Question About Marine Corps Aviation

[DMD]

Would a Vietnam era USMC pilot call himself a "Naval Aviator" when referring to his flight qualification, or would he call himself something else (because he's a Marine).

 

I believe both pilots and naval flight officers are called Naval Aviators in the Navy, while the USAF uses the terms pilot and navigator.

 

How does the USMC do it?

 

Dennis

[bobgee]

Would a Vietnam era USMC pilot call himself a "Naval Aviator" when referring to his flight qualification, or would he call himself something else (because he's a Marine).

 

I believe both pilots and naval flight officers are called Naval Aviators in the Navy, while the USAF uses the terms pilot and navigator.

 

How does the USMC do it?

 

Dennis

 

I was an infantry Marine but to my knowledge USMC pilots are "Naval Aviators" then and now. Semper Fi.....Bob

[Bob Hudson]

Would a Vietnam era USMC pilot call himself a "Naval Aviator" when referring to his flight qualification, or would he call himself something else (because he's a Marine).

 

I believe both pilots and naval flight officers are called Naval Aviators in the Navy, while the USAF uses the terms pilot and navigator.

 

How does the USMC do it?

 

Dennis

 

I actually just ran across this in the Gold Book of Naval Aviation and a Marine officer did refer to Marine pilots as Naval Aviators in one of the articles.

[teufelhunde.ret]

Yes, they are "designated" as Naval aviators. With the exception of fixed wing & helo drivers, all (pilots) are required "to qualify during their model training" to land their F18 or EA6B on aricraft carriers. This designation applies to fixed wing, helo drivers and RIO's or NFO's as well.

[DMD]

With the exception of fixed wing & helo drivers, all (pilots) are required "to qualify during their model training" to land their F18 or EA6B on aricraft carriers.

 

I'm confused, what do you mean by "With the exception of fixed wing and helo drivers..."? Aren't fixed wing and helicopters the only aircraft flown by the navy?

 

Dennis

[BEAST]

How does the USMC do it?

 

Dennis

 

This has been a question that has plaqued our enemies for over two hundred years!

[teufelhunde.ret]

I'm confused, what do you mean by "With the exception of fixed wing and helo drivers..."? Aren't fixed wing and helicopters the only aircraft flown by the navy?

 

Dennis

 

NO

[GIl Sanow]

NO

 

Wait a minute, if it isn't fixed wing or rotary wing (helo) and it flies, what else could it be? Could the Navy have found another way to fly? (Remember, "lighter than air" craft are long obsolete.)

[Bob Hudson]

Wait a minute, if it isn't fixed wing or rotary wing (helo) and it flies, what else could it be? Could the Navy have found another way to fly? (Remember, "lighter than air" craft are long obsolete.)

 

[Jason G]

Hahaha. They called themselves "Naval Aviators" when I served with VMFA-312 (The Fighting Checkerboards) from 85-89. F-4 Phantoms and F-18's.

[sgtbrown]

Would a Vietnam era USMC pilot call himself a "Naval Aviator" when referring to his flight qualification, or would he call himself something else (because he's a Marine).

 

I believe both pilots and naval flight officers are called Naval Aviators in the Navy, while the USAF uses the terms pilot and navigator.

 

How does the USMC do it?

 

Dennis

 

Actually there is a second designation which passed into history in the 1970's, that of the "Naval Aviation Pilot" or "NAP". These were the enlisted USN and USMC pilots.

 

At the beginning of the war, VF2 was an all-enlisted fighter unit with the only officers being those who "officered" the squadron. And, being selected to officer the Navy's then "Top Gun" unit was considered an honor. Regretfully, when war hit, some pencil-pusher could care less about the illustrious history of "The Fighting Chiefs". He broke the squadron up and sent the men to other units.

 

Most enlisted pilots were quickly made Ensigns/2nd Lieutenants and fought the war as officers. A notable example was Marine MOH winner Ken Walsh. And quite a few returned to enlisted rank when the war was over.

 

The last NAP retired in the early 1970's. I don't have my reference here but I believe he was Coast Guard.

 

Tom