SpiralPilots
New Member
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2016
- Messages
- 8
*Disclaimer, This is a super long post because I’m running out of time to choose where to go to school, and I feel like I have some questions that I just need answered and some thoughts that I want to write. Thank you in advance for any guidance or answers you can provide me. Thanks!
I have appointments to USNA, USAFA, and USMA, and now I am making what seems like the hardest decision of my life trying to choose where to go. (I’ve pretty much ruled out USMA) I have great academics and I am a track runner and will compete at any school. After the academy I want to fly fixed wing fighters, or if I am medically disqualified become special forces, either Paratroopers or SEAL. I have a few questions and comments below, but I would love to hear some opinions of which school is better, and which will better serve my academic interests. Thank you
I’ve heard that the Naval Academy is more difficult military training than the Air Force Academy, and that you are allowed less freedoms after your first year at Navy, but are considered an upperclassman your second year at Air Force.
Navy is considered to have across the board better athletic teams. I wont play football or basketball, but is it better to go to the better athletic school to be able to cheer for a better team and have more class spirit, or is Air Force still loyal fans and love their teams.
Uniforms. Navy and Marine uniforms are sweet! Navy’s dress uniforms look incredibly sharp, while Air Force blues are cool, but they’re not whites.
I think I would rather fly in the Air Force. The Navy doesn’t service F-22s and I like the homogenous air force training. But Top Gun happens in the Navy, and there is nothing as cool is F/A-18s landing on a carrier deck. Also, the Blue Angels are cooler than the thunderbirds.
I am a family oriented guy, and I’ve been told that in the Air Force you are able to rotate home more often, and I like the idea of being able to see my wife and kids more than every six months.
I love Colorado; Colorado Springs is beautiful and I love the mountains and mountain air.
Now, Questions. What does a pilot’s schedule look like in the navy compared to the air force? How long are fighter pilots on a carrier before they rotate off, and is it one pilot/per airframe or are their many people assigned to the same plane?
Are Midshipmen Uniforms actually as awesome as they look in pictures, or are they a beast to take care of and keep clean?
Why does the Naval Academy have so many more applicants? (18,000 to USNA as opposed to 7,500 to USAFA)?
Which school has better academic programs, and which is more prestigious? Twenty years down the road which one do you want to be able to tell people you are a grad from?
Which school do you have to put up with more B*llsh*t. Which has more hazing, mindless traditions, and cleaning bathroom floors with toothbrushes.
Anyways, sorry for the long post, but I’m not from a military family, and I feel like I’m committing to one service twenty years of my life. Thanks for all of the help, and please say where you graduated from when you comment, Thanks!
I have appointments to USNA, USAFA, and USMA, and now I am making what seems like the hardest decision of my life trying to choose where to go. (I’ve pretty much ruled out USMA) I have great academics and I am a track runner and will compete at any school. After the academy I want to fly fixed wing fighters, or if I am medically disqualified become special forces, either Paratroopers or SEAL. I have a few questions and comments below, but I would love to hear some opinions of which school is better, and which will better serve my academic interests. Thank you
I’ve heard that the Naval Academy is more difficult military training than the Air Force Academy, and that you are allowed less freedoms after your first year at Navy, but are considered an upperclassman your second year at Air Force.
Navy is considered to have across the board better athletic teams. I wont play football or basketball, but is it better to go to the better athletic school to be able to cheer for a better team and have more class spirit, or is Air Force still loyal fans and love their teams.
Uniforms. Navy and Marine uniforms are sweet! Navy’s dress uniforms look incredibly sharp, while Air Force blues are cool, but they’re not whites.
I think I would rather fly in the Air Force. The Navy doesn’t service F-22s and I like the homogenous air force training. But Top Gun happens in the Navy, and there is nothing as cool is F/A-18s landing on a carrier deck. Also, the Blue Angels are cooler than the thunderbirds.
I am a family oriented guy, and I’ve been told that in the Air Force you are able to rotate home more often, and I like the idea of being able to see my wife and kids more than every six months.
I love Colorado; Colorado Springs is beautiful and I love the mountains and mountain air.
Now, Questions. What does a pilot’s schedule look like in the navy compared to the air force? How long are fighter pilots on a carrier before they rotate off, and is it one pilot/per airframe or are their many people assigned to the same plane?
Are Midshipmen Uniforms actually as awesome as they look in pictures, or are they a beast to take care of and keep clean?
Why does the Naval Academy have so many more applicants? (18,000 to USNA as opposed to 7,500 to USAFA)?
Which school has better academic programs, and which is more prestigious? Twenty years down the road which one do you want to be able to tell people you are a grad from?
Which school do you have to put up with more B*llsh*t. Which has more hazing, mindless traditions, and cleaning bathroom floors with toothbrushes.
Anyways, sorry for the long post, but I’m not from a military family, and I feel like I’m committing to one service twenty years of my life. Thanks for all of the help, and please say where you graduated from when you comment, Thanks!