On your way....

Benjamin,
You'll go where thhe Marine Corps thinks you're needed most at the time, wherever that might be. Hope you get what you want, but if you graduate at or near the top of your class you might just get to have a choice in the matter. Most of us didn't, but are glad we ended up where we did. Good luck to you!

Training

I signed up for the aviation guarantee program that was being offered way back when. I knew I wanted to have something to do with airplanes----just didn't realize there was so much to do. Anyway, wound up in Memphis going to hydraulic school (I think they referred to the hyd school as some kind of coloring book school because of the colored pencils we had to use in the class). Not sure why but the motivation was pretty good to do well because the dangling carrot was you might get to pick your duty station if you were in the top of the class. Worked for me and wound up in Santa Ana at LTA. When I checked into El Toro I believe this is where the decision was made that sealed my fate to helicopters when they sent me to LTA. Wound up going to HMMT-301 later to become HMHT-301 when we got CH-53A's. Now when I think of aircraft, helicopters come to mind first. Turns out the Corps did know best because I have never regretted their decision, and I am sure you won't either.

Keep your powder dry!

Fixed or Rotary

Back in the 60's when most of us went through, about the only sure way to get Rotary Wing was to go through primary engine school and then request Basic Helo. I don't remember any of the Airframe, Hyd, Ord. or Elect guys being in Basic Helo school. Two point here (1) that may all be changed now so I would go back to the recuriter and check (2) Joe is correct, there will be some things you gripe about no matter what, but if you keep your head on stright you'll be happy with your decision.

I came out top Marine in my hydraulics class too with choice of duty station. Class was mixed Marine, Squid I picked MCAF New River (New River later became MCAS) as my duty station only because it was closest to home, NJ. I checked into a CH-46 squadron HMM-262, did a Caribbean Cruise, then Nam with 262. Best choice of my life (aviation) which was guaranteed by recruiter. Spent my cilvilian life in aviation as an A&P, IA, mechanic and loved it. Now retired and enjoying life and all our reunions.
S/F
Tim

Rotary or fixed wings

Here is a little bit of ancient history. Way back when in the middle 60's I graduated from a technical high school as an auto mechanic and enlisted on an aviation guaranteed early enlistment. Because of my mechanical knowledge I knew what I was going to be. A mechanic working on transport aircraft, flying all over the world.

In Memphis, I found myself in Helicopter school and later tansferred to New River. I was happy working as a helicopter mechanic in H & MS-26. I was tranferred to HMM-262 in July 67 (a jet outfit). My response was that I didn't know anything about these jet engines. I was told -- Don't worry about a thing son -- The Corps will take care of that. I became a jet helicopter mechanic. At that time there was not an MOS as Crew Chief. We tested for that position and deployed to Vietnam.

In my many years, I have made some dumb mistakes. Then again, I have made some very smart choices too. Joining the Marines and becoming a Crew Chief were two of my finest decisions in my life. From the people that I worked with, to the aircraft that I flew on (CH-46), to the pride of doing the job -- it was all worth it. "Swing with the Wing"

Upon your completion of Boot Camp, I will welcome you with open arms into the greatest brotherhood on Earth. You will be a Marine until the day that you die.

May God Bless You for your decision and may he keep you safe.

Semper Fi

Thank you for your replies, Marines.

I see the structure of the field has changed a lot over the years. It seems it is a fairly recent creation that one can work right on being a crew chief instead of specializing as another aviation MOS first.

It's annoying having an aviation MOS because none of the Marines at my RSS know anything about Marine Aviation, so information is hard to come by. I'm trying to find more information on the internet.

Respect,

Benjamin Berkeley
DEP Poolee
RSS White Plains, New York

Ben there are a lot of corporate aviation jobs at White Plains, Westchester Airport. I worked there for a while, so you will be setting a good foundation for a career in aviation with your Corps experience when you decide to get out. I would encourage you to get your A&P licenses while in the Corps for free. If you get am MOS that isn't crew chief you can always fly as a crew member. I did it in Nam and got my Aircrew wings as a gunner. Good Luck!
S/F
Tim

How It Happens

My question is that I do not understand *how* one is placed into the specific MOS and when that happens. I would assume it happens after MCT, because you have to know which schools you are being sent to, but I have heard that Marines in this field do not find out until they complete the various schools. If this is the case, are there ways to increase the likelihood that I can be assigned a rotary-winged MOS as opposed to a fixed-wing (C-130) one?

Benjamin,
In answer to your question: ON day 55 of the training cycle at MCRDPI you are assigned a tentative MOS identifying which aircrew track you go into. As in most decisions "needs of the Marine Corps" drive the assignment. After Boot Camp you go up to Camp Geiger for some "grunt" training and after that to Pensacola for Aircrew candidate School.

