NROTC Help

[tsl42]

I'm just going to cut to the chase and explain my situation.

I recently got accepted into the NROTC program at the college I'll be attending this coming fall. I felt that the Navy program would be better suited for me. Additionally, I want to become a pilot or NFO/WSO upon graduating the program. I've wanted to fly all my life and wanted to serve in the armed forces as well. The problem is that I had asthma up until I was 12. Today, the freshman advisor for my unit contacted me saying that even if I got it waived, I most likely couldn't get an aviation spot. Additionally, he said that because I had excema when I was 2 and a minor fish allergy, that too would bar me from aviation. He said that in the event that DoDMERB does clear me of all 3, I would only be eligible for surface warfare.

I, for the most part, understand the waiver process because I've been through it with my application for USAFA and USCGA. My question is should I cut my losses and drop-out before New Student Orientation in 3 weeks or if I should stick with it and let the cards fall where they may? Also, is it worth switching to AFROTC because I know they're policy with asthma is slightly more lenient than other branches when it comes to aviation?

Any help is appreciated beyond words

 

[hockeygirl]

I am going to be bluntly honest- I am (too) an incoming freshman NROTC mid so take what I have with a grain of salt. I don't know 100% about service selection or about how the medical relates to being able to choose a particular service BUT if you do decide to continue with Navy and end up not flying the plane/jet/helicopter there are still opportunities to be involved in those types of missions as support, supply, and quite possibly design as an Engineering Duty Officer if you go SWO. It might not be Top Gun type of flight but you would be interacting quite closely with those that are flying and aiding in completing the same missions.

If it were me, I would recommend to stick it through and see if there are other opportunities that you could take advantage of and are interested in (ie. serving on an Aircraft Carrier) . If you really love the idea of flying I am sure you could always get a private pilots license. Keep in mind that there are very few pilot slots no matter the service and they potentially all have very similar medical restrictions to enable the missions to be completed and to keep personnel safe. I would also speak with the AFROTC unit to see how late you can join and still commission as well as your ability to become a pilot given all of your medical histories- then you could make a more informed decision after gaining some NROTC exposure.

Hope this helps!

 

[tthom001]

I'm just going to cut to the chase and explain my situation.

I recently got accepted into the NROTC program at the college I'll be attending this coming fall. I felt that the Navy program would be better suited for me. Additionally, I want to become a pilot or NFO/WSO upon graduating the program. I've wanted to fly all my life and wanted to serve in the armed forces as well. The problem is that I had asthma up until I was 12. Today, the freshman advisor for my unit contacted me saying that even if I got it waived, I most likely couldn't get an aviation spot. Additionally, he said that because I had excema when I was 2 and a minor fish allergy, that too would bar me from aviation. He said that in the event that DoDMERB does clear me of all 3, I would only be eligible for surface warfare.

I, for the most part, understand the waiver process because I've been through it with my application for USAFA and USCGA. My question is should I cut my losses and drop-out before New Student Orientation in 3 weeks or if I should stick with it and let the cards fall where they may? Also, is it worth switching to AFROTC because I know they're policy with asthma is slightly more lenient than other branches when it comes to aviation?

Any help is appreciated beyond words

There are still plenty of cool opportunities in the Navy and any branch for that matter other than aviation. It is really hard to become a pilot. You pretty much have to have no issues medically and it is really competitive to become a pilot. Think positive and keep your head up.

 

[NavyNOLA]

I'm just going to cut to the chase and explain my situation.

I recently got accepted into the NROTC program at the college I'll be attending this coming fall. I felt that the Navy program would be better suited for me. Additionally, I want to become a pilot or NFO/WSO upon graduating the program. I've wanted to fly all my life and wanted to serve in the armed forces as well. The problem is that I had asthma up until I was 12. Today, the freshman advisor for my unit contacted me saying that even if I got it waived, I most likely couldn't get an aviation spot. Additionally, he said that because I had excema when I was 2 and a minor fish allergy, that too would bar me from aviation. He said that in the event that DoDMERB does clear me of all 3, I would only be eligible for surface warfare.

I, for the most part, understand the waiver process because I've been through it with my application for USAFA and USCGA. My question is should I cut my losses and drop-out before New Student Orientation in 3 weeks or if I should stick with it and let the cards fall where they may? Also, is it worth switching to AFROTC because I know they're policy with asthma is slightly more lenient than other branches when it comes to aviation?

Any help is appreciated beyond words

There are still plenty of cool opportunities in the Navy and any branch for that matter other than aviation. It is really hard to become a pilot. You pretty much have to have no issues medically and it is really competitive to become a pilot. Think positive and keep your head up.

More new ensigns from NROTC went into Aviation than any other community this May, as they have for the last several years. NAMI will grant waivers for a variety of past/present medical issues. Unless you have actual knowledge to share with other readers/posters on here, it's best not to make things up or pass along generalizations.