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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Navigator
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Question
I read that I should not let my recruiter convince me to be a Navigator. Why is that?
Greetings Stuart -
Where did you read that you should not be a navigator? Granted, most navigators are selected from those no longer qualified to become pilots, so there is a little bitterness from the get go. My father is a perfect example: He had been selected for pilot training while in college. However, when he went took his flight physical right before starting pilot training, his eyesight just missed the requirements. So he was redesignated a Bombardier/Navigator. He went on to crew B-47 Stratobombers and B-58 Hustlers and he does not regret any of his Air Force time.
On the other hand, this was back in the 1950s and 60s. Now, the majority of military aircraft (and all civilian aircraft) have replaced the navigator with INS and/or GPS. There is only a small handful of aircraft that still use navigators: C-130s for airdrop, B-52 bombers, and KC-135 tankers to name a few. This would limit your choices for assignments and bases.
Plus, once done with your military career, there would be no commercial jobs that you could get. Navigators were phased out of the commercial airline world in the early 70s.
So, in essence, it would not be worth becoming a navigator if your sole reason was to get hired with an airline after your military service was finished. But, the navigator job itself within the Air Force is a great job, and one that many still do to this day.
I hope this answers your question. Write back if you have more.
Sincerely,
James Bell
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Answers by Expert:
James Bell
Expertise
I am a retired MSgt (2004) with 24 years experience in the aircrew career field, both as a loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1) and flight engineer (AFSC 1A1x1). I have been to every continent at one time or another, and regularly flew 300 to 500 hours a year. I have been involved in the operations in Grenada, Panama, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. I can answer most questions you may have about enlisted Air Force life in general, assignments, benefits, and enlisted aircrew operations. NOTE: If you have specific recruiting and/or medical questions about how to get into this career field as a civilian, they have changed since my time, so that is best answered by a recruiter or MEPS. I can answer questions about military personnel wanting to RETRAIN. If you are asking about being an Air Force pilot, please be advised my area of expertise is ENLISTED aircrew operations, NOT OFFICERS.
Experience
Loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1): 7 years - 2,000 hours - C-5A Galaxy cargo plane. Flight Engineer (AFSC 1A1x1C): 7 years - 2,500 hours - C-141B Starlifter cargo plane, 10 years - 3,800 hours - KC-10A Extender aerial tanker. Served as aircrew Flight Instructor, Flight Evaluator and Training Manager
Education/Credentials
Aircraft Loadmaster Initial Qualification - 1980. Mission Qualification (C-5A) - 1981. Fixed Wing Aircraft Performance Course - 1987. Initial Flight Engineer Qualification (C-141B) - 1987. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1988. KC-10 Initial Qualification Course - 1994. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1995. Instructor Qualficiation (KC-10A) - 1997. Evaluator Qualification (KC-10A) - 2000.
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