A few questions about BDCP from a HS Sophomore.

[OdeToArsenal47]

Flying in the Navy, be it as a pilot or an NFO, has been a dream of mine for a long time. I've always wanted to fly, and when the commercial sector started to go way downhill (about 1-2 years ago), I started researching Navy, and really want to do this. There are a few questions I have though. And yes, I have read the sticky.

1. Am I required to do anything during the summers?

I ask because this is probably the most important thing for me. I am HEAVILY into Drum Corps. To put it shortly, Drum Corps is like marching band, but much much much more intense. You go to weekend camps through the winter, and starting around the end of May, you move in with the corps and rehearse your show at least 12 hours a day, every day. Towards the end of June, you go on tour, where you travel to every corner of the country and end up at Indianapolis for the DCI World Championships. If you want to learn more, google DCI.

I'd say that marching in a World Class, top-tier drum corps on the DCI circuit is right there with the Navy as my dreams. I've always been a band geek and I always will be a band geek. To me, drum corps is everything I love to do without everything I don't. The great thing about BDCP is that it would pay my dues (~$2k for the big boys), plus a little college money. But if the Navy won't let me do DCI, then I won't join the Navy. That's just the way it is.


2. I have a 3.3 GPA with a very demanding course load, do I have a chance?

I'm just the kind of person that challenges themself until they break. That's how I operate. I'm stressed all the time from Monday-Friday, but I see it as all worth it. My grades aren't that good, but this is with never taking a standard course in my life. Currently, I'm one of seven sophomores in my school taking an AP class, and I'm one of three taking two. Does the board take course load into consideration? I'm trying to push my GPA up, and I hope I can get to a 3.4 or 3.5 by the end of high school. Consider my extracurriculars, though. I've made All-County band this year, intend on making All-Midstate (Tennessee) band next year, and my senior year. I'll be a section leader next year and the year after in my band. I'm in Key Club, Model UN, and I play Rugby.


3. Do majors matter like they do in NROTC?

I'm good at math and science, but I just don't enjoy it at all. My heart is in some of the more artsy majors. As of right now, the majors I'm interested in are Poli Sci, Music Ed., and Journalism. Would it hurt my chances to go for one of those majors? If my acceptance hinged on my major, I would go to some kind of engineering.


4. Am I limited in where I want to go?

I'd really like to go to the University of Tennessee, but they don't have an NROTC unit. This wouldn't hurt me, would it? I really don't want to have to go to Memphis, because I just don't like Memphis, and I don't think I can get into Vanderbilt.


5. I have 20/200 vision and slightly flat feet. What can I do?

Am I disqualified with this vision, or can I get a waiver for BDCP and get PRK during college? Also, I know that the Army doesn't have a problem with flat feet. On the Army's website, they say that as long as you don't feel discomfort while on your feet for a long time, you should get a waiver easily. Is this the same for the Navy?

Thanks for your time guys.

 

[SavvyPR]

I have no input and know nothing about this, but I just have to say... you are very articulate. Your writing impresses me (and it takes a lot to impress me) at your age... heck, there are a lot of adults here who come on and speek in run onn senTances and rite lik u do wen u text.

It's nice to see a young person actually using the English language properly. A journalism, public relations or some kind of degree that will get you in a writing field may be perfect for you. I have interviewed many, many college students for intern positions and your writing is far superior than a lot of them.

 

[SWCS242]

1. No, aside from staying out of trouble, staying in shape, and making sure your recruiter knows where you are
2. Yes, there are many things taken into consideration not just GPA
3. Not so much, do what you like so you can get good grades
4.If you are doing BDCP why would NROTC matter? You have to go to an accredited 4 yr university which most are.
5. To fly you need PRK, to be an NFO I think it's fine...however I don't know someone else will have to answer your question here.

Good Luck.

I didn't see at first that you were in High school, my answer to #2 is in reference to a college GPA. Your HS GPA doesn't matter, only your college GPA. My advice to you: get involved in a lot of extra curriculars, stay clean, get good grades. FYI you can only do BDCP for up to 2 years if you have a normal major like pol sci, however for 3 years if you have a technical major like chemical engineering. Essentially you have about 5 years to get ready...

 

[BlackBearHockey]

But if the Navy won't let me do DCI, then I won't join the Navy. That's just the way it is.

Sweet. I could have played minor-pro hockey once upon a time, but I chose a different, more fulfilling passion. The bottom line is if you would pick being a band geek over being a NAVAL AVIATOR than you might want to check out Embry Riddle's regional pilot training program or whatever it is. I mean, it would be really cool to be 80 and look back and say you played in a sweet marching band and everything... almost as much as saying you piloted warplanes. Totally equal things....