While there are no gaurantees, there are ways to influence the action. If you're looking to try and crew a specific aircraft drop me a note at Skatz@popasmoke.com. Include a phone number and I'll see what I can do.

Sequence Of Events

Benjamin,
In answer to your question: ON day 55 of the training cycle at MCRDPI you are assigned a tentative MOS identifying which aircrew track you go into. As in most decisions "needs of the Marine Corps" drive the assignment. After Boot Camp you go up to Camp Geiger for some "grunt" training and after that to Pensacola for Aircrew candidate School.

While there are no gaurantees, there are ways to influence the action. If you're looking to try and crew a specific aircraft drop me a note at Skatz@popasmoke.com. Include a phone number and I'll see what I can do.

Also, I don't believe you are on a contract. YET. I'd say the paperwork you've signed is more of an intent. Either the day you leave for PI or just before is when you sign the contract- at that time it should reflect any gaurantees such as what MOSyou've commited to - No 1st, 2d or 3 choice

Career picks

According to Marine Corps Times Mag, The positions of UH-1, CH46, CH53 Crew chiefs are closed--Looks like every thing is cycling to the Osprey, also included Mechs, Electrical and airframes for above.

dweathers;22732 wrote: According to Marine Corps Times Mag, The positions of UH-1, CH46, CH53 Crew chiefs are closed--Looks like every thing is cycling to the Osprey, also included Mechs, Electrical and airframes for above.

Well, I'd be perfectly happy with the Osprey. It would probably be my first choice anyway, followed by the UH-1N/Y, followed by CH-53E. CH-46's are going out of business, so it seems.

Basically, I don't want to end up on a C-130. All of the rotary/tilt-rotary options are gravy.

Wow!

There are probably about 10 high school student in the world that know the differance between all those helicopters and such. You must be commended. Don't let us discourage you in any way. You have most likely talked to about 300 or 400 or 500 years of rotary wing experiance or more in about 3 or 4 days. You will develope friendships that will last a lifetime in the crotch. Believe us oldtimers, we wish we were in you shoes to do it all over again. I know the CORPS will live on.
Siemper FI!

Well said larry.

Slick;22729 wrote:

While there are no gaurantees, there are ways to influence the action. If you're looking to try and crew a specific aircraft drop me a note at Skatz@popasmoke.com. Include a phone number and I'll see what I can do.

Marine Corps Times is an OK rag, but 53's, either 53E or 53K will be around for a long time as well as the UH-1Y. As timing is everything, assignment comes at the 55 day point and MOS's available are a moving target.
My POC is the MOS sponsor (MGySgt) at HQMC and he's offered to try and influence the action. Let me know if you want to enage him

Avoiding C-130

When I reported to El Toro in Nov. 69, they had me set up to go to VMGR-352 but I asked they instead send me over to LTA so I could stay with helicopters. The 6242 MOS was "Transports/Helicopters" back then. The Sgt said "OK". I guess it pays to ask the question.

Wayne

Slick;22737 wrote: Well said larry.

Marine Corps Times is an OK rag, but 53's, either 53E or 53K will be around for a long time as well as the UH-1Y. As timing is everything, assignment comes at the 55 day point and MOS's available are a moving target.
My POC is the MOS sponsor (MGySgt) at HQMC and he's offered to try and influence the action. Let me know if you want to enage him

I'm kind of a bookworm; I know a lot about the helicopters in the armed services (not nearly as much as you Marines, obviously), but not a lot about serving on them to make an educated decision on which airframe to choose (assuming I have the choice, or even the illusion of one).

CH-53E - I like this bird because of its size, power, and capabilities. I know it is mostly a transport/utilities chopper, along with a spattering of special ops capabilities and SAR stuff, but I can see how it might not be as sexy as the:

UH-1Y - This helicopter seems more intimate with the ground forces than the big CH-53E. I would imagine flights would not be as long, and since it isn't a heavy-lifter, I would guess that it does more missions related with quick front-line transport and resupply or close support that the CH-53E or even CH-46 isn't as well suited for.

MV-22 - I imagine this aircraft is similar in function as the CH-46, but can do everything the CH-46 can more quickly and efficiently and at higher altitudes.

If there are any Marines who have insight on the service duty on these helicopters, I'm all ears.

If I am destined to be shafted to the MV-22 (along with all new aircrew, as dweathers says), then I guess I shouldn't worry. I'd say my desire to serve on the UH-1Y is about equal to that of the MV-22. I really don't know about it though.

