I want to be the best pilot in the U.S. Armed Forces. Navy or Airforce?

[Pima]

Why not Minot....freezin is the reason, plus they wear blue flight suits (or at least use to)

I also like Oh My G*D no...almogordo (been there and I agree)

 

[captainkirk]

when the navy gets F-22s, let me know. then i'll consider annapolis.
just can't go against the best fighter ever built

 

[hornetguy]

I'm pretty sure this is closer than 10 ft......
http://thunderbirds.airforce.com/mediakit/p16.html

 

[USNA69]

So what happens if you can't do aviation at all?

flyboy. this has got to be the most inane advice I have ever heard. If you have a dream, a passion, go for it. Why should you listen to the naysayers, the surface warfare people, the backseaters, those who have never experienced that early morning front seat launch into the sunrise, who do not have a clue what it is all about. Pursue your passion. Worry about the slim chance of ‘what ifs’ should they ever occur when they happen. Tell the admissions board and your BGO/ALO that you will shoot your foot off to avoid further commitment should you not be able to select pilot. It shows a commitment. Live your dream. As the only pilot on this forum, if you want to be bogged down in rules and regulations, go AF. If you want to have the most fun you can have with your clothes on, with the possible exception of dancing with hornetguy, go Navy. Good luck. Live your dream.

 

[Zaphod]

this has got to be the most inane advice I have ever heard.

Doesn't surprise me in the slightest.

Whyu should you listen to the naysayers, the surface warfare people, the backseaters, those who have never experienced that early morning front seat launch into the sunrise, who do not have a clue what it is all about.

Maybe because a lot of us also went into USNA with the dream of being a pilot, but ran aground on the hard shoals or reality.

Maybe it was a loss of 20/20 vision due to too many hours studying. Maybe it was that damned Statics class that screwed up our GPA enough to cost us out OOM standing. Maybe it was simply too many guys ahead of us who also wanted to play Maverick and then spend the rest of our lives telling the rest of the world about what badasses they were over the internet.

Worry about the slim chance of ‘what ifs’ should they ever occur when they happen.

Why wait until something blows up in your face before having some idea of which way to go in the event it does? Did you train and practice for every contingency prior to flying your aircraft, or did you just pitch the manual overboard, jump in the pilot seat, and hope for the best?

No, you trained and you prepared. A LOT.

So, if you did that before even climbing into your first cockpit, then why is suggesting that the kid do the equivalent before mapping out his ENTIRE CAREER in any way inane?

Flyboy, are you prepared to spend five happy years sailing on ships (in other words, in the REAL Navy) if your dreams to fly don't come to fruition? If not, then I suggest that USNA is not for you. If so, then by all means go for it, and drive toward your dreams. Fly those jets!

Just have a Plan B in the event that things don't quite go the way you dreamed. Sadly, it does happen.

Tell the admissions board and your BGO/ALO that you will shoot your foot off to avoid further commitment should you not be able to select pilot. It shows a commitment.

It also shows arrogance, a lack of a sense of teamwork, and a lack of any sense of contingency planning. If I were a BGO, an answer like that would immediately turn me off.

USNA is not in the business of making pilots. That's Pensacola's job. USNA is in the business of making NAVAL OFFICERS. You have to be committed to the NAVY, not just Naval Aviation. This doesn't mean that you give up on your dream; it means you have your options and alternatives well-set in your head first. It's called PRUDENCE.

Now, if some people consider simple prudence to be inane, then so be it. I'm not going to lose any sleep over it.

 

[USNA69]

Maybe it was a loss of 20/20 vision due to too many hours studying. Maybe it was that damned Statics class that screwed up our GPA enough to cost us out OOM standing.

Modern medicine precludes the first and passion to commitment precludes the second. Those with a passion will succeed. Good BGOs recognize this.

Maybe it was simply too many guys ahead of us who also wanted to play Maverick and then spend the rest of our lives telling the rest of the world about what badasses they were over the internet.

Don't let that little green devil of the truth leak out.

 

[flyboy]

well, if it helps you guys view my situation with a clearer eye, my first choice is the air force academy and then the air force after that. i have done tons of research (a lot of it on these forums) and have decided that though naval aviation may have some experiences and advantages no other service has, the air force and the air force academy is just a better OVERALL career choice for me. when taking a look at all the factors put together, USAF and USAFA seem to offer a better, well-rounded experience (at least in my case).

 

[Zaphod]

Modern medicine precludes the first and passion to commitment precludes the second.

