<p>Mine got his privates two weeks before graduating from High School. Hasn't been able to fly at USNA yet, thinks he may be able to later in the semester... an optimist...but thinks he will be able to at least stay current starting next year.</p>
<p>itlstallion will you go up sometime this semester or just wait until flight school?</p>
<p>Do they have a flight club @ USNA?</p>
<p>Flying Squadron: <a href="http://www.usna.edu/FlyNavy/%5B/url%5D">http://www.usna.edu/FlyNavy/</a></p>
<p>Flying Team: <a href="http://www.usna.edu/FlyNavy/team.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.usna.edu/FlyNavy/team.htm</a></p>
<p>Mine has been to some Flying Squadron meetings but like everything...so much he wants to do...little time to do it all so sometimes you have to pick and choose.</p>
<p>Ah! The boy received flying lessons for Christmas, so this is good info.</p>
<p>About the Naval Academy Aviation Squadron: This is composed of a large group of midshipmen and focuses more on military aviation, and from time to time hosts speakers and sponsors trips to different museums and bases around the general area.</p>
<p>Also just starting out this year is the Naval Academy chapter of the Alpha Eta Rho (AHP) professional aviation fraternity that is more concerned with general aviation. It's still pretty new here but it's composed of a core group of about 30 or so mids that are interested in aviation in general and will sponsor trips to local GA airports, civilian manufacturing centers and the like.</p>
<p>The flight team, as far as I can tell, kind of fell apart a few years ago due to lack of funding.</p>
<p>Before I go to Pensacola I do IFS (Introductory Flight Screener)... I think we get somewhere between 20-30 hours of flight time</p>
<p>Where do you do that?</p>
<p>I think that may be what I was talking about, just USAF different name. </p>
<p>Don't spew. That's one of the things they're looking for.</p>
<p>Is is possible to get PRK or some kind of surgery while at the academy to correct vision and get into aviation ?</p>
<p>YES.</p>
<p>Read this articled published in the New York Crimes:</p>
<p>Perfect Vision Is Helping and Hurting Navy</p>
<p>LFWB chose USMMA over USNA because of the many options he had as a graduate of Kings Point as opposed to those at Navy or any of the other Academies. </p>
<p>At KP he will graduate with a BS in Marine Transportation, a Coast Guard Mate's license and will have the option of taking an active duty commission in any service or a Reserve or National Guard commission in any service and work in the US Maritime industry. Right now his top list is 1) Navy Spec Ops;2) Army Spec Ops; 3) Navy SWO. But with a mate's license and a tanker certificate he could start at $20K a month on an LNG tanker.</p>
<p>Also, he liked the idea of spending an entire year at sea being thrown into the nuts and bolts of seamanship as part of a small crew instead of a few weeks each summer following around an officer. As a MIDN 3/C he already has 128 sea days and has sailed around the world and been to Iraq twice as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom delivering trucks and supplies to US and Iraqi forces at the Port of Umm Qasr. As an active part of the four man crew on the bridge he stood watch four hours a day in a rotation that had him serving as the navigation officer, look out, at the helm; and as command of the watch. An 18 year old MIDN in command of a 700 ft ship with a couple of $billion in cargo is a ton of responsibility he knew he wouldn't get anywhere else. In all he has been to 9 countries and handled cargo ops in 18 different ports. And he still has 230 days to go beginning again in March.</p>
<p>Also, LFWB is a good D-III athlete, and the opportunity to continue to compete at a varsity level in college was also a big factor in choosing USMMA over USNA. Navy has a great D-I tradition, but he was realistic about his chances to participate as a varsity athlete at Navy.</p>
<p>The rigors of cramming a 154 credit curriculum into 3 years on campus along with all the Regimental responsibilities drives him nuts at times, and the fact that his longest break since I Day has been ten days is frustrating, but all in all he is very happy with his choice.</p>
<p>Wow, huge relief. I was under the impression that flight slots were more easily attained with laser surgery at the Air Force Academy. A tragic act of fate (or genes) has rendered my left eye pilot-qualified and my right, navigator-qualified.</p>
<p>
[quote]
But with a mate's license and a tanker certificate he could start at $20K a month on an LNG tanker.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>For the first time in my life, I regret having gone Navy. :eek:</p>
<p>^^^
The good thing about being an attorney is that we have no reservation about acknowleding our souls have a price.</p>
<p>It is a revelation and awakening when, after proclaiming your allegiance so loudly and clearly, you realize that your soul, along with 98% of the rest of the population, can be bought for a price. :)</p>
<p>Well, it all depends on what is being bought with it. ;)</p>
<p>Bill's a lawyer?! Never would've guessed that! Just kidding around Bill, my dad's a lawyer too.</p>
<p>Bill, what practice area? I'm a patent attorney.</p>
<p>Guys, I've been offered an appointment to both USAFA and USNA. However, I'm finding it hard to decide which one I will be attending. Is anyone or has anyone been in the same boat with me? What do you look at in deciding which school you will attend? I know that either options lead me to a career in the military and a route to become an officer. Either way, I'm still serving my country.</p>
<p>I will also be visiting both academies in April. Hopefully I will be able to make my decision right after, because I need to send in my Acceptance Forms back in by May 1st.</p>
<p>My son had the same. He has grown up in the AF, so he's experienced it first hand; even having to comfort a friend down the street when his dad had a fatal F-16 crash. He reasons that with the AF, you either fly, or you sit at a desk. He is Mr. Go/See/Do. He could not be tethered to a desk happily.</p>
<p>He decided the Navy had more options. First of all, he can fly jets or helicopters. If he can't fly, he can go into the Marines (tanks), or he can go on a ship. He doesn't want to do the sub thing (NO OFFENSE TO ANY SUBMARINERS- we totally respect you guys! It takes a special/strong person to be able to perform in those conditions). </p>
<p>So, he hasn't visited USAFA, since he is surrounded by it and was born into it. He did visit USNA at NASS and it was everything he ever wanted. It was where he felt he needed to be.</p>
<p>You are wise to visit them both. Look inside; what do you want to do for your military profession? Which branch will help you satisfy your goals?</p>
<p>Best of luck and congrats to both appts.!</p>
<p>It is more than a selection of college. This is a life decision. My D has similar situation (AF/WP). The question is much bigger than which college is right for you. The question is which branch of the service is right. So, that being said, consider the mission of both AF and Navy. Where do you see yourself in five or six years? After school you will have a commitment to either the AF or Navy. Can you envision yourself in the AF? How about the Navy? Which of these fits you best? Which ever decision you make, never look back! It is one of those decisions that can't really be switched mid way through. </p>
<p>This is a very big decision for people your age and not to be taken lightly. Take your time, visit both schools and then make the decision and jump in with all you've got! </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>