serious question

[Tennessee]

Well guys, here is my situation. I am a senior at UT Knoxville studying physical therapy, and will probably be applying to grad schools here in the next few months. I have been working as a trainer/therapist ever since I was in high school and I really enjoy the work.

I was pretty sure I had my mind made up about what I wanted to do with my life, and then I went to visit a college friend who just graduated from OCS in Pensacola. This trip really got me to thinking about a future in flying. He was telling me about what it meant to him and how that experience changed his life and I couldnt help but to be motivated to at least look into it.

I am at a point to where I have no idea what the process is like to become a pilot or my best route to becoming one. I am also interested in hearing yours stories. Please tel me anything that you think would help me make up my mind

The reason it is coming up now is because I was just now exposed to being in the navy and all the great things that go along with it.

If you guys have any info on what I should expect, or how I can get ready for this I would really appreciate it.

 

[P3 F0]

Have you, um, tried searching around this site? There's so much stuff that helps answer your questions. Guys like you asking these questions are a dime a dozen. Search, read, then come back with more specific questions, if you have some that aren't already answered by then.

 

[blarged]

I think there are at least a couple of threads here designated to 'becoming a Naval Aviator'.

Just like P3 said, check them out. After you've educated yourself a little bit about the process then get in touch with an Officer Recruiter. Make sure it is an Officer Recruiter and not an Enlisted Recruiter, as they are very different. But do make sure to be a little educated on the matter first. There are plenty of kids who want to fly planes off carriers and you have to make the first impression with your OR count, show him that you want it, are serious about it, and are willing to work for it. With a Physical Therapy degree (is this a bachelor's or an associates? PTA?) it probably won't be his ideal choice, but you can prove otherwise.

Also, check http://www.navy.com/officer as there are other communities as well that might strike your interest.

 

[red_ryder]

First, you should probably decide what you're looking for. This isn't just a job, it's a lifestyle, and not always an easy one.

If you were to decide, after much research, that it was for you, the process goes as follows:

You get in touch with an officer recruiter and tell them you're interested.

They help you put together your package for submission to the boards. You put down up to three (3) choices of designators, and when the boards meet they will review your package for each. If you're accepted, you can take it or leave it. If you accept, you go to MEPS to get your physical, in many cases do a pre-OCS PRT, and wait for final select.

You get final selected, swear in, find out when you'll be reporting to OCS. Usually about 2-4 weeks from then.

You go to OCS. Say your designator is Pilot; when you graduate OCS you get commissioned and sent down to Pensacola and report to A-pool with the other students waiting to class up.

If you don't already have a private pilot's license, you class up for IFS at a civilian flight school in the area. You do classes and flights, pass the FAA exam, and fly up to your cross country solo (around 25 hours). IFS complete, return to A-pool to wait for API.

6 weeks of API, academic hazing and survival training.

Into C-pool this time, at TRAWING 6, to wait to class up to primary. Class up to primary in either VT-4 or VT-10, or just VT-10, depending on when you get down here.

Primary. At the end, you either select for Maritime like P-3's and E-6's, or Tailhook like everything else. Tailhook people stick around for Intermediate.

Intermediate. It's a standard deviation harder. At the end you select for either E-2's or Jets. Jet people stay around for Jet Advanced. E-2 guys go to Norfolk.

Advanced. It's another standard deviation harder. You select jet platforms out of there.


Hope this clears some things up. Oh, and by the way, before any and all of this, you're a Naval Officer.

 

[nikiterp86]

I think he meant his friend just graduated OCS, and he visited him in Pensacola...

 

[Picaroon]

Basically, you contact an officer recruiter. You will take a test called the ASTB. You will fill out a lot of paperwork, get references from people who know you well (bosses, professors, family friends, etc), and submit your application to a board that meets monthly. In the meantime you will also be taking medical exams (MEPS) and a physical fitness test (PRT), as well as filling out a security clearance form (very long). Finally, if the board decides you're worthy you get a professional recommendation, and then everything gets submitted for a "final select."

I did BDCP so it's a bit different, and I'm not sure if you're eligible or not for BDCP $$ versus straight to OCS. Search for that. I took the ASTB around February or March of 2008 and swore in a year ago today.

 

[A10DCC]

If you enjoy PT and the medical career field as well as you are interested in flight why not be a Aerospace Physiologist. I am a Kineisology major and I debated getting my masters in Exercise Physiology and applying to be an aerospace physiologist. I know they do fly occasionally, just an option. Don't know if anyone else has more info on the career field as I did not look into it in depth.

 

[Tennessee]

thanks guys, i really appreciate all the posts. they have really been helpful

 

[OUSOONER]

thanks guys, i really appreciate all the posts. they have really been helpful

I just finished OCS and am classing up for API next week. Also consider that what you saw ( an Ensign making pretty decent cash and just partying all week) is not the life we will be living.

The a-pool stash deal is a good time, but it's probably one of the only times we get to do this. The rest is hard work. Granted, I can't think of a better job out there, it is still going to be a job that requires a lot of self-sacrifice. Just thought I'd throw that out there, it can be easy to come spend a week with us in a-pool and be like..uhh is this really what you guys do?

My friends and family back home think I'm scamming the government over here..but rest assured, I'm smart enough to know Uncle Sam is gonna make me earn it all in the end.

 

[IRfly]

The reason it is coming up now is because I was just now exposed to being in the navy and all the great things that go along with it.

Yeah, well, standby for exposure to a few other things about the Navy as well...