Pima
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2007
- Messages
- 13,900
You are right, there are waves to all this. So much of it is about timing. Right now in the Navy there is not an RPA track, by the time you get there, it could happen. No one knows. I know tons of pilots to include my best friend who is an 18 guy. Has been in flying billets his whole career until his last one. Flight school, IP, fleet tour, Blue Angel, fleet tour, school tour. Was selected for CO and declined. I have another buddy who never wanted to touch a desk on the Navy side. He had 20 years of flying tours with no desk time. But he never made 0-5 and was happy with that. It's good you are looking at things. But remember there is so much more to this. Remember life happens too. Marriages, kids, likes/dislikes, quality of life. These things might not matter at 17 but they will mean a lot at 22, 24 and beyond. Do your research but honestly pick a service that you happiest in. There are so many ifs and you need to be happy if you one of those ifs happen.
Could not AGREE MORE!
We have AF friends that mimic yours.
~ Thunderbirds, and officers that never flew a desk with the same results.
I also agree what if the Navy does bring on RPAs like the AF?
Finally, life happens is probably something they are not thinking about, but I bet we all know many that left at the 1st chance because of the factors you listed. As a 17 or 18 yr old you don't imagine the impact your family will face. Babies being born while deployed. Spouse career takes a backseat because you have to move every 3 years and after 10 years they are baked being both parents and sacrificing career opportunities.
JMPO, the only thing you have control over is the what if; plan B not rated option! Assume plan B and impo you have the answer.
~ The Navy offers so much more regarding seeing the world as non rated over what you want to see in the AF.
~~ How many people say they want to live in Mt. Home Idaho or Abilene Texas compared to Norfolk or San Diego?
If you don't have an issue working as a missileer at Minot ND over pilot than go AF!
~ FYI I always play devils advocate.