Job prospects for NFO's after the Navy

[JD81]

I am applying for both NFO and SNA. I know the plethora of opportunities for pilots in the civilian world, but what do most NFO's do after they leave the Navy? I realize job opportunities would probably depend on what you do as an NFO while active, but are their alot of aviation related jobs NFO's are or would be strong contenders for?

All inputs are greatly appreciated...

Josh

 

[Schnugg]

Josh,
Good luck in your application process.

I did a search for NFO Jobs and found this link that may help:
http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10117&highlight=NFO+Jobs

r/
G

 

[webmaster]

Either that or swing shift asst. manager at Taco Hell for Zab and I?

Well, an NFO can carry my bags ANY day!

All inputs are greatly appreciated...

What? What? Come on, Josh here, DID say ANY inputs...

Josh, seriously, best of luck with the application process.

 

[Steve Wilkins]

Well, an NFO can carry my bags ANY day!

What? What? Come on, Josh here, DID say ANY inputs...

Josh, seriously, best of luck with the application process.

Wrong on so many levels. But hey, so long as the heat is off the SWO's... :icon_zbee

 

[Schnugg]

Where in the World is Webmaster?

Wearing the cool hat.

 

[IRfly]

Well, an NFO can carry my bags ANY day!

What? What? Come on, Josh here, DID say ANY inputs...

Josh, seriously, best of luck with the application process.

Hilarious...And as a future NFO with a liberal arts degree, I can say that it's still better than asking, "Did you want fries with that?"

 

[JD81]

Thanks for the uh, usual quality you jokers That link helps a lot. I know its all speculation right now, I was just curious what NFO's do post-navy. Thanks guys...

Josh

 

[goplay234]

Well dude, it honestly depends on what platform you go to. As a Hummer FO, the sky is really the limit. You are quite knowledgeable on Airborne Battlefield Command and Control. You are in contact with important info + people. I can't really speak to other communities, but the guys that I know that are getting out aren't having problems finding work. You also have to remember that you will be a Naval Officer first and that is the most desirable trait of any employer. But overall, you will be able to say that you have been in charge of tons of people, handled extremely stressful situations, and managed to fight in a war or two. Yeah, I think they'll hire you. Good luck on your app and pilots, just keep your eyes on the road and let me do my work. And a little less talking wouldn't hurt either. Don't you have a ball to fly?

 

[saltpeter]

This is a tough question without knowing what field you'd be interested in working in. Being a former NFO, most of the pilots and NFOs I know are doing something else than flying. First, the pay at the LCC's is low and there's not much in the way of job security. Ultimately, those that want to make mucho money went to grad. school for an MBA and now work in the financial industry. Some became traders, some financial advisors, hell some sell private and commercial real estate along the shorelines. Skimming the New York Times yesterday, I saw the Merchant Marine Academy is looking for tenture track professors. The degree was only a bachelors. There ya go, big money, students to write your papers, and 16 hour work weeks.

 

[wink]

I am applying for both NFO and SNA. I know the plethora of opportunities for pilots in the civilian world, but what do most NFO's do after they leave the Navy? I realize job opportunities would probably depend on what you do as an NFO while active, but are their alot of aviation related jobs NFO's are or would be strong contenders for?

OK, this is my cue. So pilots have lots of opportunities but NFOs don't? The SWOs, Bubbleheads and INTEL guys must be lined up at the unemployment office for a mile. What could they possibly do as a civilian? Just what are the plethora of jobs for pilots you refer to? Would that be commercial pilot? That is one. And it isn't shaping up to be a very good choice for a lot of people. Since NFOs receive essentially the same aeronautical training, less the stick and rudder of course, plus a heavier dose of the mission essential stuff, we can say that NFOs are qualified for any job a pilot could do after leaving the Navy except ONE (pilot), and is arguable more qualified for every other aviation related job out of the cockpit. I knew a former SWO that headed up McConnel Douglas' office in Warsaw marketing F-18s to eastern Euorpean countries. Knew another SWO that honchoed the UK's Merlin helo program. Know a bubblehead that is the IT director for a very large school district. NFOs and pilots could do all those jobs. I Know pilots that are financial planners, med students, project managers and a dozen other non pilot jobs that NFOs can do as well. I even know several NFOs that are pilots for the airlines. How does that rock your preconceived notion of the world? Apply for both pilot and NFO. You will have blast in either job and will have no trouble making a living after you get out. Good luck.

 

[SteveG75]

Pilots have a direct carry over, in a manner of speaking. They can go from being a leader, planner, executor to being a bus driver (commercial pilot) for an industry that will let them go at the drop of a hat.

The better question is what job opportunities are there for Naval Officers? We bring leadership, management, and other skills to the table. For some companies, security clearances are the key. I would much rather be the project manager on some Top Secret project that is actually going to do something than driving flight 4277 from Chicago to Denver.

BTW: For pilot post-Navy data, you can't do better than this little clip; "Iceman, the Later Years":
http://www.usna.edu/FlyNavy/Downloads/Iceman - the later years.ram

 

[saltpeter]

In the end you'll have to do what everyone else does:market, i.e. sell yourself, to a prospective employer. Your greatest skill is your ability to undertake a demanding task and see it through to a finished product, that's all an employer wants to know. The company will train you on the details of the specific job, and as an officer you've proved that you are trainable. If you keep that can do attitude that the military has taught you and use your delagation skills you'll be swept up after leaving the military. Unfortunately, no one will knock on your window at home and offer you a job. Remember, your probably headed towards a managerial position, and those employees under you are the subject matter experts who need to be tasked to complete certain jobs, and your job is to oversee that it's completed to your employer's liking. Sounds familiar, sure you've been doing this for the past decade as an officer. Your educated with experience, now your empoyer can rest easy. That's what employers want, you to make their job easier.

 

[Brett327]

Thanks for the uh, usual quality you jokers That link helps a lot. I know its all speculation right now, I was just curious what NFO's do post-navy. Thanks guys...

Josh

Prowler guys get lucrative deals with contractors and go to Northrop-Grumman heaven, where they fight with Boeing executives over who owns what systems in the New EA-18G, and how they can fleece the taxpayers out of more cash. Hey, more stock options for me, right?

Brett

 

[HAL Pilot]

Well, an NFO can carry my bags ANY day!

We'll see who is carrying the bags... :icon_rage ...unless you don't have any desire for that letter of rec seeing as it will be coming from a NFO..... :icon_smil

 

[ip568]

Of all the NAs I've flown with over the years, most went airline after active duty. Of that number, half have lost everything during airline bankruptcies and "downsizing." Naval aviators have had no secure civilian career since about 1982.

Frankly, an NFO leaving the Navy has little with which to go directly to a civilian job. I used the GI Bill to get my MBA, become a CFI, and become a registered electronic tech. I have used all three and have both flown and done tech stuff ever since. I now work as a military aviation reporter for several magazines and teach flying on weekends. I was career Reserves, reluctantly retiring after 28 years. All very satisfying.

NFO isn't a limit, it's a foundation.