I'm currently in IFS right and while it's fun getting to fly, It sucks when your getting rushed too quickly learn how to fly the plane so you can solo it in a certain amount of time. Granted I've made improvements from the first flight until my flight before my checkride, but it has still been kind of a struggle. Some of these flights it's been tough to learn things because of the wind and turbulence. Like it's been tough to learn to land on my own because I've had to deal with a crosswind on most of my flights and needed help from my instructor. But I understand that it's a screening program, and your always not going to fly in good conditions. But I'm worried that if I'm struggling now and I try to go on to Primary it may be a whole heck of a lot worse and I don't want to waste the Navy's money.
Just one man's opinion…which may count for nothing. Let's assume the local flying conditions have been pretty much the same for everyone in your group. It is what it is.
PLEEZE don't worry about "wasting the Navy's money". There are LEGIONS of folks, most very senior to you, who are doing that better than you could ever dream. Do your best…get a little better every time…that's pretty much the only "Golden Path" you should concern yourself with in the "right now".
Plus I've been thinking about my future as well and what would benefit me more after the Navy. The stuff you learn in Information Warfare I believe can transfer over to a lot more opportunities in the civilian world then being a pilot, unless your dead set on becoming an airline pilot or working for UPS or FedEx and who knows how the industry is going to be after the 8 year commitment.
Again…one man's opinion. Some would consider your mind-set very "forward thinking", but I think it's getting in the way of "what you need and want to do TODAY"... and in the next year. I'd just recommend shortening your mental focal length a bit…dial your sights down…and deal with the wolves closest to your current sled. Yeah, that's the ticket...
OBTW…the whole airline/UPS/FEDEX thing does NOT suck. And they, together, do not fully define post-military flying opportunities. Too many to list to change your mind, but I have so many friends and former squadron/wing mates flying for law enforcement, local news "choppers", fire-fighting "Bambi Bucket" and "Borate Bombers", movie production, geographic and oceanographic survey, "fish finding" for the fishing industry, off-shore oil rig support, civilian ambulance, mountain rescue…and DHS/ICE stuff too numerous to mention. You get the idea.
The totality of the "ex-military Aviator" opportunities will ALWAYS be there...
I have a good amount of money saved up and if I keep saving up more money I can always go back and work on my PPL.
Okay, good for you.