BDCP And Masters

[Srtitan89]

I was under the impression until recently that you weren't necessarly guaranteed an aviation slot as BDCP, but now that I know you are, I am STRONGLY considering going that route my second year in college. I am doing NROTC at KU next year, but since that incurs no obligation until 2nd year, I am thinking about applying for BDCP my sophomore year (Aerospace Engineering).

Do you apply for BDCP under a specific position? So say, would I apply for BDCP under naval aviation, and only be accepted IF I received aviation, or could/would they switch me to something else?

Also...

I plan on getting my Masters degree, and how does that work in conjunction with BDCP? Could I apply for that as soon as I graduate KU with my Bachelors?

 

[Thisguy]

Do you apply for BDCP under a specific position? So say, would I apply for BDCP under naval aviation, and only be accepted IF I received aviation, or could/would they switch me to something else?

Yes, you apply for BDCP/OCS under a specific designator. You will not be accepted to BDCP then switched to something you weren't accepted for.

I am thinking about applying for BDCP my sophomore year (Aerospace Engineering).

Also...

I plan on getting my Masters degree, and how does that work in conjunction with BDCP? Could I apply for that as soon as I graduate KU with my Bachelors?

If you apply for BDCP your sophomore year, you will be sent to OCS soon after graduating. This thing with the master's is throwing me for a loop. If you apply for BDCP after you graduate, the recruiter will probably say "You've got a bachelor's, let's get you into OCS," whereby you'll miss out on any sort of benefit that BDCP provides. BDCP is not intended to fund a Master's degree when you already meet requirements for a commission.

If a master's is important to you, ROTC is probably your best bet, as a very small number can be sent to NPS in Monterey, CA prior to starting their designator pipeline. It's not likely, but it's more probable than trying to use BDCP to get a Master's.

 

[RockyMtnNFO]

^^^ What he said.

 

[Recidivist]

This Guy's Post is almost Verbatim what you will hear.
You can't Use BDCP in a master's Program. I asked about getting similar funding while Going for my MS.
You can get your MS on your own and apply for OCS after. But why? BDCP is a very sweet deal.

 

[Srtitan89]

I'm sorry if I didn't make myself clear originally. I meant would it interfere with me applying for the masters program say at NPS after I am already commissioned after doing BDCP for my bachelors?

 

[insanebikerboy]

Graduate education for freshly minted Ensign sna's is starting to go away. As briefed last year while I was at NPS, the slots are being drawn down so the guys will have to go straight to flight school instead of having a delay.

Doesn't mean you can't get a slot, just expect there to be few and far inbetween. For what it's worth, I never saw an Ensign other than from USNA at NPS.

 

[Srtitan89]

Would I have a much better chance of getting an NPS slot after 4-5 years on active duty? Or would they want me to finish my whole flight obligation first?

 

[Thisguy]

Would I have a much better chance of getting an NPS slot after 4-5 years on active duty? Or would they want me to finish my whole flight obligation first?

The only aviators I know that have gone to NPS are O-4s, and both of them went after their department head tours. I would stop sweating NPS and worry about getting an SNA slot first, whether it be through ROTC or BDCP.

 

[Flash]

The only aviators I know that have gone to NPS are O-4s, and both of them went after their department head tours. I would stop sweating NPS and worry about getting an SNA slot first, whether it be through ROTC or BDCP.

I actually know quite a few guys who have gone to NPS for their first shore tour. It is a neutral nowadays in your career, no longer a negative.