Naval Flight Officer

[airwinger]

Just a question for everyone. I was a former marine harrier mechanic and got out in 1996. A few months ago I went in and took the flight test to be a naval aviator. The commander informed me that with the overwhelming response of applicants that due to my age (31) I would not qualify for a pilot but would qualify for a rio position. My score were better for the pilot than the rio because of mechanical knowledge. She informed me that I had to be out of OCS by the time I was 31. Has anyone heard different on this requirement, I know in the military their is a wavor for everything, could their be one for this. thanks everyone

 

[VMA214]

Winger,

Having left the "Big Green Love Machine" twelve years ago I am not too familiar with the age rules now. Back then you had to be younger than 27 years old for a pilot slot. Not sure what it was for NFOs.

As far as taking the NFO slot...TAKE IT!!!! I'm assuming that you're still talking Marine aviator which means you'll be seeing the world from the back seat of an F-18. Still not a bad deal relative to the 9 to 5 desk job.

P. S. Not sure what college you're attending but, put a spell checker on that last sentence. As a Marine officer you will be pushing a lot of paper and you're going to have to know how to write as well as spell.

Blacksheep & A-4s forever

 

[P3tarbaby]

They're pushing the NFO slot because of your age and traditionally they don't fill all their quotas. I believe the cutoff for pilot is 27 and I think you can get a waiver up to 31 but after that I think you're out of luck. If you want to be a Naval officer and don't mind riding around in the back of airplanes, go for the NFO slot but keep in mind, this is NOT a pilot slot and you won't get stick time nor will you log pilot time. NFO's log special crew time which equates to nothing as far as a future commercial airline career if that is something you are going for long term.

One other thing to remember is that not all NFO's are RIOs and you may end up riding in the back of an E-2, P-3, or an EA-6B.

P-3

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Okay, now let's just all get along here! PatMack, have you started flight school yet? Jim, what are you doing to keep busy and how long of a vacation are we talking? Group hug, everyone...

 

[MercuryPilot]

Airwinger,

I see NFO to Pilot Transitions every now and then working their way through Primary that are in their 30s. So being 30ish is probably waiverable if you ask the right person. I also see prior Enlisted going through Primary ALL THE TIME that are in their 30s.

Since you're a former Marine, I would check out:
http://members.tripod.com/~MATSG_PENSACOLA/

Find a contact number for the CO/XO and ask the question directly to them. They are very much in the aviation training loop and would be in a position to make something happen for a former grunt like yourself. If they can't help you make it happen it probably isn't possible. If you can't find an email address or phone number PM me and I'll track one down for you.

Don't take no for an answer from some recruiter who is probably just trying to fill an NFO/RIO slot for their monthly quota so they can win a free dinner at Applebees.

Good Luck

 

[VMA214]

"MercuryPilot
Go Navy! Beat Army!"

Merc,

Omnes Viri, '79
Last class w/ balls!!!

Blacksheep & A-4sForever

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

I went through flight training in my 30's as well. Well, I was thirty when I got my wings and I know of older dudes out there. I agree with the above, don't take no for an answer.

Jim,
I hope it doesn't last that long for you, but if so, may you have a some fun in the meantime. Aloha, HJ

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

wait a minute...

I was 31 when I got my wings...senility....

 

[Michael Knight]

If the recruiter really has that many qualified applicants then I guess he/she can be picky and not push to get you a waiver. Still, if being a pilot is that imortant to you... keep pushing for a waiver and consider going with a new recruiter if you aren't getting anywhere with your present recruiter.

With that said, the NFO route would be fun also and if there are no pilot slots I think it would be worthwhile.

To add to the above, you are not too old. I have personally trained flight students in their 30's; the oldest being a 39 year old Squid and the second oldest being a 35 year old Jarhead. Both had prior time and both were persistent in pushing for a waiver. It is a matter of getting someone to help you out.

Good luck,
Mike

 

[kelleyadai]

Not to squash all hope but I think you have your answer.

I am a F-14 RIO and the only guys getting pilot transition are the ones who are currently FOs (that is why 30 year olds are in training now). The reality is that the the S-3/ES-3's going. The F-14 is about to go (2008). All the pilot retreads are from these communities or NFOs doing their transition and the as the previous posted stated, the Navy needs NFOs, so they are making an exception to let you do that. 31 is the hard age requirement for any officer accession program (and the actual one is 27 by June the year of commisioning..31 is for prior service) So the Navy is already waiving you to the max.

Is there a good old boy network that might get you a different answer? Probably, but it doesn't sound like you have any inside tracks, unfortuntately.

I'd take NFO, riding around in the back of a super hornet, dropping bombings and firing AMRAM's does not suck. And oh, by the way, there is active duty pay, medical etc and RETIREMENT. there are a lot of poeple out there who will never get the chance to do a joint air wing strike into Bagdad, so who cares if you were the stick monkey or the guy lasing the bombs (NFO).

I am not saying NFO is the end all be all, but I have enjoyed it and I fly civilian for fun outside of work. So if that is all they will give you, it is better than nothin!

 

[NavyGuy]

It can be done

I'm an old fart too(32) but I went the other direction and chose the way of the guard after my committment to the Navy was complete. I was a little too senior to get retreaded through the Navy pipeline so I took the AF route. What helped with me was my aviation experience as an NFO and that the unit I eventually went too was looking for pilots, i.e. right place, right time. The guard will do age waivers up to 35. But with the influx of furloughed dudes coming back into the ranks the necessity to bend over backwards for a new guy off the street is no longer a player. However don't be dismayed, make some calls to your local guard ( or non-local for that matter) unit to find out what their policy is. If you must go the navy route by all means do it. I loved being a FO but saw an opportunity and took it. If you just have to be a pilot then give the guard a once over if the Naval service isn't willing to work with you.