Another Round Of Training - E2/C2

This past week, our son got his Tailhook selection preference. All of the fellows in his group got their first choice - most wanted the F/A-18. We knew it was a hard choice, and it was coming down to the Sunday evening before his Selection Board on Monday when we got a text message: "I decided to ask for E-2." Friends were over at our house for dinner, and we were sitting at the patio table - we all said "Wow, E-2." at the same time. There were a number of reasons he decided on E2/C2 - the final selection will come later after finishing his T-45 Goshawk training, and then the twin engine T-44A Pegasus before going to a replacement squadron early next year.

E-2 Hawkeye

The wait is over,

A selection made.

It's narrowed down to
An eye in the sky, or

A pack on the back.

It won't hover over the ground,
Or zip through the sky.

Two last choices: 

The E2 Hawkeye, or 

C2 Greyhound.

C-2 Greyhound

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A fellow I know from working with the Navy is a Navy Reserve F/A-18 pilot. When I mentioned that my son had received his Tailhook selection, here is some of his reply:

I would push him heavily towards C2's if he can get them.  It is certainly one of the best kept secrets in the navy for standard of living. They deploy with the ship but their job is basically ashore and they don't have to do night traps. You have the badge of honor of being a carrier pilot without having the crummy lifestyle. There are down sides, of course - but you meet a lot more happy C2 guys than you do guys who are down on it. That's great. E2's not a bad life either, but you don't live ashore and you do come aboard in all weather. No such thing as a bad flying gig.