 

[Immy]

Not my place to comment but I really have to agree with BlackBear.

 

[navy09]

I agree with all posters so far. You sound like a smart guy; you also sound like a massive geek. The good news for you is the Navy has tons of geeks, so you don't have to worry about it too much.

As far as choosing band over the Navy, I think that you're 15 and your priorities are jacked up. When you hit puberty you'll probably change your mind. Maybe you won't. Either way, good luck.

 

[Picaroon]

If you want to learn more, google DCI.

I'm good...

But if the Navy won't let me do DCI, then I won't join the Navy. That's just the way it is.

That's your choice. BDCP won't stop you from doing DCI as long as you haven't graduated. If DCI takes you outside the country you need to get leave, which is not usually a problem but in theory you could get screwed.

Your eyes need surgery to fly a plane and your feet shouldn't be an issue, but you won't know until you see the doc. My feet are "slightly flat" according to the MEPS doc, but I've never experienced a problem so it was never an issue.

Try searching more. Good luck.

 

[ChunksJR]

You could probably get a lot of these answers via Search.

Some favorite quips below:

Flying in the Navy, be it as a pilot or an NFO, has been a dream of mine for a long time. I've always wanted to fly, and when the commercial sector started to go way downhill (about 1-2 years ago), I started researching Navy, and really want to do this. There are a few questions I have though. And yes, I have read the sticky.

You have a lot of dreams. Nothing wrong with that, but it's hard to focus on being a good person/kid/young adult/etc. Just work on developing who you want to be, then let your personality and what is more important right then guide your decisions.

Pilot/NFO is a dream, flying is a dream, Navy is a dream...

But if the Navy won't let me do DCI, then I won't join the Navy. That's just the way it is.

Sounds pretty absolute. May want to just enjoy DCI right now, and maybe decide on the Navy later.

I'm just the kind of person that challenges themself until they break. That's how I operate.

Again, pretty absolute. I'd recommend NOT breaking. Having the talent to fly is also having the talent to realize when you shouldn't fly. There is no "breaking" with altitude and a crew involved.

Does the board take course load into consideration?

Yes. Along with all the rest of that stuff you do to.

If my acceptance hinged on my major, I would go to some kind of engineering.

You are really setting yourself up for failure. Be true to what you want to do, otherwise, after your X-year military career, you'll realize that you really have been living your life for something/someone else. Don't do that.

I'd really like to go to the University of Tennessee...
I really don't want to have to go to Memphis...
I don't think I can get into Vanderbilt....

Then go (if you decide that ROTC isn't the way you want to go).
Then don't go (unless you decided ROTC is more important than your wishes).
Apply anyway (Can't be told no unless you ask).

 

[SWCS242]

As far as choosing band over the Navy, I think that you're 15 and your priorities are jacked up. When you hit puberty you'll probably change your mind. Maybe you won't. Either way, good luck.

Haha, very true. I think when I was 15 my main concern was boys (I'm a girl so it's ok), what I was doing the next weekend, and how I could write a paper on a book I never read that was due the next morning.

Have Fun and do what you enjoy, worry about the BDCP when you get to college because you can't do it until then anyways.

 

[Picaroon]

Haha, very true. I think when I was 15 my main concern was boys (I'm a girl so it's ok), what I was doing the next weekend, and how I could write a paper on a book I never read that was due the next morning.

Wait, are these (obviously girls not boys) not supposed to be my main concerns?

 

[OUSOONER]

Haha, very true. I think when I was 15 my main concern was boys (I'm a girl so it's ok), what I was doing the next weekend, and how I could write a paper on a book I never read that was due the next morning.

Have Fun and do what you enjoy, worry about the BDCP when you get to college because you can't do it until then anyways.

Mine was all about my sega genesis, my double park season pass (White Water AND Frontier City), soccer, reallllly slow internet porn (dial up at the time), and trying to talk to chicks but epic FAIL time and time again.

 

[ChunksJR]

.... and trying to talk to chicks but epic FAIL time and time again.

Hence the internet porn. +1 for honesty though!

 

[Birdog8585]

Sorry, couldn't resist - you opened the door anyway.

As for your questions -> You're young, live your life man. Consider all this stuff in a couple of years when you will be on your way out the door to the next chapter in your life.

 

[Lobster]

how I could write a paper on a book I never read that was due the next morning.

I'm a junior in college and still pulling that one off...somethings never change.