The Navy must have changed big time. As a J.O. I never worked until midnight let alone 2a.m.. I recall JOPA skip days and the best job I've ever had. As a department head you will work long hours, but rarely until then. What ground job works such long hours, I'm curious. Give the kid honest information and don't bias it in either direction.
The truth is that nothing in life is guaranteed. The military will make you a pilot if you are willing to work a little harder than the average bear. It's up to you unless something medically disqualifies you. The initial medical is thorough to say the least, because the Navy is making a big investment in you and does not want to lose it's investment. This should take care of any medical concerns you might have. In flight school insturctors for the most part will bend over backwards to see you make it through unless you can not fly safely. In the fleet it can be like the Eprentice where people are competing to be numero ono. This occurs in any job any where. There are tools who want to further their own careers and will step on the back off anyone to get to there goal. Although, since some pilots still dream of a career afterwards and do not want to brand themselves a non-team player most will help you out. Remember, it's up to you though to bug the sh^t out of whomever you need to learn what is required of you. Someone always has the knowledge you need, find them, pursue them, irrate them, until them pass it along. And in turn don't be a turd and forget to help out your bro's.
Call an officer recruiter, sit down with him/her and dicuss your options. There are NO, I repeat NO, bonuses for recruiters. They are paid a salary, as is ever other officer, and could give a hoot or not if you decide to join. And everything is in writing so you can pour over every word he/she tells you in a contract.
I'd like to address the validity of the statement "officer first, aviator second." For those that believe this, my questions is, what is your ground job in flight school? Ah, you don't have one, why, aviator first. Again I ask what is your ground job when you report to the fleet, a job that requires minimal time. Why, aviator first.
For those that don't believe this, fail your PQS in the fleet and tell the skipper, "but sir, look at the wonderful job I'm doing as a maintence officer." You are an aviator first and formost, and the Navy has incurred a huge investment to see to that.
Most individuals who are aviators joined the military to fly and would not have joined otherwise. That's why you are the best, brightest, and most determined mother truckers in the world. Because you will work yourself to death to fly and love ever minute of it. Let the unacceptable candidates be officer's first. I'm kidding of course. But mark my word, as a J.O. your job IS AVIATOR FIRST, SECOND, AND LAST. With a ground job splashed in for effect. Live it, Love it. It's a blast.
edited, 4 posts into 1, easier to read
