Hi, this is my first post, so disregard any ignorance regarding information I may say haha.
A little backround on me: I am a freshman in college at the University of Utah. During my senior year of high school, I decided I wanted to start flight training and I eventually received my PPL just before heading off to University. I am studying business and have around a 3.5 GPA. I have flown a little bit since I got here, and I am at just about 130 hours with a PPL fixed wing. I am going to be continuing training all the way from Instrument through CFI by the time I graduate; If all goes according to plan.
My original plan was to go to civilian flight school (which I already did for my PPL), and obtain all the licenses/ratings required to go to the regionals and then eventually try and work my way to the majors. Although that would be a great plan, and a fantastic career, I feel like I need a career with a little bit more of a purpose behind it.
With a bit of background out of the way, here is where my research has lead me so far. In terms of Navy aviation, and obtaining a pilot slot, the three ways to get there are by going to the USNA, joining NROTC, or applying to OCS once I graduate. USNA is clearly not an option as I have already begun college, NROTC leaves me a little uncertain weather I'll get a pilot slot before committing to service, so OCS seems to be the best bet for me. If what I think is correct, once I graduate I will send in an application, with the help of a recruiter, with "Pilot" as my top choice, right? This also assures me that I will have a pilot slot before signing any contract and committing to service, right? I understand I will need to take tests and obtain certain documents, but right now I am just concerned about how the process for getting a pilot slot works.
My main questions is, aside from how the overall process works, is what are the real chances that I could receive a pilot slot by applying to OCS? Do they give all the slots to the Academy/ROTC kids, or is there a fair amount left that are given to "off the street" OCS applicants that have a strong application (high test scores, LOR's, high number of flight hours)? I am aware that I will need to score high on the tests, maintain a good GPA throughout college, and continue to build flight hours throughout college. Feel free to throw any and all information at me that you think would help!
Jake
A little backround on me: I am a freshman in college at the University of Utah. During my senior year of high school, I decided I wanted to start flight training and I eventually received my PPL just before heading off to University. I am studying business and have around a 3.5 GPA. I have flown a little bit since I got here, and I am at just about 130 hours with a PPL fixed wing. I am going to be continuing training all the way from Instrument through CFI by the time I graduate; If all goes according to plan.
My original plan was to go to civilian flight school (which I already did for my PPL), and obtain all the licenses/ratings required to go to the regionals and then eventually try and work my way to the majors. Although that would be a great plan, and a fantastic career, I feel like I need a career with a little bit more of a purpose behind it.
With a bit of background out of the way, here is where my research has lead me so far. In terms of Navy aviation, and obtaining a pilot slot, the three ways to get there are by going to the USNA, joining NROTC, or applying to OCS once I graduate. USNA is clearly not an option as I have already begun college, NROTC leaves me a little uncertain weather I'll get a pilot slot before committing to service, so OCS seems to be the best bet for me. If what I think is correct, once I graduate I will send in an application, with the help of a recruiter, with "Pilot" as my top choice, right? This also assures me that I will have a pilot slot before signing any contract and committing to service, right? I understand I will need to take tests and obtain certain documents, but right now I am just concerned about how the process for getting a pilot slot works.
My main questions is, aside from how the overall process works, is what are the real chances that I could receive a pilot slot by applying to OCS? Do they give all the slots to the Academy/ROTC kids, or is there a fair amount left that are given to "off the street" OCS applicants that have a strong application (high test scores, LOR's, high number of flight hours)? I am aware that I will need to score high on the tests, maintain a good GPA throughout college, and continue to build flight hours throughout college. Feel free to throw any and all information at me that you think would help!
Jake
