Rolling Boards/ June 2013 Board

[RiseR 25]

Yeah no one is being voluntold anything, most of the NFOs wanted pilot in the first place. So needless to say a bunch of guys in our class were stoked to get the news. It also seems that the biggest roadblocks people have hit during the flight physical was either EKG anomalies or vision issues.

And good luck with the rest of OCS.

 

[RiseR 25]

Yeah no one is being voluntold anything, most of the NFOs wanted pilot in the first place. So needless to say a bunch of guys in our class were stoked to get the news. It also seems that the biggest roadblocks people have hit during the flight physical was either EKG anomalies or vision issues.

Did they let you bring your computer, or are you using one issued there?

 

[Buffy]

*Insider information!

I just started week 5 with class 13-13. Our class officer grabbed all of the NFOs to tell them that if they were medically qualified they were processing redesignation paperwork for all of them to pilot. His words were that all NFOs that cannot redesignate will face extended hold times after OCS and the Navy current has a high demand for pilots. Whether this just applies to our class or not I couldn't tell ya. But it may help to give some outlook to future SNA/NFO acceptance rates.

What about the applicants who were over the required age (27 and 29 w/ waiver), did they still not qualify for pilot? Reason I ask is because i met all the requirments physcially and medically for pilot, but I turn 29 on July 9th, making me too old for pilot. I'm submitting my package this week and Pilot currently is not a designator choice of mine becasue of this. Should I put Pilot anyways or stick with NFO?

 

[RiseR 25]

What about the applicants who were over the required age (27 and 29 w/ waiver), did they still not qualify for pilot? Reason I ask is because i met all the requirments physcially and medically for pilot, but I turn 29 on July 9th, making me too old for pilot. I'm submitting my package this week and Pilot currently is not a designator choice of mine becasue of this. Should I put Pilot anyways or stick with NFO?

The Air Force takes applicants up to age 30. Technically the reg states age 30 upon showing up to flight school, but definitely waiverable in Air Force Land FYI.

But if your dead set on still trying for Naval Air do what you can to get pilot on that application, get waivers prior to if possible. If you can't get a waiver, apply NFO. My 0.02$

 

[BusyBee604]

What about the applicants who were over the required age (27 and 29 w/ waiver), did they still not qualify for pilot? Reason I ask is because i met all the requirments physcially and medically for pilot, but I turn 29 on July 9th, making me too old for pilot. I'm submitting my package this week and Pilot currently is not a designator choice of mine because of this. Should I put Pilot anyways or stick with NFO?

Obviously... put down WHAT YOU PREFER (SNA #1 - SNFO #2), especially if you want Pilot Wings. With the current need for qualified SNA applicants, they would probably favorably consider a slight extension of the age waiver. If you don't try, you may well spend the rest of your tour/obligation, in a job or community that you didn't want in the first place, and that would suck.
BzB

 

[halfbreed83]

Yeah no one is being voluntold anything, most of the NFOs wanted pilot in the first place. So needless to say a bunch of guys in our class were stoked to get the news. It also seems that the biggest roadblocks people have hit during the flight physical was either EKG anomalies or vision issues.

Does that also go for the NFO's past the age limit for Pilot?

 

[RiseR 25]

Does that also go for the NFO's past the age limit for Pilot?

The Program Authorization states that you must not have passed your 27th birthday upon commissioning. I don't know how to handle the case of being medically qualled otherwise but being over the age limit for transferring SNFO to SNA. I would highly suggest sorting it out with your Recruiter and NRD prior to going to OCS. BzB is right in placing down what is to your heart's content.

 

[halfbreed83]

The Program Authorization states that you must not have passed your 27th birthday upon commissioning. I don't know how to handle the case of being medically qualled otherwise but being over the age limit for transferring SNFO to SNA. I would highly suggest sorting it out with your Recruiter and NRD prior to going to OCS. BzB is right in placing down what is to your heart's content.

My OR wont even put in my package for SNA because im 30....

 

[RiseR 25]

My OR wont even put in my package for SNA because im 30....

Right I figured that must be the case. My OR turned some guys away because of that as well, but usually they couldn't hack the ASTB.

Here's the tricky part... I would try and convince your OR to ask up the chain to see if this is waiverable given the current circumstances. He may be aware of the current demand for SNA, but I don't want to get your hopes up because the Navy is stringent about this. DO NOT go around your OR on this (especially if you want to keep the prospect of SNFO open), at least that is my recommendation. Sorry I couldn't give you better news, I'm trying to do the best with the info I do get.

Good Luck

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Right I figured that must be the case. My OR turned some guys away because of that as well, but usually they couldn't hack the ASTB.

Here's the tricky part... I would try and convince your OR to ask up the chain to see if this is waiverable given the current circumstances. He may be aware of the current demand for SNA, but I don't want to get your hopes up because the Navy is stringent about this. DO NOT go around your OR on this (especially if you want to keep the prospect of SNFO open), at least that is my recommendation. Sorry I couldn't give you better news, I'm trying to do the best with the info I do get.

Good Luck

The program authorization needs to be changed, if it isn't changed then the age limits sit as is, no one in NRC dealing with officer programs won't deviate unless the PA is changed.

