LHA 4), I then attended Engineering Officer of the Watch School in Newport, Rhode Island. So far, everything sounds pretty normal, right? When I reported to my ship, they didn't need me in Engineering, so they made me the Assistant Navigator. That doesn't sound so bad either except my only navigation experience was gained in Luce Hall at the Academy. About a week or so after I arrived, the
Navigator left, with no replacement. Since I was not qualified, the Quartermaster Chief took over. About three months later, after the new Navigator arrived, they decided to move me to Deck Department. I was given Second Division, in charge of the well deck and vehicle storage areas. It was a blast, but I was quickly forgetting all my engineering knowledge. Just about the time I had forgotten engineering even existed, they gave me the Aft Engineering Plant (MP-2). I was one of six women stationed on that ship. All of us were officers since we were not fitted for enlisted female berthing. During deployment we had a couple nurses and flight surgeons on board too. Besides being shuffled around a bit while they fixed up an official female "wing" complete with a head, I had a great experience on that ship.
When it came time to transfer, I requested a smaller ship for a different experience. The detailer told me I'd be going to USS THORN (DD 988). However, they currently did not have any females on board and I'd be the first one. Apparently, they were not ready for a single female on board because when my orders came, I had about 6 months worth of schools and working for the squadron. When it came time to report to the squadron, a few "problems" arose. They would be embarking THORN and planned on bringing me along. The ship didn't seem to happy about this since they sent me to the squadron to delay my report date until the female XO arrived. The Commodore brought me along
anyway. Three fellow officers had to move out of their room to make space for me and a sign was quickly added to the head - one side said "males" and the other said "females". Not the first impression I wanted to make, but I usually adapt well. So as to not create any more unpleasantness, I tried to awake early to take my shower so the men would not have to wait. This usually meant getting up during the "mid-watch" - around 0300. Luckily, we were only there for a couple days and I disembarked with the squadron staff and did not return to the ship for another month. I finally did officially report to the ship, but the female XO was still not onboard. She, and two female Ensigns, did not arrive for another few weeks. Again, I got shuffled around a little bit. I was supposed to report as Navigator, but was not needed in that capacity. I was given the title of Weapons Officer, even though there was no official billet for a Weapons Officer. I actually became the Combat Systems Officer's assistant. Shortly after I arrived, the Combat Systems Officer took a few weeks leave - right before the scheduled Ammo Onload! Since the ship had also sent me to Legal Officer School, I took over that job. Eventually, duties and circumstances led me to be the full time Administration Officer, Public Affairs
Officer (PAO), Legal Officer and Morale Welfare and Recreation Officer (MWR). Yes, I became the "sh**** little jobs officer". But, nothing lasts forever and I eventually got shore duty in Great Lakes, exactly the job I wanted.
All in all, my experience has been educational and unexpected. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Women Army Meteorologist
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Women Army Meteorologist
I am a 93F. What do I do? I am a meteorologist, so to speak. Yes, in the army we do meteorology, but its not the conventional thinking of what a meteorologist does. We do take weather reports like wind direction, humidity, temperature, and so on, but what we do not do is to make forecasts. No, we don't predict the weather. The air force and the navy do that, although we do help them.
So what good is what we do? According to the U.S. field artillery, pretty important. We give the weather reports for a specific time in a specific area. What happens is that the F.D.C. (fire direction control), tells us that they need a certain kind of MET report. Then they give us a specific time to collect the data. For those who don't know what the field artillery is, its where all the big guns are.
So maybe your thinking, why exactly does the field artillery need us? Because, if you're into weapons or hunt and such, then you probably know that temperature, and wind direction affect a projectile as its moving through the air. Making sense now? And when your talking about things like missiles and huge projectiles that go higher and farther than bullet rounds, you need to know the atmospheric conditions. The atmosphere changes the higher you go, and it can throw a round off target from 50 to 100 meters over or under. Also, if a nuclear missile is used the wind blows the radiation for miles, we also give the wind direction so the FDC can put that information out to the surrounding support.
