Expert: Rod Powers - 1/11/2007

Question
Hi...I sent you a ? a while back and you were very helpful.  If you don't mind I have 1 or 2 more.  I am finishing college this year and am looking into the "NFO" career path, hopefully in f18's.  What would some of the differences be as a Navy NFO vs. a Marine NFO?  Also, is the active duty obligation really 10 years?  Or like the Air Force, is there some kind of palace-chase program offered?  Thanks a bunch for your help.  Your website is a wonderful thing...I even showed a recruiter the site and he's been using it since!

Thanks,
Rob

Answer
Hi Rob,

The primary difference is in the "life-style" of a Marine and a Sailor. Marines all consider themselves combat riflemen first, and whatever job they have second. Generally, Marines have to meet a higher physical fitness and disciplinary standard than any of the other services. For details, you may wish to see my article, U.S. Military 101 at: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/military101.htm

The flying training program is much the same. In fact, Marine and Navy pilots go through the same flying training program (for the most part).

The Active Duty Service Commitment is real. It costs almost a million dollars to train a military pilot or navigator, and the military services want to make sure they get their money's worth (and are not just training someone for an airline pilot's job).

The active duty service commitment (ADSC) for Navy and Marine Corps pilots is 8 years (following graduation from flight training). The ADSC for Navy and Marine Corps NFOs (following training) is 6 years (following completion of training and designation as an NFO).

The ADSC for Air Force pilots is 10 years, following completion of flight training, and 8 years for navigators (following training).

The Navy and Marine Corps does not have a PALACE CHASE program, and -- just for info, the Air Force *rarely* (if ever) allows pilots and navigators, who are on their initial active duty service obligation to participate in PALACE CHASE.

As I said, flight training is expensive, and the services want to get their money's worth. I spent several years as the first sergeant of various Air Force flying squadrons, and I never (not once, not a single time) saw a pilot or navigator on their initial active duty service obligation approved for a PALACE CHASE or PALACE FRONT active duty separation. Not once. Not even close (unless they were disqualified from flying for such reasons as medical).

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com