What enlisted rates did most Navy Mustang pilots have before they commissioned?

[ea6bflyr]

Most are eluding to that there is no "sure fire" enlisted rate that will help you earn your wings of gold. I too was an Aircraft Electrician (AE) [after starting out as a non-designated Airman working on the flight deck] and Aircrew. I was not mature enough to go directly from HS to College, so this path worked for me, but doesn't work for everyone.

My advice:
-If you want to be a Naval Officer and Naval Aviator, FIRST pursue a commission through any commissioning source for which you qualify.

- SECOND, If really want to enlist, select a technical rate that will help you out on the outside. I say this because, if you enlist, and end up not enjoying the Navy, then get out, at least you'll have learned a valuable trade skill you can fall back on (and you'll also earn the GI Bill...and go to college?)

Best of luck.

 

[JoeBob1788]

Don’t enlist unless you really really want the enlisted job. I had two paths that I could not choose between, so I enlisted EOD, did 9 years, and then applied and got NFO. The key is, while I’ve wanted to fly since before I can remember, I would have been happy as an EOD tech for 20. Also I believe that my age (33) was a factor in getting SNFO instead of SNA. I don’t care that much, thrilled with NFO, but that’s another consideration about enlisting. If you don’t want to be AW if things don’t work out… don’t do it. If you have to be some rate because it’s your life dream before pursuing your other dream, heck it worked for me but nothing is guaranteed.

Edit: either way get your degree first.

 

[BigLuvin]

I would take the advice of the majority here and just finish your degree and commission. I was enlisted for almost 10 years as an Aircrewman on P-3s and then applied for SNA and SNFO. Big Navy said I was too old for SNA. Did the NFO thing for awhile and got picked up for the NFO to Pilot Transition. Don't be a dumbass like me and take the hard route. GET YOUR DEGREE FIRST!!!

 

[FLGUY]

I would take the advice of the majority here and just finish your degree and commission. I was enlisted for almost 10 years as an Aircrewman on P-3s and then applied for SNA and SNFO. Big Navy said I was too old for SNA. Did the NFO thing for awhile and got picked up for the NFO to Pilot Transition. Don't be a dumbass like me and take the hard route. GET YOUR DEGREE FIRST!!!

I always wondered if someone had gone from AW to NFO to Pilot in VP. That’s pretty cool.

 

[AIRMMCPORET]

I always wondered if someone had gone from AW to NFO to Pilot in VP. That’s pretty cool.

But he doesn’t have single anchor wings.?

 

[AIRMMCPORET]

Trust me don’t enlist, all these pilots /NFOs are unicorns, way to many ways to get tripped up going the enlisted path first.

I spent 30 years in the Navy enlisted and never had one sailor become a pilot in the Navy after enlisting that I worked with, or for me.

However many did get commissions for other designators. I do know one pilot who made it to Chief/E-7, but I didn’t know him prior to being an officer.

Enjoy college, get a degree, go to OCS, and become a pilot, that’s what my son did and he’s he’s way better off for doing it that way.??⚓️?

 

[Griz882]

I always wondered if someone had gone from AW to NFO to Pilot in VP. That’s pretty cool.

Impressive…certainly…but cool? Going from bosun to NFO to pilot would be down right “evolutionary” and therefore really cool. ?

 

[FLGUY]

Impressive…certainly…but cool? Going from bosun to NFO to pilot would be down right “evolutionary” and therefore really cool. ?

I just like the novelty of someone having seen each main type of seat in the plane. The overall knowledge gained from that would be valuable IMO, or at least unique. But I think we can agree that nothing is cooler than being a Pilot. ?

 

[AIRMMCPORET]

I just like the novelty of someone having seen each main type of seat in the plane. The overall knowledge gained from that would be valuable IMO, or at least unique. But I think we can agree that nothing is cooler than being a Pilot. ?

I can just see it now, corrosion I need a wire brush, sir why, when I see rust in flight it needs busting.??⚓️?

 

[villo0692]

I just commissioned last Friday, I'm an SNA.....and I was telling someone yesterday....even though I very much enjoyed and appreciated my time as enlisted (I was an AE as well ), had I had the opportunity to go to school first and then commission without going enlisted first, I would not think twice about it....my 0.02$

 

[BigLuvin]

I always wondered if someone had gone from AW to NFO to Pilot in VP. That’s pretty cool.

A whole lotta stress but Primary has been a blast!

 

[BigLuvin]

But he doesn’t have single anchor wings.?

This takes time. I’ll report back in approx 5-ish months…. ?

 

[IKE]

While I still agree with everyone above (commission if you can), there are some benefits to prior enlisted time:

• STA-21 paid for my BS, so no debt.
• I commissioned at 5 years of service, so I could've retired as an O4 after 15 years of commissioned service (YCS), so the O-5 non-CO sea tour was never a real threat to me.
• If I manage to pick up O6 and stay in to the statutory limit (30 YCS), that will be 35 years total service or 87.5% retirement instead of 75%.
• I have experience and context to call BS when I hear it from enlisted folks (this doesn't happen much)

But still, commission if you can.

 

[Rtjenkins]

I'm planning to Enlist first then commission once I finish my four years. What would be the adequate rate that would help you in getting commissioned and getting your wings?

No rate should hinder you from commissioning as long as you have a strong package you should be fine. Are you enlisting first to help pay for school?

 

[Rtjenkins]

I would take the advice of the majority here and just finish your degree and commission. I was enlisted for almost 10 years as an Aircrewman on P-3s and then applied for SNA and SNFO. Big Navy said I was too old for SNA. Did the NFO thing for awhile and got picked up for the NFO to Pilot Transition. Don't be a dumbass like me and take the hard route. GET YOUR DEGREE FIRST!!!

Take in consideration not everyone has the funds to simply go to colllege or want to put themselves in debt. We all have are reasons to go enlisted/officer. Although I did go to college first be I joined used my moms gi bill as her dependent to obtain my associates and the I enlisted, finished my bachelors within 6 months using TA/ and have 0 college debt. The amount of Cleo/Sophia courses, you can obtain a degree rather quickly. I said all that to say not every one situations the same, or maybe I’m getting to deep In it.