Do I have a shot at becoming a pilot???

[Daniel Parker]

I plan on applying for the upcoming pilot board this coming July so I still have some prep time to better my package through the valuable input I hope to get from this forum. So these are my stats:

I have been enlisted in the Navy for a little over 7 years now. I just picked up first class, which now makes me an AT1. I have served in a F/A-18E squadron and I am currently serving at a AIMD. My last three evaluations are MP, MP, EP. My last 3 PRT scores are G, G, G. I majored in Electronics Engineering Technology and graduated with a 3.88 GPA. I volunteer 16 hours a month to a children's hospital and have been doing that for 3 months now. Additionally, I have 2 LOR's from captains, 1 CDR, 1 LCDR, and 2 LT's all of which are naval aviators (F/A-18 pilots). My ASTB scores are what I am worried about. I just meet the minimum scores 4, 5, 5. I felt like I blew the test out of the water, but my scores say differently. I honestly do not know what to study to improve my scores because I answered all the math questions with total confidence other than one question. The science portion I was a little shaky with, but that was it. In addition to the ASTB I am also concerned about a arrest that is on my record. I was arrested for simple domestic assault, and inhibiting emergency services. Both of these offenses are class 1 misdemeanors, but the charges were nolle prosequi (dismissed). Before I get hate mail over this my wife and I got into a loud verbal argument in which she tried to call the police on me. I tried to stop her from doing so by taking her phone so that is why I got the second charge, but she had recently had an affair and I just found out about it. Needless to say I was pissed, but I did not strike her. It was my word against hers, but I was arrested anyway. She even admitted once we were at court that I didn't hurt her so thats why the case was dropped. Other than these two offenses, which were dropped I have a CLEAN record. I have never even received a speeding ticket my entire life; my record is spot clean.

My enlisted service is exceptional and I have the support of my chain of command 100%. I am mainly concerned with the low ASTB score, but I am nervous on retaking it since I don't even know what I did bad in and I received the score that I did. Do you know of anyone that has been accepted recently with these ASTB scores? I was hoping my high GPA would offset the negative impact the ASTB holds on my package. Any and all constructive criticism is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[PenguinGal]

I write this with the following disclaimer: I am not currently a service member (awaiting results of my DCO board) and while husband is AD Navy, he is a SWO. Thus, my knowledge of the aviation community is pretty limited to what I have read on this website. That being said, there are a LOT of people here who are not only living the life currently, but have experience and insight from far longer than you and I have been around. They know their stuff and if they tell you something chances are they know what the real deal is.

Now that we have my (lack of) credentials cleared up, I think that right now your chances are pretty dang slim for getting a pilot slot at the January board. I can't speak to how the arrest and subsequent dismissal will be viewed, someone with more knowledge can chime in there, but based strictly on your test score you don't have a chance. There is a super-mega-thread with people who were applying for the January board which turned into a December board discussion. You can view a specific post here in which one of the posters went through and tabulated all of the SNA selects and non-selects along with their ASTB scores and GPAs. None of the selects had less than a 6/7/6/54. Heck, some of the SNA non-selects were biting their heels with 6/6/7/54. So, if you can I would go in search of the ASTB study gouge thread and follow the advice listed in there and retake the test. Heck, I'll even be a good Penguin and help you out. ASTB Gouge HERE

Best of luck...

 

[Renegade One]

I plan on applying for the upcoming pilot board this coming July so I still have some prep time to better my package through the valuable input I hope to get from this forum. So these are my stats:... Thanks in advance.

Yes...you have a shot. You have identified your own weakness...the ASTB scores. So..work on that. Too much good info, study guides and solid info is posted elsewhere on this site for me to add anything more. Go forth and slay a dragon. You have the time to do so, methinks.

I am also concerned about a arrest that is on my record. I was arrested for simple domestic assault, and inhibiting emergency services. Both of these offenses are class 1 misdemeanors, but the charges were nolle prosequi (dismissed). ... Other than these two offenses, which were dropped I have a CLEAN record.

This is certainly an "other" on your record...assuming it IS "on your record". If dismissed...they may not be...I just don't know. If they somehow "pop" during the selection process, well, there you go.

 

[sevenhelmet]

AT1,

With your record as an enlisted man, I'd think any flak from those charges can be overcome (especially with a good record and strong recommendations); however, the ASTB score will have to come up for you to have a good chance at a pilot slot. The spatial perception portion (assuming the format has not changed recently) can be very deceiving. My guess is you probably did fine on the math part given your technical background. I'd recommend attacking the test again, since it's very likely you will do better having seen it once already. Others here will have more constructive input on how to succeed with the ASTB. Personally, I got a study guide (book) and drilled the spatial perception over and over until I was 100% comfortable with it.

I wish you the best of luck! Don't get discouraged, you sound like a great candidate for OCS and a commission.



Disregard the signature. This post can be taken seriously.

