Career selection...

[HumbleSiPilot77]

It is like yesterday I was learning how to hover and not crash in a TH-67 Creek, now it is about time I choose my career track. Initial Entry Rotary Wing training is coming to an end for me on March 1st with a Physical Fitness test. My final checkride is Thursday.

Unlike most other service branches, aviators in the US Army who select a track will stay with it until retirement in most cases. So what I select will become my life. I have a wish list of aircraft, but it will mostly depend on an order of merit list. One thing I learned in flight school that I get nervous during checkrides, I am not a huge hands on guy, but I aced every academic exam/test there was to it with a GPA of 99.3 ish but when you add the checkrides I am going to come down to mid 80s. Regardless of that, what do you think it will be ?

Here are some visuals...

 

[HumbleSiPilot77]

Above all, say a prayer for me, tough times, tough choices...

 

[Ortho_Cat]

The Apache, obviously!

 

[Khaleas]

There's differences in helos?
I thought they were all a million spare parts flying in formation...

All in all, I hope you get your first choice. But before that comes 'Needs of the Army' and 10 other things that never make any sense nor can anyone explain why...
What I do know is that we know a lot of folks who didn't get exactly what they wanted (or thought they wanted, trust me the mightly E-2C isn't exactly popular among pilots) and pretty much all have learned/or just realized that their aircraft is something very cool and leaves a lot to learn and love (aka you actually have to fly the E-2C, you can't just press a button and it'll do stuff for you).

Fingers crossed and lots of prayers!

 

[Michael G]

Can an Orthodox Christian fly an Apache?

 

[ma2000]

The Apache is the most impressive, but I'd choose the Chinook because you probably won't be put in a position to actually kill people.

 

[musicluvr83]

Above all, say a prayer for me, tough times, tough choices...

Black Hawks...those things are awesome. The others are pretty awesome too, but...there's just something about those Black Hawks. I used to work in the defense contracting business...most of my contracts dealt with IFF "stuff" for all branches of our military and specific "stuff" for Airforce fighter jets but outa all the stuff posted in my office, the Black Hawk was in the center.
Anyways, enough ramblings/reminiscences.

God bless you and thank you for all you do for our country! HOOAH!!

 

[Dorothea]

I don't have the knowledge on this to vote. lol I know what the chinook and blackhawks look like because the army post near us flies them around here at times. I don't know. I'll just pray for His guidance in your choices, Bushmaster.

 

[Ortho_Cat]

Can an Orthodox Christian fly an Apache?

I've flown them alot in video games, that's all i know...

 

[Khaleas]

Btw, we have a beer on tap right now called CH-47 that Kevin brewed!

 

[Michael G]

I've flown them alot in video games, that's all i know...

A blackhawk is an attack aircraft. The pilot of the aircraft might have to kill someone in battle while firing the helicopters weapons. That is why I asked. Can an Orthodox Christian be an attack helicopter or fighter jet pilot?

Forgive me, I was really referring to the Apache. Yes, the Blackhawk is a transport copter that can be outfitted with artillery, but the Apache is only used for attack.

 

[musicluvr83]

A blackhawk is an attack aircraft. The pilot of the aircraft might have to kill someone in battle while firing the helicopters weapons. That is why I asked. Can an Orthodox Christian be an attack helicopter or fighter jet pilot?

St. Alexander Nevsky comes to mind immediately. No he wasn't an attack helicopter or fighter jet pilot (lol), but... much of his life was spent on the battlefield fighting/killing in wars.

Many other military Saints in our Church too.

 

[Ortho_Cat]

^ See my avatar...

 

[musicluvr83]

^ See my avatar...

Awesomeness!

 

[RobNJ]

A blackhawk is an attack aircraft. The pilot of the aircraft might have to kill someone in battle while firing the helicopters weapons. That is why I asked. Can an Orthodox Christian be an attack helicopter or fighter jet pilot?

I believe it might exclude them from being tonsured or ordained

 

[Protoevangel]

I understand that Orthodox Christians "can" kill in war when necessary (as per St. Basil's 13th Canon & St. Athanasius' Letter to Amun quoted in The Rudder), but Michael's concern is still very valid and should be considered with utmost gravity. Even though killing in a war can be "acceptable" (for lack of a better term), it still leaves a dark stain on the soul.

I also know that while the Black Hawk is primarily a utility and troop transport helicopter, they are still often outfitted with chain guns, cannons, rockets, etc, and used in assaults.

The Apache is primarily an attack hellicopter, and the Kiowa is often used as an light assault helicopter as well as it's primary purpose; reconnaissance.

Of course the Chinook can be outfitted with armaments, but it is not used as direct-fire support. The chance of having to kill someone is much lower with this helicopter.

It is for these reasons that I would recommend the Chinook.

Whichever you choose, you will remain in my prayers!

 

[MrJim]

Rode in many CH47s when I was in the Corps~hard to believe they're still around..

 

[Michael G]

I understand that Orthodox Christians "can" kill in war when necessary (as per St. Basil's 13th Canon & St. Athanasius' Letter to Amun quoted in The Rudder), but Michael's concern is still very valid and should be considered with utmost gravity. Even though killing in a war can be "acceptable" (for lack of a better term), it still leaves a dark stain on the soul.

I also know that while the Black Hawk is primarily a utility and troop transport helicopter, they are still often outfitted with chain guns, cannons, rockets, etc, and used in assaults.

The Apache is primarily an attack hellicopter, and the Kiowa is often used as an light assault helicopter as well as it's primary purpose; reconnaissance.

Of course the Chinook can be outfitted with armaments, but it is not used as direct-fire support. The chance of having to kill someone is much lower with this helicopter.

It is for these reasons that I would recommend the Chinook.

Whichever you choose, you will remain in my prayers!

Yeah, that is why I said Chinook. The Black Hawk would be second, followed by the Kiowa and then the Apache.

I do not mean to be judgemental, but am honestly posing my question.

 

[HumbleSiPilot77]

Thank you for the excellent discussion and highlighting some points before I mentioned them. I have a final checkride tomorrow with a physical fitness test on Tuesday and then we are supposed to select on Wednesday, they shifted the date on us. I am pretty stressed right now and fatigued. Whatever it is going to be, God will guide my path, He is in control. He brought me all the way up to this point, He won't forsake me.

 

[Ioannis]

Can an Orthodox Christian fly an Apache?

I can't see why not. It would be no different than the foot soldier. Well, a little different. I can't be sure, but I believe the pilot in an Apache is just a pilot. There's a gunner who mans the gun. Not sure how the missiles are operated though.

Though, if there were a concern, at least with the Blackhawk, there's the chance of being put on medevac helicopters. Those guys have my respect in a huge way (especially as a member of the military)!