Published by The Team at Ordnance Outfitters
Every job in the military has its own unique culture and inside jokes. But the world of Aviation Ordnance is in a league of its own. If you’ve ever spent time in the bomb farm or on the flight deck, you’ll probably nod along with this list. Here are 10 things you only get if you're an AO.
- The Unique Smell of Burnt Carbon. It’s not a bad smell. It’s the smell of a successful gun shoot, and it’s oddly satisfying.
- Constantly Explaining You're Not EOD. "So you disarm bombs?" No, that's a different, highly respected brand of crazy. We build them.
- The Universal Language of a Torque Wrench Click. No words are needed. That simple sound is the sweet music of a job done right.
- The Magical Ability to Sleep Through Anything. Jet engines, catapult launches, general quarters... none of it matters. But you can hear a dropped washer from 100 feet away.
- The Eternal Debate: Flight Deck vs. The Mag. Who has it worse? The sun-baked chaos of the flight deck or the windowless, methodical world of the magazines? The debate will never end.
- The Sheer Panic of a Dropped Piece of Hardware. Followed by the immense relief when you find that tiny washer you thought was lost to the sea forever.
- The Art of the Safety Wire. Creating the perfect, tightest twist of safety wire is a skill that brings a deep, unexplainable sense of accomplishment.
- Having Deep Trust Issues with Weather Forecasters. "10% chance of rain" means you're about to move 50,000 pounds of ordnance in a monsoon.
- Knowing a "Bomb" is Actually a Dozen Different Parts. And you know the name, NALC and nomenclature for every single one of them.
- The Real Meaning of IYAOYAS. It's not just a saying. You earned it.
CTA: [Share this with your shop. While you're at it, check out gear that only a true AO would appreciate.]