• Please take a moment and update your account profile. If you have an updated account profile with basic information on why you are on Air Warriors it will help other people respond to your posts. How do you update your profile you ask?

    Go here:

    Edit Account Details and Profile

Advice for prospective naval aviator-astronaut?

A

alexadb123

New Member
Hello,

I'm very new to this forum and to learning about the navy in general, so please correct me if I make any factual mistakes.
First I'd like to tell you a little about myself and why I've chosen this possible career path.

I'm currently attending Binghamton University as a chemistry and materials science major. I'm a senior and have one more semester to go. Throughout my life I've always been interested in space and becoming an astronaut. To be blunt, I'm a huge nerd. I was inspired by TV shows like Stargate and Battlestar Galactica to learn more about space and how people become astronauts in the real world. This past August I earned my sport pilot certificate at a local flight school (my primary aircraft was the Evektor SportStar). Ever since I started flight training I've grown to absolutely love it. Initially entering college with the mindset that I'd go into research, I now can't see myself doing anything but aviation.

I'm now looking into joining the Navy through OCS with the hopes of becoming a naval aviator and ultimately an astronaut down the line. I've been talking with a current NFO and he referred me to visit this forum.

Strengths
  • Tons of leadership experience, research, and extracurricular activities throughout college. I'm currently the chief operating officer for the rocketry research group at my university. We're designing a sounding rocket that we plan to launch past the Karman line next semester. A couple years ago I went to Antarctica on a study abroad program to conduct research authorized by the NSF. I don't know how much extracurriculars really count when applying to OCS, but I hope it helps.
  • Civilian flight experience. As I mentioned before, I already have my sport pilot certificate.
Weaknesses
  • Skinny. My weight varies between 110 and 120 pounds, primarily due to a high metabolism. Combine that with the fact that I never established a consistent workout routine, and my strength and cardio are relatively poor. However, I believe that this is something I can work on now that college is starting to settle down and I'll have more time to workout and really get my strength up.
  • Relatively low GPA. I still have 2 semesters to bring my GPA up, but in short, I messed up on a few courses like organic chemistry and calculus, and it really lowered my grades the past couple of years. My GPA was very good sophomore year but started to get lower after that. It is above the minimum GPA required to apply for OCS as a prospective naval aviator (which is 2.5?), but not by a lot.
Another thing to note...
I have a small degree of nystagmus. I just received eye surgery a few months ago to correct for most of it, but my eyesight still does not meet the 20/20 corrected requirement. The day after surgery it was 20/40 corrected, but that was without healing and with outdated lenses. I'm hoping that when I have my follow-up appointment next month, the combination of healed surgical wounds and new lenses (I'll be getting contact lenses this time since apparently they minimize nystagmus a lot better than glasses) might improve my eyesight to 20/20 corrected. I should definitely reach 20/30, but 20/20 is a bit of a longshot.

Does anyone have any advice on applying to OCS with my prospective career in mind? What are my chances of actually getting into OCS and becoming a naval aviator? My long term goal is to become an astronaut, but at this point I'm just striving to one day earn my wings.
 
Swanee

Swanee

Cereal Killer
pilot
None
Contributor
42plot.jpg



It's the sum of 3 cubes. It's the answer to life, the universe, and everything (yes everything, even your chances)-

Look within and you'll find it. Come back in a millenia we'll tell you- let us know if you got in, and you'll understand you're either a 1 or a 0.
 
RoarkJr.

RoarkJr.

Well-Known Member
Go talk to a recruiter. FWIW if you put some meat on your bones, get in shape and do some soul searching, Marines have an aviation guarantee.
 
flgator92

flgator92

Well-Known Member
None
alexadb123 said:
I'm now looking into joining the Navy through OCS with the hopes of becoming a naval aviator and ultimately an astronaut down the line.
Click to expand...
Work on getting accepted to OCS first ... good to have goals but that is lightyears away from you (and for me for that matter) at this point, young jedi.

Talking to a Navy OR will help. If you really want aviation, tell him you're interested in both SNA and SNFO. If being a pilot is all you want, then just SNA.
 
AllAmerican75

AllAmerican75

FUBIJAR
None
Contributor
alexadb123 said:
Hello,

I'm very new to this forum and to learning about the navy in general, so please correct me if I make any factual mistakes.
First I'd like to tell you a little about myself and why I've chosen this possible career path.

I'm currently attending Binghamton University as a chemistry and materials science major. I'm a senior and have one more semester to go. Throughout my life I've always been interested in space and becoming an astronaut. To be blunt, I'm a huge nerd. I was inspired by TV shows like Stargate and Battlestar Galactica to learn more about space and how people become astronauts in the real world. This past August I earned my sport pilot certificate at a local flight school (my primary aircraft was the Evektor SportStar). Ever since I started flight training I've grown to absolutely love it. Initially entering college with the mindset that I'd go into research, I now can't see myself doing anything but aviation.

I'm now looking into joining the Navy through OCS with the hopes of becoming a naval aviator and ultimately an astronaut down the line. I've been talking with a current NFO and he referred me to visit this forum.
Click to expand...

