[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

and then spend a year deployed with troops on the ground asa FAC before they go off to aviation units...

Incorrect. After The Basic School, where every zero learns to command a platoon of grunts, aviation candidates then travel to Pensacola for flight school. Not until they've actually earned their wings, qualified in their respective aircraft and spent some time in the fleet will they then train to become either a ground or airborne FAC.

[ken5050]

I think we said the same thing...I meant that in the sense, before they deployed to carriers/assault ships for a tour of duty, they've all previously served as a FAC with the ground troops....but thanks for clarifying, for others who read this..and of course, the Corps has a dual purpose in this elegant strategy..sending them through the BOC course first...should they wash out of flight school for whatever reason, well then....