Im in the process of joining the navy and i know that i can ask my recruiter this question but i want to hear some other feedback as to getting into navy flight school as an enlisted.
Navy Doc is right, but the others have a good point. If you want to fly, get your degree. That would be the easiest route. If you want to enlist, being an Air Crew rate is your right idea. I’m an air dale, and I’ve seen what you want to happen to you happen to someone else. NROTC is one way. Also, there are several other enlisted-to-commissioned programs out there. Check out the STA-21 Program (Seaman-to-Admiral), get your degree for free through the Navy College and Tuition Assistance then apply for OCS. All of these programs require you to earn and maintain good evaluations and physical fitness standards. Also, make a name for yourself in a good way. Your chain of command is what determines whether the package you build will make you an officer. It’ll be a lot of work, but the paycheck difference alone can make it worthwhile.
#1 by Steven B on July 18th, 2009
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You cant, unless you are an officer. Basically you need a college degree to fly planes. As enlisted you can only work on them or handle their ordinance so if he told you, that you can go to flight school you cant. But you can join and be enlisted aircraft mechanic, and then get picked up for officer flight program but you will have to graduate from college, and it is the most competitive officer program so there are lots of odds against you.
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Petty Officer First Class USN
#2 by Merchant of Death on July 18th, 2009
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You don’t and even if you were an Officer it’s likely not happening
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#3 by Yak Rider on July 18th, 2009
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You can’t. The closest you can come is Naval Air Crewman School. To do that you need to pick a rate that requires you to fly…. such as AW.
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Retired Chief Petty Officer
#4 by Navy Doc on July 18th, 2009
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Don’t listen to these guys, I’ve been in the Navy for 6 years and am weighing that very option. There are several enlisted to commissioning programs out there for that, the main one being the Seaman to Admiral program, NROTC, and a few others. Of course you will need to complete a degree before you can attend Officer Candidate School but once that is done you will be guaranteed a CHANCE to complete the program. It is very tough and a lot of people wash out. Another service, the Army actually, has a program called high school to flight school. You attend Warrant Officer Candidate School with only a high school diploma, once that is completed you may choose from a variety of aircraft to fly including the blackhawk helicopter, the Chinook, The Apache attack helicopter, the Huey, and a variety of fixed wing aircraft. Good luck to you.
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Navy Corpsman and Civilian Pilot
#5 by Brad Cole on July 18th, 2009
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Navy Doc is right, but the others have a good point. If you want to fly, get your degree. That would be the easiest route. If you want to enlist, being an Air Crew rate is your right idea. I’m an air dale, and I’ve seen what you want to happen to you happen to someone else. NROTC is one way. Also, there are several other enlisted-to-commissioned programs out there. Check out the STA-21 Program (Seaman-to-Admiral), get your degree for free through the Navy College and Tuition Assistance then apply for OCS. All of these programs require you to earn and maintain good evaluations and physical fitness standards. Also, make a name for yourself in a good way. Your chain of command is what determines whether the package you build will make you an officer. It’ll be a lot of work, but the paycheck difference alone can make it worthwhile.
References :
Navy Personnel Command, Navy Knowledge Online, 6 years in the Navy as The AM2(AW)