Hi all, I hope that I'm not posting in the wrong area. I looked around quite a bit and this looked like the best place to put my question. Basically, I'm looking for some advice on how best I should handle a transition into the Naval aviation pipeline after I am enlisted. I'll give a bit of background as well so that my question makes sense. I am a 25-year-old college grad who is shipping in 12 days (August 15th) with a SO contract (enlisted). I have been pursuing SEALs for a long time now, but over the course of the last 6 months have been having increasing doubts about whether or not it's the actual path that I want. I ignored those doubts for a long time thinking they were just nerves, but they have stayed persistent, and I'm realizing that team guy life just isn't what I want. On top of that I was always told I am too tall to become an aviator, so I never really considered it, but after doing some reading and taking a few measurements I realize this wasn't true.
So I know straight away people are going to tell me to walk away from the program and find an officer recruiter. The thing is, I can't. I am out of time in my living situation, am in extreme debt from college, and cannot pay my loans and live any longer. On top of this, no matter what happens, I am ok with a career in the Navy. I think I need a little direction and discipline in my life. So my idea was that I would drop out of the SO program at boot and apply for an OCS aviation package after 2 years in the fleet. I'm aware that this is a hard path to take, and that it is in no way guaranteed. But like I said, I don't really have the option to drop from my contract right now and take the year or so I've been told it would take to pick up an OCS billet.
So, I guess I'm wondering if there are any things I should consider while I do this? I'm confident that I can get stellar scores on the ASTB. I'm sure plenty of candidates say this, but I have always done outrageously good on testing even without studying, so with a few years of study and practice am confident I could knock the test out of the park. Are there any particular enlisted rates that would give me a better shot at being picked up for the program? I have been told that if I pick the wrong one, my command may basically refuse to let me go, regardless of what my scores and evals look like. Would the fact that I am also an older candidate be a detriment to my chances? I think I would finish A school right around the time I turn 26, so I wouldn't be able to apply for aviation until I was 28. I'm also wondering how being an older pilot starting out would affect my career? Like most, I would love to fly jets, but am OK with any platform, and if I'm not mistaken no matter what wouldn't be flying until I was 30, if everything worked out.
In general, I'm just looking for some advice on this all, and whether or not I'm being an utter idiot with this decision. I also want to say if any of my post comes off as cocky or stupid I don't mean for it to. I'm just trying to relay and test the information I have been told and read. I appreciate any help and advice.
So I know straight away people are going to tell me to walk away from the program and find an officer recruiter. The thing is, I can't. I am out of time in my living situation, am in extreme debt from college, and cannot pay my loans and live any longer. On top of this, no matter what happens, I am ok with a career in the Navy. I think I need a little direction and discipline in my life. So my idea was that I would drop out of the SO program at boot and apply for an OCS aviation package after 2 years in the fleet. I'm aware that this is a hard path to take, and that it is in no way guaranteed. But like I said, I don't really have the option to drop from my contract right now and take the year or so I've been told it would take to pick up an OCS billet.
So, I guess I'm wondering if there are any things I should consider while I do this? I'm confident that I can get stellar scores on the ASTB. I'm sure plenty of candidates say this, but I have always done outrageously good on testing even without studying, so with a few years of study and practice am confident I could knock the test out of the park. Are there any particular enlisted rates that would give me a better shot at being picked up for the program? I have been told that if I pick the wrong one, my command may basically refuse to let me go, regardless of what my scores and evals look like. Would the fact that I am also an older candidate be a detriment to my chances? I think I would finish A school right around the time I turn 26, so I wouldn't be able to apply for aviation until I was 28. I'm also wondering how being an older pilot starting out would affect my career? Like most, I would love to fly jets, but am OK with any platform, and if I'm not mistaken no matter what wouldn't be flying until I was 30, if everything worked out.
In general, I'm just looking for some advice on this all, and whether or not I'm being an utter idiot with this decision. I also want to say if any of my post comes off as cocky or stupid I don't mean for it to. I'm just trying to relay and test the information I have been told and read. I appreciate any help and advice.