jride200
Member
Hello to everyone on this forum:
I have been passively viewing postings on this website for a long time. Now, I would like to use the collective knowledge of all of those on this forum to get some questions answered.
My long term goal is like many, many others, to become a Naval Aviator. I have already took the ASTB. My scores were: 7/7/6 62. I graduate in December of this year with a degree in mechanical engineering technology with an additional aerospace technology certificate. I also have two associates degrees, one in mathematics, the other in engineering science. My approximate GPA is 3.5 (I attended several institutions. I understand the Navy will average seperate GPAs somehow.)
Although I have almost nothing to put on my application as far as extracurricular activities go (I am in excellent physical shape, though), I have a lot of positive employment history. I am a non-traditional student, a bit older than my peers. I am 25 and before returning to school full-time, I worked as a CNC machinist. As far as LORs, I have positive letters from 1) a retired USMC colonel and 2) a retired USAF major general. From knowledge I have gained reading this site, and according to my recruiter, my application package is very competitive.
I'm getting to my questions . . . according to my recruiter, the Navy will NOT help me pay back my student loans if I go directly to OCS. You see, I have A LOT of student loan debt. The navy will, however help pay student loan debt for those entering the navy as enlisted. Would I be crazy to go enlisted, and then hope to later become a officer-pilot? And how long would I have to stay enlisted before applying for OCS? This I ask because 27 years of age, the max for pilots (I think), is rapidly approaching? Finally, I am also considering applying for BDCP and earning a second degree in aviation science (flight). Would this at all be feasible?
Thanks so much,
Jason
I have been passively viewing postings on this website for a long time. Now, I would like to use the collective knowledge of all of those on this forum to get some questions answered.
My long term goal is like many, many others, to become a Naval Aviator. I have already took the ASTB. My scores were: 7/7/6 62. I graduate in December of this year with a degree in mechanical engineering technology with an additional aerospace technology certificate. I also have two associates degrees, one in mathematics, the other in engineering science. My approximate GPA is 3.5 (I attended several institutions. I understand the Navy will average seperate GPAs somehow.)
Although I have almost nothing to put on my application as far as extracurricular activities go (I am in excellent physical shape, though), I have a lot of positive employment history. I am a non-traditional student, a bit older than my peers. I am 25 and before returning to school full-time, I worked as a CNC machinist. As far as LORs, I have positive letters from 1) a retired USMC colonel and 2) a retired USAF major general. From knowledge I have gained reading this site, and according to my recruiter, my application package is very competitive.
I'm getting to my questions . . . according to my recruiter, the Navy will NOT help me pay back my student loans if I go directly to OCS. You see, I have A LOT of student loan debt. The navy will, however help pay student loan debt for those entering the navy as enlisted. Would I be crazy to go enlisted, and then hope to later become a officer-pilot? And how long would I have to stay enlisted before applying for OCS? This I ask because 27 years of age, the max for pilots (I think), is rapidly approaching? Finally, I am also considering applying for BDCP and earning a second degree in aviation science (flight). Would this at all be feasible?
Thanks so much,
Jason