USAFA vs. USNA

F

futur1229

New Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2018
Messages
1
I can not decide between USNA and USAFA as my first choice. If anybody could share specific reasons why they would prefer one to the other, please let me know. Thank you.
 
In the words of Bob Norris,

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.
Click to expand...
 
One is at Sea level and turns out Naval and Marine Corps officers. The other is 7,258 feet higher, and is a country club for zoomies.
 
As you see above, asking such a question will provide a great amount of inter-service banter. My suggestion is to look beyond the four years at the academy. Explore the career options for both and then select the one that is the best fit for you (note: not sure if you are focused on aviation; but, if you are, make sure that you look at what options may be available if, for some reason, you are not able to fly).

Good luck - thank you for your interest in serving.
 
@THParent is not incorrect. But let me add a bit more, without showing too much bias.

You need to seriously consider whether you want to serve in the Navy/Marine Corps or the Air Force. They are very different branches, with very different missions and very different cultures. They also offer very different career paths. For example, while all of them offer aviation, Navy flies off carriers, Air Force doesn’t, Marines fly in support of the grunts.

How you answer the “which career” question will go a long way toward answering the “which college” question. Remember that you’re signing up for at least nine years, not just four, and the military branch you choose will dictate the kind of academy experience you’ll have.
 
futur1229 said:
I can not decide between USNA and USAFA as my first choice. If anybody could share specific reasons why they would prefer one to the other, please let me know. Thank you.
Click to expand...

It’s a very individual fit and feel, with no wrong choice - unless you don’t listen to yourself.

Jump ahead to the officer career paths that are available to you. Are there at least a few at each school that appeal? Some that just really call to you? Is there anything at either school, that you really, really don’t want to find yourself doing? You will have choice, but the needs of the Service will prevail.

The Navy does things on the water, above the water, below the water’s surface, often very far from home, for long periods. The Marines do their share of time at sea on Navy ships. Most Navy bases are on the coasts or overseas.

The cultures are different, but it’s all about where you feel you fit best. It’s you who gets to live that life and experience it in your own way.
 
There have been many threads on this issue over the years. While many will think it is a joke, there is alot of truth in Nemo's response.
Do you have an Offer of Appointment to both ? If not, apply to both and then make your choice if you are lucky enough to get accepted. If so, go visit both - I am sure you will notice a different atmosphere among the Midshipmen and Cadets. That carries on to the Fleet and USAF in general ... two completely different services.
 
All kidding aside. They are both great schools if you look at them as "colleges", but that's really not what they are.
They turn out officers every four years, who happen to have a bachelor's degree.

The mission of the services is vastly different. Concentrate on the mission when making your choice.
Embrace that mission, and you'll have made the right choice.
 
One thing that stuck out to DS when he was pondering both academies, was this response (paraphrasing): Navy has several different communities to choose from, and all are equal (for lack of a better term. Not the right word but can’t think of another) in status. Air Force has a two tiered status...you are either pilot or not pilot.

I have no first hand knowledge, but this specific hierarchy structure was important to DS.

Talk to lots of people, look at what you will be doing. Hopefully the choice is obvious should you have to decide between the two! It was for DS. Felt it to his core. Best wishes!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top