Originally Posted by
Jesterc
Once I graduate this May I'll be applying for Army WOFT and an Air Force flight slot. Now, ideally if either branch offers me a flight slot the path looks to be relatively straight forward. .... The real question is: should I apply for OCS/OTS or enlist? While OCS/OTS looks initally attractive, my logic is that enlisting would be the better option if I wanted to fly with the military. I'm just assuming that if I was assigned to an officer MOS with expensive training that I'd have a hard time trying to convince the Air Force/Army that a lateral move to flight training would benefit anyone but me. However, if I could find an enlisted MOS that didnt include extensive training, upwards mobility might be a little more likely. This is pretty much a guess though, and I was wondering if anyone here would be kind enough to relate their experience with reserve or AD.
Thanks for reading, any input is appreciated.
Simply put, NO.
Once you graduate from college most of the paths to a commission in the service are closed for Enlisted personnel, in the Navy the only option becomes OCS. Before graduation there are several fantastic options. I don't know as much about the Army/USAF. Essentially, the service thinks that if you weren't good enough to get into OTS/OCS from the outside, why should you be any more competitive as an Enlisted member. You will also quickly run up against the statuory age limit for commissioning (prior to the 31st birthday) for unrestricted line commissions. The Navy typically limits entry into flight training to age 27. There simply isn't much time between normal college graduation, Enlistment, and the magic age of 27
There are exceptions, but they are they are one off events, not the norm.
Your perception about your GPA situation is exactly correct. Sure, sounds like you went to a tough school, good on you, but by your own analysis you are just average at your school and that is how it will be analyzed by a selection board. Naval Aviators, by definition are not average people. The competition for commissions and especially flight slots in the Navy is one of the toughest there is.
Getting into flight training from the enlisted ranks is an EXTREMELY RARE event.
I know, because I did it, you can PM me for details. Any recruiter who claims otherwise should be forced to produce the data to back up the claim. I have watched way too many niave kids get suckered into a term of bitter service, once they figure out that the path they thought they could take isn't really an option for them.
For the life of me, I don't understand why college grads enlist in the service instead of pursuing a commission.
You join the military service because you want to serve, not because you want someone else to provide your flight training $$. If you are lucky enough to get flight training out of the deal, great, but I wouldn't count on it.
Good Luck in your quest. Fly Safe
It's not just a job, it's an adventure, I remember hearing that somewhere before.
A SNL commercial bit comes to mind...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL-OtsN9VdM
SD