Posted on 05/21/2004 1:24:18 PM PDT by COBOL2Java
Even the golf course sucks.
I'm not sure if it was the physical, but he couldn't join the Navy when he tried to enlist a few years ago; I'm not sure of the specific reason given for his rejection.
I'd be worried more about some of the health requirements.
I don't exactly have a compromised immune system, but I'm not sure that I'd be able to withstand an Anthrax or Smallpox vaccination.
That is what I entered the USAF to be but they forgot to tell me that they weren't accepting married candidates in 72.
I was mad at first but I got over it.
Basic training is only 6 weeks long. Advanced training is anywhere for 0 to 1 year or so. Go see a recruiter. I mean it. Got to run. Later.
They were a tough bunch. Their idea of fun was to go about 20 miles offshore at night and make a HALO jump into the Gulf of Mexico and swim back to base.
Generals are exalted creatures.
They dine on mead and honey.
Wherever he goes, a General is surrounded by a crowd of admiring, yapping staff officers.
BUT, on his back he carries a logistics officer, whom he hates and fears, for he knows that at any time the logistics officer can lean forward and whisper in his ear:
"You can't do that."
Occasionally a logistics officer is made a General.
He carries on his back a logistics officer whom he knows all too well.
That is why he can't enjoy his mead and honey.
This is not a common service joke, but I read it on a plaque in a General's office. A General who was also a logistics officer.
This one's just off the top of my head:
What do you call a great Israeli general who's an awful politician?
Prime Minister!
Okay, that one wasn't the greatest, but I'm sure I'll think of some better ones.
Reminds me of the time I was on Recruiting Duty,back around '76 or '77. The Uniform of the day was Winter "Blacks".
It was a cold winter day when I stopped in at my favorite lunch spot for a meatball samwich....they also served various spirits there BTW.
As I was trying to eat my meatball samwich without dripping too much tomato sauce on my "Blacks", the drunk next to me said,"Father,will you hear my confession?".
What else could I do....his sins didn't seem that bad, so I absolved him in order to finish my samwich.
In those days we wore "Salt and Peppers" in the summer when I was usually mistaken for a Parking Meter cop.
Now when I pulled into Wilhemshaven,Germany on board Nimitz and we wore the "Blacks",...Boy did we get some respect!
almost true Air Force oath..
Too funny!!...hahaha
by Bob Norris
Bob Norris is a former Naval aviator who also did a 3 year exchange tour flying the F-15 Eagle. He is now an accomplished author of entertaining books about US Naval Aviation including "Check Six" and "Fly-Off". Check out his web site at http://www.bobnorris.com/. In response to a letter from an aspiring fighter pilot on which military academy to attend, Bob replied with the following.
12 Feb 04
Young Man,
Congratulations on your selection to both the Naval and Air Force Academies. Your goal of becoming a fighter pilot is impressive and a fine way to serve your country. As you requested, I'd be happy to share some insight into which service would be the best choice. Each service has a distinctly different culture. You need to ask yourself "Which one am I more likely to thrive in?"
USAF Snapshot: The USAF is exceptionally well organized and well run. Their training programs are terrific. All pilots are groomed to meet high standards for knowledge and professionalism. Their aircraft are top-notch and extremely well maintained. Their facilities are excellent. Their enlisted personnel are the brightest and the best trained. The USAF is homogenous and macro. No matter where you go, you'll know what to expect, what is expected of you, and you'll be given the training and tools you need to meet those expectations. You will never be put in a situation over your head. Over a 20-year career, you will be home for most important family events. Your Mom would want you to be an Air Force pilot...so would your wife. Your Dad would want your sister to marry one.
Navy Snapshot: Aviators are part of the Navy, but so are Black shoes (surface warfare) and bubble heads (submariners). Furthermore, the Navy is split into two distinctly different Fleets (West and East Coast). The Navy is heterogeneous and micro. Your squadron is your home; it may be great, average, or awful. A squadron can go from one extreme to the other before you know it. You will spend months preparing for cruise and months on cruise. The quality of the aircraft varies directly with the availability of parts. Senior Navy enlisted are salt of the earth; you'll be proud if you earn their respect. Junior enlisted vary from terrific to the troubled kid the judge made join the service. You will be given the opportunity to lead these people during your career; you will be humbled and get your hands dirty. The quality of your training will vary and sometimes you will be in over your head. You will miss many important family events. There will be long stretches of tedious duty aboard ship. You will fly in very bad weather and/or at night and you will be scared many times. You will fly with legends in the Navy and they will kick your ass until you become a lethal force. And some days - when the scheduling Gods have smiled upon you - your jet will catapult into a glorious morning over a far-away sea and you will be drop-jawed that someone would pay you to do it. The hottest girl in the bar wants to meet the Naval Aviator. That bar is in Singapore.
Bottom line, son, if you gotta ask...pack warm & good luck in Colorado.
Banzai
PS Air Force pilots wear scarves and iron their flight suits.
Not in the AF I served in. I can promise you that. ;-)
This doesn't describe any AF pilot I ever saw. I had a hard time telling the pilots from the ground crews. The only difference was that the pilots wore funny green coveralls and helmets.
Of course, I only ever served on MAC bases, so all the pilots I knew were bus drivers and truck drivers.
I know. I got over being disqualified but it took a while
Do it dude!
Blackshirt beats brownshirt anyday.
Yea,though I walk through the valley of shadow death, I shall fear no evil. Cause I'm the meanest muthuaf*&ker in the valley!
Don't push that. The man lived it. Even though he is a good dad with grandkids, he means every word of that. In every day that he lives, behind that soft and loving man that he is, there is "the meanest muthuf#$er" in the valley, and he is that.
The Patriot!
Hence the wink in my response.
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