is it possible to get accepted for a bdcp pilot spot and decline the pay, therefore keeping my options open if i decide that i want to go to grad. school before i go to ocs? i don't want to decline my offer, and sacrifice my pilot opportunity, but i am a little hesitant on committing myself to ocs right after graduation in case something else comes up for me. (i.e. i have been thinking about going to grad. school before ocs.) can i keep my pilot slot open that they offer me now, and not be forced to go to ocs right after graduation if something else comes up.....and go later? i realize that if i accept money, that there really isn't a way out and i have to go. i kinda doubt there is something like this, because i am sure they want concrete numbers of who is going to ocs and when, but i thought i heard or read something about this.
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- Thread starter wigs_34
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Negative. BDCP means you get paid and have an obligation from day one!! If you are not absolutely sure don't go BDCP. Just wait and apply for OCS through the ordinary delayed entry type of program. You can still apply between 18 months and one year from graduating, depending on the program and current time in DEP guidelines.
Please don't take this the wrong way but, if you ever had any hesitation about wanting to be a pilot, then you should never take the slot. There are a ton of guys out there begging for a position that it sounds like your not sure that you really want. My thoughts are that if your not 100% sure, then turn it down. Don't be that guy that takes the slot then half asses it and drops the program. There are way to many motivated guys wanting to fly. By turning the slot down, you would make somebody elses day.
no, none taken, and i understand what you are saying.....i def. want to do it at sometime, i just don't know if i want to go right after college or go after grad. school.....the reason i am hesitant about turning it down now is because i am afraid that i won't get offered it again after grad. school, if that is the route i would take......understand?
erabe07
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I understand what you are going though wigs_34. I was in a similar situation. I wanted to keep my options open as long as possible, I don't see anything wrong with that. I decided I was fed up with school and happily accepted the BDCP slot when I was approved for it. Information I got from a local recruiter told me that you can not be accepted in the BDCP program as a grad student. It may seem obvious because of what the acronym stands for (Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program), but I wasn't sure. I had always thought that it shouldn't make any difference, in fact the Navy should be happier to have someone with more training. The only way you can be a grad student and in BDCP is if you are in the NUPOC program, and then only for one year. I am relatively sure of this information because I haven't been led astray by my recruiter before, but I would double check this before making any life altering decisions.
Just out of curiosity, what year in school are you? In my experience the closer I got to the end of my degree the more I wanted to get the hell out of there. Although I toyed with the notion of getting a masters early on in my college years, I soon realized I didn't want to do it directly after my electrical engineering degree. I still feel like I may want to go back some day for a masters of science or an MBA but I'm confident once I get into the fleet, no matter what I'm doing, I'll be happy with my job. If getting a masters is something you've always wanted and won't be happy without then I'd say you should do it right now. Once you get in the fleet, specifically as a pilot, I have read from other forums its difficult or at least annoying to get one later. I'm sure you've considered these things, but thats just what was going through my mind during my decision making process.
Best of luck with the choice!
Just out of curiosity, what year in school are you? In my experience the closer I got to the end of my degree the more I wanted to get the hell out of there. Although I toyed with the notion of getting a masters early on in my college years, I soon realized I didn't want to do it directly after my electrical engineering degree. I still feel like I may want to go back some day for a masters of science or an MBA but I'm confident once I get into the fleet, no matter what I'm doing, I'll be happy with my job. If getting a masters is something you've always wanted and won't be happy without then I'd say you should do it right now. Once you get in the fleet, specifically as a pilot, I have read from other forums its difficult or at least annoying to get one later. I'm sure you've considered these things, but thats just what was going through my mind during my decision making process.
Best of luck with the choice!
i am a second semester junior...starting 4th year in college, but i transfered, so a little bit behind in credits right now. i am excited about going into the navy and doing something different and something i think i will love and have pride in doing, but i am having a good time in scholol as well. The reason i would go to grad. school is because i can get it for free, free room and board, and get paid a $12,000 stipend a year, which is a good deal...plus i'll be getting my masters. i know i could always attend grad. school later on, after i've been in the navy and have time to take classes, but i think i would rather go to grad. school right after, cause i am young and i would like to enjoy the rest of my college career while i am young and before i start my career in the navy, u know? if i get my masters while in the navy, it won't have the same atmosphere, so these things are also running through my mind.....it hasn't been a life long goal to get my masters, but i think it is a great idea, it will help my career, i will have fun doing it, and i can get it for free.....but i don't want to pass up a career as a navy pilot to do it and am afraid this might be my only offer.....honestly, i am not totally sure why i was accepted for a navy pilot position, because i don't have a tech. degree, my test scores weren't that high....i do do a lot of xtracurricula activities and have a good gpa, but.....well, i don't know....we'll see what happens i guess. i still have a few steps to go before i have to make my decision.....any other thoughts, ideas, advice from anyone?
wigs,
Watch your age. I know, you said you are young. And yes the Navy will be needing pilots for a few more years, but just how hard will the competition be in 3-4 years? We all know the max age, but the competive age is getting lower all the time. Never know when some drunk will hit you and you are left NPQ for that little pin in your knee. Maybe you vision starts to go. Sounds like you have a good offer for grad school. Tough choice. For me, it would be enjoy college while young, something you would already have experienced for 4 years, or experience something totally different that just a few hundred a year are offered. Broken back, blind, or old, grad school will always be there. You may or may not get another offer to fly in the Navy and I guarantee you won't get the offer if you have gotten too old or have gone NPQ. Most things are more fun to do when you are young, I know because I am getting old. But between being a young Naval Officer, especially an aviator, and a young college student, I'll take Naval Officer every time. I see your point though. That is why when I was a young first tour junior officer barely two years out of college, I chose to live in a condo just off campus populated with college kids. When I was in the complex's hot tub at night, no one asked the poli sci grad student how his day went, everyone wanted to know what I thought of some geopolitical event in the news, if I had been flying that day, what SERE school was like, etc. Good luck. Everyone should be lucky enough to have the choices you do.
Watch your age. I know, you said you are young. And yes the Navy will be needing pilots for a few more years, but just how hard will the competition be in 3-4 years? We all know the max age, but the competive age is getting lower all the time. Never know when some drunk will hit you and you are left NPQ for that little pin in your knee. Maybe you vision starts to go. Sounds like you have a good offer for grad school. Tough choice. For me, it would be enjoy college while young, something you would already have experienced for 4 years, or experience something totally different that just a few hundred a year are offered. Broken back, blind, or old, grad school will always be there. You may or may not get another offer to fly in the Navy and I guarantee you won't get the offer if you have gotten too old or have gone NPQ. Most things are more fun to do when you are young, I know because I am getting old. But between being a young Naval Officer, especially an aviator, and a young college student, I'll take Naval Officer every time. I see your point though. That is why when I was a young first tour junior officer barely two years out of college, I chose to live in a condo just off campus populated with college kids. When I was in the complex's hot tub at night, no one asked the poli sci grad student how his day went, everyone wanted to know what I thought of some geopolitical event in the news, if I had been flying that day, what SERE school was like, etc. Good luck. Everyone should be lucky enough to have the choices you do.
I'd have to say go to college. Once again don't take offense but, it doesnt sound like you have the motivation that it will take for flight school. Dont get me wrong, flying is a blast. However, there will be some hard times in training. If you are having a bad day in training are you going to wish you did the grad school option? I know a couple guys who DOR'd because it wasnt all fun and games. You seem to want to live the college life style. If you arent 100% commited with the program, then dont even start. I've seen to many guys waste slots that other guys are dying to get. Sounds like you have some decisions to make. Remember what ever your decision, No Regrets!
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