Naval Aviation Pipeline - Facing Long Delays

GWU_PNS (CAPT Meyers) would probably be the forum's best resource for NROTC info. He's the current PNS for that Battalion (GWU, Georgetown, etc. in DC).
 
Old Navy BGO said:
Keep in mind ...the pipeline isn't static... It's backed up now, but could change significantly in next 10 months. There is of course the fixed portion, if you count up the time period of each phase of training, but plenty of variable surges and delays caused by weather, demand, aircraft maintenance . I never considered the pipeline as having any real impact on service selection (now assignment). I will admit, it was pretty cool being pooled in Pensacola the summer after graduation -- we had to report daily, some would get assigned Schools Command desk watch or other duties, but most of the time we would be released . I learned to play golf, and had a lot of time hanging by the Apartment pool (Apartment complex had many student Naval Aviator and NFOs, so often a good time.
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Old Navy BGO is right. Pipeline is not static. Student Pilot wait time has now changed from 14 months to 11 months for those reporting in before September. Class of 2021 who completed NIFE are now given option to train at Corpus Cristi many are doing that now. Yes, it’s been a year for them but they are training.

Student NFOs will stay put at Pensacola for their entire training. Those who checked in July/August can begin their NIFE on Dec 2022/Jan 2023.
 
Relevant topic to Aviators.

Anyone knows what Top Security Clearance level Student Pilots and NFOs get designated while training at Pensacola?

It appears there are 5 tier levels with Tier 5 having the highest level of clearance with TS/SCI. With recent news on Top Secret clearance, got me thinking this question as 1/C MIDNs going Aviation/Nuclear at Annapolis went through the clearance process last Spring.
 
Getting a TS versus a TS/SCI depends on the job. I think nukes get the higher level (TS/SCI is the equivalent of the Department of Energy "Q" clearance). Everyone goes through the same screening for a TS. The SCI levels (which are broken down into four subsets - SI, TK, G, H) depend very specifically on the job. And many times, Agencies do not like to play together, so even if you have a TS/SCI that was issued by DoD, someone may still need to be escorted in a facility that is DHS.

TS is taking around 8 - 12 months to get nowadays. The SCI would come after the TS is issued, and is usually no more involvement by the person being investigated. Those are issued by various organizations for the specific jobs (CIA, DoD, FBI, etc.) who individually do the deeper dive. If the SCI requires full scope, it will typically also include a poly test.

I personally do not know what level is given to aviators. All mids are cleared to a certain level and fill out the same paperwork.
 
CrewDad said:
Anyone knows what Top Security Clearance level Student Pilots and NFOs get designated while training at Pensacola?
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There shouldn't be any reason for a Security Clearance while undergoing flight school....at least basic flight school. Absolutely nothing in the basic levels that is classified. Perhaps once into type training/tactics, Security Clearance will be granted based upon need for access to classified information.

Security Clearances and access are granted based upon background investigation, and need to know. Midshipmen undergo background check, and clearance is granted as appropriate so they can get briefings and learn about warfare communities.
 
CrewDad said:
Relevant topic to Aviators.

Anyone knows what Top Security Clearance level Student Pilots and NFOs get designated while training at Pensacola?

It appears there are 5 tier levels with Tier 5 having the highest level of clearance with TS/SCI. With recent news on Top Secret clearance, got me thinking this question as 1/C MIDNs going Aviation/Nuclear at Annapolis went through the clearance process last Spring.
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Tier 5 refers to the background investigation, formerly SSBI. Tier 3 was formerly the NACLC.

There's a fine difference between the investigation requirements and the clearance itself. For example, there may also be a requirement for a counterintelligence polygraph in some situations, or a full scope polygraph in others. These requirements may be completely separate from the clearance itself, and more a function of access.

Compartments outside of the plain ol' Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret is not something to discuss in the open. Hopefully MIDN are not doing so.

