What happens after ROTC?

[Raptor2216]

Hello. I got a few questions for you guys.

-The people who listed their problems with the eye sight tests, did you all think you have perfect visior before you went and saw the doc? I'm asking this because I do think I got 20/20, I dont see why I wouldn't. I can see perfectly at day and night, dont wear glasses or contacts. Can I still fail?

-Did anyone here have problems with allegries? If so, did the navy accept the medication? I have been trying to get on NOMI but their website is down and has been down for a long long time now. But is Flonase and allegre accepted?

-When during ROTC do you apply for flight school? Do minorities get any kind of special preference, or do they just get rejected just because of the fact that they are from a minority?

-Does community service help when applying for flight school?

-Any other tips?

Please help me all you can. Thanks.

 

[Beowulf]

I hope someone answers your question, because I'm curious too. I believe after ROTC is when you apply for flight school, but you'll want to let the commander of ROTC and all know you are very intrested. It always helps. I have 20/15 vision and I'm 5'6". I did some anthro thing on the net at a navy web-site and it said I was eligible for every type of aircraft prop/jet/helo. SO I'm really excited. I just finished reading Ironclaw too, what a great book. I recommend you getting this book. it's written by Sherman Baldwin. Get your hands on it and read it!

Iraqi rilfe for sale. Never fired, dropped once.

 

[vicki]

Raptor -

I can answer a couple of your questions. I am stashed at a NROTC unit right now and could definitely put you in touch with our recruiting officer (who's an NFO) if you want more specific info.

Service select happens in your senior year and is based on your ranking (against all other midshipmen nationwide). This ranking includes such things as GPA, PFA, Commander's recommendation and community service.

Waivers are available to maintain flight status on most allergy medications, but not the antihistimines where drowsiness is a side effect - like Benadryl.

I know quite a few people in various stages of the training pipeline who are members of minority groups, so I would definitely say that minorities are not descriminated against by selection boards. By the same token, I don't think it is an advantage to be a minority either. There are no "quotas" or slots held for women, Hispanics, etc. Everybody is accepted (or rejected) on their own merits.

Hope this helps.

Beowolf - What website did you do this "anthro thing" on? Thanks.

 

[Raptor2216]

Hello vicki, thanks for the info. I would like to get in touch with your recruting officer. What is an NFO? and whats PFA? Thanks again.

 

[JTurse]

1. Vision-don't sweat it. If you can read and see normally without glasses, you're fine. Even if you needed reading glasses, you're probably still be fine. If you're worse than that, definitely get into the NAVINSTs and find out.
2. Allergies--this can be a bigger problem. Generally, Vicki is correct. But if you've got a real allergy problem, DO consider the physiological implications of what might happen to you in an airplane should your drugs not work. You could destroy sinuses, ears, etc. Not to put you off; you sound like you'll probably be fine or waiverable. For this, and other medical information, try the BuMed website and track down any instructions on aviation medicine. Like the rest of the Navy, NOMI follows written instructions. If you really think you're questionable on some item, then find the instruction and know what it says.
3. Minorities--not a problem. Probably helps when you seek a ROTC scholarship; really not a factor for flight school.
4. Community service might help when applying for a ROTC scholarship. However, the board will be more interested in your grades, and whether you're physically fit (i'm guessing this is the "PFA") before they take a look at your community service. It helps; if you've got it, great, if you don't, it's not worth sweating it.
5. Service Selection generally takes place early in the NROTC's midshipmen's senior year, around October. If you're in NROTC, try to take a aviation cruise and get the most out of it, and then make a decision.

NFO- Naval Flight Officer- the gods that tell pilots what they need to do, R2D2 to the Luke Skywalker, Goose to Maverick wannabes, officer aircrew who fulfill some very important flying roles, such as being tactical coordinators on P-3s, electronic countermeasures officers on EA-6Bs, radar intercept officers on F-14s....they are the mission specialists and go through extensive training in navigating, communicating, and mission planning.

Good luck!

JT

 

[Raptor2216]

Whats that suppose to mean?