Community college, or 4-year university?

Again, I’m going to disagree with the advise not to do flight training.
Yes, pilot training is NOT necessary to get flight school, and you can be very successful in flight training without prior experience.
Having said that, as an IP I could definitely tell the difference and felt that those with prior civilian training, in general, performed better. Most of the services now actually send flight students to civilian flight schools for initial flight screening (the Army is the exception).
I would actually look at glider training if there is any in your area. It’s cheaper than getting your powered rating and teaches you aero skills that are applicable and helpful no matter what you fly later.
 
Again, I’m going to disagree with the advise not to do flight training.
Yes, pilot training is NOT necessary to get flight school, and you can be very successful in flight training without prior experience.
Having said that, as an IP I could definitely tell the difference and felt that those with prior civilian training, in general, performed better. Most of the services now actually send flight students to civilian flight schools for initial flight screening (the Army is the exception).
I would actually look at glider training if there is any in your area. It’s cheaper than getting your powered rating and teaches you aero skills that are applicable and helpful no matter what you fly later.
I'm enjoying this thread as people share their perspectives. We are fortunate to have among this group a seasoned military instructor pilot to weigh in and share guidance - thank you @UHBlackhawk
 
Keep in mind though that how you do in your classes is very much more important than teaching/instructing the marching band. I am sure you can get sucked in but you have to do well in your classes. Make sure to understand all of the academic support your college/Uni has... Professor office hours, tutors, study groups, writing center, etc etc. and MAKE USE OF THEM

Re: TAs...usually it isn't TA's teaching but Adjunct professors. I would look at the percentage of Adjuncts teaching freshman courses.
 
I would agree with getting a PPL if the OP was certain s/he wanted to be a pilot, either in the civilian or military world -- and was taking other steps (beyond applying to a SA) to become a pilot. Or if the OP just wants to have the PPL so s/he can fly with flying clubs or whatever.

What doesn't make sense is to spend hard-earned money getting a PPL with the (mistaken) belief it will help you with USNA admissions.
 
I would agree with getting a PPL if the OP was certain s/he wanted to be a pilot, either in the civilian or military world -- and was taking other steps (beyond applying to a SA) to become a pilot. Or if the OP just wants to have the PPL so s/he can fly with flying clubs or whatever.

What doesn't make sense is to spend hard-earned money getting a PPL with the (mistaken) belief it will help you with USNA admissions.
I know it’s a box you can check on the USMA admission page, so I assumed it is on the USNA page. Now how much weight does it carry? No clue.
But yeah, if the only reason you fly is to help with admission, that’s the wrong reason. Having said that, getting an FAA physical and taking a few lessons to see if you like flying isn’t a bad idea. Both may help prevent disappointment in the future.
I have 2 brothers who went to USNA. One went through flight school with no issues (aside from picking P-3s). The other brother discovered quickly that he had undiagnosed dyslexia that affected his ability to determine up from down, left from right in a 3 dimensional space. He was crushed. I remember vividly his tearful call home that “he was a failure”.
Everything worked out. He became a logistics officer and had a very successful career. But he probably would have been saved the grief if he had taken some flying lessons.
 
I know it’s a box you can check on the USMA admission page, so I assumed it is on the USNA page. Now how much weight does it carry? No clue.
But yeah, if the only reason you fly is to help with admission, that’s the wrong reason. Having said that, getting an FAA physical and taking a few lessons to see if you like flying isn’t a bad idea. Both may help prevent disappointment in the future.
I have 2 brothers who went to USNA. One went through flight school with no issues (aside from picking P-3s). The other brother discovered quickly that he had undiagnosed dyslexia that affected his ability to determine up from down, left from right in a 3 dimensional space. He was crushed. I remember vividly his tearful call home that “he was a failure”.
Everything worked out. He became a logistics officer and had a very successful career. But he probably would have been saved the grief if he had taken some flying lessons.
What a heartbreaking experience for him. I know it worked out but the moment is difficult.

I always remind my son that no matter what he plans, life may have other plans.
 
Thank you for a well organized post.
Nothing necessarily new to say here but my advice: go to the community college. That's the minimal risk maneuver and best sets you up for your long term goal of flying for the Navy. Even if USNA doesn't work out you'll still be in the low risk position to transfer to a 4-year university and finish your degree.