They very specifically should not be stating whether or not they hold certain clearances beyond a very short list: https://www.nsa.gov/Portals/75/documents/resources/everyone/prepub/resume-dos-donts.pdf
 
I'll keep it short for security clearances regarding flight school. Nothing is classified in flight school. There is stuff that is FOUO (For Official Use Only) and privileged info like aircraft technical manuals and mishap investigation reports, but nothing you'd need a SCIF for.
 
Very helpful posts everyone! I understand now that the TS level clearance is a function of your job in Aviation/Nuke. You can get TS/SCI eligibility in 3 months out of the Academy if you have a clear and clean history. And for some, it can take 6-12 months. Thank you everyone for your contributions to the post. @nuensis, thank you for the resume do's and don'ts, very helpful.
 
Living/working in the DC metropolitan area, you can throw a rock into a crowd and it will probably hit someone with a TS/SCI clearance. It is ridiculously common here. Even people who don't need one because they will never access anything. It is just a requirement for their job position. Very different than some people who work for 3 letter agencies, where it actually means something.
 
Pretty neat update on this. For those ensigns that have not reported to Pcola, a stop movement order has been issued because of the huge backup. Expecting it to last until spring next year or so. Ensigns will be PCS’d to various airwings in CONUS to try to get them exposure to aviation instead of wasting time waiting. A small number to remain TAD to the Academy. Never heard of this being done before but I think it’s a really good idea.
 
CrewDad said:
I understand now that the TS level clearance is a function of your job in Aviation/Nuke.
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Absolutely a requirement for some junior SWO jobs and is mandatory prior to starting SWO Department Head School
 
Kierkegaard said:
Pretty neat update on this. For those ensigns that have not reported to Pcola, a stop movement order has been issued because of the huge backup. Expecting it to last until spring next year or so. Ensigns will be PCS’d to various airwings in CONUS to try to get them exposure to aviation instead of wasting time waiting. A small number to remain TAD to the Academy. Never heard of this being done before but I think it’s a really good idea.
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Very good idea. Way back when while I was in my SWO pipeline, I had a 6 week gap between schools and since my yet to be built ship couldn't be used as a resting place, I was "encouraged" to find a temporary home for myself. As I had selected "Surface with the Air Option" at Service Selection, I went to a VR squadron on base (Norfolk), explained the situation and asked if I could join them. I spent the time with them learning about the C9 aircraft (similar to DC9 or 737) and went on a lot of trips where I mostly rode in the jumpseat and did some of their admin and radio comms.
Great fun and learned a lot.
 
Small update to the stop movement order: a small number of ensigns will immediately start graduate programs either in-residence or in a distance format.
 
Kierkegaard said:
Pretty neat update on this. For those ensigns that have not reported to Pcola, a stop movement order has been issued because of the huge backup. Expecting it to last until spring next year or so. Ensigns will be PCS’d to various airwings in CONUS to try to get them exposure to aviation instead of wasting time waiting. A small number to remain TAD to the Academy. Never heard of this being done before but I think it’s a really good idea.
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Finally a working solution. Great opportunity to be exposed to their community. Bravo Zulu, at last.
 
Kierkegaard said:
Pretty neat update on this. For those ensigns that have not reported to Pcola, a stop movement order has been issued because of the huge backup. Expecting it to last until spring next year or so. Ensigns will be PCS’d to various airwings in CONUS to try to get them exposure to aviation instead of wasting time waiting. A small number to remain TAD to the Academy. Never heard of this being done before but I think it’s a really good idea.
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It is a great idea. Not sure why the Navy went away from it. My stash was at a recruiting command. Some of my contemporaries were stashed in squadrons where they were assistant branch officers in the maintenance department as well as in admin, safety and ops.They learned a heck of a lot more on what makes an operational squadron run. I wonder if there could be some stash billets on the major fleet staffs and Pentagon. They are always looking warm bodies. There you'd get taste of long hours and be wishing you were back in Pensacola.
 
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