USAF Navigator Questions

[Furlough Boy]

I am currently in the process of applying for active duty in the USAF. Although my first choice would be to continue as a pilot, I will only qualify for Navigator due to my vision. My reasons for wanting to switch from civilian to military are solid: a genuine desire to do something more significant with my life, a desire to serve others, and an appreciation for military culture.

Would anyone be willing to share their thoughts and experiences as a USAF Nav?

Specifically: Time away from family, Moves, Sitting in the "backseat"?

 

[CCDiscoB]

Your flying experience will definitely help you at UNT. I'd bet you'd be select to be a WSO for the F-15E. The Strike Eagle’s mission can’t be accomplished single seat, so the WSO is vital crewmember.

As far as time away from home, yes you will be gone from home. The F-15E is in demand. The worst assignment for a new Navigator would be in special ops C-130s. They are never home.

Best chance to stay home, B-1 and B-52.

As far as moving, I'm glad to see that you don't mind it, because you will be.

 

[Furlough Boy]

Thanks for the reply CCDiscoB!

How are selections made for the F-15E? Is it based solely on academic scores? Observed temperment?
How can I best prepare now to give myself the best shot at a slot later?

Aside from times of war, what is the usual amount of time spent on deployment during a year? (i.e. time away from home)

 

[Bloud]

I have a cousin in Nav training right now at Randolph. While the Nav does not seem to be the most popular of jobs it is still very fullfilling from what he and others tell me. He said the school is pretty hard, but probably no harder then UPT.


The key thing is the USAF has approved PRK eye surgurey. So like many others his vision stopped him from getting a upt slot, but he plans on applying to get his eyes fixed once done with Nav school and then eventually apply for pilot training. The great thing is the USAF has two facilaties to do this so you can get it done for free. Uncle Sam pays for it. It is kind of a long route to get there, but after being a nav and ganning a lot of experience you can apply and have a good shot a getting a UPT slot.

You might want to look into the guard/reserve for a pilot slot. They give vision waviers and are not as strict. A guy who got selected with me didn't have 20/20.

Good luck