Hi all,
So I am currently in the process of applying for OCS as a pilot. I apologize in advance for the length of this message, but I really just want to get it all out there to hopefully find some answers. I have been scouring the forums for some time now and have tried to obtain all the information I could without having to post, but there were some issues that remain unclear to me and some that are specific to my situation.
My grandfather and his squadron members have been a huge inspiration to me for pursing this path, he is a retired Rear Admiral in the Navy and was a pilot. My heart is currently set on being a pilot (plan to list SNA 3 times on the application) and I believe it to be my calling in life (I know this is probably said a lot, but I am just being honest).
I am actually undergoing LASIK surgery this upcoming Friday so that I can qualify as a pilot. I understand that this will require a waiver and I even spoke with a NAMI doctor down at Pensacola to ensure that LASIK was currently as safe a route for being granted a waiver as PRK and LASEK. Based on my discussion with him, it seems as though the Navy is moving toward LASIK as the preferred surgery. I have thoroughly researched the waiver guidelines and should be able to have surgery done to qualify to be a Student Naval Aviator with the waiver. As you know, the unfortunate aspect of the surgery is that there is the 6 month wait period. That would mean I would not qualify physically until November 24th. My OR informed me that this is fine and has been in a rush to get everything done ASAP for the December board, suggesting MEPS first, then security forms, then application/references, etc. I have been reading up on here for a while and I'm just in need of some clarity as to what is required before being professionally recommended (pro rec'd) and then professionally qualified. And at which point can you be sure that you have been accepted into OCS. It seems as though the first things to get in are the application with references and the ASTB to see if you are pro rec'd? I have not seen any definitive language on this around the site however.
I understand that the recruiters are the primary resource for our questions. However, based on my experiences thus far with my local recruiter, it seems as though their primary concern is not finding the best spot for the individual, but rather just getting a commitment as quickly as possible. With that said, I had a couple of questions regarding the application process in addition to the ones above. Since I am having LASIK and there is a 6 month wait period till I can be cleared medically, what is advantageous to hold off on completing (MEPS, PRT, etc.) and what is best to complete first. This somewhat ties into my first question as to what is required to be pro-rec'd. Also, can I be pro rec'd before the 6 month wait period passes So long as MEPS says everything is fine I just need to get the waiver for my eyes in November? My recruiters suggested a certain process of applying first where I would not be qualified to be a pilot and then resubmitting with the waiver to be considered qualified, it was confusing and I was a bit alarmed by it because I do want to ensure my application as a pilot.
I am now 24 and went to a pretty good liberal arts college, Colby College, and graduated with a 3.5 in Economics and was captain of the football team there. I now pursue a Masters in Accounting because it was funded by work and have a 3.7 currently, but the degree is on hold now due to my current plans with the Navy. I am currently working a good job in finance/consulting for a Big 4 accounting company and am in line for a promotion this July. However, I do not believe it to be my calling in life. When I first went down to the recruiting station my recruiter convinced me to take the ASTB exam, but did not emphasize the amount of studying that it required! (In fact, the recruiter even was going to have me take it with no prior studying, which I learned is crazy!). However, fortunately we agreed to schedule it for a later date. Based on their initial impressions and because I was so busy with work and school (was in the middle of the MSA degree class finals), I was not able to put in as much time studying as I realized the exam warranted after additional research. Nevertheless, I took the exam and scored 6/6/7 55, which my recruiter said was great and competitive. My question on this is whether I might as well retake this because of the wait period for the eye surgery and boost my scores (I got theses scores on one night of study and know I could significantly improve them with ample preparation)? Let me know your thoughts if I should spend the time retaking.
My final questions relates to my chances of being accepted currently and when would be the best time to tell my current bosses my plans to enter the Navy and when I should seek their references.
Please let me know all of your thoughts. I truly appreciate all and any of your insight.
So I am currently in the process of applying for OCS as a pilot. I apologize in advance for the length of this message, but I really just want to get it all out there to hopefully find some answers. I have been scouring the forums for some time now and have tried to obtain all the information I could without having to post, but there were some issues that remain unclear to me and some that are specific to my situation.
My grandfather and his squadron members have been a huge inspiration to me for pursing this path, he is a retired Rear Admiral in the Navy and was a pilot. My heart is currently set on being a pilot (plan to list SNA 3 times on the application) and I believe it to be my calling in life (I know this is probably said a lot, but I am just being honest).
I am actually undergoing LASIK surgery this upcoming Friday so that I can qualify as a pilot. I understand that this will require a waiver and I even spoke with a NAMI doctor down at Pensacola to ensure that LASIK was currently as safe a route for being granted a waiver as PRK and LASEK. Based on my discussion with him, it seems as though the Navy is moving toward LASIK as the preferred surgery. I have thoroughly researched the waiver guidelines and should be able to have surgery done to qualify to be a Student Naval Aviator with the waiver. As you know, the unfortunate aspect of the surgery is that there is the 6 month wait period. That would mean I would not qualify physically until November 24th. My OR informed me that this is fine and has been in a rush to get everything done ASAP for the December board, suggesting MEPS first, then security forms, then application/references, etc. I have been reading up on here for a while and I'm just in need of some clarity as to what is required before being professionally recommended (pro rec'd) and then professionally qualified. And at which point can you be sure that you have been accepted into OCS. It seems as though the first things to get in are the application with references and the ASTB to see if you are pro rec'd? I have not seen any definitive language on this around the site however.
I understand that the recruiters are the primary resource for our questions. However, based on my experiences thus far with my local recruiter, it seems as though their primary concern is not finding the best spot for the individual, but rather just getting a commitment as quickly as possible. With that said, I had a couple of questions regarding the application process in addition to the ones above. Since I am having LASIK and there is a 6 month wait period till I can be cleared medically, what is advantageous to hold off on completing (MEPS, PRT, etc.) and what is best to complete first. This somewhat ties into my first question as to what is required to be pro-rec'd. Also, can I be pro rec'd before the 6 month wait period passes So long as MEPS says everything is fine I just need to get the waiver for my eyes in November? My recruiters suggested a certain process of applying first where I would not be qualified to be a pilot and then resubmitting with the waiver to be considered qualified, it was confusing and I was a bit alarmed by it because I do want to ensure my application as a pilot.
I am now 24 and went to a pretty good liberal arts college, Colby College, and graduated with a 3.5 in Economics and was captain of the football team there. I now pursue a Masters in Accounting because it was funded by work and have a 3.7 currently, but the degree is on hold now due to my current plans with the Navy. I am currently working a good job in finance/consulting for a Big 4 accounting company and am in line for a promotion this July. However, I do not believe it to be my calling in life. When I first went down to the recruiting station my recruiter convinced me to take the ASTB exam, but did not emphasize the amount of studying that it required! (In fact, the recruiter even was going to have me take it with no prior studying, which I learned is crazy!). However, fortunately we agreed to schedule it for a later date. Based on their initial impressions and because I was so busy with work and school (was in the middle of the MSA degree class finals), I was not able to put in as much time studying as I realized the exam warranted after additional research. Nevertheless, I took the exam and scored 6/6/7 55, which my recruiter said was great and competitive. My question on this is whether I might as well retake this because of the wait period for the eye surgery and boost my scores (I got theses scores on one night of study and know I could significantly improve them with ample preparation)? Let me know your thoughts if I should spend the time retaking.
My final questions relates to my chances of being accepted currently and when would be the best time to tell my current bosses my plans to enter the Navy and when I should seek their references.
Please let me know all of your thoughts. I truly appreciate all and any of your insight.