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Air Force v.s. Navy Culture Differences

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druteague

New Member
Good Afternoon Forum,

I am pursuing a pilot slot for 2023 and I have a couple questions regarding the culture differences between being an Air Force and Navy pilot. I understand the obvious day-to-day life is different, deployment is obviously very different, etc. but how are the personalities as a whole branch different from each other. What sort of person would prefer the Air Force route and vice versa. What sort of person do the Navy Selection committee lean towards and vice versa. Whatever you have to offer is extremely helpful. Thank you in advance!
 
FormerRecruitingGuru

FormerRecruitingGuru

Making Recruiting Great Again
druteague said:
Good Afternoon Forum,

I am pursuing a pilot slot for 2023 and I have a couple questions regarding the culture differences between being an Air Force and Navy pilot. I understand the obvious day-to-day life is different, deployment is obviously very different, etc. but how are the personalities as a whole branch different from each other. What sort of person would prefer the Air Force route and vice versa. What sort of person do the Navy Selection committee lean towards and vice versa. Whatever you have to offer is extremely helpful. Thank you in advance!
Click to expand...

Lots of information about the OCS application process and naval aviation on here.

Use the search function.

On the note of personalities, OCS applications aren’t interviews. They pick those who are the most qualified and that is usually the ASTB. They don’t choose people based on Myers Briggs, etc.

Talk to an officer recruiter while you’re at it.
 
D

druteague

New Member
I am actually doing the OCS/OTS route I don't care about the personality of the people because no shit you are going to have a ton of different individual personalities, but rather I am curious about the differences in the aviation cultures as a whole.
 
croakerfish

croakerfish

Well-Known Member
pilot
druteague said:
I am actually doing the OCS/OTS route I don't care about the personality of the people because no shit you are going to have a ton of different individual personalities, but rather I am curious about the differences in the aviation cultures as a whole.
Click to expand...
I think there’s as much difference between different communities in naval aviation as there is between us and the AF. Overall I think the Navy is more comfortable with deviation for the sake of getting things done, while the AF is more comfortable throwing money at things so they don’t have to.
 
HuggyU2

HuggyU2

Well-Known Member
None
Ok ok... let the Air Force guy post it for you...

"Young Man,

Congratulations on your selection to both the Naval and Air Force Academies. Your goal of becoming a fighter pilot is impressive and a fine way to serve your country. As you requested, I'd be happy to share some insight into which service would be the best choice. Each service has a distinctly different culture. You need to ask yourself "Which one am I more likely to thrive in?"

USAF Snapshot: The USAF is exceptionally well organized and well run. Their training programs are terrific. All pilots are groomed to meet high standards for knowledge and professionalism. Their aircraft are top-notch and extremely well maintained. Their facilities are excellent. Their enlisted personnel are the brightest and the best trained. The USAF is homogenous and macro. No matter where you go, you'll know what to expect, what is expected of you, and you'll be given the training & tools you need to meet those expectations. You will never be put in a situation over your head. Over a 20-year career, you will be home for most important family events. Your Mom would want you to be an Air Force pilot...so would your wife. Your Dad would want your sister to marry one.

Navy Snapshot: Aviators are part of the Navy, but so are Black shoes (surface warfare) and bubble heads (submariners). Furthermore, the Navy is split into two distinctly different Fleets (West and East Coast). The Navy is heterogeneous and micro. Your squadron is your home; it may be great, average, or awful. A squadron can go from one extreme to the other before you know it. You will spend months preparing for cruise and months on cruise. The quality of the aircraft varies directly with the availability of parts. Senior Navy enlisted are salt of the earth; you'll be proud if you earn their respect. Junior enlisted vary from terrific to the troubled kid the judge made join the service. You will be given the opportunity to lead these people during your career; you will be humbled and get your hands dirty. The quality of your training will vary and sometimes you will be over your head. You will miss many important family events. There will be long stretches of tedious duty aboard ship. You will fly in very bad weather and/or at night and you will be scared many times. You will fly with legends in the Navy and they will kick your ass until you become a lethal force. And some days - when the scheduling Gods have smiled upon you - your jet will catapult into a glorious morning over a far-away sea and you will be drop-jawed that someone would pay you to do it. The hottest girl in the bar wants to meet the Naval Aviator. That bar is in Singapore.

Bottom line, son, if you gotta ask...pack warm & good luck in Colorado.

Banzai

PS Air Force pilots wear scarves and iron their flight suits."


Just remember.... there is a 50+% chance that the hottest girl in the bar in Singapore is actually a guy.
Not the case in the Nellis O'Club.
 
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