Neither guarantees anything. I saw many friends and classmates who were passionately committed to excellence get walked out the door because, despite their passionate commitment, they still got nailed by an Academic Board.

To suggest to an applicant that they NOT consider alternative possibilities is simply irresponsible.

 

[Zaphod]

well, if it helps you guys view my situation with a clearer eye, my first choice is the air force academy and then the air force after that.

Excellent.

i have done tons of research (a lot of it on these forums) and have decided that though naval aviation may have some experiences and advantages no other service has, the air force and the air force academy is just a better OVERALL career choice for me. when taking a look at all the factors put together, USAF and USAFA seem to offer a better, well-rounded experience (at least in my case).

And there is absolutely ZERO wrong with that. I applaud your decision and wish you the very best. Keep your options open and drive toward the dream.

Oh, and try to enjoy the ride while you're at it.

 

[LineInTheSand]

Sounds like you know what you want then, go for it.

 

[USNA69]

my first choice is the air force academy and then the air force after that.

Congratulations. It is a great choice. Just keep your passions alive and don't lose track of your goal.

 

[flyboy]

thanks for the encouragement you guys

 

[USNA69]

No problem. All worthwhile goals, dreams, and passions have a chance of failure. However, the possible rewards far exceed the downside of failure. Don't let the naysayers hold you back. Just remember your US History. This great country of ours, including especially the field of aviation, was not built by individuals overly concerned with a backup plan. Again, good luck.

OBTW, my understanding is that you are awaiting appointments to both USNA and USAFA. Rest assured that I will be around to help you eat crow if, by some slim chance, you are selected by USNA but not AFA.

 

[flyboy]

lol, eat crow?

 

[Ventilee]

At flight school does it give you an advantage if you have attended one of the Academies?

At least in terms of getting the assignment that you want?

 

[Zaphod]

From what I've heard, no. Your assignments will be based more on how you did in flight school than where you got your comission from.

Example: My USNA roommate did well enough at USNA to become a pilot. He chose helicopters over fixed-wing. He did well enough at Helo FLight School that he was able to choose CH-53E's, whereas others got stuck flying CH-46's or SH-60's when they may not have been their first choice.

As always, study, study, STUDY.

 

[USNA69]

At flight school does it give you an advantage if you have attended one of the Academies?

Ventilee, if you graduate from USNA, you will become a member of one of the largest ‘fraternities’ in the world. A lot of instructors are fellow ‘fraternity’ brothers. A lot of those are SERGRADs, those who have become instructors immediately after graduation from flight school, those who were company mates at USNA, those who know your reputation.

Flight school is not a true-false test. The grading of most maneuvers has some subjectivity. Most often the line between ‘Average’ and ‘Above Average’ is very fine. Also, “weather” and “fuel”, among other things, might, if the student isn’t at top form, cause the instructor to declare the flight incomplete where it becomes simply a warm-up hop.

I wouldn’t count on it if you are a marginally unsafe student and do not belong in the flight program. But is you are fighting a cutoff for jets vs props or for a platform later, it doesn’t hurt. It may not be overt and some may deny it, but it is human nature.

 

[Ventilee]

Thanks for the information, it's about what I thought.

Now I just have to see if I am getting in to USNA, and excelling while I'm there before I start worrying to much about flight school.

 

[cfam386]

It seems as if the original poster has already made up his mind, but I just wanted to throw this in there. It sums up naval aviation pretty nicely. Not that I'm biased or anything.

Written by Bob Norris, a formal Naval Aviator who did a three year exchange tour with the Air Force.

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 homogenous 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 ass 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

PS Air Force pilots wear scarves and iron their flight suits.

 

[VMINROTChopeful]

well, if it helps you guys view my situation with a clearer eye, my first choice is the air force academy and then the air force after that. i have done tons of research (a lot of it on these forums) and have decided that though naval aviation may have some experiences and advantages no other service has, the air force and the air force academy is just a better OVERALL career choice for me. when taking a look at all the factors put together, USAF and USAFA seem to offer a better, well-rounded experience (at least in my case).

i'm a high school student too, so take my advice with a grain of salt, but i wanted to to share it anyways.

i have a different viewpoint. my viewpoint is that you should focus not on the training, but what you will do with that training. you will be in flight training 12-18 months. then the next 6 - 20+ years, you will be using your flight training and working within a military community.

from this perspective, you should consider if you would like that community that you would be working in. you can get some insight into this by hanging out online with other military pilots in that community.



gl.