Nrotc

[shutout390]

Hey all,

I applied for the NROTC scholarship. If I am awarded the scholarship I would like to attend college and once graduated fly for the Navy. One problem...eyesight. I know the Navy has requirements for laser surgery and fighter jets because of the high speed, any possibility however you could fly other planes (cargo, etc.) after undergoing surgery??

Thanks for any info, or anyone who wants to scare me into sitting behind a desk all day and drinking coffee, feel free to add your two cents.

Thanks again,

Joe

 

[dragon]

No LASIK

Buddy of mine is a Navy Opthamologist and has said that the Navy's policy is OK on PRK but no go for Lasik. His explanation was along the lines of the sliced eye not really healing the incision completely. He even went on to say people who sky dive after Lasik are risking the flap pealing back.

At this point I was about to lose my lunch and just took away the answer that the Navy says no to Lasik.

Good Luck
D

 

[shutout390]

PVR

When I did a search on PVR, it seemed to be a surgery to correct a problem with the eye, not to bring it to 20/20. This was only one site but it said something along the lines of the surgery actually leaving your eye in bad shape for a couple weeks to over a month and sometimes leaving near vision permanently impaired. I'll look up on it more because this can be a very good thing.

Oh yea, I got a new question: Can anyone out there give me an idea of what kind of grades the Navy is looking for from kids coming out of college for pilot spots. I am looking at Embry-Riddle, even though I hear your major really doesnt matter, I'm thinking it can't hurt. (It absolutely has nothing to do with its location on Daytona Beach)

Thanks again,

Joe

 

[AD SUPT Hopeful]

I think you might be thinking of PRK, instead of PVR. A buddy of mine (who is applying for Navy OCS) just had PRK surgery performed and is more than happy with the results. The key is to find a ophthalmologist who has practiced in either the Navy or Air Force and is familiar with the standards. Do not get LASIK, though, as it isn't accepted by either branch. But like Patmack said, definitely check out www.airwarriors.com.

Good Luck

 

[AD SUPT Hopeful]

Dude...

Just one question, how do you graduate ERAU with a 2.4?! Even our dorm drunk had a 2.8.

 

[skywiz]

PRK - DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!(and get jets)

Shutout,

FYI, I got the PRK surgery and you must correct to 20/40 uncorrected after the surgery.

After you get the waiver at NOMI in Pensacola (at the start of flgith school), you are eligible for any airframe in the Navy (assuming you have the grades in primary-jets,helos, P-3s, E2/C2s- for it.) I know this- I had PRK, and am about to start jet(advanced) training very soon.

Also, the biggest hurdle to get a pilot slot in ROTC is the ASTB test-not a big deal. Its actually EASIER to get a pilot slot from a ROTC unit than from the academy. I would say as long as you keep your GPA at or above a 3.0, you should be in good shape.
Good luck.

Let me know if you have any other questions. However wait till junor year to get the surgery.

 

[Merlin'05]

Its actually EASIER to get a pilot slot from a ROTC unit than from the academy.

Well I guess that explains why about 90% of those who wanted a pilot slot, and were PQ got one.

 

[T1bubba]

Merlin,

This thread is about the Navy, not the AF.

I can vouch for it being easier to get a pilot slot from ROTC. All the academy guys with my grades when I went through got NFO slots.

T1

 

[shutout390]

PRK

If I am in the NROTC will the Navy provide the PRK, or atleast give me a reduced cost?

Also, if i go to ERAU im thinkin Aero Science-Military. That looks good right??

Oh yea, NFO and PQ.....dont know the military lingo, can I get some help here?

Thanks again,

Joe C.

 

[skywiz]

Dont bother with a useless degree

Shutout,

If you do NROTC, get the surgery junior year(they say wait till about 21 to get it). Also, the CO of the unit must approve and you must pay for it. (it costed me 3000 and I have NO regrets). Best 3 grand I have ever spent.

Also, don't get an aviation degree. The Navy will teach you everything you need to know to become a navy pilot. It won't matter if you have that in Navy flight school. I have a friend who went to ERAU with an aviation degree and he ALMOST got attrited (failed) out of primary flight training (with 400 flight hours under his belt.)