The front lines get our information and and adjust their weapons off of our reports. But now we have more advanced weapons recently; weapons that fire farther and much higher. There's one of the latest that can fire a round from Oklahoma City to Dallas Texas. So our previous MET equipment is obsolete. To make up for it, the army has come out with new equipment for us that can measure to an altitude of above 500 meters which is what the new weapons fire. It relies more on satellites in some areas than did before, where we just tracked a balloon with up to four or more of the 24 satellites that we can use.
With this new equipment coming out its not only good for us as army meteorologists, but this new technology means that we will be having to use more equipment that regular civilian meteorologists use. That means that we could get better civilian MET jobs. Our job is one of the easier ones, Although you do have to do everything in a hurry, its pretty interesting and once you get through the bore of the training, it's pretty fun.
I am a 93F. What do I do? I am a meteorologist, so to speak. Yes, in the army we do meteorology, but its not the conventional thinking of what a meteorologist does. We do take weather reports like wind direction, humidity, temperature, and so on, but what we do not do is to make forecasts. No, we don't predict the weather. The air force and the navy do that, although we do help them.
So what good is what we do? According to the U.S. field artillery, pretty important. We give the weather reports for a specific time in a specific area. What happens is that the F.D.C. (fire direction control), tells us that they need a certain kind of MET report. Then they give us a specific time to collect the data. For those who don't know what the field artillery is, its where all the big guns are.
So maybe your thinking, why exactly does the field artillery need us? Because, if you're into weapons or hunt and such, then you probably know that temperature, and wind direction affect a projectile as its moving through the air. Making sense now? And when your talking about things like missiles and huge projectiles that go higher and farther than bullet rounds, you need to know the atmospheric conditions. The atmosphere changes the higher you go, and it can throw a round off target from 50 to 100 meters over or under. Also, if a nuclear missile is used the wind blows the radiation for miles, we also give the wind direction so the FDC can put that information out to the surrounding support.
The front lines get our information and and adjust their weapons off of our reports. But now we have more advanced weapons recently; weapons that fire farther and much higher. There's one of the latest that can fire a round from Oklahoma City to Dallas Texas. So our previous MET equipment is obsolete. To make up for it, the army has come out with new equipment for us that can measure to an altitude of above 500 meters which is what the new weapons fire. It relies more on satellites in some areas than did before, where we just tracked a balloon with up to four or more of the 24 satellites that we can use.
With this new equipment coming out its not only good for us as army meteorologists, but this new technology means that we will be having to use more equipment that regular civilian meteorologists use. That means that we could get better civilian MET jobs. Our job is one of the easier ones, Although you do have to do everything in a hurry, its pretty interesting and once you get through the bore of the training, it's pretty fun.
Tell Us About Your Military Job
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tell Us About Your Military Job
I'm an naval aviator, one of the many women aviators that are now around the Oceana flight line. I was commissioned from USNA and was out in the fleet on the USS Eisenhower for their 6 month deployment Oct 95-March 96. Originally I wanted to be a Marine but figured that Marines really didn't want women so I decided to try to break into the boys club of naval aviation because, you know, they were so much more receptive to the idea of having babes around. The infamous "Tailhook" occurred while I was a senior at college which meant number 1) I missed it unfortunately (contrary to popular belief, many women had a great time) and 2) it would change the way my
career would develop I selected tactical fighters out of flight school and life has never been the same since. The Eisenhower cruise I joined was the first east coast deployment of a carrier with women on board. Millions were spent to purchase spraypaint to designate heads as "Female". Billions on actual toilet seats, an unheard of thing prior to women serving on ships. And I never heard the end of it. But after 8 years in the fighter community, it has been nothing but an overwhelmingly positive experience. As an officer and an aviator, I have a pampered lifestyle as any "black shoe" or enlisted person will tell you. But don't think that we haven't earned at least a little of what we get. We spend months away from home unbeknownst to the American public, as much as 9 months out of 12. Even when the ship is in port, we are training in Fallon or somewhere else for weeks at a time. Prior to our 6 month deployment we will spend no less than
4 months away from home in preparation for deployment. And it doesn't matter whether we are at war or not-- the Navy has deployed units 24/7/365. Most of my friends have missed at least one of their children's births because they were floating off the coast of Iraq, Afghanistan or some other place. In addition, every time I hear about a jet or helicopter that has crashed I am reminded of the very dangerous job that aviators perform from the carrier pilots returning from 9 hour missions over Afghanistan (yes, I've done it and it's painful) to the Apache drivers in Iraq that fly along at 50' and 100 knots while getting shot at from every direction (thank God I haven't done that).
