[weithman5]

I just wanted to say congrats to my son the newly commissioned Ensign Donatus Weithman.  I swore him in on 11JUL11, and he graduated from Ohio State on the 12th.  He will be reporting to flight school in Penacola around October.  May his career in the air be better than mine under the water.

[ccarlson]

Thanks to you and your son for your service.

[phillamb168]

What's he looking to fly?

[weithman5]

he is still undecided.  i think he is still leaning toward fighters, but last summer he spent a month with a helo squadron out of jacksonville, and had a blast.  i keep reminding him that there are more airplanes at the bottom of the ocean than there are submarines at the top of the sky.  he never bought my argument

[phillamb168]

he is still undecided.  i think he is still leaning toward fighters, but last summer he spent a month with a helo squadron out of jacksonville, and had a blast.  i keep reminding him that there are more airplanes at the bottom of the ocean than there are submarines at the top of the sky.  he never bought my argument

If he wants job security, helos are the way to go IMO. Most fighters these days are cold war era budget drainer bling (bombers and things like the A-10 are different, though), and coastal/littoral/inland warfare is a safe bet in terms of where we're probably going to be engaged in the future.

[richardt]

i keep reminding him that there are more airplanes at the bottom of the ocean than there are submarines at the top of the sky.  he never bought my argument

OTOH, in the next conflict, given the technology on those ASW helos, there'll probably be more subs at the bottom of the ocean because of the helos in the sky.

[weithman5]

the c2 was the first platform he was interested in but it can either be transport platform of electronic countermeasures around a carrier.  one fun one sucks.  then he got interested in jets a little more when the helo squadron he was with was on the carrier.   

helo asw must have improved in the last 20 years because they were lacking back in my day.

[thomasbarnes]

If he wants job security, helos are the way to go IMO. Most fighters these days are cold war era budget drainer bling (bombers and things like the A-10 are different, though), and coastal/littoral/inland warfare is a safe bet in terms of where we're probably going to be engaged in the future.

ASW helicopters might be job security in the Navy, but in the Army attack helicopters are struggling. Experience in Iraq and Afghanistan has shown that they're fairly vulnerable to groundfire. Drones are more robust and cost-effective.

In terms of employability in the civilian sector, he's better off going for a transport, AWACS or patrol plane; something big with multiple engines.

[kgs]

If he wants job security, helos are the way to go IMO. Most fighters these days are cold war era budget drainer bling (bombers and things like the A-10 are different, though), and coastal/littoral/inland warfare is a safe bet in terms of where we're probably going to be engaged in the future.

ASW helicopters might be job security in the Navy, but in the Army attack helicopters are struggling. Experience in Iraq and Afghanistan has shown that they're fairly vulnerable to groundfire. Drones are more robust and cost-effective.

In terms of employability in the civilian sector, he's better off going for a transport, AWACS or patrol plane; something big with multiple engines.

First of all congrats. And condolences to the new ensign. Too bad he's a squid. (Sorry, USAF 1983-1991...couldn't resist.) As a former aircraft maintenance officer (and before that, jet mech), concur with the comments re employability. But I have found that my 8 years (started as 4...) serving Uncle Sam (mostly on fighter aircraft) have been infinitely transferable in terms of my professional advancement. The military was great preparation for the rest of my life. Whatever he does, he will end up a better person for it. Congrats to Dad and let us know what you brew in his name!

[brewmonk]

Congrats and prayers it is!

[Tristan]

Congrats and good vibes sent!

[weithman5]

let us know what you brew in his name!

simple apple cider.  the kid likes it.  (sucked down applejuice as a baby) started fermenting few months ago and now aging.  will bottle or keg before he heads to pensacola in october.

thanks for all the well wishes.

[Mark G]

Congrats, good luck, and most of all, thanks to you and your son for your service.

[weithman5]

sorry to resume this old thread, but a little update.

My oldest just completed primary flight school in enid oklahoma (yes this is an airforce base and not navy) and will be headed back to pensacola to join training wing 5.  He opted to not go tailhook and instead will be flying seahawks.