What to expect next? (for a mom)
- Thread starter USNAMomNY
- Start date
General: lots of moving (especially for pilots during training), hurry up and wait to be told stuff.
Pilot specific: they’ll check into NASC for NIFE. Wait a couple months then class up. During the wait, they’ll knock out some prerequisites for NIFE like Water Survival, the infamous NAMI, and getting measured again for Anthropomorphic standards to see which airframes they fit into.
NIFE is fairly short. 4 weeks of academic where they’ll take 5 multiple-choice tests. Then a short flight phase in a Cessna 172 aircraft with 7 flights (6 training + a check ride). Then they do more survival training to include the Helo Dunker, hypoxia simulation, and ejection seat brief.
After NIFE, it’s off to either Whiting or Corpus for primary flight training in a T-6B Texan II. They’ll once again wait a couple months before classing up for primary. Then it starts with academic ground school (again multiple-choice tests), simulators, then flying. Then more ground school, simulators, and flying until they finish all the stages in primary. Once they finish the syllabus, they’ll be given an NSS grade based on how well they did (ranges from 20-80 on a bell curve). Aircraft selection is the next Thursday. Selection is based mainly on needs of the Navy, timing, and luck, although sometimes grades and preferences play a role too. The options for Navy SNA are: Jets (either Meridian or Kingsville, you can list one), E-2 Hawkeye, P-8 Poseidon, E-6B Mercury, Helicopters, and Osprey. Jets and E-2s require at least a 50 NSS (i.e. better than the average student) to even be listed on the preference sheet.
After getting assigned to a platform, they might move again for advanced flight training depending on the platform. Then they’ll wait again to class up, do academic ground school, simulators, and flights. Repeat those steps until all requirements are met and they wing. Then another platform selection might happen (like Romeo vs Sierra for Helos) before moving on to the FRS to learn their fleet aircraft and eventually get assigned to their first squadron! That happens roughly 3-4.5 years after commissioning
Currently a student in advanced.
Pilot specific: they’ll check into NASC for NIFE. Wait a couple months then class up. During the wait, they’ll knock out some prerequisites for NIFE like Water Survival, the infamous NAMI, and getting measured again for Anthropomorphic standards to see which airframes they fit into.
NIFE is fairly short. 4 weeks of academic where they’ll take 5 multiple-choice tests. Then a short flight phase in a Cessna 172 aircraft with 7 flights (6 training + a check ride). Then they do more survival training to include the Helo Dunker, hypoxia simulation, and ejection seat brief.
After NIFE, it’s off to either Whiting or Corpus for primary flight training in a T-6B Texan II. They’ll once again wait a couple months before classing up for primary. Then it starts with academic ground school (again multiple-choice tests), simulators, then flying. Then more ground school, simulators, and flying until they finish all the stages in primary. Once they finish the syllabus, they’ll be given an NSS grade based on how well they did (ranges from 20-80 on a bell curve). Aircraft selection is the next Thursday. Selection is based mainly on needs of the Navy, timing, and luck, although sometimes grades and preferences play a role too. The options for Navy SNA are: Jets (either Meridian or Kingsville, you can list one), E-2 Hawkeye, P-8 Poseidon, E-6B Mercury, Helicopters, and Osprey. Jets and E-2s require at least a 50 NSS (i.e. better than the average student) to even be listed on the preference sheet.
After getting assigned to a platform, they might move again for advanced flight training depending on the platform. Then they’ll wait again to class up, do academic ground school, simulators, and flights. Repeat those steps until all requirements are met and they wing. Then another platform selection might happen (like Romeo vs Sierra for Helos) before moving on to the FRS to learn their fleet aircraft and eventually get assigned to their first squadron! That happens roughly 3-4.5 years after commissioning
Currently a student in advanced.
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2008
- Messages
- 22,744
So helpful to have such current insight!
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2018
- Messages
- 6,109
An awesome member here. Makes me want to go fly. I’d probably need help climbing up and squeezing into the cockpit so I’m out.
- Joined
- May 22, 2018
- Messages
- 5,865
Count out two years from commissioning day. Create a buffer that spans a couple weeks before and a couple weeks after. If form holds, there'll be a promotion about that time, from O-1 to O-2. Try to make the ceremony, if you can. They're brief, but moving. And if you're lucky, you'll get to pin the silver bars on the new LTjg.
Got to do so for DD, in front of her Marines and leadership at Camp Lejeune. That promotion is essentially automatic, but I was so impressed to see her address her Marines with confidence and assurance. They sure grow up quick.
