Originally Posted by
bunk22
Would active duty bother you if you didn't fly fighters? Thing about the Navy is the primary factor selecting out of primary flight training is going to be the Navy's needs. A student I flew with not to long ago just finished and finished at the top, Commodores list with a 62 NSS (the Navy Standard Score is the grade given to students at the end of primary and advanced flight training. A 50 NSS is the middle and anything above is considered good and is required to select tailhook out of primary). He didn't get any of his choices...tailhook, props, E6's and was rewarded helo's for all his hard word. Thats the Navy way. Want to be a fighter pilot, going in the Navy is not a sure bet. The majority of all Navy pilots are helo pilots. Just heard it's over the 50% mark. It's about 70% in the Marine Corps.
Agreed, there are no guarantees, but as was posted earlier, the pecking order is based on:
1. Needs of the Navy
2. How well you did in school/training
3. Your desires
4. When in doubt, see #1
Yes, something like 2/3 of all Navy pilots are helo and P-3 drivers. Just the way the numbers work out when you have single seat jets and multi-piloted helos and props.
Unlike what was posted above about the USAF pilot slot process, if you're medically qualified, meet the grades and there are needs for pilots, you will be very sure to get your seat in flight school (the fighter or prop or helo selection comes later). In fact, I have heard there are not enough USNA and ROTC grads selecting aviation right now due to the long service committment (something like 7 or 8 years AFTER getting your wings...?)