I'm a Idiot!

[UCbearcat]

**CORRECTION**- I'm an Idiot!

Okay, long story guys. Here it goes: I'm currently a freshman at the University of Cincinnati. Back when I was a senior in high school, I could not decide what direction I wanted to go in, Navy or Air Force. When I was finally graduated, I found myself with two full scholarships. One of these was through the Navy ROTC program and the other was an academic scholarship at the University of Cincinnati. I ended up choosing the UC scholarship over the NROTC scholarship. The business program that I had gotten into was an overall great program for education, but UC doesn't have a Navy ROTC program. So instead I settled with the Air Force ROTC at UC.

Now, this is where my problems start. Due to multiple reasons, I don't know if the Air Force is for me. Most of these reasons are because they cannot compensate for my predetermined academic schedule. I have to Co-Op and go on an international trip for my business program, otherwise I lose the scholarship. So now I think I would rather do BDCP so I do not have to give up a phenomenal education and can continue my dream of becoming an Naval aviator.

Will the fact that I previously turned down a NROTC scholarship and left AFROTC because of conflicts harm my chances with BDCP? Should I even mention any of this when I decide to apply?

I know I'm and idiot and I feel stupid, but at least I'm attempting to come back to the Navy.

 

[fc2spyguy]

Question: Why should the Air Force compensate you? If they let you go on your own dime, where is the problem there? If you can't afford it, try student loans. Otherwise, worse they can do is say no.

 

[HeloBubba]

He doesn't mean compensate as in pay him back, he means compensate as in letting him miss AFROTC instruction while he is away.

Here is another angle to think about: if flying is your dream, why is the business degree so important?

 

[BigRed389]

He doesn't mean compensate as in pay him back, he means compensate as in letting him miss AFROTC instruction while he is away.

Here is another angle to think about: if flying is your dream, why is the business degree so important?

...to have a potential career when you can't fly any more?

 

[HeloBubba]

...to have a potential career when you can't fly any more?

I had thought of that, but that line of thinking connotates that he will do his minimum military time and get out. I didn't think that was the case. Now if you fly in the military until you can't fly anymore, your business degree will be a little bit stale when you get out and are ready to use it.

 

[puck_11]

There are guys that left the academy after two years that got into OCS, turning down a scholarship isn't a game killer. On your application tell them you realize AF sucks and the Navy is where its at!

 

[BigRed389]

I had thought of that, but that line of thinking connotates that he will do his minimum military time and get out. I didn't think that was the case. Now if you fly in the military until you can't fly anymore, your business degree will be a little bit stale when you get out and are ready to use it.

Having a quality undergrad degree could help when you're looking to get into that top ranked MBA program. Wouldn't be stale then.

And there's no guarantee you make O-4/DH, in which case you'll be not flying a little earlier than you planned isn't it? In fact, other unforseen circumstances could always knock you out of the cockpit a lot earlier than planned.

The point is, BDCP is a arguably a much better program which gets you to the same damn point. Especially financially, since if he's already got a scholarship, all the BDCP money can go right into investments/booze.
And if it gives the freedom to do an academically intensive program, why not?

 

[UCbearcat]

Yeah, it's not that I think that they should compensate me. I supposedly won't have time to make up the classes because of co-op. My program is 5 years rather than 4 to make up for the difference, so I don't see the problem. No, I wasn't planning on doing my time and getting out. I wanted to make a career out of flying. The point was, I also value my education. If/When I eventually did get out, I wanted something to fall back on. I know this would be a 10+ year old degree, but it would still be useful. I don't want to give up on my business program or my goal of becoming an aviator. Right now it sounds like BDCP is the best way of doing this. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[UCbearcat]

Thanks BigRed! I think you understand where I'm coming from.

 

[SDNalgene]

Get a good degree that you are interested in and can use on the outside. If you stay in for 20+ and end up working at the sim building until father time starts calling you Gramps there is still no harm in having gotten a good degree way back when. However, if for some reason the military doesn't work out the way you wanted you can't very well go back and swap out your underwater basket weaving degree for something useful, like business. I would keep my options open and not set all my hopes on being a career pilot.

As far as what to do about BDCP, unless they specifically ask you about the NROTC I would not mention it. Don't lie, but don't be more open than they ask you to be. It's probably no big deal anyway. And yeah, I concur with Puck_11.

 

[UCbearcat]

Get a good degree that you are interested in and can use on the outside. If you stay in for 20+ and end up working at the sim building until father time starts calling you Gramps there is still no harm in having gotten a good degree way back when. However, if for some reason the military doesn't work out the way you wanted you can't very well go back and swap out your underwater basket weaving degree for something useful, like business. I would keep my options open and not set all my hopes on being a career pilot.

Yeah, that's why I really do not want to leave my academic program. I really love the courses and the opportunities that I have in it. Other than searching around Airwarriors, is there anything in particular that I should be doing to get ready for applying for BDCP (I have three years since I'm non-tech and a 5 year program)? I don't have as much knowledge about BDCP as I'd like, but I have read through Tom's Sticky.

 

[amoore47]

BDCP Program

Hey UCbearcat, I'm currently in the BDCP program, I got accepted for SNA. I don't know how much help I can be, but PM me if you want any info!

 

[eddie]

...to have a potential career when you can't fly any more?

you dont need an f-ing business degree to work in business.

 

[UCbearcat]

you dont need an f-ing business degree to work in business..

I know, but it helps. Also, I might as well do something I really love while I'm here at college.

 

[Herc_Dude]

Other than searching around Airwarriors, is there anything in particular that I should be doing to get ready for applying for BDCP

Stay (or get) in good shape, keep your nose clean and have fun (you know, hookers, blow, etc...)