USAF vs USN. Help!

blueskies18

blueskies18

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Jan 20, 2022
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I recently got accepted into USNA, and I have a very hard decision to make as I am currently an AFROTC Type 1 at USC. When I think about the decision, I am trying to focus more on the long term - so do I want to serve in the Air Force or the Navy? As of right now, I am pretty sure I want to fly, so where can I learn more about the main differences in the mission between flying in the Air Force or the Navy? Does anyone know the differences between these services in terms of the rigor of training to get there, quality of life, impacts on raising a family, room for career growth, etc?

When deciding between these two services, is there anything else I should consider or know about?

I know regardless of whether I stay in AFROTC or go USNA I will be well prepared as an officer, it is just challenging to decide which service I want to be a part of long term. I am not familiar with Navy culture as I grew up in Canada and am the only American and first person to serve in my family, but on the other hand after a bit of time in AFROTC and many base visits I am confident I love Air Force culture and fit in very well. Are the cultures very different from branch to branch?

I am trying to learn everything I can to make an informed decision, so any advice, links to sources, etc, would be appreciated!
 
blueskies18 said:
When deciding between these two services, is there anything else I should consider or know about?
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Yes. Geography. Do you want to live near or on water? Or no? That’s a biggie. Some AF bases are very different than a Coastal town.

WHY did you apply to USNA while in AFROTC? I would encourage you to think about your ‘why’.

Do you want to delay getting into your next phase by a year?

Lastly, what happens with either program if you don’t get a pilot slot? Which community has your best ‘2nd choice’?
 
justdoit19 said:
Yes. Geography. Do you want to live near or on water? Or no? That’s a biggie. Some AF bases are very different than a Coastal town.

WHY did you apply to USNA while in AFROTC? I would encourage you to thing about your ‘why’.

Do you want to delay getting into your next phase by a year?

Lastly, what happened with either program if you don’t get a pilot slot. Which community has your best ‘2nd choice’.
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I honestly don't mind where I live at all. I love the mountains and the sea equally and love both Colorado Springs and the surrounding mountain trails as well as Annapolis. Long term is the same, I could live in a remote town or San Diego and like both equally.

I applied to USNA because I felt like there was a limited military opportunity in AFROTC, and I like to go all in and have that constant military environment ( I applied to USAFA too but I am not sure if I will get in due to my nomination). I also want to be at a school where I am surrounded by like-minded people striving for a similar goal. Even little things, such as morning workouts, are something I would look forward to as in AFROTC the workouts are wayyyy too light, and more frequent, challenging, and mandatory workouts will help keep me accountable.

It would not delay me, since I am an aerospace major I have 5 years before I can commission so regardless of where I go I will be commissioning in 2028.

This is where I am stuck, I am not sure because I am interested in everything and ultimately just want to serve in some capacity. I would love to get anything rated from RPA to CSO to NFO, and non-rated I think SWO, aircraft maintenance, intel, and engineering would also be very interesting.
 
Ivy22 said:
Also keep in mind that over half of Naval Aviators (pilots) are rotary. Not the case in the Air Force. If you’re dead set on fixed wing and no helos, I’d go Air Force.
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I definitely prefer fixed wing, so that is something to consider, thank you.
 
blueskies18 said:
I definitely prefer fixed wing, so that is something to consider, thank you.
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All Navy NFOs fly in fixed wing aircraft, but they are not pilots. So if you just want to be up in the air in a fixed wing aircraft, and don’t mind that you’re not at the controls, NFO could be something to consider.

I will warn that NFO to Pilot transitions are very rare in the Navy, so don’t count on selecting NFO just to become a fixed wing Navy pilot later…
 
I'm not a pilot but I get a lot of compliments on my aviator frames.
I wear/wore three Joint Meritorious Unit Awards so I know a little about more than just the USN.
Have you watched Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick?
Have you witnessed a carrier landing? At night?
Are living conditions important to you?
What do you think/feel/imagine when you see news footage of carrier based planes catapulting off on a real-world strike mission?

It seems your life and environment at school is important to you so that should be a consideration. I don't know much about that but do know about Navy culture. It's different than any of the other US military services. Different than most any way you can imagine.
 
Great advice above. Two things to really think about: Navy aviators typically deploy for months at a time -- in the middle of the ocean, a long way from home. Are you OK with that? You may not become an aviator -- for reasons both in and out of your control. Are you OK with Plan B or C or D?
 
Devil Doc said:
I'm not a pilot but I get a lot of compliments on my aviator frames.
I wear/wore three Joint Meritorious Unit Awards so I know a little about more than just the USN.
Have you watched Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick?
Have you witnessed a carrier landing? At night?
Are living conditions important to you?
What do you think/feel/imagine when you see news footage of carrier based planes catapulting off on a real-world strike mission?

It seems your life and environment at school is important to you so that should be a consideration. I don't know much about that but do know about Navy culture. It's different than any of the other US military services. Different than most any way you can imagine.
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Yes of course, the best movies :cool:
I have only seen videos, but they look incredible.
Not really, but I do want to guarantee my family decent living conditions. I personally do not care as long as I have a clean bed myself.
I feel quite excited and proud, and also nervous since it is so unique.

