Marine FAC vs. Naval Aviator

Thank you for your advise. When you say that you are just a FAC, what do you mean? Like you aren't a sniper, or radioman, or SAW gunner?

Also, I have heard that the SEALs handpick some aviators for their FACs. Is an opportunity with the SEALs more feasible than with MARSOC?

 

SEALS have embedded FAC's I believe, meaning you are a SEAL first, with the training to call in air. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if all SEALS are FAC qualified, I don't know.

FORCE Recon handpicks a lot if not all of their FAC's as well, mostly shooter types, Hornets/Cobras/Harriers/etc. I know two guys who went to FORCE to become FAC's and never came back to flying, they were liked that much.

When I say you are "just" a FAC, I mean your not going to be sniper trained....why would you send somebody who is a PILOT by trade to sniper school. People misunderstand that being a sniper is a fairly arduous and intensive process, you don't just walk in the door, sign your name, and walk out as a sniper. What I meant was you "might" go to jump school if the unit you are with has people going to jump school, or they think you have a reasonably good chance of needing to know how to parachute. FAC's typically have radios, they're not going to be the guy lugging around a SAW.

 

Right, it makes complete sense. Thank you for all your advise and information!

 

Hey, 6 years later... any word on if you made it through and are a pilot today?

 

Nice bump.

 

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...^^^... Yep ... he is doing great and it was cool to find this old thread. ..... This is like an old time capsule that was dug up.
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I started reading this wondering why he wouldn't know all this info already. Then I saw the date of the post.

 

Haha nice thread! Young and dumb me. Long journey has taken me to where I am today, but yes I am now an Super Hornet pilot. Fly Navy!