Other comments / advice:

  • The reason CCs are not viewed as favorably is because however much variability there is between 4-year schools, i.e., the difference between the most elite universities in the world and the other end of the spectrum, there is a perspective of even more variability with community colleges. Additionally, speaking as a highly successful OCS recruiter, the boards know that, generally, a CC isn't as challenging as a 4-year university. So all things equal, an applicant with more time at a 4-year school is a more reliable investment
  • The above said, many young men and women attend a year of CC before transferring to university. It's a phenomenal path and so long as you approach it with the same attention to detail with which you made your post, I suspect you'll be highly successful.
  • Crush the SAT/ACT, keep your fitness up, stay busy, volunteer, and the difference is nearly negligible IMO.
  • Staying out of debt to the best of your ability is paramount. There are no guarantees in life and while going big / risk taking is necessary at times, taking out a lot of students loans is.... 😬
  • I will say this, money/loans aside -- participating in NROTC >>> PPL IMO. The Navy will teach you to fly in the end and while a PPL shows familiarity and seriousness, NROTC is your foot in the door for sure. I put in many aviators to OCS and don't recall any of them having a PPL (though that was a long time ago now).

Conclusion: If I was mentoring you I'd recommend the following: CC for one year as you work your USNA and NROTC applications. If either works out, awesome! If not, do one more year at CC to save all the money you can, transfer to a 4-year university for the remaining two years and be the best damn OCS applicant in the country.

The recommendation you have for me in your conclusion is the path I am most leaning towards. I have a question: Let's say I did not get an appointment to USNA but I received an NROTC scholarship (as an AFROTC freshman at CC) and accepted it for my sophomore year. Will this in any way affect my position in the NROTC pilot pipeline? Would me joining NROTC as a sophomore instead of a freshmen have any impact on me receiving a pilot slot through NROTC? I understand that in NROTC for pilot selection, you must take certain tests that are aviation specific as well as other requirements (that I am unaware of, and are why I am asking this question). Thank you for your time.
 
The recommendation you have for me in your conclusion is the path I am most leaning towards. I have a question: Let's say I did not get an appointment to USNA but I received an NROTC scholarship (as an AFROTC freshman at CC) and accepted it for my sophomore year. Will this in any way affect my position in the NROTC pilot pipeline? Would me joining NROTC as a sophomore instead of a freshmen have any impact on me receiving a pilot slot through NROTC? I understand that in NROTC for pilot selection, you must take certain tests that are aviation specific as well as other requirements (that I am unaware of, and are why I am asking this question). Thank you for your time.
The way to compete for a NROTC scholarship while in college is to join a unit as a college programmer (without a scholarship, excel, and "pick up" a scholarship that would be awarded. A few years ago candidates could reapply for the NROTC national scholarship from college if they didn't win it in HS, but confirm as I believe that is no longer an option. Others can correct me if reapplying to the national scholarship while in college is again a thing.

I believe you're discussing joining AFROTC at your community college, and competing there for an ICSP - in college scholarship with your cross-town detachment to your community college. You while in AFROTC can reapply to both USAFA and USNA, giving you three potential paths to commission and serve. Of course there's OCS or enlistment if none of that works out for you as well.

If you opt to move to a four year school as a sophomore, you could either start over in NROTC or move forward in your second year in AFROTC - if both programs are offered at that school.

One note of caution - you seem very determined to be a pilot and to be an officer - you may do both in your lifetime, but you may not have the opportunity to be an officer AND pilot for the military - service selection is all about the needs of the service vs your wants. There are no guarantees. So be aware if you sign up and commit to be an officer and you may end up on a ship, on a sub, a pilot, cyber,, a SEaL, etc. etc. that's a risk you'll take - army and Marines offer "guaranteed" aviation contracts but Navy Option Navy and Air Force typically do not. But the "guaranteed" aviation contract holders have to pass all physicals, meet all standards, so that's not really a "guarantee" either.

Do some research on the ASTB-E battery of examinations for pilot candidates to learn more about that. Research tier majors in the navy and the role they play in service selection. Research the impact that solid evals/ recommendations/ GPA have on service selection options. Learn about summer cruises in the NROTC or USNA and opportunities to network with officers in your desired community on campus, and through those cruises. Research USAFA/ AFROTC opportunities to get flight experience prior to commissioning. Again, develop a core in calc-based physics and calculus if you intend to pursue Navy.