Got to do so for DD, in front of her Marines and leadership at Camp Lejeune. That promotion is essentially automatic, but I was so impressed to see her address her Marines with confidence and assurance. They sure grow up quick.
Don’t forget about the wetting down!Count out two years from commissioning day. Create a buffer that spans a couple weeks before and a couple weeks after. If form holds, there'll be a promotion about that time, from O-1 to O-2. Try to make the ceremony, if you can. They're brief, but moving. And if you're lucky, you'll get to pin the silver bars on the new LTjg.
Got to do so for DD, in front of her Marines and leadership at Camp Lejeune. That promotion is essentially automatic, but I was so impressed to see her address her Marines with confidence and assurance. They sure grow up quick.
Usually the new O-2s will pool their money together (difference between the last pay grade’s monthly pay and the next’s) and have a massive tab somewhere for it
Ihavenoidea
Member
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2022
- Messages
- 855
Thank you for posting this! As long as Medical Clearance goes ok in December, our NROTC Mid will be joining yours. So much to wrap my head around….
Other than the great info already posted on this thread. You get to have a excuse to visit Pensacola Beach when they get there!!
Yup keep in mind there’s another medical exam after they check into Pensacola before NIFE. That’s at NAMI, and they’re the ones that make the official and final cleared to fly or not decision.Thank you for posting this! As long as Medical Clearance goes ok in December, our NROTC Mid will be joining yours
- Joined
- May 22, 2018
- Messages
- 5,865
Indeed. I was there for the "wet down." At a honky-tonk with cheap beer and pool tables. The bill still came out pretty high. Good thing DD shared it with a fellow O-2.
Boymomof3
DS#1 NROTC (2025), DS#2 USMMA (2028)
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2020
- Messages
- 583
Absolutely! One of our favorite areas. That is where this dream started. He saw the Blue Angels practice when he was 5 years old
…
USNAMomNY
Member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2020
- Messages
- 12
this is so helpful!
would you happen to know about any on boarding process? when will they know about the pay and benefits and all other things us "normees " take for granted.
you information is amazing! thank you again
What part of the process?this is so helpful!
would you happen to know about any on boarding process? when will they know about the pay and benefits and all other things us "normees " take for granted.
you information is amazing! thank you again
Can you give some info on what additonal evaluation NAMI does in Pensacola? My 1/C did medical exams at Coronado which are now in NAMI hands. What more do they measure?
It depends on if they have issues with anything. Most SNAs will definitely get their eyes checked again down there using their eye chart. Sometimes other stuff is needed if the last results are too old or they have questions about something. Everyone at least gets a general physical exam. If someone’s birthday is coming up, they will probably do additional exams (most likely the “short form” or if they’re turning 25, 30, etc, then the “long form”) so they’re good for another year.
I had to redo almost everything at NAMI to include EKG, eyes, blood draw, urine test, and hearing, but my birthday was around month away
If waivers are needed, then probably exams relating to those with their specialists in Pensacola at NAMI. I didn’t need waivers at the time so idk how those work
USNAMomNY
Member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2020
- Messages
- 12
when do they find out about pay and benefits
There should be some classes/seminars they go to before they commission about that stuff, at least that’s what my NROTC unit did. They also get to choose what date to report to Pensacola before they commission
BAH pay will be less in Pensacola than Annapolis and other cities. Definitely make sure to get this switched over after moving. The government will get their money back if they overpay someone
Some commands along the way in flight school will check for SGLI and other emergency documents.
Incredible. I would be very interested in also hearing what a USAFA grads path from acadamy to flight school looks like.
Bigrod
5-Year Member
- Joined
- May 19, 2019
- Messages
- 575
Well if you get your pilot slot from USAFA and you do not have your PPL you will first go to a base for what is called casual status where you will do a job while you await pilot training. You will go to Pueblo for IFT and then back to your casual base after completion. Your casual base could be one of the UPT bases that you will train UPT at but may not be. Anyway, while you are awaiting for UPT you will probably be given another casual job but possibly not. You may go to SERE training while awaiting pilot training as well. Once you get a start date for UPT you will start academics, then slowly a couple SIMS. Then you will go to T6 training for about 6 months or so depending on weather, maintenance etc. Then you will get your AF wings and be an Air Force Pilot and track to either T38 (fighter-bombers) or go straight to your cargo-air refueling platform. If T38 you will have another 6-9 months of training until you have drop night and receive your platform to fly for your career. That’s about the gist of it all. Any questions on particulars, ask away.