I want to be an officer in the Navy and?

Question

When I graduate from High School in 2010, i'm debating whether to go into the Navy or Air Force to become a pilot. I have very good grades and leadership skills. I know I have to go to college because they only allow officers to fly. What would I have to major in at college, and what are the chances of actually becoming a Fighter Pilot?

Answer 1

You are young enough that you have several options to choose from at this point.

First: get into the Naval Academy after High School. Ideally, you start seriously looking into the whys and wherefores at the end of your Sophomore year, and have applied by the end of your Junior year in HS.

Second: Go to a College with a NROTC program. again,start early as slots can fill up quickly.

Third: go to a regular college and then apply to OCS.

Degrees: Any of the Engineering degrees would be a good choice, as would be a Comp Sci degree or a Hard science like Phsyics. Going Aviation you would also need to pass the Flight Physical, which is much more strict than the normal physical. Whether or not you get picked up for Aviation will be a combination of luck, skill and Needs of the Navy. Same with WHICH type of aircraft you get.

Answer 2

As has already been stated, the degree isn't the important factor, though the majority of pilots have engineering (or other aircraft-related) degrees. However, you have not even started high school; I don't see how you can have any idea whether you have good leadership skills, and the only grades that really mean anything are high school (for getting into college) and college. I would advise taking JROTC throughout high school (assuming your high shcool has a JROTC program--even if it is not navy or air force), just to give you an idea what ROTC might be like in college. They also have guest military speakers who could possibly give you further insight, and all JROTC instructors are prior military. Best of luck to you, whatever you decide.

Answer 3

If you want to become an officer, you have to have a college degree. There are three ways of becoming an officer: Go to a service academy (Naval Academy @ Annapolis, Military Academy @ West Point, etc). Or go to a normal university with an ROTC program. With both of these options the USA pays for your school and when you get out you get commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Then you'd go off to Flight School if you're gonna become a pilot.

The third way to become an officer is if you just graduate from college with no military/ROTC program. Then you'd have to enlist in the Army with an OCS option. You'd go to regular basic training, and then when basic training was over, you'd go straight to Officer Candidacy School. (In the Air Force it is OTS). After OCS/OTS, you'd get your commission as a Second Lieutenant.

Your major wouldn't matter in any of these options, I know pilots with english and law degrees, though engineers are probably most common.

Answer 4

If your high school has a JROTC program, you could join that. It helps boosts leadership skills and basic military skills needed in the Air Force or Navy. Plus, it looks good on your application. Trust, me, it's my third year in Army JROTC and I love it. Also, for college, you could try joining SROTC, but there is a 2 year military obligation after you join and you will automatically become a second lieutenant upon completion, the lowest ranking officer. Good luck with your military career.

Answer 5

They're starting a new program in the Navy, where they will allow enlisted personnel to go into Pilot Training and become a warrant officer without attending college, but you have to achieve a certain rank first. Talk to your recruiters to find out more or look at

www.usmilitary.about.com

Good luck!

Answer 6

You also have one other option - you could go to one of the academies. My brother-in-law was in the Naval Academy - Anapolis. My other brother-in-law also a Naval officer majored in mathmatics. If you really want to go this route, go and talk with a recruiter (don't sign anything) and tell them what you want to do and ask if they can give you any information so that you can start your preparation now. A lot of high schools offer college prepartory classes. Good Luck.

Answer 7

ANY ENGINEERING DEGREE WILL GIVE YOU A LEG UP INTO becoming a naval aviator. i am a mechanical engineer that applied for the bootstrap program aka enlisted to officer college program. i was not a pilot, but an engineering officer and propulsion supervisor on board of aircraft carriers. without us the ships massive horsepower was useless!! i did like to watch the F-14s catapult off of the deck on a dark summer night in the med!!

Answer 8

You would have to major in "Pilot". Navy accepts generally anyone if you qualify for a Navy Pilot. You don't have to have 20/20 vision.

Answer 9

You'll have to go into a ROTC program first to see if
you are qualified for the Armed Forces and that includes high school and college.

Answer 10

You should definitely do ROTC wherever you go..you sound like you're really into it and its good that you have ambition...In ROTC you can major in pretty much anything you want...ROTC is in addition to your normal college stuff....Hopefully you'll explore ALL of your options and listen to your heart and head...Good Luck!