Best job in the Wing??

Watching the videos on the Discovery Channel about CVNs I see nothing but people complaining that it sucks to go out for months at a time in one of those.
 
Brian,
don't you think it would suck to go out for months at a time on any vessel? I think a submarine would be the worst, then a destroyer and battleship. Serving onboard a carrier of any kind would be the best way to do a float.
Would you want to be away from your family for that long?
Would you rather be pounding the ground in the desert? I guess that float wouldn't be so bad afterall.
I watch a lot of discovery and military channel (formerly Discovery Wings). I haven't seen people bitching about their floats/cruises. Those who have served know what they are in for when they sign the line.
To the original poster, being in the wing is good to go. There are several here who are former wingers. Listen to us and not to naysayers like Brian who have no actual knowledge of what you can look forward to. Get your EGA and Semper Fi when that day arrives.
 
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Watching the videos on the Discovery Channel about CVNs I see nothing but people complaining that it sucks to go out for months at a time in one of those.

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The carrier is the best ship to be on. There were close to 5000 people on board when we had the air wings attached. We had everything you could need; a workout gym, library, food 24/7, etc... When we would pull into a port, we were always pier side and others would anchor out in the harbor. Does it stink to be gone for 6 months, if you had a family yes. Otherwise it was not bad. The longest we were out for one period was 42 days. Other than that it was usually a couple of weeks and then we would hit another port. We had mail everyday and that couldn't be said for some of the others. Like it's been said before, Size does matter. When the other smaller ships and subs were rocking and rolling in the tyhpoon, we were gently moving side to side. If you gonna be in the Navy on a ship, make it the carrier.
 
My MOS was 7242-Air Support Net Operator. Basically we were the grunts of the airwing. I worked in the DASC(Direct Air Support Center) and we co-located with the FSCC(Fire Support Control Center). The FSCC was our artillery counterpart. Basically what we did was take calls for CAS missions(Close Air Support) and processed them accordingly. We had to communicate with the FSCC to deconflict and at times coordinate the airpower and artillery fire. I say we were the grunts of the airwing because we were always located on the front lines so that we could maintain line of sight communications with our aircraft. Also, we would get sent out on TACP's(Tactical Air Control Parties). This means we would send out small teams with a FAC(Foward Air Controller) sometimes ahead of the front lines so as to more accurately and in a more timely fashion get bombs on target. Pretty neat gig actually, got to see a lot of bombs drop. Nothing like feeling the concussion of Mk82's dropping almost within spitting distance or having hot brass from a Cobra fall on you as it makes a pass with its guns blazing. The time spent on ship sucked though. I too was on the "Driftwood", and spent almost the whole 6 months doing the "Oki 500". Mtsuav8r has already stated what a joy that was!!!
 
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My MOS was 7242-Air Support Net Operator. Basically we were the grunts of the airwing. I worked in the DASC(Direct Air Support Center) and we co-located with the FSCC(Fire Support Control Center). The FSCC was our artillery counterpart. Basically what we did was take calls for CAS missions(Close Air Support) and processed them accordingly. We had to communicate with the FSCC to deconflict and at times coordinate the airpower and artillery fire. I say we were the grunts of the airwing because we were always located on the front lines so that we could maintain line of sight communications with our aircraft. Also, we would get sent out on TACP's(Tactical Air Control Parties). This means we would send out small teams with a FAC(Foward Air Controller) sometimes ahead of the front lines so as to more accurately and in a more timely fashion get bombs on target. Pretty neat gig actually, got to see a lot of bombs drop. Nothing like feeling the concussion of Mk82's dropping almost within spitting distance or having hot brass from a Cobra fall on you as it makes a pass with its guns blazing. The time spent on ship sucked though. I too was on the "Driftwood", and spent almost the whole 6 months doing the "Oki 500". Mtsuav8r has already stated what a joy that was!!!

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Know you guys well, having worked with the DASC/ASOC as both an FAC-A and GFAC, qualed in both.
 
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