P-3C Orion - one of the NFO's
on this propeller-driven, land-based patrol aircraft acts as the TACCO
of its sensors and weapons, and directs the pilot while conducting
searches and attack runs. Another performs the duties of Navigator and
Communications officer.
What Will be My Role as an NFO?
Flight School
Graduates of the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) are selected for flight training during their final year of school. All are volunteers. They arrive at Naval Air Station Pensacola to begin the Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API) program. This course involves academic training in aerodynamics, engineering, air navigation, aviation physiology, and water survival, as well as physically challenging practical applications of physiology and water survival training.
NFO's also get aviator training during the initial phases of flight school.
You will learn basic flying skills and instrument operation behind the stick
of a training aircraft. However, as training progresses, you will begin to
specialize in the NFO career path of your choice. Your performance thus far
in flight school will determine the probability of getting your first choice.
You can become an F-14 Tomcat Radar-Intercept Officer (RIO), an EA-6B
Electronic Countermeasures Officer (ECMO), a Tactical Coordinator (TACCO) in
E-2C's, P-3C's, and S-3B's, the Air Controller in E-2C's, or a Navigator in
P-3C's.
After API
Upon completion of API, a Student Naval Flight Officers (SNFOs) report to
the NFO training squadron (VT-10) in Pensacola, Florida. VT-10 is the largest
training squadron in the Naval Air Training Command providing fourteen weeks of
intense training using the T-34C Turbomentor, a single-engine turboprop aircraft.
Students learn visual flight rules and basic airmanship while accumulating an
average of twenty-two hours of flight time over eight flights. Additionally, they
go through an extremely extensive ground syllabus concentrating on navigation
and aircraft electronic systems. Flight simulators are also extensively used.
After the successful completion of primary flight training, SNFOs proceed to
tactical navigation intermediate training which may be continued in VT-86 at
Pensacola, Florida or at the 562nd Flight Training Squadron, which is the Air
Force's joint training squadron located at Randolph Air Force Base in Texas.
Training will include flight time in the T-34C, the T-39N, a multiplace
twin-jet operated by civilian contractors, or the T-1A Jayhawk, a multiplace
twin jet used by t he Air Force.
Those selected for training in the 562nd FTS will fly an average of eighty
additional hours in the T-43A (a modified Boeing 737) developing skills in
long range, over-water navigation using celestial, inertial, and radio navigation.
After twenty-two weeks, SNFOs are awarded their wings and proceed to Fleet
Readiness Squadrons to train for navigator slots for the P-3 Orion patrol
plane, EP-3 Aries electronic reconnaisance aircraft, C-130 transport, or E-6
strategic communications aircraft.
Those not selected to join the joint Air Force training squadron will remain in Pensacola in VT-86 for an additional fourteen weeks of training including fifty additional flight hours in the T-34C, the T-39N, a multiplace twin-jet operated by civilian contractors, or the T-1A Jayhawk, a multiplace twin jet used by the Air Force. SNFOs who complete intermediate training will be selected for one of three training pipelines: Strike, Strike/Fighter, or Aviation Tactical Data System. The training pipeline usually lasts less than two years, and you
will graduate wearing your NFO wings.
First Tour: At Sea
After flight school, you will report to a Fleet Replacement Squadron to
become familiarized with the actual type of aircraft that you will be an NFO on. When you are deemed proficient in your role, you will be assigned to a squadron in the operational fleet. You will also be a division officer within this squadron, responsible for an aspect of its operation. The first squadron tour lasts about three years. During this time, you will make at least two six-month deployments on carriers, or possible deployments to forward bases overseas if you are in P-3C's.
Second Tour: Shore
Your next tour will be at a shore command as an instructor at one of the
aviation schools, the Naval Academy, or at an NROTC unit. You may also be
assigned as staff at a Navy command. This tour lasts about three years, as well.
Third Tour: At Sea
Your second sea tour, lasting two years, will be "disassociated" from a
squadron. For example, you will serve on a carrier or an amphibious ship as air wing staff, the landing safety officer, or the catapult officer. After another shore tour, you will have a department head tour in which you command all the divisions in your squadron that perform a certain function, such as maintenance, operations, or safety. If your performance has been good enough, after your third shore tour you will rise to become the Executive Officer of a squadron, and eventually a squadron Commanding Officer! Beyond that, NFO's may be selected to command the entire air wing embarked on a carrier- that is to say, all of the squadrons of the different types of aircraft aboard. All this time, you will likely still be flying in the aircraft type you started out with.
Command
Members of the Naval Aviation community have an additional bonus: only they can be the Commanding Officers of aircraft carriers. Those who are selected after command of a squadron for this next level of achievement receive similar training as that received by Surface Warfare Officers. They first command a deep-draft ship, such as an auxiliary ship, and then will be given command of an aircraft carrier!
The initial commitment for NFO's is six years past the date they receive their wings. You incur an additional commitment after the initial one with every promotion that you accept.
