? for USAF guys

[talondriver]

The selection rate for Rated guys to UPT is VERY, VERY high. So, if that is all you can get, go for it, do your best and after 2-3 years in the business go to UPT with a few hundred hours and some combat time under your belt. You'll be a better pilot after those experiences. [/B]

Prior Navs are fortunate to have that experience...but unfortunately, more is expected of them. I've seen my share of sh*t hot navs (and I'm not just talking WSO types) go through '38s, but I've also seen my share of navs (including WSO types) who should have stayed in the backseat.

 

[Dick]

I agree 100% with you. I fly everyday with prior WSO's and Pilots who should have probably been WSO's. Congratulations to all of you who made the transition. I honestly have no desire to commit to 10 years to the Air Force and I'd rather be in the back seat of an Eagle than drive a Tanker. Just my opinion!!

Just remember that with different TDY's and school's, flying will probably only be 12-13 years of your career, the rest of the time you'll actually have to be an officer.

Cheers!

 

[JPAtki]

I sure do appreciate all the advice and the different perspectives here. I wish I had found this message board at the start of the process and not the end. I'm still fighting for a pilot slot but I may have to stick it out as a nav for a few years. I gues I could use the back seat time to work on my masters or for an IFR rating... Just to be clear, my goal here is to be a military aviator, not to work up time to get a good job after my mil career; I love to fly and I figure the military is the most exciting, rewarding, and best way to be, well, the best. Maybe that's just wishfull thinking but thats my attitude going in.

-JPAtki

P.S.- If you every go through MEPS at Ft Jackson, get a 2nd opinion.

 

[mackinhoes]

WAIT

Don't go into a nav slot.

Check out all guard options. Networking is very important.

Your goal (now) is to be a military aviator and not necessarily an airline pilot. Your goals may change after a couple of years in the service and then you've limited yourself. Actually your career goals WILL change. It happens to everyone as they get older. You need to keep all options open to you, including airlines. The economy will come back and hiring will resume.

When you are 22, 23 years old, a year seems like forever. But it would be well worth the wait if you can get a pilot slot or in thru the guard.

 

[HPaul3]

Wait it out, JPAtki!

I honestly have no desire to commit to 10 years to the Air Force and I'd rather be in the back seat of an Eagle than drive a Tanker.

Just remember that with different TDY's and school's, flying will probably only be 12-13 years of your career, the rest of the time you'll actually have to be an officer.

Cheers!

Dick,

What about being a nav in the Tanker? There are still a lot of non-PACER CRAG tankers out there that have navs in them. Remember, only the top of the stack gets the back seat of an Eagle. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but be realistic.

Truth is, the nav is a dying profession, sadly. Just like the flight engineer. Yes, it's a profession with a proud and storied history, but it is now all but irrelevant. You're hearing from former navs on this thread who had the good fortune to ply their trade during a time when the nav was more relevant and much more common, and even they recognize the pitfalls inherent in the choice they made. Throughout my career I've met many outstanding people who chose to be navigators, and the vast majority of them have gone on to other means of service, including pilot training. And to a person, they all have regrets about it. Mostly that their time as a nav cost them several precious years and delayed attaining their final goals, whether that be a pilot or whatever.

If you are medically qualified, really want to be a pilot, and can reach pilot training within the next two or three years, absolutely do not go to navigator school. Wait it out. If you are excited about navigator school and can see that as your ultimate goal, then by all means go for it. Just make your choice and be happy about it.

Dick again,

By the way, please don't intimate that pilots do not spend their time being officers. I've had many, many additional duties throughout my career that had all but nothing to do with being a pilot. Every commander I've ever had was a pilot, with the exception of my latest 06 operations group commander. Good for him, he's a great guy. What I've seen a lot more of is former navs trying to catch up on their pilot skills and officer duties because they got a late start to pilot training and now must spend additional time becoming comfortable with the airplane and the lifestyle.

 

[JPAtki]

For all you guys who told me to keep fighting and asking ?s, thanks. I'm getting my case for a pilot slot reviewed. As long as my medical gets cleared I shouldn't have any problems.

-Paul