How are Pilot's License and Civil Air Patrol viewed for USAFA/USNA

[futuremaverick23]

If it's not obvious already– I want to be a pilot so I'm applying to USAFA and USNA for class of 2027.

Because of that, I'm training to get my PPL and just joined the CAP (hoping to become a VFR pilot). I am doing these things because I want to do them, but I am also trying to get into these two very selective Service Academies. I want to know how these two extracurriculars/achievements are viewed, especially for USNA, since I'm not in Sea Cadets which is the Navy's cadet program. This is important for me to know especially since I have opted to continue my pilot training instead of attending USNASS and USAFASS (I'll visit the academies later). Any experience, advice, or recommendations are VERY welcome.

 

[Don't Give Up the Ship]

If it's not obvious already– I want to be a pilot so I'm applying to USAFA and USNA for class of 2027.

Because of that, I'm training to get my PPL and just joined the CAP (hoping to become a VFR pilot). I am doing these things because I want to do them, but I am also trying to get into these two very selective Service Academies. I want to know how these two extracurriculars/achievements are viewed, especially for USNA, since I'm not in Sea Cadets which is the Navy's cadet program. This is important for me to know especially since I have opted to continue my pilot training instead of attending USNASS and USAFASS (I'll visit the academies later). Any experience, advice, or recommendations are VERY welcome.

All things being equal, USNA would prefer a CAP Cadet that shows "applied leadership" and has learned from that vs a Sea Cadet that has not. Navy will teach you everything you need to know about Naval service & customs-focus on leadership at CAP. In other words: the PPL is nice...but applied leadership is highly desired (almost a must have)...perhaps you can do both-be creative. Good luck.

 

[WT Door]

Good for you on pursuing your PPL! Here are my thoughts. Your PPL will be viewed as part of your entire application packet that will include scholastic achievement, teacher evaluations, a medical evaluation, and a candidate fitness assessment (CFA). It is a holistic process. While your PPL is an achievement, I don’t see it as carrying any more weight than applicants that are scuba qualified, first chair musicians, Boys/Girls State participants, and the like. The board is not going to say, because one has a PPL, “There is a future Blue Angel, let’s appoint him/her”. A rigorous course of study in high school, weighted toward STEM, with corresponding good grades, and high SAT/ACT scores, will serve you better than a VFR qual when seeking an appointment. If you haven’t already, visit www.usna.edu for additional admissions information.

The best of luck to you. Fly safe!

 

[THParent]

I was a pilot when I graduated high school, but the Marine Corps didn't consider me a pilot until they trained me to be a pilot.
My advice is to pursue what you like and what makes you happy, not what you think will make your application look better.

 

[OldRetSWO]

All things being equal, USNA would prefer a CAP Cadet that shows "applied leadership" and has learned from that vs a Sea Cadet that has not.

Not sure what you mean here. You do know that Sea Cadets can also get plenty of applied leadership, right?

 

[Don't Give Up the Ship]

Not sure what you mean here. You do know that Sea Cadets can also get plenty of applied leadership, right?

Of course. Just trying to make the point about practicing leadership in what ever the organization is.

 

[sammy51102]

My son has his PPL and is squadron commander for his civil air patrol squadron as well as has his Billy Mitchell award. He is still waiting to hear from the Naval Academy but did receive the NROTC scholarship. It made him competitive but the pool is extremely competitive! He wants to fly regardless so he completed his PPL for the love of it but does want a long term
Navy career

 

[Usnavy2019]

PPL and CAP are both viewed favorably. The USNA application specifically asks if you have a pilot's license. I forget if it asked about CAP/Sea Cadets/JROTC, but the branch of service is less important than the leadership opportunities, military exposure, and discipline required to achieve in the program. I think the big thing with the pilot license is that it is a financial and time commitment. So like you said earlier, you should do it because you want to do it... not simply to get into a service academy.

 

[futuremaverick23]

Thanks for the insight. I actually received a full scholarship to do my flight training over the summer which is why it's an opportunity I can't turn down.

 

[cluelesscandidateparents]

Thanks for the insight. I actually received a full scholarship to do my flight training over the summer which is why it's an opportunity I can't turn down.

