First Post and a Few Questions

[Spekkio]

No, no, no, no. Your buddy is very much wrong. These days, especially, you must do much better than whatever these minimums are. Truth is, I didn't even know there were minimums. It is very competitive.

To extrapolate:

The only way to guaruntee yourself a pilot slot or nothing is to apply to BDCP or OCS. If you go to USNA or choose to enroll in NROTC, you fill out a service selection sheet in which you can be picked for anything on it. You may or may not get selected for pilot depending on a ton of different factors outside of your control.

If your goal is pilot or bust, then you should probably consider applying for BDCP in your junior year. If you want to be a Naval officer no matter what, then NROTC would be the better choice.

Another concern is that your vision is borderline. If it stays the way it is now, you would be okay, but if it got any worse at all you risk being NPQ'ed for flight barring PRK.

 

[insanebikerboy]

One thing to take note of for API and your weight. The weight limit to start API is 235, and unless it changed in the past couple of years it's not waiverable. The funny thing is that after you start no one cares at all. Then you'll just sign a waiver for ejection seats or seat stroking. Of course, if you rolled straight in from OCS and more than likely ROTC or USNA you'd be below the limit anyways.

I'm the same size as you and the only weight thing I have to worry about now is the prt, and that's just the rope and choke since I'm (and you'd be too) over the weight limit for your height.

 

[Uncle Fester]

OP:

You're falling into a trap that, oh, 50% of college-bound kids also fall into - assuming that what you're really into now, you'll really be into forever. The other 50% have no clue at all what they're interested in. Neither is a problem, we all get over it sooner or later; the trick is just to not paint yourself into a corner too early, financially or educationally.

The real purpose of higher education is to open doors later in life. That, and get your growing-up screwups done in a relatively consequence-free* environment. You want to fly for a living - great goal. ERAU is just one way to accomplish it. You've seen from the responses here, there's lots of ways to get there, ERAU doesn't give you any particular advantage over the others, and it won't help at all if you decide to go any other route with your life besides aviation.

Deciding you're going to go to aviation school because you want to fly for a living is kinda like those guys who major in basketweaving because they've got a full ride for football and they know they're going on to the NFL. You can definitely fly for a living and give yourself a lot more options in life by going elsewhere.

* - Relatively consequence-free. Wrap your tool, don't buy her a ring until you're 30, and learn how to call a cab from the bar.

 

[vick]

To further the point being made here...

You go to college to get an education and learn how to think critically, not learn a trade. Flying planes is a trade. What the military - theoretically any branch, though some more than others - wants is for you to be is a leader capable of accepting responsibility and making sound decisions, which is the essence of what it means to be an officer. They'll teach you the trade that will form the basis of your career, but once you get much past flight school your reputation and continued advancement will not have more to do with how you develop as a leader than as a pilot. That's why everyone here is urging you to consider a degree that will develop you in areas that have nothing to with aviation. That, and if you don't do some partying with normal people now now you'll regret it for the rest of your life.

 

[Spike511]

To all:

Well, I must admit, you guys are doing an awesome job of convicing me otherwise of getting an aviation degree. After doing a brief two minute search of possible degrees, I've already found two (Homeland Security and Intelligence) that seem extremely interesting...AND can be applied in the military as well.

Also, after having nearly 100 guys tell me this, I think there correct. my parents did this college education plan thing we're I have free tuition to all schools in Virginia...and there are some nice schools here (JMU, VT, UVA)...I think maybe I should just go with the free tuition and get a degree in Homeland Security or something. As cool as ERAU sounds, the debt that goes along with it just seems unfeasable...and..this way, I can spend more money in college .

I'll look into it...thats for sure. You gentlemen have opened my eyes, for sure. Thank you, very much.

Now, since I have more options for school, now the big difference...

Air Force or Navy!?

--
Eric

 

[Pags]

(JMU, VT, UVA)

Those are all awesome schools. Guaranteed to give you a good college education in things scholary and otherwise and are well recognized for their "name value" in the rest of the world.

Also, don't pick a major because it would apply in the military. The military doesn't need an applicable degree. I've worked with the full range from Phys Ed majors all the way to Rocket Scientists. They were all commissioned officers and aviators. I'd recommend you pick a degree because you're interested in it. You're the one who's going to be doing the day to day grunt work associated with that major for the next 4-7 years.

 

[Spike511]

Those are all awesome schools. Guaranteed to give you a good college education in things scholary and otherwise and are well recognized for their "name value" in the rest of the world.

Also, don't pick a major because it would apply in the military. The military doesn't need an applicable degree. I've worked with the full range from Phys Ed majors all the way to Rocket Scientists. They were all commissioned officers and aviators. I'd recommend you pick a degree because you're interested in it. You're the one who's going to be doing the day to day grunt work associated with that major for the next 4-7 years.

