Not ready to give up!

[The_Russian]

I am getting the run-around from these small-time recruiters. However, I am not ready to give up on my dreams. I want to be a Naval Aviator. I know…..I am a late bloomer. At 25 I am standing on my last legs to get a slot. I started the process a year ago without ANY result. I mean nothing. I have even had recruiters ask me to write essays on “Why I want to be a pilot”. I wouldn’t mind submitting to their foolishness if they weren’t all so condescending.

I’ll get on with it.

My quals:

25 years of age
Junior in college (3.5 GPA)
3000 hours ATP Blah, (I know that doesn’t matter, but it helps! It hasn’t helped yet!)
20/30 20/20
Mild color deficiency (shade blind) (can pass FALANT 99%)
Not fat

I thought that these things all together would work for me. But, they have not. A lot of the recruiters tell me there is no chance without the completed degree. However, many Navy pilots have told me that there are programs for guys like me. These programs are for finishing your college degree during your flight training with the Navy.

Also, I know I am talking to the wrong people. I am willing to go to Pensacola to talk to whomever I need. Who are these people? Where exactly do I need to go? And, who do I contact right now? I don’t want time to pass me by. I don’t care what I fly, I just want to fly for the Navy and serve my country!

Help!

Ruskie

 

[bobs98tlr]

25 is not late.....

Heres a start. Maybe call this guys office. I have ran into him many times at RFD airport. He flys a mooney and is a very personable guy. He doesnt do much recruiting, hes a sup.

David Klain
Executive officer
800-762-6199
847-688-7100

Hes in Great lakes, IL. At least its just a phone call. Never know. Could help.

 

[Jim]

The Navy used to have a program to finish your degree after flight training. Not any more. It was called NAVCAD. It went away a while ago (years).

I think 27 is the max age for pilots. You must be commissioned by 27 so you need to start the work now.

You can be accepted as a pilot/OCS candidate before graduating contingent on finishing your degree before you start OCS.

You need to talk to an officer recruiter - not a regular recruiter. The officer recruiters are usually located at the naval Recruiting District headquarters. Go to http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/ and select the NRD nearest you from the pull down menu in the top left area. Go to that site and look for Navy Officer Programs.

 

[pilotyip]

Look into the Army, you will probably end up rotor if you go into the Navy as well as the Army. In the Army you won't have to live on a small boat.

 

[Gorilla]

But then he wouldn't get to do a night carrier landing, which we all know is the most difficult feat ever attempted by mankind, and which makes our enemies drop their weapons and surrender out of sheer awe.

JK, my Navy Bros have my respect. Lack of happy hour on shipboard - well, let's not go there.

Russian, keep plugging, but I think it's wise to pursue the other services at the same time. What can it hurt?

 

[Pistlpetet]

There is nothing wrong with wanting to fly for the NAVY, but you are SEVERLY limiting yourself if that is the only avenue that you are trying pursue at this time.

First and foremost, do what ever you can to finish your degree, even if it calls for going into some short term debt to knock it out ASAP. The Degree is a major ticket punch, and you want to have all major things checked in the afirmative box.

Apply to every Service (Active, Guard and Reserve). What about the Marine PLC program? NAVCAD, and MARCAD are gone into the history books. The only way into a cockpit without your degree completed is Army WOFT.

Have you taken the Flight Entrance Tests for the NAVY, Air Force, and Army, USCG? Have you studied and researched them?

You have not really tried to become a Military pilot until you have exhausted all available means. There is so much information out there now compared to how it use to be before the internet. If you want to fly for the military you need to consider all services. TIMING is everything!

While you are finishing your degree you might even consider enlisting in the Guard/Reserve. It can only help your packet, make you some money, and start your timeline for pay earlier.

Don't make your lust for one Service make you miss the boat totally. Flying ANYTHING for your country will be an outstanding life experience.

 

[pilotyip]

pistlpetet great post for a guy wanting to be a Navy pilot LOL "Don't make your lust for one Service make you miss the boat totally" But I agree if you want to be military pilot it is much harder to succeed with you start with a narrow goal.

 

[The_Russian]

Thanks guys,

I am going to call PNS AOCS tommorrow when I get done with my trip. I know that I have not exausted all available means yet. I have had a lot on my plate. My biggest challenge to overcome happens to be my current personal responsibilities, and not my degree. So, that is why it has been slow going.

The reason I have selected the Navy as my only option is because they still give the FALANT test. I have read and was told on Base Ops that the Navy is the only branch that will take people with a minor color deficiency.

Pete,

I have updated my resume with your company. Mr. V has yet to make good on his agreement he made with me three years ago. I would really like to be serving alongside of you, also. I am considering WOFT. Do you have any info on the color vision requirements for Army Aviation? BTW, were you at the TIX Airshow this year?

Russian

 

[Traderd]

Look into the Army, you will probably end up rotor if you go into the Navy as well as the Army. In the Army you won't have to live on a small boat.

PY, I can't tell you how many times in my years in Army Aviation I wished I were living on a "small" boat! The field ain't all it's cracked up to be; That said I defer to any and all grunts as I am aware of the relative majesty of the GP medium and crew rest.

 

[BluDevAv8r]

Your biggest hurdle (and one that may very well be insurmountable) is the red/green color deficiency. Take it from someone who is also mildly red/green deficienct and who tried and tried for waivers, etc. The military will not waive color deficiency issues for pilots. Period. If you find a way to break into Ft Knox, let me know...and I hope you do, but it is going to be VERY difficult. The FALANT is acceptable for USAF Class III medicals only and my guess is that Navy won't be any different.

-Neal

 

[Aviator7576]

Russian...

IMO, the biggest hurdle you face is something you cannot control. Right now the navy is flush with pilots. YG 04 was overmanned, they let close to half go home without satisfying their commitment (and these were academy grads). With prk allowed, the increased pool of aviators for the navy has let them be even more selective in other areas.

I encourage you to make all the phone calls you can...they cannot hurt. Just realize that in the end, bad timing could be factor that denies you a navy pilot slot.

Good luck...

Aviator7576

 

[Pistlpetet]

It sounds like it is becoming how it was around the 1990-1991 timeframe when they were letting people go at Pcola who had a guaranteed pilot slot, and the NAVY had already paid for their 4 years of school. One of my friends in Army Flight School was one of those guys. Timing is everything.

 

[HoursHore]

Sounds Like 94 when they took half as many pilots as previous years. Fast Fwd 6 years later when some Capt from BUPERS is in our ward room with just guys from 94, and 95 telling us we are all guaranteed a command if we stay in.

Brillant.

T-Notch , remember that term?

Also, you'll need you degree to fly for the Navy, NAVCAD has been shelved for years. They break it out when they really need pilots, like in the 80's. Pretty sure the Navy uses the Ishiara plates at the NAMI phyx. But you'll want to ask a Navy Flt Doc about that.

 

[CCDiscoB]

Look into the Army, you will probably end up rotor if you go into the Navy as well as the Army. In the Army you won't have to live on a small boat.

Dude, that small boat will be the Hilton compared to where the Army sends you. Traderd said the same thing, I just had to laugh when I read that. Its not often I defend the Navy. But as far as the statement "you will probably end up in a rotor," that is a fact.

 

[Pistlpetet]

I had a few former Navy friends in the Army, and they all said that being deployed with the Army still beat being on a boat cruise as far as living conditions go. Granted they were enlisted Navy guys, so they did not have the same palacial estate room that a Jr Navy Pilot gets (Kidding).