This is my plea for help, advice, encouragement, discouragement, or anything in between. Also, this may get a bit long, but I'd really appreciate input from anyone (and particularly guys who have any experience with these issues).
As many of you know, I am working on a transfer from the Civil Engineer Corps to Aviation. I have actually been working on becoming an aviator for over 10 years. Out of high school, I was accepted to the Academy and had a couple ROTC scholarships, but because of vision problems, was told that my only options would be SWO, or Submariner. This advice was incorrect, but at the time, I didn't know better, so I turned down the offers. I didn't go to school for the next 3 years, but when I did go back, I went around to all the services to see if vision requirements had changed. The Air Force told me I might be able to squeeze in, so I did ROTC for a semester. It turned out that I couldn't qualify. A couple years later, I made the rounds again, but was told the same thing. At this time I heard about the Civil Engineer Corps. I felt like I had exhausted all avenues to aviation so I took a CEC Scholarship. After graduating, I went to OCS, and have been in the CEC for about 20 months. Last October, the Navy began allowing individuals to apply for aviation after have laser eye surgery (PRK). I found out about this in December, had the surgery in March, and have spent the last several months jumping through application hoops.
One of my main concerns was my age. I asked the aviation detailer in charge of student placement about a waiver, and was told that I could get a waiver up to 31 years old (I'm almost 29). I have now basically finished my application, so I called PERS 811 who is in charge of transfers, and asked them specifics about the process. They told me that when they receive applications they take them down the hall to the detailers for review. The detailers then send them to the Community Managers in D.C. for verification that the applicant is eligible for transfer. I decided to email the Community Manager. He told me that the age limit was waiverable to 31 on a month-for-month basis prior to your 27th birthday. I enlisted 16 months before my 27th birthday, but am now 23 month past my 27th birthday. He told me that they were very strict with this because people had tried to "game" the system, and he told me that I would be an excellent candidate for NFO (no age waiver needed).
Anyway, I'm pretty upset. The fact that they let people in up to 31 indicates that age is not the primary concern. The Navy needed more pilots, but they didn't want to open the flood gates, so they came up with a system that would give them applicants with prior experience (these people would be more likely to complete the program). So basically a guy my age who has been enlisted for four years is eligible, but I, who was enlisted for 18 months and have been an officer for 20 months, am not. No offense to enlisted personnel, but I'm pretty sure that I have a better chance of making it through OCS.
I basically see a few options:
1) Apply for SNFO
2) Apply for SNFO and then lobby for a transfer to SNA (I noticed someone on the board who had done this, and obviously I would have to be prepared for not getting the transfer).
3) Writing letters to the Community Manager (an O-5) and possibly up the BUPERS chain (I even thought about writing my Congressman). If my few years have taught me anything, it's that there is always someone who can grant an exception. The problem is finding them, and convincing them.
4) Give up.
Possibly the most frustrating part is that I know that my application will be very strong. I graduated with a 3.9 in Civil Engineering, I was a DNG (top 10%) at OCS, I have excellent FITREPS, my ASTB scores were 66, 9, 9, 7, 7, 4, I almost have my PPL, and my CO (while not thrilled about me leaving the CEC) will give me a good endorsement.
I have wanted to be a Naval Aviator (pilot) for as long as I can remember (yes, even before Top Gun). I don’t want to give up, but I really don’t know what my next step should be. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
--Jeff
As many of you know, I am working on a transfer from the Civil Engineer Corps to Aviation. I have actually been working on becoming an aviator for over 10 years. Out of high school, I was accepted to the Academy and had a couple ROTC scholarships, but because of vision problems, was told that my only options would be SWO, or Submariner. This advice was incorrect, but at the time, I didn't know better, so I turned down the offers. I didn't go to school for the next 3 years, but when I did go back, I went around to all the services to see if vision requirements had changed. The Air Force told me I might be able to squeeze in, so I did ROTC for a semester. It turned out that I couldn't qualify. A couple years later, I made the rounds again, but was told the same thing. At this time I heard about the Civil Engineer Corps. I felt like I had exhausted all avenues to aviation so I took a CEC Scholarship. After graduating, I went to OCS, and have been in the CEC for about 20 months. Last October, the Navy began allowing individuals to apply for aviation after have laser eye surgery (PRK). I found out about this in December, had the surgery in March, and have spent the last several months jumping through application hoops.
One of my main concerns was my age. I asked the aviation detailer in charge of student placement about a waiver, and was told that I could get a waiver up to 31 years old (I'm almost 29). I have now basically finished my application, so I called PERS 811 who is in charge of transfers, and asked them specifics about the process. They told me that when they receive applications they take them down the hall to the detailers for review. The detailers then send them to the Community Managers in D.C. for verification that the applicant is eligible for transfer. I decided to email the Community Manager. He told me that the age limit was waiverable to 31 on a month-for-month basis prior to your 27th birthday. I enlisted 16 months before my 27th birthday, but am now 23 month past my 27th birthday. He told me that they were very strict with this because people had tried to "game" the system, and he told me that I would be an excellent candidate for NFO (no age waiver needed).
Anyway, I'm pretty upset. The fact that they let people in up to 31 indicates that age is not the primary concern. The Navy needed more pilots, but they didn't want to open the flood gates, so they came up with a system that would give them applicants with prior experience (these people would be more likely to complete the program). So basically a guy my age who has been enlisted for four years is eligible, but I, who was enlisted for 18 months and have been an officer for 20 months, am not. No offense to enlisted personnel, but I'm pretty sure that I have a better chance of making it through OCS.
I basically see a few options:
1) Apply for SNFO
2) Apply for SNFO and then lobby for a transfer to SNA (I noticed someone on the board who had done this, and obviously I would have to be prepared for not getting the transfer).
3) Writing letters to the Community Manager (an O-5) and possibly up the BUPERS chain (I even thought about writing my Congressman). If my few years have taught me anything, it's that there is always someone who can grant an exception. The problem is finding them, and convincing them.
4) Give up.
Possibly the most frustrating part is that I know that my application will be very strong. I graduated with a 3.9 in Civil Engineering, I was a DNG (top 10%) at OCS, I have excellent FITREPS, my ASTB scores were 66, 9, 9, 7, 7, 4, I almost have my PPL, and my CO (while not thrilled about me leaving the CEC) will give me a good endorsement.
I have wanted to be a Naval Aviator (pilot) for as long as I can remember (yes, even before Top Gun). I don’t want to give up, but I really don’t know what my next step should be. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
--Jeff