Pilot Traning Slots?

[Bradley]

I understand there are pilot training slots available upon graduating from USMMA. Is this for the Navy only or could one go on to train to be a pilot in the Air Force?

 

[LineInTheSand]

Going AF would require them to cross-commission....not always the easiest feat, however possible from KP.

 

[kp2001]

Going AF would require them to cross-commission....not always the easiest feat, however possible from KP.

"Cross-commisioning" out of KP is much easier to do out of KP than any of the other service academies. Basically if you wanted to go Air Force you would simply talk to the liason officer at the school who would then set you up to go. There are really no speed bumps at all to this process at Kings Point. You may go aviation in any of the services including air national guard out of Kings Point. In my class we had several people go aviation in different services: navy, air force, air national guard, and marine corps.

 

[LineInTheSand]

Well there ya go!


My coworker is a KP grad. Good people.

 

[Bradley]

Ok thanks guys. Is there a dream-sheet sort of thing at MMA? For example, i know at USAFA cadets can put Sheppard AFB (ENJJPT) at the top of their list in hopes of getting in to that pilot training program. Could this be done at MMA or would i have to first cross-commission into the Air Force and take it from there?

 

[LineInTheSand]

Actually you might know him, he was a 02' grad I believe.

 

[LineInTheSand]

USMMA has liaisons for this stuff. The service you want to commission into may require an interview....not all people are accepted. I knew a guy who wanted a CG commission, but in the end wasn't given one. Too bad, I think he would have been good.

After you graduate USMMA, you would be required (at least in the Coast Guard) to go to Direct Commission Officer (DCO) school, which is a few weeks long and really focuses on the service (you already know the general military stuff.)

 

[jamzmom]

Bradley, let me add some to what these guys are saying. Its such a confusing thing. I don't know if I can make it sound any easier to understand but here goes..... While you're at KP, you are Navy Reserve. Your last year, you basically compete for what you want upon graduation. In other words, at the graduation ceremony, you will be wearing the uniform of the service that you'd chosen/been picked up for. After graduation you go for training in your respective service. As LITS said, if you end up CG for example, you'll go for 4 weeks of their training before reporting into your sector. All the services have liaisons there that work with the Mids. One source told me that if you choose to go AF out of KP, you'd better sign up for it by the end of your junior year as there is an earlier deadline than most. Yes, the kids are offered flight spots from each of the branches yet sometimes the slots are not always filled. Keep in mind that KP is maritime & perhaps the interest to fly is sometimes less than sailing in the maritime industry or going active duty for varied other reasons. Hint: Better keep that GPA up to get what you want in any of the service choices! I can tell you the last months before graduation become pretty intense in the branches recruiting & the kids competing for the spots they want. Don't know if this helps or confuses you more but just keep asking questions & things will fall into place eventually. Good luck to you! Hoping more KP folks can help explain some more better than I can?

 

[kp2001]

Ok thanks guys. Is there a dream-sheet sort of thing at MMA? For example, i know at USAFA cadets can put Sheppard AFB (ENJJPT) at the top of their list in hopes of getting in to that pilot training program. Could this be done at MMA or would i have to first cross-commission into the Air Force and take it from there?

That's actually beyond my base of knowledge...as LITS mentioned it would likely be something that would be worked out with the particular service you wanted. My best guess is that you would be treated similar to however ROTC cadets are treated when it comes to the selection process.

 

[2013Parent]

In other words, at the graduation ceremony, you will be wearing the uniform of the service that you'd chosen/been picked up for.

Dumb question; Does NOAA have a uniform? My guy is interested in that path. Is that what he would wear at graduation would it be Navy?

 

[Capt MJ]

No dumb questions on here!
NOAA, as well as USPHS, wear Navy-style uniforms. There are 5 armed services, 7 uniformed services. NOAA and USPHS are not armed but uniformed. Each of them has a commissioned officer corps.
Not sure how USMMA manages who wears what at graduation. I've met lots of NOAA-folk out of USMMA. It's a fine way to go. NOAA does some interesting stuff and has privileges at military bases, etc.
One sure thing... this has been going on so long, there's plenty of history, plenty of briefings along the way when it's time to indicate interest in certain paths.
And if you ever see a full-bearded guy who looks like a naval officer, it's probably Public Health!

 

[LineInTheSand]

NOAA has a uniform that is almost a mix of Navy and Coast Guard. Their working uniform is the Coast Guard ODUs (tucked in, the Coast Guard is moving to an untucked uniform). Their dress uniforms are based off of Navy uniforms.

NOAA and USPHS are the two of the seven uniformed services.

 

[LineInTheSand]

Ah, you beat me to it.

 

[OldAirForce]

Here is a link.
http://www.noaacorps.noaa.gov/recruiting/male_uniforms.html

 

[LineInTheSand]

Correct, and their operational uniforms are being replaced with a blue ODU uniform (looks a little like SWAT). NOAA is a very small agency. Want to see seas at their worst? Go NOAA!

 

[jamzmom]

Want to see seas at their worst? Go NOAA!

Want to see seas at their worst while out there in a thimble? Go NOAA!

There. I fixed it for you LITS. Seriously though....Those guys are pretty amazing.

 

[LineInTheSand]

My neighbor is a NOAA lieutenant.

 

[jamzmom]

Bet he's some good stories! Its a very cool service that not too many realize KP has the option. Glad you guys are talking about it here. Good stuff.

 

[LineInTheSand]

We shared some sea stories. In general, NOAA ships ride better than CG cutters, however, to get some of the "sea state" pictures....they have to sit out in some very very nasty stuff... no thanks!

 

[J Collins]

Want to see seas at their worst while out there in a thimble? Go NOAA!

There. I fixed it for you LITS. Seriously though....Those guys are pretty amazing.

That is what my D wants to do if she does MMA. Also after graduation from MMA if accepted to NOAA Officer Corps you must go thru thei 4 month Basic officer Training... at MMA but they are working on nixing that for MMA grads.