Hey guys. I'm new here, so I may be posting this in the wrong place, but I have a few questions about becoming a naval officer and hopefully a naval aviator. I am a 20 year old incoming college freshman. I worked for my first two years out of high school (to save up money for college) and I am just now starting my first year of college. I am enrolled at Averett University in Danville, Virginia for the fall of 2013. I picked them because they're nearby, they have a good basketball program, and they're known for their aviation program. So here is my plan:
To attend Averett University this fall and stay for 1 year. I would get my single engine rating and private pilot's license there and get my basic classes out of the way (math, english, history, physics, etc). Then I will transfer to either Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida or the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. I would join NROTC if I went to ERAU and hopefully graduate a naval officer. If I went to the Academy, I would obviously be on the same path, except I know that I cannot complete the Academy in 3 years. You have to go for four, so it would take longer then ERAU. After I graduate from either place, I will go to Pensacola, Florida for Primary, and then onto my other training if all this works out. I have a few questions though:
1 - Can you complete the NROTC Navy option in 3 years? If I transfered to ERAU for my sophomore - senior years, would I be able to do that?
2 - Do I still have a chance of getting a pilot slot even though I'm starting college when I'm 20?
3 - Which would you guys who have been to either one recommend? ERAU or the Academy?
4 - I'm also open for Air Force suggestions, but I prefer to go the naval aviator route
5 - Currently, I'm just working as an electrical engineer at the Pentagon and saving up for this fall. Is there anything I should do right now to help my goals along?
6 - What should I major in at ERAU or the Academy? At Averett this fall, I'm majoring in Flight Operations, but the Navy needs a Tier 1 - 3 major, so I'll probably go for Aerospace Engineering, since my eventual goal is to be an astronaut pilot.
7 - Any tips/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Sorry for making this so long guys, again, I'm new here and just interested in what path you guys think I should take. Thanks in advance for any feedback.
- Lucas J.
To attend Averett University this fall and stay for 1 year. I would get my single engine rating and private pilot's license there and get my basic classes out of the way (math, english, history, physics, etc). Then I will transfer to either Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida or the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. I would join NROTC if I went to ERAU and hopefully graduate a naval officer. If I went to the Academy, I would obviously be on the same path, except I know that I cannot complete the Academy in 3 years. You have to go for four, so it would take longer then ERAU. After I graduate from either place, I will go to Pensacola, Florida for Primary, and then onto my other training if all this works out. I have a few questions though:
1 - Can you complete the NROTC Navy option in 3 years? If I transfered to ERAU for my sophomore - senior years, would I be able to do that?
2 - Do I still have a chance of getting a pilot slot even though I'm starting college when I'm 20?
3 - Which would you guys who have been to either one recommend? ERAU or the Academy?
4 - I'm also open for Air Force suggestions, but I prefer to go the naval aviator route
5 - Currently, I'm just working as an electrical engineer at the Pentagon and saving up for this fall. Is there anything I should do right now to help my goals along?
6 - What should I major in at ERAU or the Academy? At Averett this fall, I'm majoring in Flight Operations, but the Navy needs a Tier 1 - 3 major, so I'll probably go for Aerospace Engineering, since my eventual goal is to be an astronaut pilot.
7 - Any tips/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Sorry for making this so long guys, again, I'm new here and just interested in what path you guys think I should take. Thanks in advance for any feedback.
- Lucas J.