Trouble deciding between USNA, USAFA, and USMA

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cyclicredundancy

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Background first: This was my second time applying to the SAs; I'm currently at a maritime academy and do NROTC, lots of leadership stuff, varsity sailing, rigorous classes, etc. I made it my life's mission to be accepted into a service academy - and here I am, with offers of appointments to USNA and USMA (still waiting on USAFA).

I applied intending to become a pilot (helicopter or fixed wing) in any branch, and want to study aerospace/mechanical engineering- aerospace fascinates me, and I come from a NASA/Boeing family. I've also broadened my horizons and the idea of becoming an aerospace engineer for Lockheed, Raytheon, etc appeals a lot to me (working a 9-5 every day, stability and consistency, in other words, I wouldn't mind a "boring non-military" job).

I was dead-set on USNA for the past two years but am starting to reconsider because through my experiences on the sailing team at my school and getting lots of time on our training ship, I have discovered I don't particularly like being on the ocean and working on a ship.

So, as the deadline to decide approaches, I am still having a lot of trouble deciding between the potential 3 choices. As a maritime academy mid, I know a few high-ranking aviators/officers employed at my school who were previously in the USAF, Navy, or Army. I have talked to all of them, received advice, and still don't know which to choose. Here are my takeaways for each academy from forums/articles/talking with people:

USNA: Best "academy experience" out of the 3 from what I heard, good opportunities for aviation, but not sure because I would dislike working on a ship if I decided not to go aviation. I did a Candidate Visit Weekend and also attended the Naval Academy Leadership Conf as a delegate (where I networked and got info about USNA through the lens of a maritime academy mid rather than a high schooler), and have a lot of contacts at USNA.

USMA: Doesn't have aerospace, and I've heard it's the most miserable branch so probably not. I did a day visit when I was in HS.

USAFA: Best aerospace degree from what I've heard, good opportunities for aviation, and no water which is a plus. The main reason for considering this is because of the "posh USAF lifestyle" I keep hearing about. But, I keep hearing poor opinions about the current state of USAFA, and that it's not really a "military school" anymore (most lax out of the three, I've heard their dorms are even rowdier than ours from mids at my school who went to the USAF Leadership Conference). I haven't visited but the campus looks great from videos I've seen. However, I'm trying to look past the four years and at the career side of it.

So, if you guys have any advice for a current mid who wants to get into aerospace and potentially become an aviator or engineer, fire away! TIA.
 
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If you were mine, I would tell you to visit USAFA.

USNA. You have been exposed to NROTC, maritime, and ships/ocean experiences and know that’s not for you in any way. That knocks out USNA. You could end up on a ship, no doubt. Or under the water. Even if you are all set on a path for an aviation assignment….you could be service assigned on a ship or sub. It happens. So if you absolutely don’t want water (even your aviation could be ship related), I would advise ‘no’ to USNA. Although there is Marine aviation, but you mention nothing about Marine desires. And even if you were interested, there is no guarantee they will pick you up.

USMA is an option for aviation. Dont know much about that path.

USAFA has everything you mention. I have read discussion here that you refer to. They are discussions from their points of view. Visit again. Talk to people there. There are positive perspectives out there. Leadership changes. Pendulums swing. And I’m a firm believer that your OWN ATTITUDE is what matters. Overall, the 4 yrs won’t matter, either. Personally, I would take what you read here with a grain of salt and I wouldn’t let it sway my decision at all. You should have read social medias for all academies during lockdowns….but they made it through and are now graduating.

If you need to connect with a current USAFA attendee, pm me and I can connect you.

Good luck!!
 
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I would also take the time to consider the worst case scenario. If you were to become medically disqualified for aviation or were not selected to be a pilot, would you be more happy serving in the navy or the air force? It’s important to note because aviation is competitive. Navy has more spots than air force, but both are competitive.

That was my experience when I was applying for the academy because I figured I would be better off doing another job in the navy rather than something in the air force.
 
I agree with being happy with your options if you can't fly. Every year, there are people who are DQ'ed for aviation, for all sorts of reasons they never knew existed. For the USN, that typically means you're on a ship or sub or are going USMC Ground. There are other options, but they are more rare. Not sure options for USAFA and USMA, but the Army pilots are typically Warrant Officers, not commissioned officers.
 
Naval Aviation is a different animal than being a pilot for the Air Force. The Air Force took flying and turned it into work. Doing either on Active Duty will suck up 10+ years of your life after graduation.

If I were you - I would stay on your current path and go Air Guard unless for some reason you are absolutely dying for the service academy life.

