JMonte85
Pro-rec SNA
I was in the Air Force and got out with the vision of becoming an Officer and Pilot. I was lucky enough after 5 yrs of hard work to get selected as a Pilot in the Navy on my second attempt. I'm on the alternate list as of now.
I was going to try Air Force but I couldn't get good scores on the AFOQT (two trys) but did pretty well on the ASTB (first attempt).. It was really exciting for me and I just passed meps today which I figured with all my issues I'd at least need a waiver and I was cleared with no required waivers.. (really shocking).
I'm 27 now, and when I set sail for this I was 22 or so.. I was away at college and couldn't wait to be done so I could get back in the military. I've been done with college for over a year now, and have been static with work, and working at a retail job, until I figured out what was going on with the military.. Living back at home and being close to family and obtaining the freedom to see my family everyday is quit nice..
I have recently been starting to have second thoughts about leaving home again and rejoining the military. Idk if this is normal or not especially since a pilot contract is 10yrs. I keep tearing myself up because it's a dream job but yet my family is really important to me. I have a 3 yr old dog I'm pretty attached to that I know I will not be able to bring with me (I know I know). I think the older I get the more my priorities are changing.
Today going back to meps and having to deal with that stress of being treated like I was 16 (well until they realized I was a Officer Candidate) having to follow instructions to a T or get attitude from the meps staff reminds me what I'm not missing about the military.
I guess I'm confused because I'm worried if I'm making the right decision anymore.. but then again I still want to fly for the military, I just don't know if I will enjoy being far away from family for so long.. The folks are only getting older and I will be almost 40 when I get out, parents will be mid to late 60's. At 22-23.. getting out at 33 didn't sound too bad..
I guess also, since I have options, I've been thinking about doing grad school and as a computer scientist with a master's how much money I could make..
I'm sure I'm not the first person to deal with this.. Am I just getting cold feet the more realistic leaving for OCS gets..? Or is it the older I get the more comfortable I am with where I'm at?
I know many youngsters joining are inspired by the movies and the thought of going really fast in a jet.. That was my mindset when I was 19-20.. Now that I'm 27, I think about everything, family, going through bootcamp again, the risks of being a pilot in the military.. Different mindset which I'm sure some can relate. I just wonder if this is possibly normal for someone my age, or if this is a big redflag.
Any thoughts appreciated. I'm generally a very motivated person and whatever I set my mind to, I accomplish, and I've made it this far, but I guess it's starting to become a shock that it's actually happening..
I was going to try Air Force but I couldn't get good scores on the AFOQT (two trys) but did pretty well on the ASTB (first attempt).. It was really exciting for me and I just passed meps today which I figured with all my issues I'd at least need a waiver and I was cleared with no required waivers.. (really shocking).
I'm 27 now, and when I set sail for this I was 22 or so.. I was away at college and couldn't wait to be done so I could get back in the military. I've been done with college for over a year now, and have been static with work, and working at a retail job, until I figured out what was going on with the military.. Living back at home and being close to family and obtaining the freedom to see my family everyday is quit nice..
I have recently been starting to have second thoughts about leaving home again and rejoining the military. Idk if this is normal or not especially since a pilot contract is 10yrs. I keep tearing myself up because it's a dream job but yet my family is really important to me. I have a 3 yr old dog I'm pretty attached to that I know I will not be able to bring with me (I know I know). I think the older I get the more my priorities are changing.
Today going back to meps and having to deal with that stress of being treated like I was 16 (well until they realized I was a Officer Candidate) having to follow instructions to a T or get attitude from the meps staff reminds me what I'm not missing about the military.
I guess I'm confused because I'm worried if I'm making the right decision anymore.. but then again I still want to fly for the military, I just don't know if I will enjoy being far away from family for so long.. The folks are only getting older and I will be almost 40 when I get out, parents will be mid to late 60's. At 22-23.. getting out at 33 didn't sound too bad..
I guess also, since I have options, I've been thinking about doing grad school and as a computer scientist with a master's how much money I could make..
I'm sure I'm not the first person to deal with this.. Am I just getting cold feet the more realistic leaving for OCS gets..? Or is it the older I get the more comfortable I am with where I'm at?
I know many youngsters joining are inspired by the movies and the thought of going really fast in a jet.. That was my mindset when I was 19-20.. Now that I'm 27, I think about everything, family, going through bootcamp again, the risks of being a pilot in the military.. Different mindset which I'm sure some can relate. I just wonder if this is possibly normal for someone my age, or if this is a big redflag.
Any thoughts appreciated. I'm generally a very motivated person and whatever I set my mind to, I accomplish, and I've made it this far, but I guess it's starting to become a shock that it's actually happening..