I was wondering if anyone had an explanation of the timeline from the USNA to an attempted aviator career. Starting from the Academy to the first assignment in an FRS, how does it work? How many USNA alumni get chosen to go to pilot training? What is the process of pilot training for naval aviators? At the end of training, how does the track selection process work? I appreciate all the help.
Yes, there are about 300 who get selected for pilot training out of the academy each year (Navy + Marine Corps). It's fairly competitive to get those slots since it is one of the more popular service selections.
You have to have 20/20 vision without wearing glasses or contacts. The academy will "fix" your vision if they feel you want to go "Air" and are competitive. (In my day, the moment you lost your uncorrected 20/20 vision, your future as a pilot was gone.)
WARNING: Once in flight school, it
used to be you either passed or washed out. Most people pass. How
well you do while in flight school plays a big role in which fleet aircraft you are assigned. Nowadays, they are establishing a "cutoff". I've heard that it is currently 92%. If a SNA (Student Naval Aviator) has not reached the "cutoff" with his flight grades by a certain point in training, they
separate him from the military. I don't mean that he has to leave the aviation community for another community. The student is given an "honorable discharge" and leaves the service. Whatever obligation remains from whatever commissioning program they came from is waived. No payback is required. This has happened to academy graduates. Their perspective on this varies. I talked to one parent who thought her son got a "good deal".
This is also happening in Nuclear Power School.
The fact of the matter is the Navy (the entire military, in fact) is currently in a RIF (Reduction In Force) mode. They are cutting costs across the board which requires less personnel. Also, retention is
very high. The economy and job market are so bleak that many military personnel are opting to stay in instead of getting out.
This is why I predict the Class of 2016 will be smaller than usual. Most of the recent classes have been slightly over 1200. I predict the Class of 2016 will be
under-1200; if, for no other reason, the size of the Brigade is a bit bloated because of unprecedented
low attrition.
Currently, the airlines are not doing much hiring. There are not many job opportunities for the pilots so they are staying in the military.
The pendulum tends to swing back-and-forth, however. This is not the first or the last time this has happened. Don't be surprised if, in a few years, the Navy will be scrambling to get pilots because of a shortage.