 

[Trey4383]

Hello All,
I just took my first ASTB today and scored 4/5/5/47. GPA 3.72 BS in Poli Sci. 5+ Letters of Rec from former employers/professors. Also, one year of Law School. I understand my ASTB scores aren't great, but my OSO tells me that my GPA and other attributes can help balance that. My choices are SNA/NFO (primary/this order) SWO/Intel (secondary/not in particular order). I was told that now is the time to apply for pilot, and that I should apply as soon as possible. What is some of you guy's educated opinions on the competitve of my package compared to the current need for pilots? Should I submit my package ASAP or wait and retake the ASTB in 31 days? I have a couple questions that accompany this:

1. If I submit my packet and it goes to the board, can I re-submit if I am not selected based solely on a higher ASTB score, or do I need to wait 6 months?
2. I have basically only used the Barron's Study Guide. It was pretty helpful, but I found I need to study much more on the mechanical section as well aviation and nautical information. Any suggestions?

Thanks Everyone

--Trey

 

[WEGL12]

1. If I submit my packet and it goes to the board, can I re-submit if I am not selected based solely on a higher ASTB score, or do I need to wait 6 months?
2. I have basically only used the Barron's Study Guide. It was pretty helpful, but I found I need to study much more on the mechanical section as well aviation and nautical information. Any suggestions?

If I remember correctly an increase in ASTB/GPA is considered a package improvement and you can reapply sooner than 6 months. Someone correct me if I am wrong but that's how I remember it.

For studying you should look through the ASTB section of this forum because it was extremely helpful. I would suggest using ACRO study guides over Barron's. The questions on the ACRO practice tests were very similar to the actual test especially the math and mechanical sections. I found reading over the major topics in the FAA manual extremely helpful with the aviation section. I would say it covered 85% of the topics on the test. For the mechanical portion look at the study guide found in the ASTB section. You can also look for mechanical reasoning practice using google to find other practice test. Here are two links that might be helpful:
http://www.psychometric-success.com...ss Mechanical Reasoning - Practice Test 1.pdf

http://www.cc.viu.ca/ss/documents/MechanicalReasoningReview.pdf

Hope this helps.

 

[Trey4383]

If I remember correctly an increase in ASTB/GPA is considered a package improvement and you can reapply sooner than 6 months. Someone correct me if I am wrong but that's how I remember it.

For studying you should look through the ASTB section of this forum because it was extremely helpful. I would suggest using ACRO study guides over Barron's. The questions on the ACRO practice tests were very similar to the actual test especially the math and mechanical sections. I found reading over the major topics in the FAA manual extremely helpful with the aviation section. I would say it covered 85% of the topics on the test. For the mechanical portion look at the study guide found in the ASTB section. You can also look for mechanical reasoning practice using google to find other practice test. Here are two links that might be helpful:
http://www.psychometric-success.com/practice-papers/Psychometric Success Mechanical Reasoning - Practice Test 1.pdf

http://www.cc.viu.ca/ss/documents/MechanicalReasoningReview.pdf

Hope this helps.

Thank you; this is very helpful! Any idea on the competitiveness of my scores? I feel as they are average at best, and I should re-take before submitting. I only studied for about a week and come from more of a law/poli sci/crim just/gov/comm background so much of the mechanical was new to me as well as the aviation/nautical section (which I find very interesting). Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Surf]

Thank you; this is very helpful! Any idea on the competitiveness of my scores? I feel as they are average at best, and I should re-take before submitting. I only studied for about a week and come from more of a law/poli sci/crim just/gov/comm background so much of the mechanical was new to me as well as the aviation/nautical section (which I find very interesting). Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Trey,
I just graduated with a degree in Public Policy, along the lines of PoliSci so I know where you're coming from. With those scores you would be better off taking it again, and study for at least a month in advance, just to get 'muscle memory' if you will. I scored 6/7/6 and my recruiter told me I was on the lower end of the competitive scale but still ok. If I should get a non-select the first time around, I would immediately take the ASTB again to better those scores. Stick around AW it is a HUGE help!

 

[BleedGreen]

Hello All,
I just took my first ASTB today and scored 4/5/5/47. GPA 3.72 BS in Poli Sci. 5+ Letters of Rec from former employers/professors. Also, one year of Law School. I understand my ASTB scores aren't great, but my OSO tells me that my GPA and other attributes can help balance that. My choices are SNA/NFO (primary/this order) SWO/Intel (secondary/not in particular order). I was told that now is the time to apply for pilot, and that I should apply as soon as possible. What is some of you guy's educated opinions on the competitve of my package compared to the current need for pilots? Should I submit my package ASAP or wait and retake the ASTB in 31 days? I have a couple questions that accompany this:

1. If I submit my packet and it goes to the board, can I re-submit if I am not selected based solely on a higher ASTB score, or do I need to wait 6 months?
2. I have basically only used the Barron's Study Guide. It was pretty helpful, but I found I need to study much more on the mechanical section as well aviation and nautical information. Any suggestions?

Thanks Everyone

--Trey

An applicant can reapply to the next available board, their shouldn't be a waiting period. Also the board doesn't give you any specific feedback on why you were not selected, your simply told non-select. Most recruiters or applicants can make an educated guess as to the ASTB being the problem.
Your scores would be good enough if you were to compare them to the most recent boards, but in the past 7's and above were considered competitive. I wouldn't let that discourage you from applying though because their is such a high need for Pilot/NFO, you only have a chance if you apply and there's no penalty for being non-select.
If you can make the time to study, why not it will only help you feel more secure about your kit in the long run.