Edited to add: If you are already coming from a NASA/Boeing family and that is a track that you want - then going USNA or USAFA if they offer is your best path. Make sure you take a STEM degree program>flight school>first tour>TPS>masters. This will put you in the window for selection for NASA around age 32-38 which seems to be the sweet spot if you meet the skills/personality/academic/political criteria.
 
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NeverSayNever said:
Naval Aviation is a different animal than being a pilot for the Air Force. The Air Force took flying and turned it into work. Doing either on Active Duty will suck up 10+ years of your life after graduation.

If I were you - I would stay on your current path and go Air Guard unless for some reason you are absolutely dying for the service academy life.

Edited to add: If you are already coming from a NASA/Boeing family and that is a track that you want - then going USNA or USAFA if they offer is your best path. Make sure you take a STEM degree program>flight school>first tour>TPS>masters. This will put you in the window for selection for NASA around age 32-38 which seems to be the sweet spot if you meet the skills/personality/academic/political criteria.
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Great answer. Thank you. I really want to go to a SA and I think the path you mentioned would be ideal!
 
Just an FYI, if you actually go aerospace as a civilian, and you are working on flight projects that are in development/build as an actual engineer, you are pretty naive about the 9-5 aspect. Trust me, as a program manager for that parent organization you mention, I can guarantee that you will not be working 9-5 in most cases. Depending on what stage the project is in, you may see upwards of 60+ hours a week. ;)
 
IronmanDaremo said:
Just an FYI, if you actually go aerospace as a civilian, and you are working on flight projects that are in development/build as an actual engineer, you are pretty naive about the 9-5 aspect. Trust me, as a program manager for that parent organization you mention, I can guarantee that you will not be working 9-5 in most cases. Depending on what stage the project is in, you may see upwards of 60+ hours a week. ;)
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Just hope you get on a CPFF contract :laugh:
 
FFP is a much harder sell nowadays with industry unless you are buying completely COTS. :bleh2:
 
ProudPapa26_28 said:
Just hope you get on a CPFF contract :laugh:
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Doesn't help much after the first few yrs in the industry. I enjoyed paid overtime early on in my career but that pretty
well ended after a couple of promotions. By the way, CPFF had nothing to do with it. Company bids X hours and often has
trouble finding the right folks (education/experience/clearance) and especially as the program attempts to staff up. The
result is lots of hours are available on the contract and the schedule is slipping because there aren't enough people on
the job.
 
Aerospace is also an employee market right now. People are job hopping like crazy to find that sweetest deal. There are so many openings looking for experienced people.
 
IronmanDaremo said:
Aerospace is also an employee market right now. People are job hopping like crazy to find that sweetest deal. There are so many openings looking for experienced people.
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Adding on, Aerospace is an industry that has, and probably will, continue to look for experienced individuals. Boeing has been a big employer in America for almost their entire existence (bar the most recent news...) It's definitely a pivotal market, both for the commercial and military sectors! It's stable (ish?) enough and isn't going to pop anytime soon (hopefully).
 
I will jump in here as a former maritime academy cadet that transferred to USNA. If you have a big aversion to ship life, as others have said, I would steer clear of USNA. Most of your midshipman training is at least tangentially related to ships (PROTRAMID, 2/C Cruise, SEANAV, etc). Also, regardless of what you do post graduation, it is more likely than not you will be on a ship at some point. Even if you went USMC, a MEU might be in your future. I am a land-based aviator and I will most likely go to a boat as ship's company (read not flying) later in my career.

USAFA will set you up for an aviation career with an acquisitions/engineering backup. Each SA has its struggles too. The pendulum might swing back the other way when you are there. Plus, whatever SA you decide is only four years and contrary to a lot of cadets'/midshipmen's beliefs, is not necessarily indicative of what life will always be like in the service.
 
OldRetSWO said:
Doesn't help much after the first few yrs in the industry. I enjoyed paid overtime early on in my career but that pretty
well ended after a couple of promotions. By the way, CPFF had nothing to do with it. Company bids X hours and often has
trouble finding the right folks (education/experience/clearance) and especially as the program attempts to staff up. The
result is lots of hours are available on the contract and the schedule is slipping because there aren't enough people on
the job.
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Absolutely agree with this. . .What ends up happening is resources are shared between programs, and then priority happens, which causes more slippage down the slippery slope of schedule. Of course, the technical challenges that arise along the way typically take up those hours very quickly.
 
There is more than just Boeing, @blinkus . Most of the work in my part of the aerospace world is with other vendors, not them. Lockheed, Ball, LASP, General Atomics, Harris, Northrup Grumman, etc.

And the Boulder, CO area seems to be the hottest property right now for aerospace. Right in the heart of USAFA territory,

You can trace almost all of the big Government contractors all the way back to WWII and the Manhattan project, especially the behemoth ones.
 
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