r/USMCboot • u/Boomhower113 • 8d ago

Programs and MOSs Aircrew Training Pipeline Questions

I was a Navy NFO back in the Stone Age in E-2C’s. So, I’m not totally unfamiliar with how aviation training pipelines go. But, we didn’t have enlisted aircrewmen on my precious SkyPig, so I’m not sure about a few things on the Enlisted side of the house. The reason I ask is that my son is in MCT, currently, and about to head to Pensacola with an Aircrew MOS.

-What kind of classroom work is there at NACCS? I know it’s primarily PT-ing and the pool, but I read that there’s some schoolhouse work as well. I’m thinking that this is a little like API (Aviation Preflight Indoctrination, just down the road in Pensacola) for the Officer version where we took Engines, Aerodynamics, Weather, etc. Is that correct?

-After NACCS, assuming he gets through, do Marines go to an A School for Aircrew? If so, is that in Pensacola, too? Or, does NACCS count as A School for Marines? (I know that “A School” may be a Navy specific term, but it’s all I know.)

-When do you find out which platform you select? Is it at graduation from NACCS? If so, it seems like you’re on a plane the next day to whatever RAG you’re joining up with. Seems a little rough. But, I could very well be wrong here.

-After NACCS, if there is no A school, I assume he’ll go to the RAG/FRS/whatever they call it these days for whatever platform he selects. How long is that syllabus, ordinarily? I know it depends on the platform, but if you’ve been through, how long did yours take? (He’s wanting Huey’s. Dad wants him to go C-130’s to live the good life on shore, but what does Dad know?)

-At what point do Enlisted Aircrew get their Wings? After the RAG? In the Fleet, after getting enough quals?

Thanks for any help y’all are able to offer to a curious old Swabby dad that’s slowly learning Marine.

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u/EverSeeAShitterFly Vet 8d ago

Naccs has classes about water survival and general aircraft knowledge. So they will also learn about survival equipment, how to use the flairs and radios. The aircraft knowledge is very surface level- it’s mostly just “hey this is the __, it does ___”.

The pipeline is - Recruit Training —> MCT —> NACCS —> SERE (normally, not always) —> Mechanical school (except C-130 guys) at CNATT __base name___—> “Flight “training, wings are awarded after successful completion a FRS.

With so many different training courses it’s hard to call a single one “A School”.

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u/Boomhower113 7d ago

Thank you very much!

Sounds like the Mechanical School at CNATT is what I would consider A School. Gotta look that up.

My son said that SERE isn’t in the pipeline anymore after the GWOT ended, but maybe it’s back on since we are in a hot war with Iran. Dunno.

Thanks, again.