Life after being rejected for aviation

[Beefalo]

To all the people who NPQ, attrited flight school/OCS, etc. what are you up to now? Did you find happiness doing something else? Whats your story?

I was NPQ recently due to my vision. I really got interested in aviation around my join date 2004. I did the opposite of what is recommended and enlisted in the Navy. At the time I had really poor college grades, no money, no leadership experience, and while I had good decent work habits I was pretty much still a "kid". No chance of getting a NROTC schloarship with my poor grades and I couldnt even get into a NROTC school with my grades.

I decided that I would work as hard as I could and put in an STA-21 package when I felt the time was right, I was qualified, and could be compeititive. I would also take college on active duty and try to complete my degree and apply for OCS as a backup plan if never selected for STA-21. Sea duty was tough and my officer plans got put to side in lieu of my primary duties.

Come time for shore duty I decide Im ready, compeititive, and actually have time to concentrate heavily on my package and not worry about deployments, 3m inspections, INSURV, and all that. Started working on my package and got the Nami whammy. I knew my vision was always bad but I had been going by the refraction on my contact lenses as my gouge. The prescription Nami uses is for your glasses which is stronger since glasses sit farther away and are not embedded in your eyes like contacts. My refraction limit is too great even for a waiver such as PRK.

In those 6 years I went from a kid who really accomplished nothing to someone who is confident in everything I do now thanks to the opportunities the Navy gave me to lead and excel. I have good college grades now, an associates degree, leadership experience (workcenter supervisor on ship and instuctor on shore), (SW/AW), (MTS) master training specialist, great evals, various personal awards (NAM, FLOCS), etc. All this in hopes of getting a commission in aviation someday. 6 years of hard work crushed by 5 minutes in the flight surgeon's office.

I am researching other areas in and outside the Navy that will give me the same passion. I dont know know if I ever will find one but I have to at least try. Sorry for the long post this is probably more of a rant then info that will actually help anyone out I suppose.

 

[HueyHornet75]

Beefalo, why don't you stay in? Or at least stay in to finish your degree, then go Officer? The Service needs good people.

 

[SWO Bubba]

There are plenty of options other than aviation, but I certainly understand what a blow it is to not get something you've been thinking about for so long. If you want to continue to serve in the Navy, I'm a big fan of pursuing another combat arms community. Obviously, I'm heavily biased towards Surface Warfare. Ask yourself if you really wanted to fly or if you wanted to fly in the Navy. If it's the later, chances are you will be equally happy with another community in the Navy. If you only want to fly and don't care where you do it - that's another story. DON'T MAKE ANY RASH DECISIONS! It's very important to think 5, 10, 15 even 20 years down the road to get an idea of want your long range goals are.

Good luck and shoot me a note if you'd like any advice on Surface Warfare.

 

[twobecrazy]

I second Huey and SWO.

I departed the Navy in 2005 thinking it was the best way for me to get my degree and apply for NA. Well, I regretted the decision of departing the Navy more often than I would have thought. I considered rejoining almost every couple of months. Last year when I began the process I found out that I was pushing the NA age limits. In September, I was turned down for NA due to my age. I was devastated as it was something I have worked my entire life at achieving. So I asked many people including members of this board for advice. Now I'm sitting here waiting for my FS (hopefully next week) with a tentative OCS date in August as a NFO. I grow more excited everyday as I come closer to rejoining. I recommend you sit down and think about the decision you must make for a week, two weeks, whatever it takes until you know 100% that it is the right choice for you.

Remember the civilian job market is terrible. It is harder to find job satisfaction in my opinion as well. Good Luck to you.

 

[CommodoreMid]

As others posters have implied, is your vision too bad even for NFO? I'm blind as hell, I can't even read the big E at the top of the chart, and they let me be a backseater. Personally, I can't understand the disappointment as even if I had the eyesight, I still would have chosen to be a FO, but being in aviation, no matter the number of anchors on your wings, is awesome.

 

[Beefalo]

I wanted to fly and be an officer. The latter is still possible I just have to decide what community I want to join.......if I want to join. Realistically I can finish up my degree on shore duty since im more then half way done. I will be looking into other officer communities in the mean time. I know the Navy has great people in all communities. If I dont get accepted into a commission program when my tour is up here I may consider leaving the service. The Navy overall has been great just have to do some soul searching now.

Yes my vision was too bad for SNFO. Anything over -8.00 in refraction for INITIAL APPLICANTS is disqualifying even with PRK. I plan on getting the surgery anyways because I hate being blind but the current regs clearly state a waiver is not possilbe. Maybe this will change someday but not today. I searched every PRK thread and have not found a single person who ever got this waived. One of the threads even had an applicant call Nami in Pensacola which gave him the same answer.

 

[Swanee]

just have to do some soul searching now.

There's your answer right there. Control what you can control, the rest just falls into place. Whatever you do don't be that guy 20 years from now who is still bitter.

 

[wlawr005]

There's other stuff to do besides flying. My friend's brother died in an A-6 crash in Japan and all he ever thought about was becoming a Navy flyer like his big brother (who was an NFO). After picking up STA-21 and rocking an engineering degree he is happily joining the ranks of SWO(N) with a hefty signing bonus and a bright future. Things don't always work out like you plan, but they always work out.

 

[Ralph]

What about the AF, Army or Guard? They allow Lasik now, maybe u have a better chance.

 

[Beefalo]

Looks like -8.00 pre op refractive error for all services. I really dont know if I would have the heart to switch to another service anyways. Thanks to all who offered advice. At least I got the chance to even join the Navy.