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Vicki's path to flight school (a female perspective)

vicki

Registered User
Dave,

I had one sit down real interview that I had to go to the recruiting command four hours away for. That one was with an O3 though, not O4 or higher. He just asked basically why Navy, why aviation, my hobbies, interests, etc. Also if you have a wierd background expect to be quizzed about that. For me, he wanted to know why I wanted to do this since I went to college for 8 years to become a veterinarian, I finally get my license to practice medicine and now I want to be a Naval Officer. Stuff like that can throw you a curve if you haven't already thought it over carefully. My other interview was just a compilation of conversations that I'd had with my rec' over several months about everything from John McCain to bartending. Best of luck.

FLY NAVY

Vicki
 

vicki

Registered User
I'm posting this as a new topic because I was unable to post a reply to the original message. (bug?)

Congrats on your ASTB. Now you get to make one of the most difficult decisions of your life. Nothing anybody can say or do will make it any easier and it's a decision only you can make. I will share my story however and you can make of it what you will.

My fiance and I have been broken up fourteen months now. We went out for over seven years. I was always trying to crush my desire to fly, knowing it had no place in our relationship. He is a farmer in a small town. Dog, Sunday drives, white picket fence - you get the picture. I really loved him, a part of me always will. No matter how hard I tried to bury my dreams, they kept resurfacing and were a constant source of tension. The irony of the situation is that the old-fashioned, traditional values that attrected me to him, made it impossible for him to accept a wife serving in the Navy, let alone in the aviation community.

I was afraid that I would begin to resent him for preventing me from fulfilling my lifelong ambition of serving as a Naval Aviator. I knew that eventually the rest of our relationship would deteriorate because I always felt like I was making a supreme sacrifice just to be with him. He did not appreciate or understand this. I know that I'm rambling. Putting this into words is difficult. It's not something I talk about alot. Ending our relationship was wrenching. We had been together since I was fifteen and I wasn't sure I was doing the right thing.

Time has given me perspective. In retrospect I know I did what I needed to. We would both have been miserable if we'd stayed together. Now I'm waiting on a waiver so I can begin OCS.

My only advice to you is to have a serious talk with your girlfriend. Be completely honest. Take it from me, the desire to serve, the dream to fly - it won't go away. I hope you can work it out. True love is hard to find.

Take care and FLY NAVY!

Vicki
 

vicki

Registered User
Holding Pattern

Well for those of you that have been following the saga of the blind, short person who wants to be a pilot - here is the next installment.

The good news is that my redesignation from SNFO to SNA was recommended pending the signature of an O6 that holds my dreams in his (or her) hands.

The bad news is that the PRK study is on hold for a few weeks. Somebody high up decided that this study did not meet requirements for human subject use, namely that subjects would be placed a life-threatening environment (Naval aviation training). I guess said training is not potentially life-threatening to other SNAs, only to those in a reasearch study? Go figure. The good word at NOMI is that this is a pothole not a washed-out bridge in the road to Wings of Gold. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Take care.

FLY NAVY!

Vicki
 

Dave Shutter

Registered User
Hang in there Vic...

The saga of the old, broken down, ex-Army grunt and would be filmmaker is about to take another step. I contacted my recruiter and told him I was finally ready for my physical (OCS application physical, ie: waivers, not a flight physical, not yet anyway) He feels that once I've been given my waivers that I have a shot at SNA. He's got a whole plan concocted to get them and it's gonna go like this: Since he's predicting that no regular Doc will pass me on my knee and that a consult' with a specialist will be needed, that I should go to a big hospital vs. a small clinic at a local post where a specialist will be available. My area considered, this points to one place: Bethesda, MD. He's made some calls and gotten advice from his contemporaries that going on a weekend is the best bet. Why? Because on a weekend you get examined by RESERVIST Dr.'s. Sure, they do their job, but they tend to be exponentially more laid back than other Doc's which is what he thinks I need. So were gonna trek down there on a weekend, shack up in the BOQ, get my med waiver and then, he feels, the age waiver should be a piece of cake, and subsuquently, SNA selection. He's confident, but I'm already thinking about the ACES/NAPE physical though. I imagine Pensacola flight surgeons are totally different than Bethesda Reservists when it comes to handing out up-chits.

I don't know if anyone's getting any useful info out of this but I thought I'd put it up just in case. My point: if you have a medical issue, get examined on the weekend if you can. I'll let you know how it goes.

D
 

vicki

Registered User
I did ACES in May as an SNFO candidate (I have to repeat it for SNA now). The NAEPE (Naval Aviation Entrance Physical Exam) is part of the ACES program. You get some sim time and T-34C stick time as part of the ACES program. The IPs are amazing and will really give you the E-Ticket ride if you want it. It was my first experience with aerobatics and it was incredible - never had so much fun in my life! This ride made Disney World as exciting as watching grass grow. Maybe I'm easily impressed, but it was a great time.
 

vicki

Registered User
Dave,

You are sworn in etc. before ACES, but if you should be deemed NPQ to fly or aeronautically unadaptable to flight all bets are off. They will ask you if you're interested in SWO etc., but you are not legally bound to the Navy (assuming you are entering as a civilian, not enlisted going to OCS). Actually, if you read the fine print you are not obligated until you accept your commission at OCS graduation.

We arrived for ACES on Sun. afternoon and flew home on Fri. afternoon of the following week. If you want to know exactly all the stuff we did, e-mail me and I'll give you the details. I won't bore the rest of the board with the nuts and bolts of the ACES program.

