After Academy

<p>I am still thinking about what exactly I want to do, so I am gathering info from all possibilities and options, even the ones I most likely will not pursue. I was wonder, if one wanted to work for a major airline after the academy and after the mandatory serving period, would going to the academy be worth it, or should one just look into an avitation college?</p>

<p>I am assuming the USAFA has the best aviation education in the country, even better than the top colleges like Embry-Riddle? If I were to go to the USAFA then serve the 9 years (am I correct with the 9 years?), how far ahead would I be of someone who went to a top aviation school for 4 years and worked at airlines for 9 years? Salary difference? Educaton difference? </p>

<p>Thanks. Like I said, I am not saying I want to go to the USAFA to become an airline pilot, but I want to know the facts about all of my options. Thanks again.</p>

<p>-C/AB GLOCK</p>

<p>U.S. News & World Report has ranked USAFA #2 in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering in the nation, behind Embry Riddle. They were also ranked:[ul][li]#6 in Electrical/electronic/communications, tied with Pennsylvania’s Bucknell University</p>[/li]
<p>[li]#7 in Civil Engineering, tied with Bucknell University</p>[/li]
<p>[*]#11 in Mechanical Engineering, tied with California’s Santa Clara University[/ul]</p>

<p>What's it rated for general Piloting?</p>

<p>The academy doesn’t necessarily train you for being a pilot. There are many programs and opportunities but that is not its main focus at the undergrad level.</p>

<p>I was reading through the FAQ about a half hour ago, and after that I got the impression that Pilot Training is not really part of the curriculum, just clubs. So I assume you learn actual piloting after the academy? Is that what the 9 years after the academy is for?</p>

<p>I believe the after academy committment is pilot training (1-2 years) + 10 years of service.</p>

<p>Pilot training is done after gradutation from the Academy.</p>

<p>Is the 10 years only if you want to tour as a pilot?</p>

<p>I was under the impression the service was either 5 or 6 years.</p>

<p>The 10+ is for Pilots.
It is 5 for everyone else, I think.</p>

<p>Your commitment after graduation from the Academy is for eight years – five of which must be active duty and the remainder can be served as inactive reserve. If you complete pilot training you will incur a longer commitment.</p>

<p>Interesting stuff on where to fly</p>

<p>NAVY vs AIR FORCE</p>

<p>Bob Norris is a former Naval aviator who also did a 3 year exchange tour flying the F-15 Eagle. He is now an accomplished author of entertaining books about US Naval Aviation including "Check Six" and "Fly-Off." In response to a letter from an aspiring fighter pilot on which military academy to attend, Bob replied with the following: </p>

<p>12 Feb 04 </p>

<p>Young Man, </p>

<p>Congratulations on your selection to both the Naval and Air Force Academies. Your goal of becoming a fighter pilot is impressive and a fine way to serve your country. As you requested, I'd be happy to share some insight into which service would be the best choice. </p>

<p>Each service has a distinctly different culture. You need to ask yourself "Which one am I more likely to thrive in?" </p>

<p>USAF Snapshot: The USAF is exceptionally well organized and well run. Their training programs are terrific. All pilots are groomed to meet high standards for knowledge and professionalism. Their aircraft are top-notch and extremely well maintained. Their facilities are excellent. Their enlisted personnel are the brightest and the best trained. The USAF is homogenous and macro. No matter where you go, you'll know what to expect, what is expected of you, and you'll be given the training & tools you need to meet those expectations. You will never be put in a situation over your head. Over a 20-year career, you will be home for most important family events. Your Mom would want you to be an Air Force pilot...so would your wife. Your Dad would want your sister to marry one. </p>

