Pilot age limits not applicable for BDCP non-priors???

[NTXRockr]

I've been in the BDCP since swearing in December 2009, and was initially told that only those serving actual prior service (not BDCP or any other DEP) were able to go up to 48 months past 27 and are allowed to commission up to their 29th birthday. This would not have been an issue for me except that my achilles tendon injury has delayed me for over 6 months now, and unless I get into the 27 NOV class date I won't commission in time before my 27th in March.

HOWEVER...after speaking to the OCS Helpdesk at Millington, a chief on duty there told me not to worry about the age requirement as BDCP candidates are considered active duty and are given leeway like other prior service candidates. He didn't say that we have up until our 29th birthday or the 48 months, etc, but he said that I would be fine and still have my pilot slot, and that in the system it looks like I'm now tentatively set for a January or February class date. This was the first time I've EVER heard this, and was a slight temporary relief to my ever-increasing stress while this class date was approaching. but is this good gouge and accurate that BDCP has some flexibility with age limits, or should I be pushing all this week for this weekend's class, an age waiver (or waiver due to my injury), or be seriously considering redesignating? Are there any other options I may be overlooking that could help my situation? I applied only as SNA and really want to fly, but I also want to stay in the Navy as I've been waiting for two years to get to this point. I'm willing and motivated to do anything and everything to make pilot, so any and all help will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!!!

 

[JTW]

I won't say if that is bad gouge or not. I wasn't BDCP but I am a prior and have not heard of any "leeway". I don't like the sound of what you were told over the phone. So this is from OCS section of the 1420.1b:

Naval Flight Officer (1370) Must be commissioned by age 27, Waiver Consideration 48 months(1)/ Up to age 31

Pilot (1390) Must be commissioned by age 27, Waiver Consideration 24 months(1)/Up to age 29

Note 1: waivers are considered on a month-for-month basis for active duty
service prior to the age specified in the center column of the table above.

When in doubt, always reference the instruction. If anything, you may need an age waiver which is not hard to do at all. I hope this helps.

 

[NTXRockr]

I wasn't for sure on where in the regs it was written, so thank you for the quote. That's what I was thinking, but was told over the phone that BDCP qualifies as prior service for the 24/48 months waiver but also told by my recruiters when initially swearing in that BDCP does not count for active duty in this sense - they gave an example of something along the lines of "needed to serve at least 48 months prior, of which they give you 24 months credit for pilot". At the time I didn't care, as I was 24 and graduating just over a year after that, but then I had to delay graduation a semester and then had an injury that's kept me NPQ until just recently. I appreciate the info, hopefully someone with a similar situation or with connections can get some more.

 

[NTXRockr]

I'm trying to find a copy of the 1420.1b to read through, but I've found a couple of other things to read by searching AW and Google.

MILPERSMAN 1542-010 (Naval Aviation Training), section 5a states "Pilot applicants must not have passed their 27th birthday at the time of application. For applicants with prior active duty military service, waivers may be granted on a month-for-month basis up to 24 months for active duty served prior to their 27th birthday, to maximum age of 29." - I'm unsure whether the "at the time of application" implies when we applied to the boards, swore in, or if we "apply" again at OCS at some point. If it goes by application to the boards, then I'm golden, but the general consensus is that of the 1420.1b and that you must commission before turning 27. Also, is the "active duty served prior to their 27th birthday" including that of the BDCP? Again, if that's the case (and what I believe the chief at Millington was referring to) then I should be fine.

MILPERSMAN 1131-010 (Initial Appointment of Officers in the Regular Navy and Naval Reserve), section 4 (Initial Entry Grades and Limiting Ages) states that Naval Aviators enter as ensigns "At least 19 but under 27; month for month waivers up to 24 months will be considered for in-service applicants who possess particularly exceptional qualifications." - Again, are BDCP collegiates considered "in-service applicants" or does this apply to prior service applicants who may be currently serving as enlisted, etc?

I think that if the first one is what the standard is, then I should be fine by both application age and by service given. However, I haven't read the 1420.1b or anything from OCS that may say otherwise, so I'll keep digging. Any further help to point me in the right direction is appreciated.

 

[MIDNJAC]

I'd say your circumstances might get you in the door, though I too had always known the 29 y/o waiver to be applicable only to true priors. I'm sure someone on here can answer the question with authority, but I wouldn't discount the possibility of a case-by-case waiver ending up in your favor.

 

[NTXRockr]

Thanks, hopefully once the time gets closer I can get more concise answers and go from there. From what I was being told from Millington it sounds like I should be fine, but I wish I could get an affirmative or something in writing (almost non-existent with the government, right?). Tomorrow's class date is here and I'm without orders for it, so I'm in it for the long haul and we'll see what happens from now on. I'm confident that whatever happens I'll be happy and successful in whatever position I'm allowed to serve in.

 

[Ralph]

So the Air Force is the only service that will let you be 3o w/o a waiver?