Nice, my son wanted to get it but couldn't afford it and our area does not offer those opportunities. He did still get an offer to the Academy. Take advantage of it.

Best of luck

 

[usna1985]

Echoing USNA 2019. I worked with a terrific candidate who had national level leadership positions in CAP. He was turned down. That's not to say that CAP led to his turndown; rather, it appears that CAP is viewed like any other leadership activity. Thus, if you enjoy it, then do it for that reason. Don't join CAP because you think it will give you an advantage with USNA as compared to other leadership positions.

Can't speak for a private pilot's license, but it's not something that's needed for USNA. Also, USNA also recognizes that most candidates aren't in a position to pursue it (financially, location, etc.) and thus wouldn't give it super max points as it would severely disadvantage candidates who just can't pursue it. I expect it would be viewed as any other activity that takes perseverance -- Eagle Scout, etc. Again, if you want to learn to fly and have the ability to do it, then go for it. But don't count on it being a game-changer for USNA.

 

[Don't Give Up the Ship]

I expect it would be viewed as any other activity that takes perseverance -- Eagle Scout, etc.

Earning the rank Eagle takes years and requires learning and demonstrating applied leadership. A PPL, by itself - does not. I would not consider Eagle and PPL equal. Each has different aspects that are positive.

 

[SOLL]

A Private Pilot License used to be a bubble to check on the USAFA application and therefore got some favorable weighting. Don't know if it still is. I believe the Air Force announced a policy change in the last year or two of no longer considering a PPL for selection to Pilot Trainining so as to not disadvantage candidates that don't have the financial means to get one. Don't know if that idea has been applied to USAFA, or any other commissioning programs.
And as far as selection for Pilot Training, if a candidate has more than just a basic private license, such as multi-engine commercial instrument, or even an ATP, those higher licenses/ratings might still be weighed for actual pilot training selection out of commissioning sources like ROTC, OTS, or, especially, to be selected for a Pilot Training slot by an Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve unit.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

If it's not obvious already– I want to be a pilot so I'm applying to USAFA and USNA for class of 2027.

First, you should attend a USNA /USAFA because you want to be a Naval Officer or Air Force Officer, not because you want to be a pilot. Being a pilot is service selection, and you could be assigned to any one of the other communities out of either Service Academy.

My view on CAP/Pilot, for what it's worth (I had a Private Pilot's license , and had done pretty well in CAP when I applied 40 years ago). Neither got me in ..but, along with Eagle Scout, helped enough to overcome my less than stellar grades/SAT's that I got an invite to NAPS. CAP is a good leadership program. I view the pilots license as more of a demonstration of goal setting and achievement than any great skill -- and in fact, the military would rather have you come in cold, without bad habits. I do think that my flying experience did help as I went through basic NFO training ..I knew the basics of aerodynamic, navigation, etc. and more importantly was comfortable in a small aircraft.

 

[usna1985]

Fully agree with Old Navy BGO on being prepared to do something other than fly. First, you have to be qualified for aviation. That includes medical and aptitude. Every year, there are people who learn their "measurements" are wrong to fly, who are injured during their SA years and become NPQ for aviation, etc. And some who don't do well on the test they give you to ascertain aptitude.

Second, assuming you meet the above requirements, you still can't count on getting an aviation slot. At USNA, if you stand high enough in your class, you SHOULD be ok for aviation. But sometimes people who stand high in their class are sent into the sub community or some other community. I can't speak for how the USAFA assigns slots . . . you should check on their forums. Just remember that today's "guarantee" can disappear tomorrow, based on needs of the service.

 

[OldRetSWO]

Fully agree with Old Navy BGO on being prepared to do something other than fly. First, you have to be qualified for aviation. That includes medical and aptitude. Every year, there are people who learn their "measurements" are wrong to fly, who are injured during their SA years and become NPQ for aviation, etc. And some who don't do well on the test they give you to ascertain aptitude.

And then SOMETIMES that long held burning desire to be a pilot just sputters out and you find another goal. My son wanted nothing more than to be a pilot from about 6th grade on up through 3/C year at USNA. During PROTRAMID, his aviation desire plummeted and suddenly, the Aeronautical Eng Major was interviewing for Subs and he remains in Subs to this day.