A day in the life of a deployed carrier aviator depends on your rank. A junior officer (JO) will do about as much work as aviators are rumored to accomplish--not much. They are there to fly, be tactical, be the back bone of the ready room. A typical day is getting up at 1000, eating breakfast, working out, checking yourself in the mirror to ensure you're still lookin' good, eating lunch, flying, eating dinner, tracking down your lost laundry, checking that mirror again, going to the ship's store to purchase junk food, and finally staying up until 4am watching movies, eating all the junk food you can possibly stuff down your gullet recently purchased at the ship's store and playing Sega while making fun of other JOs. If you are middle management as a Department Head (usually at about 11-12 years as a commissioned officer), you will work 18 thankless hours a day, never have time to eat or workout but still manage to gain 30 pounds in 30 months, fly
only when you don't have paperwork and deflect heat from the front office directed towards the JO's because they are making too much noise at 4am. Squadron commanders have about 18 years under their belts. They spend 24 thankless hours a day wondering and worrying how some knuckle head JO is going to do something stupid and kill him/herself. Oh yeah, and yell at the JO's for making so much noise at 4 am.
What is it like to fly in a Navy jet? Depends on whether or not you're going to be landing at night. Landing on the boat during a beautiful sunny day is awesome. Like a sport, shooting hoops with your buds but on a much more grandiose scale. You launch off the front end, join up, do some tactical intercepts, maybe some dog fighting if you're lucky, then orbit overhead while you wait for the next launch to happen. Things happen in cycles on a boat. Launch at 1000, recover at 1015. Next launch at 1130, recover at 1145, etc. It's all about the proverbial ballet miracle that the flight deck crew performs flawlessly every day of flight ops. Night is no different, except for the fact that you are now wearing a blindfold. It's not fun. It's as un-fun as the day is fun. I'd rather be watching movies and playing Sega at 4am.
After 8 years, I wouldn't trade this job for anything, despite some of the bad days and long family separations. The men I have worked with over the years have evolved in the way you would hope Neanderthals would evolve. Seriously though, while we are kinder-gentler and annoyingly PC almost to a fault these days (except for chiefs and I wouldn't have it any other way) but I can still find someone that isn't afraid to tell it like it is (which is mostly that I'm doing something wrong again) and talk to me like "one of the boys". A better group of people never existed. Of course I'm biased. From the old timers, Vietnam fighter vets that run our simulator building to the 18 year old Plane Captain that shakes my hand when I walk up to a jet for a flight, you won't find a better group of people or a better place to be.
