• Please take a moment and update your account profile. If you have an updated account profile with basic information on why you are on Air Warriors it will help other people respond to your posts. How do you update your profile you ask?

    Go here:

    Edit Account Details and Profile

NROTC for Aviation

Status
Not open for further replies.

frcabot

Registered User
What is the path for going from NROTC to become a Naval Pilot? What tests have to be taken, etc? When should one start studying for these tests? Are there any good study guides? How competitive is Aviation? Any additional Info?

Thanks.
 

bch

Helo Bubba
pilot
ASTB (Aviation Selection Test Battery)
Grades in college
and to a small degree, major.

If I remember correctly, I took the ASTB as a second semester Sophomore.
 

frcabot

Registered User
How hard is that test? What about BIO section, what personality should I go with? What are the best study guides for the ASTB? I have the Arco Military Flight Aptitute tests but it doesn't explain ****, not to mention that it contains numerous errors.

I'm a Pol Sci Major, is this a problem? You didn't answer my question about how hard it is to get aviation.

Thanks
 

Slammer2

SNFO Advanced, VT-86 T-39G/N
Contributor
frcabot said:
What about BIO section, what personality should I go with?

haha....that sounded funny to me, but I know what you meant. The bio inventory is not part of the test anymore. Use the Arco book and search this site for some downloads. They're not going to teach you everything, but should help at least a little. Being a PolySci major can't hurt you, but make sure that you can handle the math and mechanical sections (don't mean that in a bad way...just assuming that you havent had a math class for a while). Avaition is very competitive. Last thing that I heard about it was that you need an OAR score (one of the scores from the ASTB) of at least upper-50s to be considered competitive. But its the entire package that will be looked at by the review board. The test score is just one of many things that will be looked at for consideration (GPA, PFT, medical exam, refrences, etc.)
 

bch

Helo Bubba
pilot
frcabot said:
How hard is that test? What about BIO section, what personality should I go with? What are the best study guides for the ASTB? I have the Arco Military Flight Aptitute tests but it doesn't explain ****, not to mention that it contains numerous errors.

I'm a Pol Sci Major, is this a problem? You didn't answer my question about how hard it is to get aviation.

Thanks


I am assuming you are an underclassmen... No one can or should tell you how hard it is to get aviation 2-4 yrs from now. It is a very fluid environment. The reason I did NOT answer that question is due to the fact that I do not have an answer for you.

As far as the BIO part, pick the answers that apply to YOU (if infact it is still on the test, it was 4 yrs ago.) I am assuming you are training to be an officer right now. BE HONEST, that is part of being an officer.

You will find a lot of the answers to your questions on this site, just take some time and effort and do a few quick searches. To my knowledge, NO ONE on the forum is on the panel that selects SNA's, therefore everyone is going to have their own idea (right or wrong) about what will be the best thing for you. There are years when it is hard to get (right now) and then there are years where it seems everyone who is applying is getting it. Pick a major you like, DO WELL in it and try to learn as much as you can during NROTC about what being an officer is all about.
 

Fmr1833

Shut the F#%k up, dummy!
None
Contributor
Does anyone know how many SNA or SNFO slots are usually available during the December graduation/commissioning period? I graduate in December and am just wondering how many MIDs apply for those slots, etc.
Thanks.
 

Fly Navy

...Great Job!
pilot
Super Moderator
Contributor
bch said:
Pick a major you like, DO WELL in it and try to learn as much as you can during NROTC about what being an officer is all about.

Yup. What he said. PoliSci isn't going to help you, but it's not going to hurt you. In short, don't worry about it, it doesn't matter that much, so long as your GPA is good. Do well in ROTC, because aptitude matters in selection. Prepare for the ASTB. I took mine in early junior year I think. Most of the answers to your questions are on this site already, so take a look around, and good luck.
 

NozeMan

Are you threatening me?
pilot
Super Moderator
frcabot said:
How hard is that test? What about BIO section, what personality should I go with? What are the best study guides for the ASTB? I have the Arco Military Flight Aptitute tests but it doesn't explain ****, not to mention that it contains numerous errors.

I'm a Pol Sci Major, is this a problem? You didn't answer my question about how hard it is to get aviation.

Thanks

Poli Sci and fly baby!

Getting the GPA is the best thing you can focus on as a Freshman. I've seen too many 4th classes dick around their freshman year and put themselves in the whole academically. Just make sure you hit the ground running when school starts.

Noze
 

pennst8

Next guy to ask about thumbdrives gets shot.
Contributor
I hate to use "Top Gun" as the source of all knowledge but since everyone has seen it...

Pilot = Maverick
NFO = Goose

In short, pilots fly the aircraft, NFOs operate the radar/weapons systems. Together, they blow s*** up.

I'm sure you'll get a thousand replies with better information, but you can also check this out for some quick info:

http://www.navy.com/officer/aviation
 

frcabot

Registered User
I read that, that's why I'm asking. The descriptions between the Pilot and NFO were pretty similar, it made it seems as if both were pilots.
Ok, so essentially the NFO handles the aircraft systems while the pilot flies?
 

NozeMan

Are you threatening me?
pilot
Super Moderator
That sounds like a more reasonable analysis of what goes on. NFO's do different things depending on the aircraft however. Surely one of our local FO's will jump in on this one!
 

WannaBEaP3gal

Registered User
Fmr1833 said:
Does anyone know how many SNA or SNFO slots are usually available during the December graduation/commissioning period? I graduate in December and am just wondering how many MIDs apply for those slots, etc.
Thanks.


I graduate this December too, but I have nooooo idea how many slots are available, not very many MIDN graduate in December though, mainly OCs do. Did your unit tell you when you'd probably be finding out. Apparently our unit didn't send our packets out til late July, and we may not find out til Oct. :(
 

frcabot

Registered User
From the USNA Website, here's the official word :-D:

"What's the difference between a pilot and a naval flight officer?

Pilots fly aircraft while naval flight officers serve as bombardiers, navigators, radar and electronic intercept officers and antisubmarine warfare systems specialists."
 

Killer2

TRONS!
None
Question for all you NROTC guys, other then MECPs, do the Marine Option Mids get to select Aviation like the Navy guys, or do they just have to get stuck with TBS selection.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top