Navy Pilot Select
12-20-2011 | 05:01 PM
#21
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 266
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From: FO
SST orders extend beyond service obligation
This is what I've read online and confirmed with an AD Navy friend today:
An eight year winging obligation equals a 9.5-10 year time in service requirement (after 1.5-2 years of flight school).
Those two year second sea tour orders (SST, formally disassociated sea tour) will last beyond the eight year winging obligation. It's required to remain on active duty until the SST rotation date. So most likely a 10.5-11 year obligation. No big deal....except, those last two years will be in a non-flying billet. This negates military flying proficiency.
When talking to the folks who served before me, I thought I missed the good deal Navy. When in actuality my 7 year winging obligation allowed me to stay current in a Navy cockpit for my entire time on AD (minus a good deal 6 month IA billet).
I have a ton of respect for the folks slogging it out in the AD USN right now. For them I say there is a better life in the USCG via DCA program when you're done. In light of the USN officer career track and new service obligation, it's hard for me to endorse joining active duty Navy vice shooting for a USAFR or ANG billet that will send you to UPT.
An eight year winging obligation equals a 9.5-10 year time in service requirement (after 1.5-2 years of flight school).
Those two year second sea tour orders (SST, formally disassociated sea tour) will last beyond the eight year winging obligation. It's required to remain on active duty until the SST rotation date. So most likely a 10.5-11 year obligation. No big deal....except, those last two years will be in a non-flying billet. This negates military flying proficiency.
When talking to the folks who served before me, I thought I missed the good deal Navy. When in actuality my 7 year winging obligation allowed me to stay current in a Navy cockpit for my entire time on AD (minus a good deal 6 month IA billet).
I have a ton of respect for the folks slogging it out in the AD USN right now. For them I say there is a better life in the USCG via DCA program when you're done. In light of the USN officer career track and new service obligation, it's hard for me to endorse joining active duty Navy vice shooting for a USAFR or ANG billet that will send you to UPT.
12-21-2011 | 02:24 AM
#22
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,921
Likes: 697
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
Yeah ANG/USAFR is always a good deal, especially for career flexibility.
I even suspect that the massive cutbacks might not hit the reserves that hard...starting to sound like big DoD will prefer to shift capability to the guard/reserve than lose it altogether.
But things will still be slowing down after 2014...bumming might not be a viable option, you might still need a real job too.
I even suspect that the massive cutbacks might not hit the reserves that hard...starting to sound like big DoD will prefer to shift capability to the guard/reserve than lose it altogether.
But things will still be slowing down after 2014...bumming might not be a viable option, you might still need a real job too.
12-21-2011 | 06:05 AM
#23
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: 756
If you have to ask whether or not you should pursue the Wings of Gold then I must conclude that you should not. The process demands that you are totally committed and that you have an intense desire to learn, compete and succeed. Your indecisiveness is an indicator -- pay attention to it, and move along -- let the slot go to someone else.
voodiloquist
voodiloquist
12-21-2011 | 07:24 AM
#24
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 945
Likes: 0
The road to getting your wings is long and difficult for even the most highly motivated and not all of them succeed. The fact that you are having doubts before you even start is a huge red flag.
On the other hand, if you want to do it then you wont regret it but do it because you want to be a Naval aviator, not because you might be able to make an airline career out of it on the back end. Same advice applies to choosing a community. Picking P3/P8 because you might end up in a 737 is a recipe for dissapointment.
On the other hand, if you want to do it then you wont regret it but do it because you want to be a Naval aviator, not because you might be able to make an airline career out of it on the back end. Same advice applies to choosing a community. Picking P3/P8 because you might end up in a 737 is a recipe for dissapointment.
12-21-2011 | 08:06 AM
#25
Line Holder
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Best post on this thread...
If you're on APC asking advice about whether to take the amazing opportunity to become a Naval Aviator (or any service aviator) and fly to support and defend the country...along with the best flying you'll ever do, then you've already made the decision in your head. If you doubt it now, you'll be dangerous at 3/4 of a mile...
If you're on APC asking advice about whether to take the amazing opportunity to become a Naval Aviator (or any service aviator) and fly to support and defend the country...along with the best flying you'll ever do, then you've already made the decision in your head. If you doubt it now, you'll be dangerous at 3/4 of a mile...
The road to getting your wings is long and difficult for even the most highly motivated and not all of them succeed. The fact that you are having doubts before you even start is a huge red flag.
On the other hand, if you want to do it then you wont regret it but do it because you want to be a Naval aviator, not because you might be able to make an airline career out of it on the back end. Same advice applies to choosing a community. Picking P3/P8 because you might end up in a 737 is a recipe for dissapointment.
On the other hand, if you want to do it then you wont regret it but do it because you want to be a Naval aviator, not because you might be able to make an airline career out of it on the back end. Same advice applies to choosing a community. Picking P3/P8 because you might end up in a 737 is a recipe for dissapointment.
12-21-2011 | 12:51 PM
#27
Working weekends
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 0
From: Left Seat
why would he seek opinions on a web-board with 2 days left to make his decision. what about his mentors, role models, etc type folks in the "real" world ?
I am becoming more skeptical of original poster. prob some whack job
I am becoming more skeptical of original poster. prob some whack job
12-21-2011 | 05:05 PM
#28
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 13,843
Likes: 1
From: FAA 'Flight Check'
USMCFLYR
12-21-2011 | 08:47 PM
#30
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 0
From: Leftof longitudinal
jeffmt1234,
This is a first for me. Don't go. You will likely DOR right after your head is shaved. Saw many in my class 28 years ago DOR that were unsure. If you are thinking about the money when you get out, don't bother going in because you will find out quickly the profession of arms isn't about the money.
No guarantees on what you will end up doing to serve, but your mindset is to restricted IMO, and it has nothing to do with age. Certainly, flying was all I ever wanted to do, but was open to simply serving my country to the best of my absolute ability from the start.
If you don't have that starting out, you will likely not muster the motivation specifically designed to weed out the less committed.
Best of luck, would love nothing better than to eat my words after you completed your first deployment as an Aviator!!
SD
This is a first for me. Don't go. You will likely DOR right after your head is shaved. Saw many in my class 28 years ago DOR that were unsure. If you are thinking about the money when you get out, don't bother going in because you will find out quickly the profession of arms isn't about the money.
No guarantees on what you will end up doing to serve, but your mindset is to restricted IMO, and it has nothing to do with age. Certainly, flying was all I ever wanted to do, but was open to simply serving my country to the best of my absolute ability from the start.
If you don't have that starting out, you will likely not muster the motivation specifically designed to weed out the less committed.
Best of luck, would love nothing better than to eat my words after you completed your first deployment as an Aviator!!
SD
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