I'm going to largely stay out of the "is getting flight experience before heading to Pensacola worth it" lively discussion but I will say this - be eager to get experience and knowledge- this is not a video game or simulator. Every year in the global fleet and in flight training schools, too often, people perish in air accidents caused by pilot error or inexperience Recently at liberty university from pilot error that killed a student and CFI, a couple of years ago in a civil air patrol pilot error from a young woman pushing to solo too soon to get her PPL so she would have something to brag about in a beauty pageant. There was the USAFA cadet and his buddy who also perished flying his private plane through I don't remember if that was pilot error. The list goes on and on. So get as much training as you can so that when a problem happens it's muscle memory and you survive surprises when they happen, or if a bad approach angle presents you have the knowledge to "go around". Some programs let you solo very quickly - it's just you up there getting the plane back on terra firma safely. You'll also simply learn if you like it - not everyone who thinks they will, does.

OK - good luck to you.

There are bold pilots, and old pilots, but seldom are there old, bold pilots:)
 
My thoughts on flight training before Service Academy -- (I had private pilot license, and went NF0).

The mere fact that someone has a pilot's license probably adds little to the application -- IMHO, in retrospect and no disrespect to the pilots out there , you can train a monkey to fly an airplane to the level necessary to get a private pilot license , all it takes is time (and money); flying military and getting advanced ratings is a whole different level and different story (but I still like to tease pilots !) There are many other things that are more important -- ie. strong STEM background, leadership, athletics etc,, so the PPL shouldn't even be part of the decision process. You need to get into the Service Academy before flying even becomes an option.

That said, there are benefits to the PPL if you get in, graduate and get into flight training. In my case, I think he experience and comfort in the air helped me as I went through Basic NFO and Nav Training. From the beginning, I was comfortable in the air and viewed the aircraft as a platform to perform a mission rather than having to get accustomed to flying.
 
Re: TAs...usually it isn't TA's teaching but Adjunct professors. I would look at the percentage of Adjuncts teaching freshman courses.
At the Ivy's (especially) and many other schools, they do have TA's teaching in what can often be very large sections.
While my department does not use TAs, I personally have several students this semester who are or have been TAs in
the Computer Science Dept. These are undergrads who are helping teach students just a term or two behind them in
school. I first saw this last semester when I had one student who was teaching several sections of a coding course while
he was finishing up his own Bachelors Degree as well as job hunting for post graduation.
 
At the Ivy's (especially) and many other schools, they do have TA's teaching in what can often be very large sections.
While my department does not use TAs, I personally have several students this semester who are or have been TAs in
the Computer Science Dept. These are undergrads who are helping teach students just a term or two behind them in
school. I first saw this last semester when I had one student who was teaching several sections of a coding course while
he was finishing up his own Bachelors Degree as well as job hunting for post graduation.
My daughter did something similar at a SUNY center.

She is an actual TA at another SUNY center in her second year for her doctorate.

My twin taught classes as a PhD candidate at Syracuse as a research assistant.

I suspect my daughter was awesome and my twin was a failure. ;)
 
Depending on where you live, you may have a hard time completing your PPL in a year. It always costs more and takes way longer than expected (weather can be a factor too). It wouldn't hurt to get an FAA Class 1 medical and get into the air to see if you love it. PPL checks a box for USNA but not checking it won't make them reject you.
 
The recommendation you have for me in your conclusion is the path I am most leaning towards. I have a question: Let's say I did not get an appointment to USNA but I received an NROTC scholarship (as an AFROTC freshman at CC) and accepted it for my sophomore year. Will this in any way affect my position in the NROTC pilot pipeline? Would me joining NROTC as a sophomore instead of a freshmen have any impact on me receiving a pilot slot through NROTC? I understand that in NROTC for pilot selection, you must take certain tests that are aviation specific as well as other requirements (that I am unaware of, and are why I am asking this question). Thank you for your time.
Not in my opinion. By the time you're service selecting as a senior, you presence or absence as a freshman is a long distant memory.

Th exam is of significant importance. Though I am more ignorant of its timing within the NROTC process, I know from an OCS recruiter perspective that strong OAR/P-FAR/FO-FAR scores were the single biggest determinant in selection, both for commissioning in general but of course aviation.
 
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