I know. I just saw it as a plus. I'll probobly try and get into JMU and get a Criminal Justice degree or something. I would certainly have some awesome intership opprotunities, and my education would be paid for. They also have both AFROTC and NROTC, so I would have a choice either way.

So, now it is time for my next series of questions, if you sirs/ma'ams don't mind..

I know this is a Navy board, but trying to be as least bias'd as possible, can anyone outline some general distances between the two lifestyles? Regarding USAF and USN, that is. I would really appreciate it.

Oh, one other thing, by obtaining a degree in something less technical, would that put me at a disadvantage?

Oh, crap, one more, sorry. What happens if I don't get a slot? Do I get to pick a job...or at least have a say? And what is the service commitment length?

Thanks again,
Eric

 

[armada1651]

I know this is a Navy board, but trying to be as least bias'd as possible, can anyone outline some general distances between the two lifestyles? Regarding USAF and USN, that is. I would really appreciate it.

http://www.ussokcity.com/navyvsaf.html Aside from that, I'll defer to people who actually know what they're talking about. I'm just a dumb O-1.

Oh, one other thing, by obtaining a degree in something less technical, would that put me at a disadvantage?

I believe you get some "extra" points for having an engineering or technical degree, but you'd still be better off getting a degree that interests you and maintaining a solid GPA.

Oh, crap, one more, sorry. What happens if I don't get a slot? Do I get to pick a job...or at least have a say? And what is the service commitment length?

If you go the NROTC route, sometime early in your senior year you'll put in a selection package listing your top 3 choices. Your options are SNA, SNFO, SWO, Subs, SPECWAR, EOD...not sure if I'm forgetting anything. There's no guarantee that you'll get your first choice, but as long as you keep a good GPA and do well on the ASTB, you should have a good chance. Currently, service commitment for a Naval Aviator is 8 years, starting when you wing. It's different for other communities.

 

[Spike511]

Thanks. When you refer to SPECWAR...do you mean SEALS? Like, I know about SOCCENT and such, but are their any other field-esque positions? I think it would be awesome to be a seal...but theirs no way I can meet their physical requirements...

--
Eric

 

[ASCzero]

College and training

I have a question pertaning to the instruction you recieve in naval flight training . First off, i am a student at a college with a well reknown Aviation program , my major is in Aviation/Flight Science.I just started flight training and i was just wondering what the overlap is between what is taught in the civilian world and what you will be taught .This would be usefull to me in deciding wheather or not i stay in the flight science portion of the school , or go into administration or something else. I , like everyone else on this forum who isnt already in the navy , plan on applying for a commision via BDCP . up to what point is my said education good for?. also assuming grades are ,oh lets say 3.6 in flight science be not as desirable as a 3.7 in administration ?. Now assuming i have all other qualifacations covered I would like to think that the extra flight experiance might make the difference when it comes time for the selection boards make their choice on who gets pilot slots.

 

[C420sailor]

Do what you enjoy. It's as simple as that.

 

[vick]

Air Force or Navy!?

--
Eric

You forgot Marine Corps (if you choose to go that route you'll go through Naval flight training), based on what you've told us about yourself (competitive, athletic, etc) I would think it might appeal to you.

There's no answer to the AF vs Navy question as they are entirely different cultures. You're on a Navy board so there will be a bias to the advice and opinions you get here. That said, I started flying for the Marine Corps and now I fly for the AF. While I'm enjoying what I do now and it was the right move for me at the right time in my career, there's no question in my mind that I did it the right way by getting trained as a Naval Aviator and starting life as a Marine.

You've got plenty of time to choose the route you'll pursue so just keep gathering information and you'll know what to do when the time is right.

 

[armada1651]

I was NROTC so I can't tell you much about the BDCP route. But as someone who came into the Navy with a BS in Aviation Operations and ~300hrs with a Commercial Instrument Multi, I can tell you I wish I had gotten a real degree instead. There is, of course, SOME overlap in the material you'll be taught. But the Navy's way of teaching it is completely different. I don't feel like my prior experience has been of much benefit to me thus far. I would recommend a different major that will leave you better-rounded and give you more options professionally further down the road.

 

[squeeze]

<--- History major with a 2.8 gpa, 5 years at a state school, and I fly Harriers for the US Marine Corps.

Go to college, have fun, earn a degree in something you enjoy, and stick with it. Patience, persistence, and hard work will get you further than an aviation-centric degree.

 

[bunk22]

I've actually enjoyed this thread...started by a newbie who knew how to ask a question and come across as an intelligent dude looking for answers. With that said, do a search for the AF vs Navy lifestyle, a few threads on it. Just to add what others have said (I think you are leaning this way), go to a regular college, meet chicks, drink, get laid, have a good time. That's what college is all about...a good time.