Navy Pilot Select
 

Hello,

I was selected Navy Pilot last week but I'm not sure if I want to go through with it anymore. I'm 27 yrs old and prior service so I know what it can be like being away from family.

When I started out on the journey I wanted nothing more than to fly in the military.. I worked hard to get there but as I changed my major a few times in college, and had to make up for the slack, and already getting a late start due to finishing my first term in the Air Force, I didn't graduate until I was 25, turning 26.. By then I had already started the process and then applied to my first Board October of 2010. I was rejected.

Not willing to give up I beefed up my pilot package and was ready for round two. But due to cancelled boards, round two didn't come until almost a year later. During that time I had a lot of time to think, and even feel like maybe this isn't my path anymore. Started to accept it and made other plans to start grad school and maybe pursue the FBI. During this time I also realized how much I enjoyed being close to my family and started to think like a 27 yr old and not a 21-22 yr old anymore, and not sure if the ten year commitment is for me anymore. I don't know if this is maybe cold feet, or maybe the excitement of being a Naval Aviator and desire has taken a back seat to family. Which was the other way around when I was in the early 20's.

I'm hoping I can get some good advice as to maybe from those who've been through or possibly was in my situation and started fligth school late. Not to mention OCS..

Also, how easy is it to transfer from the military to an Airline these days? Some I hear say it's hard others I say it's not too bad. What would the pay be usually for someone who had flown in the military for 10 yrs.. and transferred into the civilian world.. Thanks guys..

I have two days to make my decision. I'm a Computer Science major working on my Masters currently.

Unlike you, I didn't have a family when I went to AOCS. However, taking the Naval Aviator road was the best decision of my life.

Sure there were some bumps along the way. For instance, I didn't get what I wanted out of flight school (I wanted Patrol but got Helos). Still, I wouldn't trade the experience for anything.

The measuring stick has to be your wife. Is she mature and independent enough to run the family while you're on deployment? If she is, then go for it. If she's a simpy wallflower who can't be without "her man" then you may have a problem.

That said, its an exciting time to join Naval Aviation. If you want to end up in the airlines, VP is converting from the P-3 to the P-8. The P-8 is the 737-800. The VR community is getting fresh Ensigns out of flight school to fly C-9s and 737s. And the VQ guys fly 707s with big fan engines.

My goal was the airlines...if yours is then I'd lobby VQ, VR and VP in that order. The land based Navy will give you much more time at home than the fleet fliers.

Good luck in your decision.

P.S. If you do end up in VQ, VR or VP you can usually continue your educational program as well. Best of luck.

You sound like you've already made your decision.

I started Air Force UPT late (26) - had flown for an airline already for 3 years - but completely enjoyed the year.

You don't make any more money at an airline because you've flown for 10 years in the Navy - you'll start at the same crappy pay scale as everyone else.

Good luck with whatever decision you make.

Pursue the Navy flying career. Grad School and FBI can be done later. FBI will interview 20 (and it takes something special just to make interview) and hire a few out of 20. So basically have Plan-B lined up.

Drive forward. You are 27 "not thinking like a 22 year old" ? Then realize you have been dealt a good hand and give it your best shot.

When you say "family" - I'm assuming wife & kids? If so, life as a naval aviator will definitely mean time away from them. Perhaps your second thoughts are a good indicator that you need to find another line of work that will allow you to put them on top of your personal priorities.

If by "family" you mean parents/siblings, I say cut the cord and go fly some Navy jets. ;)

Finally, DO NOT join the Navy and become an aviator if your goal is becoming an airline pilot. That option may present itself if the stars align sometime well into the future, but you will not succeed if you view the Navy as some kind of stepping stone to an airline career. Speaking of airline careers (if you can call it that), there are so few "good" airline jobs out there now, I would seriously think twice before heading in that direction. Pay in the airlines has NOTHING to do with the fact that you flew in the military for 10 years. Everyone begins at the starting pay for whichever airline you fly for and the pay increases as your time with the airline increases (until they go into bankruptcy or a rough patch economically and then you'll take a pay cut or just get laid off - unless you fly for Fedex or Southwest).

Good luck with the decision.

Sage advice is being passed here.

I would ask this same question at www.airwarriors.com. A ton of BTDT peeps over there. Caution: have a thick skin:)

My advice: This is a once and a lifetime shot. I don't pass those up. I am always worried that, later, I will ask myself "what if?" It does take a special woman to go down this path with you. Both of you will learn how close you really are...and you will be better off because of it (IMO). I type this while looking across at my wife of 17 years. I enlisted in 1988 and we (yes we) retire next September...it was a good ride.

One of my best friends was at the age limit as we went through OCS together. His *new* wife knew NOTHING of the military life and didn't take to it very well at first. Last I heard and about 15 years later he and the SAME wife were doing fine and enjoying life. You had better be ready for that 10 year commitment and all that comes with it.

FF - I'm surprised that you suggested VQ over VP (especially once making the switch to 737-800s). What do you see as the benefits to VQ over the other communities?

USMCFLYR

Take the slot, once in a life time opportunity. You can always do the airline stuff later. To my knowledge, navy pilots are not constantly away from home either. I believe the way it works it amounts to a 6 month cruise every couple years but I havn't looked into that in a while.

OH LORD ArcherDvr!
Don't say that.
Those might be the JUST the actual deployments (although I believe they are even more frequent lately), but you aren't even counting the training time before cruises which last up to a year PRIOR to the actual cruise. SFARPs, Air Wing Fallon, TESTA I/II, ah heck Navy guys......help me out with all the different at sea periods once you chop. It has been a few years now and my mind is full of microamps vice training opportunities :o

USMCFLYR

If only I could have pinned on those wings of gold....