Thank you everyone for all of your feedback. I read each and every one, and value each of your time. I did however turn down the slot I was given.

I thought long and hard and asked many many many people for advice. No one would really give me a solid answer I wanted to hear, and honestly got more answers I wanted to hear from you guys.. than any close friends or relatives. Most are oblivious of what it takes and how long the road is to even get a selected as a pilot, let alone as you all have stated, actually getting your wings. This is why I came on here for advice but didn't rely soley on this forum obviously.

Finally after my recruiter called me and asked for an answer yesterday, I blantly told him, "I don't know," and I told him that wasn't a good enough answer to hold a slot from someone who does know. So I told him that it was probably best I didn't accept it.

What confuses me is how dedicated I was to getting it, but in the past year is when i started to have my doubts but pressed forward anyhow because I couldn't make sense of it, and because of my age, and lack of boards, there wasn't room to decide later. I think it started having to do with the more I spent studying my major and becoming more focused on (and actually enjoying what I was doing for the most part) it and less on the pilot slot, I started to change gears in life. I wish I could of just pulled the trigger and went for it, but 10yrs is a long time to go in with the attitude, "I hope this works out."

I truely feel bad for all the people who helped get me there and wish I started reconsidering things early on in life, but I guess I had to do what I thought was best for me at the time.

I was thinking too about the transition you guys were saying from military aviation to airlines. I honestly when I set out, I had all the right intentions. I was thinking military flying and that was it.. I knew I didn't want to really fly for Airlines.. just didn't seem as exciting (but this is the outside looking in), but I knew i didn't want to retire from the military. I knew I wouldn't mind doing something with my degree when I got out, but started to realize I won't remember anything I learned in college and will only know aviation. So that better be a career outside of the military I'd like.

Also, not that this is the main reason, but it helps, I was researching some numbers with a Masters in Computer Science and apparently Computer Scientist is number 5 of highest paid college degrees and starts around 60-75k a year and only goes up with expierence. Not a bad salary.. and not a bad field to be in 10 yrs from now. But again, not the only reason, and def should not be.

To follow up on some of your guys responses, "Whack Job." Haha, I wish.. because then I would of never gotten selected for the pilot slot, and I wouldn't of had to worry about any of this at all

As for the last time I was on here.. I've put a lot of hours this week in at my job.. and i was able to come on here through my phone and check out some responses before I made my decision and a lot of you guys furthered instilled that I'm probably better off not going through with it. Although after I rejected it yesterday I spent a lot of time today wondering if I made the right decision but I guess I won't know for sure for a couple years... All i know is something just didn't feel right when i got the call i was selected.. couple yrs ago I would of jumped for joy.. I guess the old saying, "God laughed at the man who had a plan." Holds truth.

Final note, Thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts. You are all right in the fact I always will wonder what may have been, and while I type this I know I can still call my recruiter up until tomorrow I believe and go for the slot again, (which I have thought about), but I still think that I had a feelign of doubt for a reason.. which was good enough for me to give someone else a nice xmas present (the pilot slot).

Thanks again guys

 

Sounds like you gave it much thought. You don't owe anybody an explanation. Your choice. Best of luck to you-

 

You did what you thought was best and that's better than taking a slot from someone who is more motivated and willing to go the distance.

 

Going the Navy pipeline, aviation wouldn't be the only thing that you knew. In the 4 years following my first JO tour I earned my MBA, helped write an OPLAN, managed contracts that totaled 2 million dollars, helped expand the banking sector in Afghanistan, and was responsible for the renumeration of 134K Afghanistan National Police Officers at a tune of $900 million annually. IMO not a bad non-aviation resume builder. Information Professionals are in big demand in the Navy these days....

The above post isn't about tooting my own horn, just to give you an example of how you get non-aviation experience from being a Naval Aviator... Good luck with your decision.

 

excellent post

 

I was your same age when I started my Air Force flying career (20 yrs ago!) and it has been a great adventure. However, a career in aviation (military or civilian) is going to require time away from home, perhaps a lot of time. If you want weekends and holidays at home I'd look in another direction. And don't go down this path if you're not fully committed...the training is tough and will require 100% dedication. All that said, I can't imagine doing anything else and would start all over tomorrow if I could! Good luck in whatever path you choose.

 

Jeffmt1234,
Doubt is OK. You made a decision that works for you. Now go kick some a$$ in the world and keep your head up high.
See you in the skies somewhere.
SD

 

Jeff,

Cannot understand your decision, but you do so best of luck in the future. Go become an IT ninja, learn to manage IT projects (PMP and Scrum Master are HUGE), and make lots of money but remember to keep your family in the same priority it is now.

And somewhere somebody got a pilot slot because you made a hard call. On their behlaf i say "Thanks!".

D7

 

Jeff,

Sounds like a really good call to me.

Many of us here that went into Naval Aviation with insane amounts of motivation would later walk away from that same dream job as our priorities and life situations changed. You are right on target in pointing out that timing does matter a great deal.

There are plenty of great adventures in life, and of course the Navy is just one of them. I would encourage you to avoid spending time looking back, and instead focus on enjoying the all the benefits that come with the decision you just made. Congrats on even being selected for that spot, that is no small feat. Now it will be up to you to make this good decision a great one

All the best to you and your family!

SP

 

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