As it stands, not knowing much about the aircraft mentioned:

MV-22 ~ UH-1Y > CH-53E > CH-46

Or, perhaps a better question would be:

If you Marines could do your service again on the aforementioned aircraft, which would you choose and why?

Thanks in advance,

I'd work on any of them, I enjoyed helicopter work and did 34 years of it after the Marine Corps.
S/F
Tim

53's

Since the 34's are long gone the only logical choice is the 53. Just don't use the emergency ICS and don't taste the Mil-H 5606, just smell it. Should you need clarification on these matters, I would be happy to explain.

Larry South;22742 wrote: Since the 34's are long gone the only logical choice is the 53. Just don't use the emergency ICS and don't taste the Mil-H 5606, just smell it. Should you need clarification on these matters, I would be happy to explain.

Is there something obviously appealing about the CH-53E that I am missing, making it the "only logical choice"?

I stand corrected

Just a rough estimate using the membership number of 6330. I know there are a lot more. I figure most of us have at least 3 years experience working on and flying helicopters. I realize most have more, but that figures out to 18,990 years of helicopter experience. Whew! That's a lot, I don't care who you are! DAMN!!!
Now, figure out the average flying time for each Marine and holy cow, That's more!!
I hate statistics!
And just think, the numbers keep adding up, thank GOD.

IGOR would have been proud.

The CH-53E is an awsome aircraft. Capable of 72000 pounds max gross and the ability to move 30+ combat loaded Marines makes it a good combat multiplier. The 53 supports alot of missions as well as refueling the H-1's and H-46's in the ground on long hauls. It also refuels tanks etc.

I was an H-34 crewchief with 900 flight hours in Vietnam (HMM-362 68/69) and went to CH-53A's at Santa Ana with HMH-363 in 69. I stayed in the Corps 20 years retiring in 1987. I had approx. 4000 hrs in 34's, 53's and the VH-3D. The 53 is a bit of a maintenance headache, but a good A/C.

By the way Hydraulic fluid is now Mil-H-82382 (Fire Resistant).

I work at the Fleet Readiness Center (Formerly NARF) MCAS Cherry Point.
I weigh Aircraft after Mod's and overhaul. All type model series A/C.

The KC-130J is about to do away with the crew cheif,and using only a loadmaster as the enlisted crewmember.

I'd Choose the MV-22, inspite of all the negativity from the press and the slowly fading 46 community, it is a good aircraft and very capable.

K.D. Logue 1StSgt USMC Ret

Choice

I crewed UH-1's for a year and H34's for two years. The only real difference was how you spend your time. All three of the birds you mention (Huey, 53 & 22) have an engine, blades, transmission, Hyd, and electronics. All three fly basicly the same missions,(cobra being an exception) the difference being the priority ( ie, resupply, medevac, VIP, aerial recon). Question is (if you have a choice) would you rather spend more time in the air or turning a wrench. The bigger the A/C the more maintance time it requires...ie in a Huey you spend more time in the air and in a 53 or 22 you'll spend more time turning a wrench. Bottom line, its what you enjoy most, the guys on this site loved both and envy your future.....

Enlisted as AG Also

Hey there Ben how's it goin? I'm Arin Hanohano, I ship in about 13 days for MCRDSD and I got the AG job also.. Pretty stoked about it.. Really hopin I get stuck on the Huey platform. Just somethin about that chopper that I love..Anyways when do you ship for boot? Who knows maybe we'll see each other in Pensacola for AC school. hope to hear from you bud. Be safe

arin_dog;22848 wrote: Hey there Ben how's it goin? I'm Arin Hanohano, I ship in about 13 days for MCRDSD and I got the AG job also.. Pretty stoked about it.. Really hopin I get stuck on the Huey platform. Just somethin about that chopper that I love..Anyways when do you ship for boot? Who knows maybe we'll see each other in Pensacola for AC school. hope to hear from you bud. Be safe

Hey Arin,

If you ship in 13 days, you'll be at school, probably finishing the mechanics course, before I even ship. My date is 20090824 for MCRDPI. I agree, there is something about the UH-1 that is very enticing. Would be cool to see you sometime down the road though... Could see you at one of the airframe schools though, those are often longer than a year.

Anyway, take care, and make the best of boot! Be safe and stay sharp.

Pay Attention

Ben, This comes from someone who CAN help you....:D listen to ANYTHING he says and take it seriously, starting with a response. He is one of the best!

My POC is the MOS sponsor (MGySgt) at HQMC and he's offered to try and influence the action. Let me know if you want to enage him

Slick does what he says he will do, please pay attention...You may never get an opportunity to have someone do for you what he is about to attempt. You came to the right place Benjamin!