I am looking at either pursuing the NFO or Pilot route. I have been pretty torn between going into the Marines or the Navy. I was curious what a typical day is like on a carrier for a pilot or NFO? I was curious NFOs get the same mandatory sleep that pilots do, additionally I was curious if either pilots or NFOs had free time? I was going to look to further my education going either the TA or NCPACE route while deployed on a carrier, is this feasible? Additionally I saw some ships had BJJ meetups which I would also pursue, again I am curious about what daily schedules look like, and if you have free time?
Responding to you but here's general good advice for anyone going into Naval Aviation:
1. When you get your wings (pilot or NFO), they basically mean "you are now tall enough to ride the grey aircraft." You will spend the time at the FRS and in your fleet tour continuing to earn quals. I expect to earn new and requal on old quals in my Department Head tour. My CO earned new quals on his CO tour as we got new weaponry since the last time he flew. In short,
flight school never ends.
2. As a result, you will be too busy between flying, ground job(s), earning qualifications, working out, eating, and sleeping, not to mention any family time you can squeeze in on your sea orders to do outside education.
3. Currently, Naval Aviation, (and I assume USMC Aviation) is not well set up for meaningful Master's programs for most people. There are exceptions, but in general, people will do some sort of education on their shore tour - I used TA for a Master's Certificate since it barely puts a dent in a real Master's programs (at the time is was about a $4500 annual limit, I doubt much has changed). It cannot be used to earn an educational level you already have so you can't pursue another Bachelor's. Some folks used their GI Bill, but I, and most others, still owed time to get the full benefit and I wasn't willing to use up my GI Bill without getting the full benefit on a distance learning degree. Others pursued Joint Professional Military Education, which is worthless outside of the DoD.
4. Yes, pilots and NFOs have the same sleep requirements and rules. There will be (seldom) times you are asked to stretch how meaningful those rules really are.
5. Been stated already, but don't assume you will participate in NCPACE. I did a 10 month deployment, at best, my Sailors got a few Gen-Ed credits for an Associates Degree (English, History, maybe a math class).
6. Where did you see some ships have BJJ classes? I've seen that but surprised that you have - each ship will have some series of clubs - the ship I am currently on is chock full of clubs: Yoga, BJJ, various heritage-based clubs. computer club, etc. On Aircraft Carriers, you'll have a "Fit Boss," which is an MWR employee that's a personal trainer that spends his/her day mostly leading fitness classes. Again, don't plan your career around a twice-a-week club you
might be able to do when your schedule permits.
