Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 9/1/2010

Question
Hello,
  I recently got accepted into the Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program for the Navy with a pilot slot. I was wondering if there is a certain type of pilot (strike, cargo etc.) that will generally get a shorter deployment lengths and what, on average, the time frame would be.

Thank you,
 Christopher

Answer
Christopher,
Congratulations on being accepted into one of the hardest and most prestigious programs in the military!

You volunteered to join the Navy, the Service with the most lengthy and frequent deployments.  So why are you concerned with deploying?

Yes, cargo pilots spend less time deployed, only because they fly their mission and return home, not aboard a carrier.  Occasionally there's an overnighter.  Cargo is also the safest, there's no fighting involved.  On average, a cargo pilot may fly 8-10 hours just to get to where he's going, have a crew his plane, probably spend the night, and then fly 8-10 hours returning home.

After you've deployed a few times, you'll absolutely love it and will wonder why you were ever concerned.  Plus you'll get bragging rights.

Your question can not be easily explained. Things go in cycles and depend upon funding and wars.  As of last night, the President stopped the war in Iraq so that cut deployments drastically.  Right now the only war in town is in Afghanistan, and it's landlocked, so although the Navy plays an important role, they're not sitting offshore waiting.

Typically, heavy guys, no matter what platform, will always have more flying time than a fighter guy.  However, a lot of heavy time is spent at 30,000 ft. cruising for hours on end with the autopilot on.  A fighter guy spends just a few short hours in the air without an autopilot, crapper, copilot, coffee machine, microwave/oven, sleeping bunks, etc.  I flew cargo for many years and we jokingly read the takeoff checklist as "gear up, flaps up, autopilot on, pass the coffee."

Additionally, fighter guys will not travel as much as a heavy pilot will.  A fighter guy is usually only going to travel if his unit deploys or goes to attend an exercise.  Whereas, a heavy pilot's job is to transport cargo, people, airplanes (tanker) or gather information (recon) throughout the world in ALL types of weather.

So, if you want more flying time and wish to see the world, go the cargo route. If you want the glory that comes with planning and flying a 2 hour mission, extreme G's, and the ability to drop bombs, go with fighters.

Of course, you may apply for whatever airborne platform you wish, but the needs of the Navy come first and you may get stuck flying VIPs in a T-44A (Beech King Air) when you really wanted an C-9 SKYTRAIN II.  Usually the top 3 or 4 pilots in each graduating class get their choice of airplane, the others get assigned a plane.

Thanks for joining.
Colonel H