what happens when...

[theimpal3r]

you are signed up as a SNA, get through OCS, and begin flight training. I've heard that about 1/3 people that graduate OCS as an SNA don't get their wings down the road for various reasons.
(1) is this true? if so, why are they disqualified/kicked out?
(2) what happens to those people? They've already signed away their life for some years with the Navy but aren't getting that job. do they pick another job? can they opt out? are they given a choice?

I guess i'm just worried that for some random unforeseen reason, it doesnt work out and I get stuck with something I'm less than thrilled about.

thanks for any responses. I was having lunch with a former navy JAG and was expressing my interest in joining the navy when he asked me this question, and I hadn't thought about it up until now.

 

[Dawgfan]

 

[SynixMan]

I don't know if the 1/3 number is right. In general though, if for some reason you leave flight training, either DOR or attrite, much of it depends on whatever the climate is WRT to the officer corps. If other communities need bodies, there's a chance. If not, you might go home. OCS folks don't technically owe the Navy anything until we wing. Academy/ROTC guys generally have to finish out their obligation, but recently some have been getting out or going into the reserves. All of the above is subject to change at any time though.

 

[RedFive]

If it's something you really want to do, you'll take that risk. Neither you nor the Navy can foresee if you will break your back in a car accident, contract a deadly virus at Flora-bama (or the Walmart store), or have your leg chomped on by an alligator after ditching your Cessna in IFS. All you can control is you. So prepare for OCS. Prepare for API. Prepare for your briefings and your flights. And if you don't go to Vance, relax a little bit when you're not studying.

Oh, and try not to do anything really frickin' stupid when you're drunk.

 

[CUPike11]

contract a deadly virus at Flora-bama (or the Walmart store),

I would say this is more likely to happen than any of the others.

 

[theimpal3r]

Big boys and girls read thier contracts. There is nothing hidden, it's all in plain english.

I'm glad to know that there is infact a contract and that it is binding. Very insightful, thanks.

Remember that part of my post about me "expressing my interest in joining the navy"? Yeah. There was nothing hidden, I wrote it in plain english. Clearly, I didn't sign any contracts because I am thinking of joining.

And I'm not worried about the risk. It's something I definitely want to do (I'm starting to study for the astb about a year ahead of when i plan on taking it), but the point of my post was simply to inquire about what would happen to me if such a thing were to happen. Before I sign a chunk of my youth away, I think it's important to more fully understand the process.

Thank you for the constructive posts (synixman). It seems then that it is more up to their discretion than it is some codified process? I didn't know that we don't sign officially until we get our wings. I guess that kind of answers the question, right?

 

[helolumpy]

I'm glad to know that there is infact a contract and that it is binding. Very insightful, thanks.

Remeber this though, the contract is binding on you, not the Navy.

It's kind of like the NFL. The Navy can cut you at any time for pretty much any reason. You on the other hand are pretty much stuck with the contract you signed.

 

[Fog]

Remember: You may not always enjoy the f#*king Navy, but the Navy always enjoys f#*king you!"

 

[RedFive]

I didn't know that we don't sign officially until we get our wings. I guess that kind of answers the question, right?

Wait wait...what? No. I signed my life away when I "enlisted" for OCS -- and again when I received my commission. When I wing, it just solidifies my commitment to the Navy for another 8 years post-winging. If, for whatever reason, you don't wing, you still frickin' owe the Navy the standard 4 years or whatever. But that all depends on if you get accepted into another designator. Early this year they were separating Ensigns from API who wanted out. It all depends on how much god hates your year group

 

[Gus Gorilla]

Remember: You may not always enjoy the f#*king Navy, but the Navy always enjoys f#*king you!"

^THAT is something worth keeping in mind. For the Navy it's business as usual. For you it's life. Like dealing with a corporation.

 

[81montedriver]

you are signed up as a SNA, get through OCS, and begin flight training. I've heard that about 1/3 people that graduate OCS as an SNA don't get their wings down the road for various reasons.
(1) is this true? if so, why are they disqualified/kicked out?
(2) what happens to those people? They've already signed away their life for some years with the Navy but aren't getting that job. do they pick another job? can they opt out? are they given a choice?

I guess i'm just worried that for some random unforeseen reason, it doesnt work out and I get stuck with something I'm less than thrilled about.

thanks for any responses. I was having lunch with a former navy JAG and was expressing my interest in joining the navy when he asked me this question, and I hadn't thought about it up until now.

There are many reasons people don't get through flight training, some of the more common ones are being unsafe in the air, DUI's/other infractions with the law, DOR. I wouldn't get too wrapped up about what you hear from non aviators though. Just man up, stay confident and do what has to be done.

 

[theimpal3r]

There are many reasons people don't get through flight training, some of the more common ones are being unsafe in the air, DUI's/other infractions with the law, DOR. I wouldn't get too wrapped up about what you hear from non aviators though. Just man up, stay confident and do what has to be done.

ah, alright. That all makes sense. So then what would happen then to those people? I'm not going to worry that it will happen to me, if i wind up getting there, but I'm just curious, and would like to know what happens. From what I've gathered, then, the choice of what to do with you falls on the discretion of the navy?

I appreciate the post, clears things up a bit.