Not trying to bash Riddle, b/c they are my alma mater, however, I compare what potential students think ERAU will provide for their aviation careers to SJS--"Shiny Jet Syndrome". JMO.

atp

Military flying slots are very competetive. They want to see high GPA and good performance in military and extra-curricular activities. A brand-name school (ie Ivy League or Service Academy) helps, but ERAU doesn't really qualify there. If he can get a ROTC scholarship he can use it at ANY school.



No, "aviation science" degrees are useless in the real world...they are a fun and entertaining way for airline-bound rich kids to punch out the degree requirement. They will not help you in get a military flying slot. The military can afford to be picky...an engineering or real technical degree (ie computer science, chemistry, physics, etc) will make him more competetive.

The harder the degree, the better off you are. The military is looking for aggressive winners, not slackers who took the easy road at every turn. There are some written aptitude tests specific to military aviation which all aplicants will be required to take. Also 20/20 vision is critical for USN/USMC/USCG. I think the AF is a little more lenient there.


I'm not familiar with this specific program, but this sort of thing comes and goes and is a common means of recruiting people into certain career fields. It might have the advantage that you won't get stuck in a non-flying job, which could happen with ROTC. Read the fine print...if you wash out of flight training, you might end up carrying a rifle in Afghanistan. Note: The sort of "targeting" program you describe is often used as a vehicle to implement affirmative action quotas, so do not assume you will be accepted unless your son is a minority or a woman (joke).

Just to expand on Rickair7777s post regarding military flying requirements (Specifically for the AF...) -

Vision can be waivered if it is correctable to 20/20 with PRK Surgery as long as he retains his night vision and has no side-effects.

Also - I'm not sure if it's in-shop, but the 159th FW (Flying F-15's) require you to start Undergraduate Pilot Training by your 27th Birthday. However, again - it's waiverable to 30th Birthday.

The big difference between Guard flying and AD flying is your son's chances of getting to fly what he wants. Only around the top 2% of applicants accepted to Active Duty AF Undergraduate Pilot Training will end up flying the F-15, however Guard units handle all recruitment in-house.

I highly recommend the ANG. - Especially fulltime (If there's a slot open)

[QUOTE=rickair7777]Military flying slots are very competetive. They want to see high GPA and good performance in military and extra-curricular activities. A brand-name school (ie Ivy League or Service Academy) helps, but ERAU doesn't really qualify there. If he can get a ROTC scholarship he can use it at ANY school.

My question:
I thought that ROTC scholarships that can be used anywhere were for high school students about to enter college. As a 2nd semester college freshman, wouldn't he have to apply for a scholarship through a specific college's ROTC unit because he would only have 2-3 years left. If the ROTC unit is very large on a particular campus wouldn't that make it really difficult for him to get a scholarship as a transfer student especially if he goes to a school like ERAU which is simply too expensive for our family. His current school, doesn't have any ROTC program but there is an AFROTC unit at another campus about 1/2 hour away. I'm still trying to convince him to stay where he's at and try to get his ppl at the local airport school as many have suggested.

We're also looking into ANG. (he found out that one of his friend's dad is a pilot in ANG, also an ERAU alum and active in the EAA so he hopes to talk to him when he is back home)

As an alternative to ERAU, I talked to him about transferring to a school where he could still major in Comp. Sci but minor in some type of aeronautical science/aviation. Our state has an instate tuition agreement with Minnesota. Does anyone know of any Minn. colleges with programs like this? Someone mentioned St. Cloud State on a posting - not sure about brand name though. Otherwise, other colleges (out of state tuition, though) he could think about as an alternative: Purdue, Ohio State, UND, Utah State (I think) and Auburn. These might work only if he can get some type of scholarship (ROTC or otherwise). Any thoughts? Thanks again for your advice

I'm a little vague on ROTC scholarships for transfer students...I was awarded a 3-year ROTC scholarship at the end of my freshman year. I had not really partcipated in ROTC other than to take the 101 military science class, but I'm not sure if the scholarship would have required me to stay at that school or if I could have transferred. (I ended up not doing ROTC though).

He should talk to the officer-in-charge of his nearest Navy and Air Force ROTC units to get the straight scoop on scholarships and transfers...that's the only guy who will know for sure, since the rules often change year-to-year.

Golden! That's the kind of connection that pilot careers are made of.

What colleg eyou attend has no bearing on you getting accepted into the military pilot program. Goto www.af.mil and look up some General Oficers biographies. Look at wher ethey went to college and you see they went to schools ranging from the Air Force Academy to John Smith college in smalltown USA. What matters is your grades and class standing in college and in the ROTC program. Top of the class gets what he wants.

The Navy and Marine Corps is the same way. Also, talk to ROTC instructors at Colleges, they can definantly guide you the best direction. email them, go to the campus and visit them. They will be more than happy to assist you. I always say if you want the best information, go to the source. Hope this helps.

MOHONEY:

-edited out-

I finished up my four year degree at ERAU (Daytona) last year, on a full Army scholarship, majored in Aeronautical Science with Military focus (allows you to get full credit for ROTC classes. Really no different from other focuses..) I have a pretty good knowledge of the "system" of scholarships, and the ways that the various organizations work. I also have contacts within each of the ROTC programs that I could ask to provide more info.

Lastly, encourage your son to take ownership of his future, disregard some of the bright shiny brochures and talk to people that have experienced the ups and downs of the industry/military lifestyle. I am just one of those people....(in a somewhat limited scope) Stay away from the recruiter!

Once you email me, I'll help to the fullest extent possible.

Thanks,

Forest Lightle

your son should not enlist that is the last thing he should do. If he really wants to fly he should join the Army they have more flight slots then the air force or Navy they fly many helos but they also have fixed wing planes. If he really wants to fly fixed wing then he should sign up for navy rotc and keep up all of his grades and he should be able to get a flight slot. Another thing he could do is try to get a warrent officer slot in the army, warrent officers fly alot more then the regular officer there job is to fly and thats it, so if he does not get join rotc he could apply for that after graduation.

Army probably has offers more opportunities to get a helo flying slot, but the fixed wing flying is limited compared to the other services and generally you have to have been in for a while to get that. This is only significant if you want want to keep the airline option open. If he just wants to fly period, then the army is good.

So far, what everyone has advised it true. DON"T ENLIST first of all! DON'T PAY THAT $ TO ERAU! AND DON'T LISTEN TO RECRUITERS!

Go to a state university that has a navy/airforce rotc program. During this summer, have him get his private pilot's rating as a minimum. When I went through, the USAF rotc detactment awarded pilot slots during the spring of my soph year. Having a privates license, or higher rating, will give him a huge boost above those who don't.

If the university does'nt have a rotc program, look for air force or navy/marine recruiters who recruit OFFICERS ONLY! Like I stated earlier, Texas Tech (were I went) had a rotc program, but across the street, was a navy and a marine recruiter looking for OFFICER CANDIDATES. I applied to all three with the intention whoever gave we a pilot slot first, I would go to. Air Force won out. Ended up flying B-52's and E-3 AWAC's.

Best of luck to your son!