 

[Daniel Parker]

Thank you sir for your advice. I guess I will crack some ASTB study guides for a good month or so and give it another shot.

 

[Daniel Parker]

Yes...you have a shot. You have identified your own weakness...the ASTB scores. So..work on that. Too much good info, study guides and solid info is posted elsewhere on this site for me to add anything more. Go forth and slay a dragon. You have the time to do so, methinks.


This is certainly an "other" on your record...assuming it IS "on your record". If dismissed...they may not be...I just don't know. If they somehow "pop" during the selection process, well, there you go.

Thank you sir for your input. I appreciate your feedback. I will get to work studying for the ASTB and hope attempt 2 gives me the results I require. Thanks much!

 

[Daniel Parker]

I write this with the following disclaimer: I am not currently a service member (awaiting results of my DCO board) and while husband is AD Navy, he is a SWO. Thus, my knowledge of the aviation community is pretty limited to what I have read on this website. That being said, there are a LOT of people here who are not only living the life currently, but have experience and insight from far longer than you and I have been around. They know their stuff and if they tell you something chances are they know what the real deal is.

Now that we have my (lack of) credentials cleared up, I think that right now your chances are pretty dang slim for getting a pilot slot at the January board. I can't speak to how the arrest and subsequent dismissal will be viewed, someone with more knowledge can chime in there, but based strictly on your test score you don't have a chance. There is a super-mega-thread with people who were applying for the January board which turned into a December board discussion. You can view a specific post here in which one of the posters went through and tabulated all of the SNA selects and non-selects along with their ASTB scores and GPAs. None of the selects had less than a 6/7/6/54. Heck, some of the SNA non-selects were biting their heels with 6/6/7/54. So, if you can I would go in search of the ASTB study gouge thread and follow the advice listed in there and retake the test. Heck, I'll even be a good Penguin and help you out. ASTB Gouge HERE

Best of luck...

Thank you for your honest feedback. Sometimes the truth hurts, but I appreciate your honesty. I also appreciate your ASTB gouge. Cracking the books in better preparation for the ASTB will hopefully pay off in my near future. Thanks!

 

[PenguinGal]

Cracking the books in better preparation for the ASTB will hopefully pay off in my near future.

If you crack the books the same way you have been rocking your work in the fleet (MP, MP. EP) then you should be good to go.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Like others have said you need to retake your ASTB.

Your GPA is great, if you want to be a USN officer don't just look at SNA or SNFO, try SWO as well.

LOR's are normally only good for 6 months, sometimes they have some give on the timeframe, but generally you want to be as close to 6 months as possible.

On your "issue" address it head on, don't deflect the blame, here are some things to help you. "some actions caused a verbal disagreement", "the local LE were called and they evaluated the situation", "in order to ensure the safety of all involved and to de-escalate the situation they took me into custody", "upon further review of the situation and the fact that no physical altercation took place charges were dismissed"

 

[P3 F0]

Don't many states still have mandatory arrests for responding to DV calls? OP could have been a victim of that. If so, that may wash a little of the stigma away.

 

[MasterBates]

FL does. If the cops come to a DV call, someone is leaving in cuffs.

Not ALWAYS the man. But usually.

For the record, I was arrested at work, and charges were dropped due to Manatee's timeline not jiving with the MO's timeline, who happened to be flying and FCF A with me when the alleged incident happened. Probably the only thing that saved my ass.

 

[C420sailor]

MB is spot on. That's how it is in many states. If the cops show up and she says 'he hit me', that's it. You're in cuffs and your guns are gone. An acquaintance of mine was screwed this way. Marine with a flawless record, Force Recon, whole deal. Retired and applied for a career in LE. Not a single department would consider hiring him because of a he-said she-said domestic call...even though it was immediately tossed due to a complete lack of evidence. Total bullshit.

Be careful who you choose to live with. She can wreck your entire life with just one phone call.

 

[zianac]

Any and all constructive criticism is appreciated.

I was an AT2 before I left the Navy to pursue higher education. My record wasn't quite as yours, but I was picked up to be an NFO. I suppose the only thing holding you back are your ASTB scores. I wanted to apply for SNA, but my eyes weren't up to par. Are your eyes within regs, or are you planning on getting corrective surgery? Finally, I think for SNA you need to be commissioned by your 29th birthday (with the age waver). If you enlisted at 18, you're still well within that. LFCFan posted a list of the scores of people that went up for this last board, here are the results: http://www.airwarriors.com/communit...g-to-jan-board-2013.39817/page-40#post-726916. It would seem as though having a 7+ on your PFAR would be the best for SNA.
Anyway, Good luck!

 

[Spekkio]

Unless it changed, doesn't the application ask for convictions, not arrests?

 

[MasterBates]

Been too long to speak to an OCS application, but more than one job application as a civilian has asked the arrest question. Strangely any companies that ask that question, I answer truthfully, and never get a call back from them. (mostly DOD contractors for flying gigs)