Navy Pilot Board

[njsna2020]

Hey guys, I started my application for Navy OCS in July. I had everything completed except MEPS by mid-August and, therefore, missed the pilot board that happened in September-October. I’ve always wanted to a be a pilot and that’s what I am set on. However, I was told very recently that the Navy will not be accepting pilots at their next January board. I have to wait until July before they start reviewing pilot applications again. I have my application completed now.

My question is: should I keep my application in anyway for the January board with my preferences for pilot, NFO, SWO (in that order)? If I were offered NFO or SWO now, I would have to turn it down. I would accept either of those options if I wasn’t accepted for pilot after having my pilot application checked out. I just can’t give up yet on pilot and accept my second choice without even getting the chance to apply. What should I do?

 

[NevarYalnal]

wait until july to submit for pilot then. do not take a spot from a candidate who would actually go if selected. it's not like you wouldn't be able to apply for NFO/SWO after July.

 

[Mode]

Or if you are afraid of getting selected for NFO/SWO and would turn it down, why not just apply SNA only? If they end up not accepting SNA packets, then apply in July for SNA/NFO, SWO. Like NevarYalnal said, don't take that spot away from someone who actually wants it.

 

[Mirage]

Officer Recruiter here. We were told that if your recruiter gets your kit in by December 1st then you should go to the pilot board in January. Also told that would likely be the last board for pilots until next FY (after October 2021).

If you want pilot, but would rather accept NFO/SWO than wait until next FY, then put in for all 3 for this board (if it's not too late already with your recruiter), and hope for the best but take what you get. If you would rather wait until a board either this coming Summer or later to have a 2nd (or possibly 1st) look at pilot, then only put pilot right now. You can ask your recruiter to ask his processor to only submit your kit with all 3 options ranked if they for sure have the pilot board, but that isn't 100% guaranteed to happen either (through no fault of anyone).

Do not ever put in for something that you won't accept. If I had an applicant that did that then I would not recommend him for anything going forward, and if your recruiter doesn't even recommend you, then good luck.

 

[FinkUFreaky]

Yeah. Speaking as someone that put Pilot only on my first application (BDCP), if that's the only reason you'd sign the dotted line then do that. My understanding, although @Mirage may correct me, is that if you are accepted for another pipeline and then decline, good luck getting selected again. I also was ready to put other options on my next application (had fears that the "other" board might pick first; in my case as an EE major I was super worried I'd get drafted nuke; knowing what I know now (disclaimer, I've never been a nuke and don't mean to disparage) I would have only offered up NFO as a second option if I did any. Realize that even if accepted pilot, NAMI might have some say in it, and be happy going NFO or SWO etc, if the Navy is hard-up for people (understand that they currently aren't).

 

[zarevich]

Officer Recruiter here. We were told that if your recruiter gets your kit in by December 1st then you should go to the pilot board in January. Also told that would likely be the last board for pilots until next FY (after October 2021).

If you want pilot, but would rather accept NFO/SWO than wait until next FY, then put in for all 3 for this board (if it's not too late already with your recruiter), and hope for the best but take what you get. If you would rather wait until a board either this coming Summer or later to have a 2nd (or possibly 1st) look at pilot, then only put pilot right now. You can ask your recruiter to ask his processor to only submit your kit with all 3 options ranked if they for sure have the pilot board, but that isn't 100% guaranteed to happen either (through no fault of anyone).

Do not ever put in for something that you won't accept. If I had an applicant that did that then I would not recommend him for anything going forward, and if your recruiter doesn't even recommend you, then good luck.

Do you by chance know and could share what other designators are affected until October 2021?

 

[AllAmerican75]

Or if you are afraid of getting selected for NFO/SWO and would turn it down, why not just apply SNA only? If they end up not accepting SNA packets, then apply in July for SNA/NFO, SWO. Like NevarYalnal said, don't take that spot away from someone who actually wants it.

Yeah. Speaking as someone that put Pilot only on my first application (BDCP), if that's the only reason you'd sign the dotted line then do that. My understanding, although @Mirage may correct me, is that if you are accepted for another pipeline and then decline, good luck getting selected again. I also was ready to put other options on my next application (had fears that the "other" board might pick first; in my case as an EE major I was super worried I'd get drafted nuke; knowing what I know now (disclaimer, I've never been a nuke and don't mean to disparage) I would have only offered up NFO as a second option if I did any. Realize that even if accepted pilot, NAMI might have some say in it, and be happy going NFO or SWO etc, if the Navy is hard-up for people (understand that they currently aren't).

I also applied SNA only and got picked up. Doesn't save you from the NAMI whammy, though.