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Navy career and NASA

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brian-75

Registered User
Hi Everyone,

I currently live in Phoenix AZ and I am about to sign the papers to go to OCS. The reason for my posting this question is because I have a few questions I would like to ask to everyone who may know the answers so that it can help make the appropriate decision on what I want to do. Here is the "predictament" I am in. I am good to go for OCS and flight training this coming year. My ultimate goal is to reach NASA and the astronaut program. Now I can go to the astronaut program through school obtaining a Master's degree or a PHd and be a mission specialist or I can go into the Navy and be a jet pilot and be a possible shuttle pilot or commander.

1.) What kind of lifestyle do people have while attending Primary, Intermediate and Advanced training as a professional and personal level?
2.) How does being a pilot affect a family?
3.) What is an "average" day pilots have from preflight->flight->postflight->and downtime?
6.) Who knows of the carrier lifestyle while deployed at sea and what pilots do during non-flight time and even what pilots do while the carrier is in homeport for the few months it is not deployed at sea?

The reasons for these questions are that at 26, I want to have a family sometime soon in the next few years and still get to NASA and so I am in a "quandry" of deciding going to the Navy for 10 years or more as a career or going to school. I guess since I do not have a real "clue" as to how Navy families and pilots in particular live day to day that I am having a hard time deciding. So I thought I would post this on the forum to get any input and advice on my situation.

Thanks in advance for any advice or answers

Brian-75
 
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The Grass is Greener!
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quote:...you have endless amounts of paperwork and you have your collateral duty such Legal Officer (boy that must be fun John)...

Matt, don't get me started! Somehow they found out ahead of time who I was, and bagged me as the new Lawdog. I am the first Pilot in the Squadron to be the legal officer in like the last 6 years, usually an NFO job. Flying is more like a collateral duty, and being legal is my job, it's not supposed to be that way! lol Seriously though, it is a great high vis job (better than lets say, tac pubs..), keeps you in the know, and I must say that I have gotten to know more people at the squadron in a quicker time period than I would have otherwise. And of course the occassional ass chewing that comes along with the job!

Brian, Matt pretty much hit it on the head as usual. I noticed you emailed me the same sort of question.

With regards to family, as Matt said, it really depends on having a good relationship. My wife has made my last 10 years seem easy, I know I couldn't have done it without her. On the flip side, I have had friends go through divorces.

If you are going to go the military route, just as Matt said, be aware of all the potential hurdles that you have added to your path. Not saying it can't be done, but that it will be more difficult.
 
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brian-75

Registered User
Hi John, Matt,

I just wanted to thank you for great insight into what goes on in the aviator community. You are very correct on the availability of pilot positions for NASA as opposed to a mission specialist. My decision was "hung up" because I had no idea what life was like for aviators when they are deployed/not deployed and to a lesser extent training vs. doing what I am doing now. With these replies it will make my decision that much easier.

Thanks again guys!

Brian-75
 
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