Well it's official. The Navy is apparently going to let this formerly blind old man (now just old man) into flight school. I was informed on Dec 28 that my transfer to Aviation had been approved.
For those who are wondering, persistence pays off. Let me take you on a little stroll down memory lane: I saw the Blues for the first time when I was three, for my sixth birthday I got a ride in an airplane (that's all I wanted), and, after a visit to Annapolis at the age of eleven, I knew that I wanted to be a Naval Aviator (note: this was pre-Top Gun. Yes, I was 11 before 1986). At the age of 17, I had an appointment to the Academy and a couple ROTC offers. Unfortunately, my eyes were not on the same program, and I was told that I would never be able to fly.
Well, I took the extended program through college, making sure to check in with a recruiter every year or so to see if requirements/restictions had changed. After 8 years of being told no, I decided to take a scholarship with the Civil Engineer Corps (which, by the way, is the absolute best deal in the military--for non-pilot wannabees). I finished college, went through OCS, and was cruising along in my CEC career until a friend told me that the Navy was letting Aviators have PRK. By that time, however, I was also too old. But, by some miracle, I had the surgery, passed the physical, did well on the ASTB, got an age waiver, and got my CO's endorsement. The package went in on 15 Aug and I waited until last week.
I'll be almost 30 by the time I get to API (April or May), and almost 33 by the time I get to a Fleet Squadron. But life is defintely good.
Special thanks to all members who have given help and advice.
--Jeff Bennion
For those who are wondering, persistence pays off. Let me take you on a little stroll down memory lane: I saw the Blues for the first time when I was three, for my sixth birthday I got a ride in an airplane (that's all I wanted), and, after a visit to Annapolis at the age of eleven, I knew that I wanted to be a Naval Aviator (note: this was pre-Top Gun. Yes, I was 11 before 1986). At the age of 17, I had an appointment to the Academy and a couple ROTC offers. Unfortunately, my eyes were not on the same program, and I was told that I would never be able to fly.
Well, I took the extended program through college, making sure to check in with a recruiter every year or so to see if requirements/restictions had changed. After 8 years of being told no, I decided to take a scholarship with the Civil Engineer Corps (which, by the way, is the absolute best deal in the military--for non-pilot wannabees). I finished college, went through OCS, and was cruising along in my CEC career until a friend told me that the Navy was letting Aviators have PRK. By that time, however, I was also too old. But, by some miracle, I had the surgery, passed the physical, did well on the ASTB, got an age waiver, and got my CO's endorsement. The package went in on 15 Aug and I waited until last week.
I'll be almost 30 by the time I get to API (April or May), and almost 33 by the time I get to a Fleet Squadron. But life is defintely good.
Special thanks to all members who have given help and advice.
--Jeff Bennion
