At What Point in the Training Pipeline Is an Aviator Winged?

[Charles Edward]

I understand that the 8 year minimum service commitment (MSC) clock for a naval aviator begins as one is winged.

However, at what point in the training pipelines does one receive their wings?

According to the information in the link below, there are 2 weeks of Introductory Flight Screening (IFS), followed by 6 weeks of
Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API), and 24 weeks of Primary Flight Training. Then, assuming that one is selected for jets, it is approximately another 27 weeks after primary for intermediate training, and then finally, another 23 weeks for advanced/

At what point in this approximately 82 weeks of training does one receive their wings and the 8 years MSC begins to kick in, please?

Thanks.

United States Naval Aviator - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[hdr777]

At what point in this approximately 82 weeks of training does one receive their wings and the 8 years MSC begins to kick in, please?

After the approximately 82 weeks of training

 

[PhrogLoop]

After the approximately 82 weeks of training

Your mileage may vary.

 

[RandomGoat1248]

Your mileage may vary.

Double that and you are getting close.

 

[Dontcallmegump]

I don't think I've heard of any pilots even close to 82 weeks. A year and a half would be warp speed unless things changed from less than a year ago when I finished after 3 years to the day from commissioning. 2-3 is normal and 4 isn't unheard of depending on a ton of variables and dumb luck.

I saw one winged Ensign out of the HTs and none around the multi VTs. It's de facto impossible for jets from what I've heard.

If you're really worried about getting in and out ASAP (or just curious maybe) assume 11 ish years if the MSC is 8.

The variance in time from the fastest to slowest (platform dependant) is pretty inconsequential in the span of at least 10 years.

 

[Treetop Flyer]

I understand that the 8 year minimum service commitment (MSC) clock for a naval aviator begins as one is winged.

However, at what point in the training pipelines does one receive their wings?

According to the information in the link below, there are 2 weeks of Introductory Flight Screening (IFS), followed by 6 weeks of
Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API), and 24 weeks of Primary Flight Training. Then, assuming that one is selected for jets, it is approximately another 27 weeks after primary for intermediate training, and then finally, another 23 weeks for advanced/

At what point in this approximately 82 weeks of training does one receive their wings and the 8 years MSC begins to kick in, please?

Thanks.

United States Naval Aviator - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

When you’re done with training you are winged. That is when your commitment clock starts. The times you posted are “best case” and don’t include waiting between phases of training or other contingencies. By done with training I mean done with advanced, received wings, next stop FRS to learn your fleet aircraft.

My info is dated obviously but I got to Pensacola to wait for API in July 2007 and winged in March 2010, and I wasn’t ever sick/injured or otherwise unavailable.

 

[MGoBrew11]

Some pipelines are quicker than others. I winged at 1 year, 9 months from commission. 2 years from when I showed up to OCS.

Maritime seems to be the fastest pipeline, then helos. Jets by far the longest time to train.

 

[MIDNJAC]

My info is dated obviously but I got to Pensacola to wait for API in July 2007 and winged in March 2010, and I wasn’t ever sick/injured or otherwise unavailable.

Yeah, winged in April '10 and had a similar experience. Sounds like maybe it is taking an extra year now, which is crazy......what do they do with their time?

 

[Meyerkord]

Winged a little over a year ago. 120 weeks from commissioning to wings (helos). As others have said, ymmv greatly.

 

[insanebikerboy]

Dang, seems like it’s taking much longer these days? From commissioning to wings was about 135 weeks for me but I did a detour through grad school for 12 months prior to flight school.

 

[Birdbrain]

From commissioning to wings in jets for me was 3 years, 4 months and 14 days. Lotta factors at play there and none of them in my control. Take that as you will, OP.

 

[Ozarky]

Platform matters a lot. Me and one buddy were the only ones from our OCS class who winged as ensigns (by 3 days) at the end of 2020. That’s Multiengine, FWIW.

 

[Charles Edward]

Thank, everyone. 3 years? Wow and then another 8 on top of that. A commitment indeed. Then again, if you are doing what you love, it won't matter.

 

[MGoBrew11]

Thank, everyone. 3 years? Wow and then another 8 on top of that. A commitment indeed. Then again, if you are doing what you love, it won't matter.

It flies by. I’d do it again.

 

[HSMPBR]

Commissioned 5/13/12. Winged 12/13/13. 82 weeks and 5 days.

Many Seawolves showed up to fly in Vietnam as ensigns, and that was when all aviators completed CQ before going to advanced. They were fire team leaders as LTJGs. Now we need 6 O4s to get the punch right for the DV reception at a change of command.