aphelion10
New Member
Hello everyone,
I have been browsing Airwarriors for quite some time now trying to gather information on the various commissioning programs and trying to decide what to do or what I am eligible for. Currently I am a Second Class Petty Officer serving my fifth year and last remaining months of my first enlistment at a Strike Fighter Squadron. I have sent the following information to some of our squadron officers helping me out, an officer recruiter at UCLA, and a LT in charge of NROTC scholarships down at the University of South Florida, but I wanted to see what you guys thought and could help me with or perhaps point me in the right direction.
My EAOS is August 2nd and quickly approaching. I have been working on gathering the information for a STA-21 package, but submitting this package would have me extend at my current command and possibly delaying getting to school by an extra year. My goal is to become commissioned as a Naval Flight Officer as soon as possible. I will be graduating and obtaining my Associates Degree in Business Administration in May, and after much consideration and mentoring from my CO, LCPO, and ESO, I now have different options open to me. My command is very supportive of my goals and wants to assist me in any way to achieve them.
My current options are NROTC and the BDCP. First for NROTC, I am still awaiting a response to find out if I am eligible to apply for the Two-Year NROTC Scholarship while I am still on active duty. The deadline for this scholarship is March 15. Browsing the web, some sites have said if I am selected while on active duty status I would then be transferred to the reserve and given orders to NSI. However, I do not know if this is indeed true. The Two-Year Scholarship sends selectees to NSI in June before the fall semester. My command has stated they would fully support giving me a 90 day early out, which would then set my EAOS to May 2nd resulting me getting out in time for NSI in June. Other than the 90 day early out option, if I had enough leave days saved up, would I be able to take terminal leave during June and July and then transfer to the reserves at my original EAOS (August 2nd) before the school year started.
If I am not eligible for the scholarship since I am active duty, could I still be accepted to the college and NROTC unit anyway and attend as a Junior given that I pay for everything with the new post 9/11 GI Bill starting in August? If I am doing well would I have a chance of picking up the scholarship for the remaining semesters? Note: If entering NROTC as a Junior, I will be commissioned by the age of 28. I would be able to use an age waiver since I have prior enlisted service.
Second, the BDCP route. Am I able to apply for the BDCP while on active duty? When I transfer to the reserve at my EAOS, if selected, will I be paid my current pay grade (E5) while going to school? I am 25 years old and married. My wife is very much behind me working toward a commission and supports me either way. Which route do you all think would be best for me at this time given the circumstances? My command and I believe I would have a strong application for both. I have gotten two EP's and two MP's on my four evals and have always been recommended for STA-21 and Flagg Staff duty. I was elected Honor Recruit in my division in boot camp as well as Honor Recruit for the highest GPA in "A" School and was accelerated advanced to third class upon arriving at my first command. Served three years in Pearl Harbor where I was hand picked to participate in December 7th ceremonies and escort many VIP guests such as the MCPON and remaining Pearl Harbor survivors. I was also selected to represent my command to meet and greet former President Bush in his fairwell from the island of Oahu. I am Enlisted Aviation Warfare qualified. I volunteer to represent the community and squadron as a player for the local semi-pro football team. Heavily involved in many squadron sports teams including football, softball, and basketball.
Thank you all in advance for taking the time to read my long post and I apologize for its length. Any information, insight, advice or help would greatly be appreciated.
-Chad
I have been browsing Airwarriors for quite some time now trying to gather information on the various commissioning programs and trying to decide what to do or what I am eligible for. Currently I am a Second Class Petty Officer serving my fifth year and last remaining months of my first enlistment at a Strike Fighter Squadron. I have sent the following information to some of our squadron officers helping me out, an officer recruiter at UCLA, and a LT in charge of NROTC scholarships down at the University of South Florida, but I wanted to see what you guys thought and could help me with or perhaps point me in the right direction.
My EAOS is August 2nd and quickly approaching. I have been working on gathering the information for a STA-21 package, but submitting this package would have me extend at my current command and possibly delaying getting to school by an extra year. My goal is to become commissioned as a Naval Flight Officer as soon as possible. I will be graduating and obtaining my Associates Degree in Business Administration in May, and after much consideration and mentoring from my CO, LCPO, and ESO, I now have different options open to me. My command is very supportive of my goals and wants to assist me in any way to achieve them.
My current options are NROTC and the BDCP. First for NROTC, I am still awaiting a response to find out if I am eligible to apply for the Two-Year NROTC Scholarship while I am still on active duty. The deadline for this scholarship is March 15. Browsing the web, some sites have said if I am selected while on active duty status I would then be transferred to the reserve and given orders to NSI. However, I do not know if this is indeed true. The Two-Year Scholarship sends selectees to NSI in June before the fall semester. My command has stated they would fully support giving me a 90 day early out, which would then set my EAOS to May 2nd resulting me getting out in time for NSI in June. Other than the 90 day early out option, if I had enough leave days saved up, would I be able to take terminal leave during June and July and then transfer to the reserves at my original EAOS (August 2nd) before the school year started.
If I am not eligible for the scholarship since I am active duty, could I still be accepted to the college and NROTC unit anyway and attend as a Junior given that I pay for everything with the new post 9/11 GI Bill starting in August? If I am doing well would I have a chance of picking up the scholarship for the remaining semesters? Note: If entering NROTC as a Junior, I will be commissioned by the age of 28. I would be able to use an age waiver since I have prior enlisted service.
Second, the BDCP route. Am I able to apply for the BDCP while on active duty? When I transfer to the reserve at my EAOS, if selected, will I be paid my current pay grade (E5) while going to school? I am 25 years old and married. My wife is very much behind me working toward a commission and supports me either way. Which route do you all think would be best for me at this time given the circumstances? My command and I believe I would have a strong application for both. I have gotten two EP's and two MP's on my four evals and have always been recommended for STA-21 and Flagg Staff duty. I was elected Honor Recruit in my division in boot camp as well as Honor Recruit for the highest GPA in "A" School and was accelerated advanced to third class upon arriving at my first command. Served three years in Pearl Harbor where I was hand picked to participate in December 7th ceremonies and escort many VIP guests such as the MCPON and remaining Pearl Harbor survivors. I was also selected to represent my command to meet and greet former President Bush in his fairwell from the island of Oahu. I am Enlisted Aviation Warfare qualified. I volunteer to represent the community and squadron as a player for the local semi-pro football team. Heavily involved in many squadron sports teams including football, softball, and basketball.
Thank you all in advance for taking the time to read my long post and I apologize for its length. Any information, insight, advice or help would greatly be appreciated.
-Chad