Good motivation, now go talk to a recruiter.

alexadb123 said:
Strengths
  • Tons of leadership experience, research, and extracurricular activities throughout college. I'm currently the chief operating officer for the rocketry research group at my university. We're designing a sounding rocket that we plan to launch past the Karman line next semester. A couple years ago I went to Antarctica on a study abroad program to conduct research authorized by the NSF. I don't know how much extracurriculars really count when applying to OCS, but I hope it helps.
  • Civilian flight experience. As I mentioned before, I already have my sport pilot certificate.
Weaknesses
  • Skinny. My weight varies between 110 and 120 pounds, primarily due to a high metabolism. Combine that with the fact that I never established a consistent workout routine, and my strength and cardio are relatively poor. However, I believe that this is something I can work on now that college is starting to settle down and I'll have more time to workout and really get my strength up.
  • Relatively low GPA. I still have 2 semesters to bring my GPA up, but in short, I messed up on a few courses like organic chemistry and calculus, and it really lowered my grades the past couple of years. My GPA was very good sophomore year but started to get lower after that. It is above the minimum GPA required to apply for OCS as a prospective naval aviator (which is 2.5?), but not by a lot.
Click to expand...
Civilian flight experience does not necessarily predict success in flight school nor does the Navy necessarily care. The Navy will train you to fly the Navy way.

Now start working out (I can't tell if you're a man or woman so I don't know if 110-120 is good or not) and finish up school strong. I had a 2.6 when I graduated from undergrad with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. I still got picked up on an aviation contract. The ASTB matters a lot, so study for it and blow it out of the water.

alexadb123 said:
Another thing to note...
I have a small degree of nystagmus. I just received eye surgery a few months ago to correct for most of it, but my eyesight still does not meet the 20/20 corrected requirement. The day after surgery it was 20/40 corrected, but that was without healing and with outdated lenses. I'm hoping that when I have my follow-up appointment next month, the combination of healed surgical wounds and new lenses (I'll be getting contact lenses this time since apparently they minimize nystagmus a lot better than glasses) might improve my eyesight to 20/20 corrected. I should definitely reach 20/30, but 20/20 is a bit of a longshot.

Does anyone have any advice on applying to OCS with my prospective career in mind? What are my chances of actually getting into OCS and becoming a naval aviator? My long term goal is to become an astronaut, but at this point I'm just striving to one day earn my wings.
Click to expand...

You can still be an astronaut as an NFO. Hell, you can be an astronaut as a SEAL, Submariner, AEDO, and EDO. Becoming an astronaut isn't restricted to just being an aviator anymore. In fact, NASA is looking for specific skillsets and a more diverse background than just being a daredevil test pilot like it was back in the day. If you want to see the backgrounds of modern astronauts, look here: https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts. Another thing to keep in mind is that you're going to need an advanced technical or medical degree which can be difficult to get as an aviator. Currently, the aviation community prioritizes operational and production tours (being an instructor) for career progression and choosing a tour that places you somewhere you can get an advanced technical degree may or may not affect your ability to promote. This is all inside baseball and doesn't matter until you are a LT or LTJG, but it is something you need to cognizant of. Going to NPS or doing an NROTC tour may not be best if you want to continue as an aviator. Remember, if the Navy wants you to have an advanced degree, they'll send you to get one or expect that you will do the standard online degree mill MBA like everybody else.

Right now, focus on the closest alligator to the boat which is getting picked up for an SNA or SNFO spot at OCS. Also focus on staying healthy and avoiding the NAMI whammy which will end your dream to fly Navy hardware abruptly.
 
E

exNavyOffRec

Well-Known Member
alexadb123 said:
I have a small degree of nystagmus. I just received eye surgery a few months ago to correct for most of it
Click to expand...

This is what will be the issue, per the Navy Medical Manual any amount of nystagmus is disqualifying, if the medical documents don't say it is gone that will be an issue, the surgery itself could be an issue as many eye surgeries are permanently disqualifying.
28141
 
A

alexadb123

New Member
exNavyOffRec said:
This is what will be the issue, per the Navy Medical Manual any amount of nystagmus is disqualifying, if the medical documents don't say it is gone that will be an issue, the surgery itself could be an issue as many eye surgeries are permanently disqualifying.
View attachment 28141
Click to expand...
Is there a way to get a medical exam before I even apply for OCS? Or is it usually done during the application process?
 
E

exNavyOffRec

Well-Known Member
alexadb123 said:
Is there a way to get a medical exam before I even apply for OCS? Or is it usually done during the application process?
Click to expand...
you would talk to an OR, they would then schedule for a MEPS visit before you submit, then after MEPS the records get sent up for review and the USN would make the final determination.
 
flgator92

flgator92

Well-Known Member
None
exNavyOffRec said:
That is for just becoming qualified to be a USN officer, you need to talk to an OR to see what medical says once you are stable from your surgery.
Click to expand...
Thanks... was just wondering. Commissioned almost two years ago now, so I'm good; was just curious.
 
insanebikerboy

insanebikerboy

Internet killed the television star
pilot
None
Contributor
Statistically you have about a 0.05% chance of becoming an astronaut. I recommend finding something you love to do and pursue that. Being a Naval Aviator for a career is something to be proud of in itself.

You will also need a masters or more advanced degree, regardless if you apply as a pilot or mission specialist. Without an advanced degree NASA won’t even look at you. You will also need to get your grades up. NASA can be as selective as they want and they aren’t going to take a candidate that got a 2.5 in college.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top