Candidate Visit Weekend Nov. 12-14

Well, I went to the CVW this weekend at USNA. I was fighting between AF and Navy and walked in with a very open mind.

Sorry to say, I was truly disappointed. I enjoyed the Academy life very much, but it's the Navy that steered me away. I have always wanted to fly cargo transport, and I was put under the impression that that is very unlikely in the Navy. The 1/C midshipmen were choosing their service this prior weekend, and the way they all talked, they have four main options: Marines, surface warfare, submarines, or fighter jets.

I just don't think the Navy can offer me what I truly want. I feel the AF can give me a much better flying education. I returned home very disappointed, but I was okay because I now realize that the Navy isn't for me. That now eliminates two of my four college decisions, because NROTC is now out, also. I have nothing against the US Navy or the Academy. I just feel they can't offer me what career I truly want.

So, with that, I will go into my nomination interviews over the next few weeks specifically asking for an Air Force Academy nomination. Hopefully, everything pans out okay, and I am happy that I went on the CVW and was able to make a far more educated decision.

Oh, and GO NAVY! BEAT DELAWARE! 35-18!

This isn't altogether a bad thing. If the USAF is what calls you, that's what you should do.

I must admit that I don't know much about USAFA. Be sure that, if you want to fly cargo, you can do that from USAFA. The way it works in the USN is that, at flight school, your class rank generally determines what platform you get. The main USN cargo plane is the C-130. The USAF has more cargo planes.

If the CVW convinced you to go USAF, be happy in your decision. One service isn't better than another -- but may be better for certain individuals. USAF may be better for you; don't apologize. You're serving your country; that's all that matters.

You can fly large cargo transport via the Navy. Firsties were talking about those options, because those are the most popular options, or unpopular, in case of submarines. If you look at the link below you can see all the options that midshipmen have upn commissioning.

http://www.usna-parents.org/resources/firstie.htm#ss

If we're assuming that there are 1200 midshipmen in each class, then 30 percent of midshipmen go off to flight school as Naval or Marine Corps Officers. Then at flight school, you are selected/choose what plan you wish to fly. At AFA, only 12 percent fly. And what other options are there outside of flight school in the Air Force? Not many exciting ones.

And about a "flying educaton"? How many Air Force pilots can land at 150 mph on a 100 foot by 500 foot object moving 35 miles an hour away from them, while battling various winds conditions?

The wind conditions comment is false. To the point though, what makes you think the Air Force is better trained to fly than the Navy? Your performance in flight school determines what platform you get to fly, for the most part.
It is pretty difficult to get a job flying cargo for the Navy. We don't have any sweet C-17's. If your goal right now is simply to get an education and fly cargo planes, go to Embry Riddle and get a job with FedEx.

marvin7794 said:

If your goal right now is simply to get an education and fly cargo planes, go to Embry Riddle and get a job with FedEx.

Click to expand...

See... that's not my goal. I want to fly cargo, but at the same time I want to serve my country. And at the same time, I want to further my education. It's not just about the 'flying' part of it. And, yes, I did get accepted to Embry-Riddle on an AFROTC scholarship. I plan not to attend if I receive my nomination/appointment to USAFA.

My goal was to simply state that the CVW can really give you a glimpse into what it is truly like. I went in with very high hopes, and I walked out realizing that the Navy is just not for me. Nothing against the Navy at all, I completely respect all servicemen. I was just able to find out through my visit that Navy isn't the life I want.

Sounds reasonable to me. Good luck.

cracked123 said:

You can fly large cargo transport via the Navy. Firsties were talking about those options, because those are the most popular options, or unpopular, in case of submarines. If you look at the link below you can see all the options that midshipmen have upn commissioning.

http://www.usna-parents.org/resources/firstie.htm#ss

If we're assuming that there are 1200 midshipmen in each class, then 30 percent of midshipmen go off to flight school as Naval or Marine Corps Officers. Then at flight school, you are selected/choose what plan you wish to fly. At AFA, only 12 percent fly. And what other options are there outside of flight school in the Air Force? Not many exciting ones.

And about a "flying educaton"? How many Air Force pilots can land at 150 mph on a 100 foot by 500 foot object moving 35 miles an hour away from them, while battling various winds conditions?

Click to expand...

USAFA places over half of the graduating class in aviation. That works out to about 500 cadets.

cracked123 said:

You can fly large cargo transport via the Navy. Firsties were talking about those options, because those are the most popular options, or unpopular, in case of submarines.

Click to expand...

Not really any "large cargo transport." I'm guessing the C-2 isn't really what he has in mind, and there's not really any other "cargo transport" you'll fly for the Navy right out of flight school. Marines have the C-130.

It's not so much that those are the most popular options but that for the vast majority of firsties those are the options. There's a very small group of people who are even going to realistically be considered for Seals/EOD, and restriced line/staff corps people generally know who they are long before service selection (medical issues or going to med school). I do resent the phrasing though of the four choices. Should read "Naval Aviation," not "fighter jets." That may be what the misguided 1/c he talked to thought they wanted to fly if they get a Navy Pilot slot, but you don't pick fighter jets out of the Academy and odds are you won't be flying fighter jets at the end of flight school.

jghsrunner06: Your trip was invaluable then. To solidify your choice, that is the objective. Sometimes it's for the academy you visit and sometimes its not. I believe that is the purpose of these visits. Good luck to you! And, a big thumbs up for realizing what is right for you!