If you would be willing to share, how is Navy culture different?
 
MidCakePa said:
Great advice above. Two things to really think about: Navy aviators typically deploy for months at a time -- in the middle of the ocean, a long way from home. Are you OK with that? You may not become an aviator -- for reasons both in and out of your control. Are you OK with Plan B or C or D?
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I am okay with that, especially since that is something I have thought about being in the Air Force as well. I just want to make an impact and help the people around me so the pro is I probably get more contact with enlisted if I do not become a pilot.
 
As far as culture goes, Google just that, adding service academy forums and you will get TONSSSSS of discussion.

Have you visited USNA? If not, ask your admissions rep or BGO about that. A CVW is designed to help people decide.

IMO it’s a pretty unique experience. If you are open to whatever Navy offers, I would advise mine to go for it (since you mentioned you are wanting the experience, and you aren’t loosing a year).

Good luck and let us know what you decide!
 
Ivy22 said:
Also keep in mind that over half of Naval Aviators (pilots) are rotary. Not the case in the Air Force. If you’re dead set on fixed wing and no helos, I’d go Air Force.
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Beat me to it. Many student naval aviators get “voluntold” to fly helicopters after primary training. While it’s an awesome job, and plenty of people want rotary as their first preference, there are also some who are fixed wing or bust. If I knew for sure I wanted to be a fixed wing pilot, it’s Air Force any day.
 
Kierkegaard said:
Beat me to it. Many student naval aviators get “voluntold” to fly helicopters after primary training. While it’s an awesome job, and plenty of people want rotary as their first preference, there are also some who are fixed wing or bust. If I knew for sure I wanted to be a fixed wing pilot, it’s Air Force any day.
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They’ve been telling us the only way to ensure you get selected for the platform of your choice is to graduate #1 in your class. Anything after that and it’s up to “needs of the Navy” which may coincide with your preferences but not always.

Although you CAN get anthro’d out of Helos but still fit into jets and big wing if you have just the right proportions… the minimum body weight for ejection seat is now less than MH-60 seat. If you get anthro’d out of too many pipelines, then you can’t go SNA at all
 
blueskies18 said:
Yes of course, the best movies :cool:
I have only seen videos, but they look incredible.
Not really, but I do want to guarantee my family decent living conditions. I personally do not care as long as I have a clean bed myself.
I feel quite excited and proud, and also nervous since it is so unique.

If you would be willing to share, how is Navy culture different?
Click to expand...
Many things about culture must be smelt and felt and are beyond describing in words but I'll keyboard out a few.
I've been retired a bit but stay in touch and live deep in militaryville and know things have changed but much I'm sure remains the same.

- All services have their jargon of course but the navy's culture is rooted in the sea. We use nautical terms and words relating to ships, even ashore. A wall is a bulkhead. A ceiling is an overhead. A floor is a deck even in a building. That's minor stuff but important.
- Sailors are different. A large percentage and maybe even 80-90 percent of army and Marine Corps personnel have non-combat related MOSs and will never get close to a battlefield. A large percentage of USN personnel likewise have non-combat ratings but all who are stationed on a ship have a part in operating, maintaining, and fighting the ship. That brings about a certain hardness. A likeness among sailors. You never hear, "he cusses like a soldier" or "he drinks like an airman" do you? I left Marines out because they are different animals.
-Sure, snipes think they are more important because they power the ship. The weapons guys think they are the most important because they blow up stuff. I thought I was the most important because I actually maintained the most important weapons system of all. The US Sailor and Marine.
- Officers, CPOs, and enlisted eat, sleep, and lounge in separate areas. The ward room, the CPO Mess, AKA the Goat Locker, and the crew's mess AKA the mess decks. Officers have a different galley and cooks and pay a mess bill because they get BAS aboard ship. They eat well for the most part. They sit at a table with a table cloth, dishes with little anchors, and porcelain coffee cups. Chiefs don't get BAS but the leading CS, cook, is at least a Senior Chief and we don't get cheated when it's time to breakout food for the next meal. We also spend our own money buying things not available in the supply system and keep in our own separate galley. The crew have to get in a long line and eat on a plastic tray. The food is usually of sufficient quantity and quality. I know because I was responsible for inspecting food service spaces and items consumed by officers and enlisted.
- A little more on the separation of privileges aboard ship. Most enlisted don't care that officers get a better eating and living arrangement. It just gives them something else to btch about. One huge difference in Navy and Marine Corps officer's living situations in their operational environment is worth noting. In the field, the Marine and I assume the Army officer eats after their personnel have eaten. If their people are sleeping in a hole or on the ground then so are they. If hot chow and showers aren't available for the troops then officers don't get them either. That's neither good or bad but just cultural differences.
- My kids grew up in base housing. One now lives in the country club and the other has a nice house a couple miles from the beach. They turned out just fine. We lived in four different houses on three bases, one of which is an army post. I never noticed much difference in officer and enlisted housing except they were in different neighborhoods. The quarters were clean and well maintained with a bunch of kids to play and grow up with. Living arrangements in an operational environment vs family housing are vastly different.

