Pilot Slots at USNA vs. USAFA

Mongo said:
Probably the only relevant question in this discussion is how low in class standing was the 'cutoff' for aviation for each class. Everyone, of course, does not want aviation. Also, a lot will 'self select', that is, knowing their class standing is too low for aviation, not even bother putting it down as their first choice. Others do not want the extra commitment. My nephew even fell for the submarine bonus. My guess based on conversations in the distant past is that it is somewhere around 700 or so. Maybe someone with current first-hand data can enlighten us.
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Which academy USNA or USAFA?
 
Mongo said:
This is the USNA forum, is it not?
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Thanks Mongo. During this thread discussion some have answered about USAFA and some have answer about USNA. I am just trying to understand which academy you were given information about. :thumb:
 
Mongo said:
Probably the only relevant question in this discussion is how low in class standing was the 'cutoff' for aviation for each class. Everyone, of course, does not want aviation. Also, a lot will 'self select', that is, knowing their class standing is too low for aviation, not even bother putting it down as their first choice. Others do not want the extra commitment. My nephew even fell for the submarine bonus. My guess based on conversations in the distant past is that it is somewhere around 700 or so. Maybe someone with current first-hand data can enlighten us.
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Mongo, I wouldn't necessarily say there is an "official" aviation cutoff. I graduated below that 700 mark, and I'm a Naval Flight Officer now. However, typically, if you are looking for a pilot slot, they tend to drop off after the 750ish mark. There are always exceptions though, I know a couple of classmates who got pilot who were down in the 900s. Of course, my info is 2 years old now, but this was a general rule of thumb in my four years.
 
jumprope_11 said:
Do many pilot hopefuls who attend USNA change their mind once they see what else can be offered?

It seems as though nowadays everyone wants to become a pilot. However as you said the navy has many other various service selections.
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Short answer: definitely.

Long answer: Lots of people will change their minds. It could be because they aren't physically qualified for aviation. Some others will fall in love with another community based on their summer training experiences while at USNA. Some will just realize that they don't like to fly. It varies, but I can think of several close friends who desperately wanted a pilot spot when they started Plebe Summer with me, and ended up choosing a different community.

Personally, my service selection ended up being an 11th hour decision. I clearly remember staring at my computer screen until 30 minutes before the preferences were due, agonizing over whether to put pilot or surface warfare first. I came to USNA definitely wanting pilot, but met some great instructors who were surface warfare guys, and had a great time on my training cruise. I ended up choosing aviation, but it wasn't an easy choice. This is from somebody who has loved everything about flying since I could walk :smile:

Of course, I definitely have no regrets now. I didn't get my first choice: Pilot, but ended up getting my second: NFO, and I've loved it ever since. Naval Aviation is a great community, regardless of your seat in the aircraft. Sorry for the drawn out answer, but I warned you it would be long :smile:
 
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