AFROTC/NROTC

MichaelD28

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Jul 10, 2018
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Hey I'm in high school and want to choose a jet pilot as a career path in the military, and I'm not sure whether to choose AFROTC or NROTC in college.If I want to get a pilot slot will it be more likely in the Air Force or the navy/Marines. Since I heard that the Air Force is getting more drone pilots then jet pilots plus they have a bigger variety of aircraft so the chance of flying the c-130 vs a jet will be higher then in the Navy / Marines because they just have helicopters and jets for the most part . Is this true??
 
Air Force has more fixed wings than any other branch. I honestly dont know if the AF or Navy has more pilots, but if you goal is to fly fixed wing, then the Air Force is the way to go.
 
Air Force has more fixed wings than any other branch. I honestly dont know if the AF or Navy has more pilots, but if you goal is to fly fixed wing, then the Air Force is the way to go.
What if the only fixed wing I'm interested in is jets and my second choice would be Helicopters then what would be the best choice?
 
So would the navy/marines be a better choice because they only have jets and helicopters rather then AF . Because there's no chance I'll get picked for something else then a jet or helicopter
 
If you want as close to a guarantee as possible, there is an Army program called the Warrant Officer Flight Training program. It allows candidates to join the Army right out of high school, and go directly to flight school and become a WO rotary wing pilot. Assuming you pass medical (MEPS), ASVAB and the SIFT test, you will become a Warrant Officer and not a commissioned officer, but these guys and gals do the bulk of rotary aviation flying for the Army. You would not have an opportunity for fighters though. However a shot at an Apache attack helicopter isn't half bad!


Here is a link for more info:
https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-.../warrant-officer/flight-warrant-officers.html

Keep in mind, that NO branch of service can guarantee you a particular air frame. The needs of the service come first....always.
 
If you want as close to a guarantee as possible, there is an Army program called the Warrant Officer Flight Training program. It allows candidates to join the Army right out of high school, and go directly to flight school and become a WO rotary wing pilot. Assuming you pass medical (MEPS), ASVAB and the SIFT test, you will become a Warrant Officer and not a commissioned officer, but these guys and gals do the bulk of rotary aviation flying for the Army. You would not have an opportunity for fighters though. However a shot at an Apache attack helicopter isn't half bad!


Here is a link for more info:
https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-.../warrant-officer/flight-warrant-officers.html

Keep in mind, that NO branch of service can guarantee you a particular air frame. The needs of the service come first....always.
Rotary is kind of a last resort to if I don't get a fighter jet spot that's why I can't choose navy/marines or AF. I'm basically saying if I don't get a jet spot I'd rather fly rotary then c-130's ;where should I go
 
I have always loved this post by Gasdoc, even though I'm AF (but not a pilot). . . ;)

22 December 2005
Young Man,


Congratulations on your selection to both the Naval and Air Force Academies. Your goal of becoming a fighter pilot is impressive and a fine way to serve your country. As you requested, I'd be happy to share some insight into which service would be the best choice. Each service has a distinctly different culture. You need to ask yourself "Which one am I more likely to thrive in?"

USAF Snapshot: The USAF is exceptionally well organized and well run. Their training programs are terrific. All pilots are groomed to meet high standards for knowledge and professionalism. Their aircraft are top-notch and extremely well maintained. Their facilities are excellent. Their enlisted personnel are the brightest and the best trained. The USAF is homogeneous and macro. No matter where you go, you'll know what to expect, what is expected of you, and you'll be given the training & tools you need to meet those expectations. You will never be put in a situation over your head. Over a 20-year career, you will be home for most important family events. Your Mom would want you to be an Air Force pilot...so would your wife. Your Dad would want your sister to marry one.

Navy Snapshot: Aviators are part of the Navy, but so are Black Shoes (surface warfare) and Bubble Heads (submariners). Furthermore, the Navy is split into two distinctly different Fleets (West and East Coast). The Navy is heterogeneous and micro. Your squadron is your home; it may be great, average, or awful. A squadron can go from one extreme to the other before you know it. You will spend months preparing for cruise and months on cruise. The quality of the aircraft varies directly with the availability of parts. Senior Navy enlisted are salt of the earth; you'll be proud if you earn their respect. Junior enlisted vary from terrific to the troubled kid the judge made join the service. You will be given the opportunity to lead these people during your career; you will be humbled and get your hands dirty. The quality of your training will vary and sometimes you will be over your head. You will miss many important family events. There will be long stretches of tedious duty aboard ship. You will fly in very bad weather and/or at night and you will be scared many times. You will fly with legends in the Navy and they will kick your *** until you become a lethal force. And some days - when the scheduling Gods have smiled upon you - your jet will catapult into a glorious morning over a far-away sea and you will be drop-jawed that someone would pay you to do it. The hottest girl in the bar wants to meet the Naval Aviator. That bar is in Singapore.

Bottom line, son, if you gotta ask...pack warm & good luck in Colorado.

Banzai
 
This bears repeating....

NO branch of service can guarantee you a particular air frame.

There was a magnificent post recently by a young AF cadet who after years of hoping to join his older brother as a fighter pilot, received an RPA assignment instead. Instead of being bitter, his attitude was amazingly positive and you should read it. Here is the link to that discussion. https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/some-motivation-and-thank-you.62725/

The needs of the service come first....always.

If you will be miserable in anything except a fighter air frame, then you better think carefully before pursuing a military career. The best officers are those who put the desire to serve before personal preference.
 
If you want as close to a guarantee as possible, there is an Army program called the Warrant Officer Flight Training program. It allows candidates to join the Army right out of high school, and go directly to flight school and become a WO rotary wing pilot. Assuming you pass medical (MEPS), ASVAB and the SIFT test, you will become a Warrant Officer and not a commissioned officer, but these guys and gals do the bulk of rotary aviation flying for the Army. You would not have an opportunity for fighters though. However a shot at an Apache attack helicopter isn't half bad!