I've rambled on enough. If I think of something else I'll add it or ask me specific questions if you'd like. You have a good problem to figure out. You've been blessed with intelligence and it sounds like you want to put it to good use.
 
Devil Doc said:
Many things about culture must be smelt and felt and are beyond describing in words but I'll keyboard out a few.
I've been retired a bit but stay in touch and live deep in militaryville and know things have changed but much I'm sure remains the same.

- All services have their jargon of course but the navy's culture is rooted in the sea. We use nautical terms and words relating to ships, even ashore. A wall is a bulkhead. A ceiling is an overhead. A floor is a deck even in a building. That's minor stuff but important.
- Sailors are different. A large percentage and maybe even 80-90 percent of army and Marine Corps personnel have non-combat related MOSs and will never get close to a battlefield. A large percentage of USN personnel likewise have non-combat ratings but all who are stationed on a ship have a part in operating, maintaining, and fighting the ship. That brings about a certain hardness. A likeness among sailors. You never hear, "he cusses like a soldier" or "he drinks like an airman" do you? I left Marines out because they are different animals.
-Sure, snipes think they are more important because they power the ship. The weapons guys think they are the most important because they blow up stuff. I thought I was the most important because I actually maintained the most important weapons system of all. The US Sailor and Marine.
- Officers, CPOs, and enlisted eat, sleep, and lounge in separate areas. The ward room, the CPO Mess, AKA the Goat Locker, and the crew's mess AKA the mess decks. Officers have a different galley and cooks and pay a mess bill because they get BAS aboard ship. They eat well for the most part. They sit at a table with a table cloth, dishes with little anchors, and porcelain coffee cups. Chiefs don't get BAS but the leading CS, cook, is at least a Senior Chief and we don't get cheated when it's time to breakout food for the next meal. We also spend our own money buying things not available in the supply system and keep in our own separate galley. The crew have to get in a long line and eat on a plastic tray. The food is usually of sufficient quantity and quality. I know because I was responsible for inspecting food service spaces and items consumed by officers and enlisted.
- A little more on the separation of privileges aboard ship. Most enlisted don't care that officers get a better eating and living arrangement. It just gives them something else to btch about. One huge difference in Navy and Marine Corps officer's living situations in their operational environment is worth noting. In the field, the Marine and I assume the Army officer eats after their personnel have eaten. If their people are sleeping in a hole or on the ground then so are they. If hot chow and showers aren't available for the troops then officers don't get them either. That's neither good or bad but just cultural differences.
- My kids grew up in base housing. One now lives in the country club and the other has a nice house a couple miles from the beach. They turned out just fine. We lived in four different houses on three bases, one of which is an army post. I never noticed much difference in officer and enlisted housing except they were in different neighborhoods. The quarters were clean and well maintained with a bunch of kids to play and grow up with. Living arrangements in an operational environment vs family housing are vastly different.

I've rambled on enough. If I think of something else I'll add it or ask me specific questions if you'd like. You have a good problem to figure out. You've been blessed with intelligence and it sounds like you want to put it to good use.
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Thank you so much for your insight, I really appreciate it. Just from what you've written, I can already see a ton of culture differences Navy to Air Force, it is a lot to consider. I will definitely ask more questions as they arise!
 
blueskies18 said:
Thank you so much for your insight, I really appreciate it. Just from what you've written, I can already see a ton of culture differences Navy to Air Force, it is a lot to consider. I will definitely ask more questions as they arise!
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There’s lots of Air Force people on this site who know much more than I so I’m not pretending to know more than others but am just passing on my experiences.
 
I was being kind of facetious with the Top Gun comment but they are good movies.
 
You also need to consider going to a regular college experience as opposed to an academy experience. Have you visited USC? If not, you need to. My son was in the same boat - USNA vs. USC AFROT. He chose the latter and loves the experience of being a regular college student, the academics of USC, socializing with non-military people, living in his own place with self-responsibilities for his time, and the culture and fun of LA. But for some they like the Academy life. Students need to visit campuses and consider more than just AF vs. Navy.
 
unkown1961 said:
You also need to consider going to a regular college experience as opposed to an academy experience. Have you visited USC? If not, you need to. My son was in the same boat - USNA vs. USC AFROT. He chose the latter and loves the experience of being a regular college student, the academics of USC, socializing with non-military people, living in his own place with self-responsibilities for his time, and the culture and fun of LA. But for some they like the Academy life. Students need to visit campuses and consider more than just AF vs. Navy.
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I actually go to USC right now! This is my second semester here on a scholarship from AFROTC. I do like the school, but I think the service academies suit me better in terms of developing me into an officer, but I am still doing my research. I am going to USAFAs NCLS soon so that will give me an insight into USAFA since I will be living with a cadet, and I am visiting USNA for the third time soon, and trying to shadow a midshipman for a couple of days.
 
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