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Trying to get back in -- USMC infantry to Army Aviation
- Thread starter crazymjb
- Start date
AHM
NES Member
Had my first drill... Pretty much in a holding platoon of a few other guys (and girls) waiting for school seats. In the mean time, get to have a little fun!
Didn't realize how breezy it gets back there... easily 150+ MPH winds with the rotor wash. My face looks like it does skydiving.
Gorgeous day over the cape.
Mike
Didn't realize how breezy it gets back there... easily 150+ MPH winds with the rotor wash. My face looks like it does skydiving.
Gorgeous day over the cape.
Mike
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KBCraig
NES Member
It was even more fun in the UH-1, where you've facing out. Double fun when you're wearing a pack and sitting out on the edge of the seat.
![[smile]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/001.gif "Smile [smile]")
As one of my friends commented: Doing more cool shit your first day in the army than 7 years in the USMC haha.
It's a blast.
Mike
Me too. Until one day at Ft Lewis when the guy across from me projectile-vomited on my rucksack. We were out in the woods for the next week, and I smelled it the whole time.
I’m always amazed more people don’t join up. For many civilians, “helo ride” or “jumping out of planes” are bucket-list items. In FORSCOM units, they’re just an average Tuesday night.
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Had my first drill... Pretty much in a holding platoon of a few other guys (and girls) waiting for school seats. In the mean time, get to have a little fun!
Didn't realize how breezy it gets back there... easily 150+ MPH winds with the rotor wash. My face looks like it does skydiving.
Gorgeous day over the cape.
Mike
At what point did the pilot tell you that you were just ballast...
Actually... hahah funny you should say that... those boots are out of regs (USMC RAT boots). The army is supposed to issue you gear when you join, but they are a bit slow so bought one set of my own uniform, boots being 100s of dollars they told me just to wear those. I've since acquired a pair of army boots, but if they don't have my stuff by WOCS it looks like I'll be spending a grand or so on uniforms.
At what point did the pilot tell you that you were just ballast...
Oh it was understood!
Mike
dustoff22
NES Member
Back in the day Mike, I used to take candidates on orders for flight school on orientation flights in the Huey. Had them sit in the driver's seat to get the real picture. Times and airframes have changed I guess. In any event, they got some hands-on time to get an idea of what they were getting into.
The Blackhawk you were in is a two pilot aircraft, so is the 47 and Apache. Loach, Huey and 58, you could sit in the left seat and enjoy a different perspective.
KBCraig
NES Member
I'm not sure what the policy is for Warrants, but when I started active duty in 1986, commissioned officers received a one-time $600 uniform allowance. The amount had been the same since the '60s.
We had to spend about $1,200 on basic duty uniforms (BDUs, Class A green, and Army Blue), and replacement was on our own dime for as long as we stayed in.
Rat187
NES Member
It was SOP in my unit to give crew chiefs gunners and CE's as much stick time as they wanted.
Previously it never occurred to 'the higher-up's...pun intended", that one bullet could take both pilots out.
The AC was still conscious and got the ship into transitional lift before he passed out. The gunner somehow applied pressure to all 4 legs and the crew chief flew the aircraft to the 25th Div medi-vac pad with a little assistance from our flight leader. The landing was a bit of a 'skid spreader, but mission accomplished.
Us 'back seaters' couldn't buy a drink after that...lol
War stories in general are less cool these days haha.
So I came into the Guard as an E5 and am waiting for my WOCS/IERW seat. Part of the deal for coming in is I am supposed to get an entire initial issue, 4 utilities, 2 pairs of boots, dress uniforms, etc. While I'm sure it'll eventually go through, seems I could be at WOCS before that, and in that case I'll be going on a bit of a shopping spree.
Mike
So I came into the Guard as an E5 and am waiting for my WOCS/IERW seat. Part of the deal for coming in is I am supposed to get an entire initial issue, 4 utilities, 2 pairs of boots, dress uniforms, etc. While I'm sure it'll eventually go through, seems I could be at WOCS before that, and in that case I'll be going on a bit of a shopping spree.
Mike
you're lucky...admin took mine away from me and told me to change it up a bit
damnit...i can't find the picture but she was haht! frickin' haht.
and welcome to the POG life...there's still some fun to be had
it's a damn shame those panty dropping dress blues are going to have to sit in the closet and get swapped out for army swag.
just for the record (because i know eventually i'm going in a similar direction you did), how's the army? is it tough trying to fit in as a Marine? i just wonder/worry if i'd be a little too 'intense' for them.
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