Here is a link for more info:
https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-.../warrant-officer/flight-warrant-officers.html

Keep in mind, that NO branch of service can guarantee you a particular air frame. The needs of the service come first....always.
Rotary is kind of a last resort to if I don't get a fighter jet spot that's why I can't choose navy/marines or AF. I'm basically saying if I don't get a jet spot I'd rather fly rotary then c-130's ;where should I go
Navy has a variety of aircraft beyond the "pointy nose jets" (fighters) and Helos. Lots of Naval Aviators fly propeller planes like the E-2 Hawkeye (Navy AWACS) and P-8 Anti Submarine Warfare Jet (737 derivative). As for Helos - Navy helos are not just Passengers/cargo. A very large number are tactical - Anti Sub and anti Surface Warfare type missions as well as Search & Rescue. Actual Pipeline (Jets/Props/Helos) happens later in the game while in flight school and the needs of the Navy can vary greatly from week to week.
 
And what is bad about flying C-130? My son will begin UPT very soon. If he had his choice, he would probably fly a fighter. I asked him what he would want to fly when he was in college and he said he would happy to fly anything the Air Force gives him. Everyone has a preference and that includes my son. No one will ever accuse him of being selfless, but he is a pilot and wants to be an Air Force pilot and will enjoy anything they allow him to fly.
 
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Assume you don't get a pilot slot that you desire... which service has a job you would want to do then? That can always happen.
Which service has bases where you would like to serve?
Can you stand being stuck on a ship for 6 months?
 
Will echo a few folks here, because it’s worth echoing: No branch can guarantee you an airframe or even a pilot slot regardless of airframe. Do this with the mindset of becoming an officer who hopes to fly, not the other way around. If that’s not possible for you to do, then rethink the whole notion of joining ROTC.
 
My son didn't get his first MOS choice at TBS. He though has been in the operational forces and deployed his entire seven plus years. No B billet as per the usual. He has deployed under the command of two iconic Marine generals and has gotten personal comments on his fitness reports which is very beneficial. He is not a pilot and didn't want to be.

A former baseball player of mine from both youth league and high school is a Va. Tech engineering grad. A master's engineer. He joined the green machine (Marines) contracted as a pilot and like other young fellas wanted to fly the fast movers. Shooters. He got C-130s. He's happier than a pig in fresh slop.

One more story. A friend of my daughter's graduated from college like most of their crowd except she was AROTC. She was assigned the Apache but wanted the Blackhawk. When she got to Fort Rucker, openings emerged for the UH-60. She got Blackhawks and will soon be a LTCOL. She's also very happy.

The point of this post. Be happy.
 
My two cents:
Learn to thrive where you are planted. If you can’t do this, military life will frustrate you.


If the OP reads the above posts, it should be clear there are no guarantees.

Attributed to many sources: “Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans.”

Anecdotes from our USNA sponsor family:
- Sponsor son got Navy Air, did not get the 1 jet slot available to his group at flight school. He was #2 in the group. Got orders to rotary pipeline. Rare event, Marines needed 12 jet slots filled. He separated from and was commissioned into Marines, no loss of pay or seniority. Flew jets. Eventually separated from Marine Corps. Commissioned into and is now flying as full-time Air National Guard jet pilot, doesn’t have to PCS every 2-3 years. Very happy.
- USNA sponsor son was dead set on aero engineer, Navy Air, test pilot, astronaut career. Stood in the top ten in his USNA class. Interned at NASA. Medical issue during junior year DQ’ed him from flying. Went subs. Very happy. Got out, used GI bill, earns a very, very nice salary.
- USNA sponsor daughter didn’t make the cut for surface nuclear ship career path. Went to straight Surface Warfare career, earned Junior Officer Shiphandler of the Year award, has had two commands at sea and is in a very fast track to the top.
- USNA sponsor daughter got Marine Air, thought she wanted jets, got a taste for helos and loves her CH-53 squadron, has no plans to get out. Looking forward to flight instructor duty. She was a varsity crew athlete at USNA, and she likes the physical challenge of flying a big bird.

So, just in case you don’t get a pilot slot, look at other paths you might find acceptable, and decide accordingly.

And, @kinnem I actually liked being “stuck on a ship” for 6 months! [emoji16]
 
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Over a 20-year career, you will be home for most important family events.

Ironic, seeing as how lack of family life is one of the big reasons AF pilots are now getting out. This certainly isn't 2005 anymore, when that quote was written.
 
Ironic, seeing as how lack of family life is one of the big reasons AF pilots are now getting out. This certainly isn't 2005 anymore, when that quote was written.

Interesting ... deployments? ... say more ...
 
Assume you don't get a pilot slot that you desire... which service has a job you would want to do then? That can always happen.
Which service has bases where you would like to serve?
Can you stand being stuck on a ship for 6 months?
Actually kinnem, on a ship was the place to be regardless the duration. I considered myself stuck when I landed on shore duty.
 
Ironic, seeing as how lack of family life is one of the big reasons AF pilots are now getting out. This certainly isn't 2005 anymore, when that quote was written.

Interesting ... deployments? ... say more ...
Deployments, lack of flying time, overworked, just a few reasons among others. My guess is the AF will end up increasing the commitment to be a pilot from 10 years to 11 or even more, in an effort to curtail the so-called “pilot shortage” and avoid the same problem down the road. All I can say is good luck convincing young men and women to join the AF to fly with a near 15 year commitment. Even the most motivated pilot wannabes will think twice about joining when they have to sign a contract for that amount of time (hypothetically), especially if the Navy is still bringing pilots on board with a 7 year contract.
 
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