USNA vs. NROTC?

[navyflier29]

Hello all, I'm here to seek some advice on commissioning.

I'm a rising freshman in Embry Riddle's NROTC program - Aerospace/Astro track, full scholarship and no cost across the board. I applied to USNA last year, but did not pass the admissions board after receiving a senatorial nomination and a recruitment slot on the men's rowing team. I'm extremely motivated to earn an aviation slot, however I am hesitating to reapply. I've heard that USNA provides only slightly better opportunities for aspiring pilots, but also I feel its education is higher tier.

In the far future, I'm looking to serve my required commitment (possibly longer) and then leave to earn a master's and an engineering job in the aviation or space industry. Obviously this is all in a perfect world, but I'm wondering if industry contacts and exposure from Embry Riddle could prove beneficial in a possible career after the navy.

This is certainly a well-discussed topic here, but I'm curious if anyone has any advice for my specific situation. Will the academy give me a better education and leave me in a better spot than NROTC? Thank you all in advance.

 

[cfam]

Hello all, I'm here to seek some advice on commissioning.

I'm a rising freshman in Embry Riddle's NROTC program - Aerospace/Astro track, full scholarship and no cost across the board. I applied to USNA last year, but did not pass the admissions board after receiving a senatorial nomination and a recruitment slot on the men's rowing team. I'm extremely motivated to earn an aviation slot, however I am hesitating to reapply. I've heard that USNA provides only slightly better opportunities for aspiring pilots, but also I feel its education is higher tier.

In the far future, I'm looking to serve my required commitment (possibly longer) and then leave to earn a master's and an engineering job in the aviation or space industry. Obviously this is all in a perfect world, but I'm wondering if industry contacts and exposure from Embry Riddle could prove beneficial in a possible career after the navy.

This is certainly a well-discussed topic here, but I'm curious if anyone has any advice for my specific situation. Will the academy give me a better education and leave me in a better spot than NROTC? Thank you all in advance.

USNA grad here. The academy will give you a great education, but if I were you I would stay where you’re at and focus on crushing it academically and in ROTC. I know plenty of Riddle grads who have made it into aviation and done well in the fleet. Honestly, your commissioning source won’t matter after you’ve graduated. It’s not worth your time to reapply and delay your college/professional progression a year unless it’s truly your dream to go to USNA.

 

[Griz882]

First, people are going to tell you to tell you to use the search function…that aside, always remember that USNA is a FOUR year school. If you enter with 60 hours of academic credit, you still do four years. So, it is an issue of diminishing returns. If it were me, and you may come to feel differently, I might (big might) apply once more but if I entered the second semester of the sophomore year I’d wave as that dream sank into the cold wake of “things I missed in life.” The Naval Academy is a fine school, but one degree is very much like another. Others will know far better, but your chances of an air slot from NROTC should be about the same - it is all about timing.

You have a long way to go. Aviation will change over the next four years, and the fleet may need several pilots or none at all, so face that decision when it comes. Do well in school, try to plug in as many flight hours as you can (I believe it helps you skip some pre-flight training steps) and enjoy your college years.

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

Hello all, I'm here to seek some advice on commissioning.

I'm a rising freshman in Embry Riddle's NROTC program - Aerospace/Astro track, full scholarship and no cost across the board. I applied to USNA last year, but did not pass the admissions board after receiving a senatorial nomination and a recruitment slot on the men's rowing team. I'm extremely motivated to earn an aviation slot, however I am hesitating to reapply. I've heard that USNA provides only slightly better opportunities for aspiring pilots, but also I feel its education is higher tier.

In the far future, I'm looking to serve my required commitment (possibly longer) and then leave to earn a master's and an engineering job in the aviation or space industry. Obviously this is all in a perfect world, but I'm wondering if industry contacts and exposure from Embry Riddle could prove beneficial in a possible career after the navy.

This is certainly a well-discussed topic here, but I'm curious if anyone has any advice for my specific situation. Will the academy give me a better education and leave me in a better spot than NROTC? Thank you all in advance.

Use the search function...

All jokingly aside, the stigma that USNA gets more aviation spots, better ship selection (for SWOs), etc. is as old as time. The fact of the matter is, big Navy intentionally split the pie equally (as much as possible) between USNA, NROTC, and OCS.

With that said, ERAU is still a very good aviation-focused school with a good network when you hang it up after the Navy. You're already a good chunk of the way in NROTC, just ride out the remaining years and start your career ASAP.