• Please take a moment and update your account profile. If you have an updated account profile with basic information on why you are on Air Warriors it will help other people respond to your posts. How do you update your profile you ask?

    Go here:

    Edit Account Details and Profile

Need advice - accept pilot or stay aero engineer?

Gengar88 said:
8 months go by, finally I get a job offer with Boeing, working on B-52 CERP right now, moving to Phantom Works projects soon. Fucking cubicle office job, but fun defense programs.
Click to expand...
I was in a similar situation as you around 4 years ago also in aerospace, I definitely don't regret taking the SNA spot, feel free to PM me if you want specifics

Gengar88 said:
It's hard to find guidance/mentors for this. I can't find anyone who went pilot and pivoted back to advanced engineering.
Click to expand...
You really haven't look hard enough into test pilot school
 
So I already replied here, but I missed your comment about flying then pivoting back to advanced engineering. Yes, TPS is a way to get there, but also I think it's important for you to understand that Naval aviation is not a blue-collar job.
  • The fleet is doing more and more with rapid prototypes and other small projects.
  • Every combat platform is a complex system, and aircrew with technical acumen can make a big impact
  • There are other technical opportunities on shore tours: WTIs are doing technical work, there are DARPA fellowships, etc.
All of that is to say it's not an either-or. Yes flight school will be focused on practical knowledge, but after that you'll have a chance to get nerdy.
 
Gengar88 said:
I just got the call from my recruiter for SNA! I think I have to turn him down though.
Anyone want to help talk me out of it?

I earned my BS in aerospace engineering last year, 200k in loan debt. I did everything to find a job, very rough market, and was forced to consider joining the military. I only applied to the best job, aviator.

8 months go by, finally I get a job offer with Boeing, working on B-52 CERP right now, moving to Phantom Works projects soon. Fucking cubicle office job, but fun defense programs.

Not even 3 months in with this company and my Navy recruiter dangles the pilot slot in front of me...
Initially I applied to the military because I had no other choice. I'm a high achiever, and when a peak is in sight I have to climb it. I never thought about the Military before. Now that I know that peak exists, I'd beat the shit out of myself if I passed it up - especially if I get stuck in an office job.

Long term goals are to work on new liquid fueled rocket engines/advanced propulsion. Push the envelope in aerospace, R&D. Maybe conducting tests. I want something more hands-on, less time in the office. I want PPE on, standing behind a heat shield watching something explode or work.

If both roads can lead to the same career goals, I'm taking the more adventurous scenic route.

Then the real crux is my girlfriend - she has career goals and dreams too. She's a pilot wanting to get into aerial firefighting, and while she's considering joining as a pilot with me to get to her goal afterward, what if she doesn't get accepted?

I can't tell if the regret of passing this up is worse than the regret of losing her/ruining her career dreams. I'm also worried I'll stay civilian and resent her - a lot hinges on her decision with this.

It's hard to find guidance/mentors for this. I can't find anyone who went pilot and pivoted back to advanced engineering.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
A Boeing or other Aerospace defense job will always be there.

Take the SNA slot and go on mil leave. You can always return to Boeing if it doesn’t work out, or after you get out.
 
The time of life you are in right now is exactly the time to make big bets on yourself.

There is zero downside to pursuing SNA with gusto. Congratulations on being accepted.

Don't be a pussy. Go do great things.
 
When you're at a true crossroads and are struggling to make a big life decision, choose the option that's going to make the best story in hindsight. This has served me well thus far.
 
I'm going to paly devils advocate here. I was at OCS quite a few years ago and decided to DOR 7 weeks in. While it was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made, it was also one of the best (for me) and I have no regrets. Doing cool things is only a small portion of the job, which I'm sure you have already figured out. The rest is what you make of it. And to me, making good of it wasn't worth it. I wanted more freedom in what I would be doing, where I would be, and who I would be with - all short and long term. The Navy doesn't easily allow that. OCS also does a good job of showing what life will be like on a boat (it sucks). I realized quick that kind of life wasn't for me. I would rather be in a cubical (now have progress to a comfy office) and start my day at 7:30 and be gone by 3:30. Once I'm done I do whatever I want. Yes it does get boring - here I am respoding to a post on Airwarriors at 1:30 in the afternoon on a Thursday. It might seem ironic, I like to read through this site every once and a while to "bring back memories" I guess. I'm glad I saw this and could provide something different than everyone else, but once I close out of this page, I don't think "man, I really wish I would have stayed".

You also have a girlfriend and 200k in student debt (yikes). I'm willing to bet staying at Boeing will allow you to pay that debt down faster and maintain/build a stronger relationship.

To be clear, I am not telling you to turn it down. It's an awsome oppurtinuty. I am just trying to share as I was once in a similar situation as you. At the end of the day just keep in mind, you will be an officer first and a pilot second.
 
jjg said:
I'm going to paly devils advocate here. I was at OCS quite a few years ago and decided to DOR 7 weeks in. While it was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made, it was also one of the best (for me) and I have no regrets. Doing cool things is only a small portion of the job, which I'm sure you have already figured out. The rest is what you make of it. And to me, making good of it wasn't worth it. I wanted more freedom in what I would be doing, where I would be, and who I would be with - all short and long term. The Navy doesn't easily allow that. OCS also does a good job of showing what life will be like on a boat (it sucks). I realized quick that kind of life wasn't for me. I would rather be in a cubical (now have progress to a comfy office) and start my day at 7:30 and be gone by 3:30. Once I'm done I do whatever I want. Yes it does get boring - here I am respoding to a post on Airwarriors at 1:30 in the afternoon on a Thursday. It might seem ironic, I like to read through this site every once and a while to "bring back memories" I guess. I'm glad I saw this and could provide something different than everyone else, but once I close out of this page, I don't think "man, I really wish I would have stayed".

You also have a girlfriend and 200k in student debt (yikes). I'm willing to bet staying at Boeing will allow you to pay that debt down faster and maintain/build a stronger relationship.

To be clear, I am not telling you to turn it down. It's an awsome oppurtinuty. I am just trying to share as I was once in a similar situation as you. At the end of the day just keep in mind, you will be an officer first and a pilot second.
Click to expand...
I really appreciate you sharing your experience with this. Thank you!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top