BTW, where are you with your application package. The way this whole process is dragging on for me I'll be in OCS with guys who started their application a year after me.

Good luck. Maybe I'll see you in OCS.
 

vicki

Registered User
cleared for takeoff

Hey All,

I hope your Thanksgiving was as good as mine. It appears I have much to give thanks for. At long last, all the pieces have fallen into place. I have an SNA spot with an ACES date of 28Jan and an OCS date of 17April. It has been three weeks short of a year since I began the application process. I am so excited I can hardly sit still long enough to write this out. Thank you to everyone on this board who answered my questions or just posted valuable info.

FLY NAVY!
 

beau

Registered User
Congrats
Its good to hear your good news. What made you decide that you want to become a Naval Aviator? I don't mean to be nosy, I just like knowing others motivations to compare to my own.

Finch
 

Dave Shutter

Registered User
Congrats again Vic'!

I see your ACES date got moved up from Feb. Is it true that they hold it every month? I'm still waiting to get my damn consult', but when I do my packet is gonna have flames on it on the way to Tennessee!

This will be twice for you for ACES, maybe your IP for your T-34 hop will give you more time at the stick cuz you're all experienced and whatnot

D
 

vicki

Registered User
Finch (and anybody else who gives a darn),

I imagine my road to this point is not that much different from anybody else. I have always known that I wanted to serve. I know that patriotism is not fashionable in this day and age, but I believe we live in the greatest country in the world and that those who reap the benefits (US citizens) should do their part to ensure that future generations enjoy the same freedoms that we do. With opportunity comes responsibility.

I have also always known that I wanted to fly. My dad was Air Force and we traveled alot. Flying has been a fascination and a passion from when I was a small child. I hate to admit it, but like many other 10-year-olds, I was inspired by a certain movie. I remember seeing Top Gun in the movie theatre. My girlfriends were oohing and aahing over Tom Cruise, but I only had eyes for Tomcats. My understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a Naval Aviator has matured since then, but the passion to fly, the desire to serve and the "need for speed" remains the same.

Besides, when I told people I was looking into the NFO option they said "What's that?". I would try to explain the role of an NFO and I would get a blank stare. Finally, I'd say, you know, like Goose in Top Gun. Understanding would dawn on their face and then they'd say, "But why would you want to be Goose? Goose dies." Just kidding. I don't know precisely when I knew I wanted to be a Naval Aviator. I have wanted it for so long it seems I was born that way.

How about everybody else, lifelong dream or recent career move?

FLY NAVY!
 

beau

Registered User
I was motivated by a couple of major sources.
First off, my Father, was a Naval Aviator for 20 years flying EA-6Bs and way, way back in the day, the EA-3s. He has been the main inspiration for my journey to Naval Aviation. He always repected my decision to be what ever I wanted to be. I decided in 8th grade that I wanted to serve my country and fly for the Navy and he told me everything I needed to do.
I wanted to fly since a young age when I first saw an airshow. Blue Angels(in A-4s), barnstormers, and the one the only Tomcat Demo. I was so impressed by flying and it made me respect my father even more for what he did for a living.
When I was seven I got to go on a tiger cruise on the USS Carl Vinson for a week. I got to what air ops every day!! It does not get any more motivating than watching air ops on a carrier(not even close to the Blues). Thats when I decided if I was ever to become a pilot, I would want to fly for the Navy.
Now it's only a few years away from happening if I stay healthy, get good grades, and most of all stay motivated.


Finch
 

Jeff

Registered User
I must say that staying motivated can be a big problem sometimes. Especially when you seem to run into a new hurdle every time you think your in the clear.

Vicki:
Did you ever get any info on you anthros.? When I got them to run mine for me last year they told me I was cleared for everything but a fit check in the T-44, but they were going to be changing the measurement requirements soon. Just wondering if you had gotten anywhere with that.
 

Eric Danielsen

Registered User
I must say that hurdles only begin with the application process. I don't think there is really a point where you are in the clear until they put the little gold wings on your chest. I have seen many people get dropped along the way and I am only finishing primary. Many great people I might add who were also highly motivated and greatly devistated when it didn't quite work out. I know there have been many trying times for me through OCS and API..but I always think about the people who so desperately wanted to stay but couldn't for one reason or another.. Those people are the ones who motivate me. I think it may get lost in the shuffle, but we are all very lucky to get the chance to do some of this stuff. For all those ahead of me..thanks for all the great info and motivation and you guys(and girls) still applying and whatnot...Don't loose sight of what you are here for...especially during OCS.
-Happy Holidays-


FLY NAVY
 

vicki

Registered User
Jeff,

Ahh anthros - the bane of my existance. I am absolutely restricted from flying helos ( a tragedy to be sure), am cleared to fly the E-6 and require a fit check in every other fleet and training aircraft. To date I have been fit checked in and am cleared for the T-34 and the T-2. I shoul be able to get checked in the other trainers when I go back down for ACEs in Jan. As far as fit checks in fleet aircraft, I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

FLY NAVY!
 

Dave Shutter

Registered User
Well, it took about a month from conception to execution but I've finally got an appointment with an Orthopedic Dr. at Bethesda Hospital, MD, next week on the 13'th where we're hoping he'll write up a "recommend waiver" to BUMED for my knee. I'll get my MEPS physical knocked out while were down there and then finaly be all set to apply. I hear there's still oodles of SNA slots so I'm feeling confident. Wish me luck!

D
 
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