rthompsonjr

I've always been in love with flying my entire life and up until my senior year in high school was on track for a NROTC scholarship with the intent of being a naval aviator. Fast forward seven years and I am now 25, at a fast paced flight school and still thinking about the military. I'll be finished here in March and have my Private, Instrument, Multi, Single and Multi Comms, and CFI/CFII/MEI. I have my four year degree with a 3.0 GPA and no run-ins with the law ever. I was a team captain in high school and a 4H leader during college.

Let me say that I'm not interested in the military for time building, or for a free ride to wings, but to do something more important than flying an large air taxi. I also think I need something more challenging, even at this fast paced school, I'm still bored. (plus having C-17s, C-130s, AV-8s, F/A-18s and T-38s stopping by the ramp all the time doesn't hurt either)

So finally my questions:

How long does the application process take?

I have a 1st class medical, is that pretty much the same standards I'd have to meet for the military? Do I need to provide them with a copy of my medical records? (I've had 4 different insurances in the past 4 years so that could take a while to get it all)

With my GPA will I still be competitive?

Is it better to try for a USAFR, ANG or Active Service slot?

Are things bad enough in the military right now I'm crazy for even thinking about this?


Thanks for your time and input.

Triumph

Application process can take anywhere from 6 months to a year, and then up to another year to year and a half to finally get to flight school, including getting commissioned.... I'd say your GPA is probably fine.

1st class physical is basically a joke compared to the the medical screening you'll receive to get a Class 1 flying physical... I know atleast two guys that fly professionally and have FAA 1st class physicals and were DQ'd medically by the military.

In my opinion it's a much better deal to go USAFR or ANG. There's plenty of reasons why, and others will throw their two sense in on that. I don't really know what you mean by things being bad in the military. I don't know about other branches, but the Air Force is cutting back, which is another good reason to go Reserves or Guard.

I'm a reserve baby, so those are only one side of opinions and views.
Good Luck

BDGERJMN

Rt,

I have a friend in a very similar situation @ KSPI. I will tell you this from the USN AD side of the house. You are probably competitive for a pilot slot just from reading your post. If you have had the eye surgery make sure you really read the Navy's waiver guide prior speaking with the Navy's Officer recruiter.

Assuming you are physically qualified(way more in depth than a class 1 medical) you can be in OCS in as little as 3 months to a year depending on the class loads. OCS is 13 weeks in Pensacola, now moved to Newport RI(you won't get to marvel at the Blue Angels while standing in formation thinking why I am I here) From there you will get orders to API(2 months) then Primary flight training in Pensacola, Corpus Christi, or one of the AF counterparts(Vance I believe is where they still send Navy students). With your experience you'll do pretty well there flying the T-34, you may or may not be accellerated. You'll get about 70-80 hours in about 6-8 months worth of training(more recent folks, chime in here if I'm out to lunch). Assuming you select jets you'll go to Meridian, MS or Kingsville, TX for T-45 training. Helos, P-3s, E-6 are all options as well with different locations but pretty much the same timeline give or take.

From there you'll either get E-2/C-2 pipeline, EA-6B, or F/A-18A-G, potentially JSF. Odds are pretty good for Hornets these days(no more Tomcat/S-3 etc.) The T-45 syllabus is about 10 months finishing up with Day CQ. All told flight school til wings is roughly 1.5-2 years.

You'll then go to an FRS(Fleet Replacement Squadron) to learn your particular airframe. Several locations as well. You'll then be ready for worldwide assignment as the detailers like to call it. Expect a 3 year fleet(operational) tour followed by 33 month shore duty orders, followed by another sea tour(flying or non- flying) depending on where you go. By then your committment of 8 years is up.

To answer some of your other questions:
Not really any options for reserve jobs right out of Navy flight school, Guard might be a better option for you.

Expect to deploy a minimum of 15-18 months during that first three year tour. The potential for a year in the desert exists in between first and second tours(will depend on GWOT). The military like anything is very cyclic. Guys these days are wanting out simply for quality of life issues and time away. Some want to stay, its all personal choice, not easily answered until you have 'been there, done that' so to speak.

In 10 years with the Navy, I can think of no greater experience. I have enjoyed my time immensely mostly becuase of the people/places. The flying has been second to none but it's time for me to do something else is all.

Pleae feel free to PM with any other questions you have(Navy related). As you can see there is a wealth of knowledge and experience on this board and no one answer always fits.

Safe flying,

Bdger

dbtownley

Go C-2s. Best deal going...

rickair7777

A note about the Navy...there is no guarantee that you will get assigned to fixed-wing aircraft. If you get helos and finish your ten-year stint, you will then be starting all over as far as the airlines are concerned (unless you manage to scam a bunch of fixed-wing time as a navy instructor at some point). This applies to the USMC as well, and the USAF to a lesser degree.

I would personally recomend the AFR/ANG...you will know what type aircraft you will fly prior to comitting yourself.

I'm not biased towards the AF, I have extensive active and reserve Navy experience.

BDGERJMN

Certainly sound advice. Although I would say the vast majority of SNA's with his experience will finishPrimary flight training with the grades to get a jet slot or P-3s. That is about all that experience is good for. Most guys with alot of civilian time do about the same in Advanced as those without the flight time. The rest you'll figure out when you get there. Best of luck!

rthompsonjr

Thanks for all the input and info, my fiance and I started talking about it and she's supportive in any choice but I think I'll focus on Reserve or ANG slots. I know for ANG you apply through each individual unit but how about for the Reserves? I'm interested in KC-135s, C-17s and C-130s, any specific units I should target?

Triumph

The reserves works the same way. Try to get to know some of the people at the particular unit that you are applying to, and try to become a familiar face. As far as which units to choose from, that's up to you. There are units that fly those airplanes all over the country. You obviously have some particular aircraft in mind, now think about location...
Baseops.net is a good website for getting info.

LarianLeQuella

If you can deal with the north, the 101st up at Bangor are a class act! Maineiacs!