Best bet would be get a degree in economics or business or something non aviation. I wouldnt go to ERAU. Try to get into a school that has a ROTC unit AND will pay for your room and board if you get the ROTC scholarship. My school (univ of rochester) paid full scholarship and full room board and Food!!! I made money going to school!! I believe Tulane does this as well.

Whatever you do, research those things and be smart - ask questions.

 

[shutout390]

ERAU

I was thinkin ERAU primarily because it would help me or atleast make it easier when I went to the Navy. But it sounds different for your freind. The guys above said its easy plus you get to fly throughout college. Not to mention its location on Daytona Beach. So are you saying not to go to ERAU because degrees dont matter or because it will hurt me in the long run?

Thanks for the help,

Joe

 

[Big Duke Six]

Shutout...

I know you are looking at the Navy, but I felt a couple cents worth wouldn't hurt. I went through an aviation-program college before I went through Air Force pilot training and I did OK. Not great, but good enough. What I wanted to tell you is that it all depends on you. It depends on how well you can forget some of whatever you've learned before and learn what they want you to learn. FAST. That's the key. We had four guys in my class get fighters - one had never flown a plane before (except for Flight Screening immediately before UPT) and the others had only minimal time, i.e none had come from aviation-related schools. We had one guy who was a CFI and had flown Part 135 turboprops all during college and he struggled in UPT at times. I later ran into one of the guys (who had smoked through UPT, BTW) who had gotten an F-15. It was about 4 years after UPT. I was at United for some sim work when I saw him, and he was about to bust out of 727 training because he couldn't pass his sim ride. The systems were giving him fits! Bottom line is, prior flight experience is really no predictor of performance at UPT.

I would agree with Skywiz to diversify your education. If something happens in your career you'll need something else to make a living. An aviation degree won't really help you in pilot training no matter which service you're in, but IF, heaven forbid, you ever need to do something else, an aviation degree will be nearly worthless. I did it because I just couldn't wait four more years to learn to fly. It doesn't mean it was smart though.

For you right now, it boils down to doing what you think you need to do to reach your goal. No one here but you can know what that is. We can just give you our experiences. I actually left the engineering program at CU Boulder because by year 2 I knew my grades would not be good enough to get a pilot slot out of the ROTC program I was in there. That's when I got into an aviation program and joined the Air Guard. Not only did it help me pay for school, but while enlisted there I made the contacts necessary to get a pilot slot when I graduated. That route worked for me, your mileage may vary.

Definitely do SOME flying before you go though. Maybe even do some instrument work, flying absolutely as fast as possible. You'll learn to talk on the radio, and get the general instrument concepts down, but that's about all you'll need to know beforehand, and that's about all the knowledge that will transfer in any case.

Best wishes!

 

[skywiz]

education

Shoutout,

I didn't say it would hurt you in the long run. I recommend getting a degree in something other than aviation so that you have another degree in something more maketable incase of the worst case scenario - aviation doesn't work out. Or you get medically disqualified. Plus you are more well rounded.

I definitely recommend getting in extra flight time before training. I had quite abit before I had training and it helped me tremendously. I guess the point I am making is that you can go to ERAU and fly but realize you can probably do the same at another more reputable college where you can take lessons at a nearby airport for cheaper! I brought up the "research about room and board" for the reason that you can end up saving thousands of dollars! In my 4 years at my college I ended up saving (8000 x 4 yrs) = 32,000 dollars because my school offered room and board grants to ROTC scholarship people. If you think about it... all that money you are not spending on rent and food can go towards taking flying lessons at a civilian field.... see what I am talking about?

When I was applying to schools, I was totally unaware that some schools give you R&B grants. I guess I was lucky - kinda fell in my lap without me really knowing about it.

I can only tell you about my experiences and I can tell you that it has worked out extremely well.

 

[shutout390]

Thanks

Thanks alot, this all really help me as I figure out what I am going to do in life.

You mentioned U of R, do you mean NY? I live in that region and didnt even look at it (didnt know they offered it). MCC and RIT i know for sure do not.

 

[skywiz]

Joe,

Check your personal messages.

Yes, U of R in Rochester offers ROTC and they are one of those schools that offers free room / board, food + tuition.