Ahh...I do know 1st hand...as for the degree requirement, not sure what the original program from the '60's required, however, not the case in '89. Had to have a 2year degree, but you could NOT have a 4year, or you couldn't qualify, as that would make you a normal A.O.C. While in college, you had a choice of AVROC,ROTC, NAVCAD, or Marine Corps PLC. Once you got the degree, the only way was AOC. I went Navy, since I wanted to join the military (USN), not a new religion (USMC).

Didn't matter though, as you correctly pointed out, the program went away while at AOCS, (thank you Graham/Rudman bill). After AOCS, you were considered an E-4 until flight training completion, then you got your butter-bars, then RAG squadron, etc.,etc.

Hope that answered your question, (and my memory is correct...20 years is a long time).

 

"The Juice always gets top billing, never forget that."

Wonder if there's a way to whipsaw you 2 to my own benefit?...I'll have to call Hulas to see if he has any suggestions.

 

Dude, you are certainly proving one thing................an airline career is not for you!

You have moved on to something else yet still feel the need to spend an excessive amount of time on APC. Plenty here have sucessful careers in the business and plenty more will follow. Air travel is not doomed and neither are the careers of many who look to these forums for insight. Your posts are extremely negative. There are no guaruntees in life but living in fear is counter productive. Why not move on and prosper in another industry and give yourself peace.


Al

 

Slight thread drift - but any drift away from the negativity from the orignal post can't be ALL bad!

I remember the late 80's timeframe. I even looked into the NAVCAD program myself, but as you said, it became a non-factor for me.
The program was alive and well in the early 90's though. One of my best friends through intermediate and advanced was a NAVCAD.
My point about the degree was post commissioning. If I remember correctly - he had a certain number of years AFTER commisssioning that he must have completed his degree program - or what else might happen. You mentioned in your post above Marine PLC. I don't remember, at least in my time in the USMC, a person ever being commissioned without a degree and flying. We did have one NAVCAD candidate who AFTER getting commissioned, chose to switch over to the USMC (and the new enlightened religion! ). Must have been a tough time for him then going back through The Basic School as a winged aviator. In the early 90's when the USN had too many and the USMC had too few, some USN types were offered and transfer over to the USMC instead of accepting "boat orders" for their first assignment. He ended up as a squadronmate of mine in my first squadron and thankfully was ALWAYS the junior officer in the squadron (e.g. coffee mess officer and the like!)

USMCFLYR

 

ummmm not likely. I am infected with GOPS (grimy old prop syndrome).

Now, you manage to find a DC-4, Convair, or better yet, a Connie, I am your man!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rgzAnrI6Bw
Atthur Godfrey Shows off the Supper Connie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCL7F...eature=channel
More of Arthur .... What a Chesterfield?
also "Watch this! Feather One!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3cNh0azmas
Note the flames when she if running full rich

 

I have to say...I don't remember the degree requirement post-commissioning...(damn, I'm gettin' old). As for your friend, it coulda' been worse...in the late 80's, the "needs of the Navy" often disregarded class standing, and rumor had it all us NavCads were going SD6D (Steel-Desk-6-Drawers), or God Forbid...helo's, (better than Base Head Sanitation Officer...but not much)

...and I'm actually glad to hijack this thread, so anything else off-topic you'd like to discuss would be welcome...and probably put a monkey-knot in Skyhigh's shorts.

 

Circa 1986, as an enlisted Marine, I applied to the "enlisted commissioning program" to become a naval aviator.

I also do not recall any degree requirement post facto. The limitation of "limited duty officer" meant that no promotion was possible past LtCol (O-5).

I failed the eye test for the USMC, however, I was accepted as a "student naval flight officer". Also, I was offered a transfer to the Navy to become a "student naval aviator", which then accepted up to 20/40 vision in any eye, correctable to 20/20.

 

"Dude, you are certainly proving one thing................an airline career is not for you!"

Skyhigh has told me working for Southwest was not a worthy job due to his personal situation with five kids, living in a little central Washington town, and wanting to be home every night. These are all strikes against a happy piloting career. If you can't deal with the pilot lifestyle, as some can't, and Skyhigh couldn't, it's best to go another route.

 

Ahhh, the joy of being a confirmed bachelor

Maybe I should add a bullet to my resume:
"No encumbrances prohibiting relocation or extended trips"

 

1 in 100 will make it to SWA though - if that. I flew with loads of captains (who ALL put in there stuff with SWA) and only 3 from my entire airline made it and they were legends in the company. The others were turned down with no valid reason and were just waiting for the requisite 6 months period to pass to apply again.