I'm an naval aviator, one of the many women aviators that are now around the Oceana flight line. I was commissioned from USNA and was out in the fleet on the USS Eisenhower for their 6 month deployment Oct 95-March 96. Originally I wanted to be a Marine but figured that Marines really didn't want women so I decided to try to break into the boys club of naval aviation because, you know, they were so much more receptive to the idea of having babes around. The infamous "Tailhook" occurred while I was a senior at college which meant number 1) I missed it unfortunately (contrary to popular belief, many women had a great time) and 2) it would change the way my
career would develop I selected tactical fighters out of flight school and life has never been the same since. The Eisenhower cruise I joined was the first east coast deployment of a carrier with women on board. Millions were spent to purchase spraypaint to designate heads as "Female". Billions on actual toilet seats, an unheard of thing prior to women serving on ships. And I never heard the end of it. But after 8 years in the fighter community, it has been nothing but an overwhelmingly positive experience. As an officer and an aviator, I have a pampered lifestyle as any "black shoe" or enlisted person will tell you. But don't think that we haven't earned at least a little of what we get. We spend months away from home unbeknownst to the American public, as much as 9 months out of 12. Even when the ship is in port, we are training in Fallon or somewhere else for weeks at a time. Prior to our 6 month deployment we will spend no less than
4 months away from home in preparation for deployment. And it doesn't matter whether we are at war or not-- the Navy has deployed units 24/7/365. Most of my friends have missed at least one of their children's births because they were floating off the coast of Iraq, Afghanistan or some other place. In addition, every time I hear about a jet or helicopter that has crashed I am reminded of the very dangerous job that aviators perform from the carrier pilots returning from 9 hour missions over Afghanistan (yes, I've done it and it's painful) to the Apache drivers in Iraq that fly along at 50' and 100 knots while getting shot at from every direction (thank God I haven't done that).
A day in the life of a deployed carrier aviator depends on your rank. A junior officer (JO) will do about as much work as aviators are rumored to accomplish--not much. They are there to fly, be tactical, be the back bone of the ready room. A typical day is getting up at 1000, eating breakfast, working out, checking yourself in the mirror to ensure you're still lookin' good, eating lunch, flying, eating dinner, tracking down your lost laundry, checking that mirror again, going to the ship's store to purchase junk food, and finally staying up until 4am watching movies, eating all the junk food you can possibly stuff down your gullet recently purchased at the ship's store and playing Sega while making fun of other JOs. If you are middle management as a Department Head (usually at about 11-12 years as a commissioned officer), you will work 18 thankless hours a day, never have time to eat or workout but still manage to gain 30 pounds in 30 months, fly
only when you don't have paperwork and deflect heat from the front office directed towards the JO's because they are making too much noise at 4am. Squadron commanders have about 18 years under their belts. They spend 24 thankless hours a day wondering and worrying how some knuckle head JO is going to do something stupid and kill him/herself. Oh yeah, and yell at the JO's for making so much noise at 4 am.
What is it like to fly in a Navy jet? Depends on whether or not you're going to be landing at night. Landing on the boat during a beautiful sunny day is awesome. Like a sport, shooting hoops with your buds but on a much more grandiose scale. You launch off the front end, join up, do some tactical intercepts, maybe some dog fighting if you're lucky, then orbit overhead while you wait for the next launch to happen. Things happen in cycles on a boat. Launch at 1000, recover at 1015. Next launch at 1130, recover at 1145, etc. It's all about the proverbial ballet miracle that the flight deck crew performs flawlessly every day of flight ops. Night is no different, except for the fact that you are now wearing a blindfold. It's not fun. It's as un-fun as the day is fun. I'd rather be watching movies and playing Sega at 4am.
After 8 years, I wouldn't trade this job for anything, despite some of the bad days and long family separations. The men I have worked with over the years have evolved in the way you would hope Neanderthals would evolve. Seriously though, while we are kinder-gentler and annoyingly PC almost to a fault these days (except for chiefs and I wouldn't have it any other way) but I can still find someone that isn't afraid to tell it like it is (which is mostly that I'm doing something wrong again) and talk to me like "one of the boys". A better group of people never existed. Of course I'm biased. From the old timers, Vietnam fighter vets that run our simulator building to the 18 year old Plane Captain that shakes my hand when I walk up to a jet for a flight, you won't find a better group of people or a better place to be.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
