Predator Operator?

[Tobias]

I am currently waiting for my 18th birthday before I can enlist. I was trying to find information on unmanned vehicles. I searched the forums and the list of MOS's but was unable to find anything on it. Can someone please help me out?

[TO360]

I thought only the Air Force mans the Predator, but I may be wrong.

[egbutler1]

As far as i know Marines don't run UAVs unless they are the self packed ones that i don't think have really made their way to Iraq or the Corps yet. I'm pretty sure the AF runs that show along with the private sector running them.

[outlaw3179]

Now Im not trying to get you to join the National Guard , but Im a recruiter with them and Ill give you the info on them cuz we have them.



96U - UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE OPERATOR
Description
Having the ability to observe both conventional and unconventional enemies is absolutely necessary to plan for our national defense. Intelligence specialists, like the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operator, are integral to providing Army personnel with information about enemy forces and potential battle areas.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operators are remote pilots of unmanned observation aircraft, who gather and study information that's required to design operational plans and tactics.


Prepare and conduct air reconnaissance
Plan surveillance
Operate sensors for target detection
Plan and analyze flight missions
Perform pre-flight check and procedures
Launch and recover air frame from runway
Perform operator level maintenance on Communications equipment, power sources, light/heavy wheeled vehicles, crane operations
Using computer systems

Training
Job training for a Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operator consists of nine weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and 21 weeks of Advanced Individual Training and on-the-job instruction, including practice in intelligence gathering. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field. Some of the skills you'll learn are:


Planning aerial and satellite observations
Preparing maps and charts
Analyzing aerial photographs
Preparing intelligence reports
Using computer systems

Skills
Helpful attributes include:


An interest in remote/radio control vehicles
An interest in gathering information and studying its meaning
An ability to organize information
An ability to think and write clearly
A strict sense of attention to detail

Responsibilities
As an advanced level Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operator, you may also be involved in:


Directing the emplacement of ground control stations
Directing the emplacement of launch and recovery systems
Supervising and assisting in air frame repair
Coordinating evacuation and replacement of parts and end items

Civilian Related
The skills you learn as a Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operator will help prepare you for a future with federal government agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency or the National Security Agency. The training you receive in collecting, recording, analyzing and distributing tactical and technical intelligence information will prepare you for other fields, such as research or business planning.


This is all copied from the guard website and this does not describe Marine Corps recruit training.