<p>Navy Snapshot: Aviators are part of the Navy, but so are Black shoes (surface warfare) and bubble heads (submariners). Furthermore, the Navy is split into two distinctly different Fleets (West and East Coast). The Navy is heterogeneous and micro. Your squadron is your home; it may be great, average, or awful. A squadron can go from one extreme to the other before you know it. You will spend months preparing for cruise and months on cruise. The quality of the aircraft varies directly with the availability of parts. Senior Navy enlisted are salt of the earth; you'll be proud if you earn their respect. Junior enlisted vary from terrific to the troubled kid the judge made join the service. You will be given the opportunity to lead these people during your career; you will be humbled and get your hands dirty. The quality of your training will vary and sometimes you will be over your head. You will miss many important family events. There will be long stretches of tedious duty aboard ship. You will fly in very bad weather and/or at night and you will be scared many times. You will fly with legends in the Navy and they will kick your ass until you become a lethal force. And some days - when the scheduling Gods have smiled upon you - your jet will catapult into a glorious morning over a far-away sea and you will be drop-jawed that someone would pay you to do it. The hottest girl in the bar wants to meet the Naval Aviator. That bar is in Singapore. </p>

<p>Bottom line, son, if you gotta ask...pack warm & good luck in Colorado. </p>

<p>PS: Air Force pilots wear scarves and iron their flight suits.</p>

<p>I know there are more than one Bob Norrises in this world. So I am wondering how confused I am. I just got the following bio off of a "Bob Norris'" website. He is an author and I'm wondering if this is the same guy that is being credited with the above letter? Thanks for your help.</p>

<p>"A Brief Biography</p>

<p>I was born January 11, 1951 in Arcata, California, a small logging town on the northwest coast. I attended schools in both Arcata and Fortuna before graduating from Arcata High School in 1969. I remember my father driving our family through the redwoods down to San Francisco to watch the newly arrived San Francisco Giants play a game against the Milwaukee Braves in 1958. The Braves won that game and I was smitten. I'm still crazy about the Braves and baseball. I was a better basketball player, however, and went on to become an all-county selection in my senior year.</p>

<p>I entered the Air Force in September 1969, went through many changes, subsequently became a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War, was court-martialed for refusing to fight in the war, and served time in a military prison. In my twenties I roamed across the United States, went to Europe twice, and made one journey around the world. During that time I worked as a millhand, construction laborer, stevedore, mailman, baker, saute cook, and oil rig steward. My dream in those days was to be a writer and live in a foreign country. I tried going to college, but dropped out twice. I did, however, read everything I could get my hands on. I was heavily influenced by Jack Kerouac, Jack London, Henry Miller, Tom Wolfe, Hermann Hesse, Joseph Conrad, Franz Kafka, Fyodor Dostoevski, Ernest Hemingway, J.R.R. Tolkien, and John Steinbeck. I wrote feverishly at that time, pumping out a lot of self-commiserating stories about a former CO trying to find his niche in life.</p>

<p>I landed in Japan in 1983, and have lived and taught English here since. The first few years were a bit rough, but eventually I set my sights on getting a degree and finding a university teaching job. It took seven years while working at various conversation schools and companies, but I finished both a B.A. and an M.A. by correspondence. I hooked on full-time at <em>**uoka Women's Junior College in 1992 and was promoted to *</em>*uoka International University (on the same campus) in 1998. In 1996 my first novel Looking for the Summer was published, followed by a textbook The Many Roads to Japan in 1997 and another novel Toraware in 1998.</p>

<p>I met my wife Shizuyo about six months after coming to Japan. We were both living in the Osaka-Kobe area. We were married in 1987. We now live in the outskirts of <em>**uoka, the main city on the island of Kyushu. I am currently a professor and the dean of students at *</em>*uoka International University."</p>

<p>different guy </p>

<p><a href="http://www.bobnorris.com/spd.php/spi/pilot_stats_2%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.bobnorris.com/spd.php/spi/pilot_stats_2&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>LFWB,
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I was soooo hoping the site I found was NOT the same guy. My son wants to fly for USAF and I was very glad to see your first post about Mr. Norris and what he said about AF v. Navy flying.
Thanks, too, for your insight and help on other threads that I have read.</p>

<p>Your welcome. I'm glad to help.</p>

<p>PS If you haven't looked through the whole Norris site above, it is pretty cool</p>