Navy pilot?

Question

I had asked a question about navy boot camp but forgot to ask about something.

Is there a special PT for recruits that want to be naval fighter pilots? If there is what is it like?.. you know like the seals have B.U.D.S..etc etc etc

Answer 1

No, there is no special PT for Naval Fighter Pilots or any other Naval Aviator. In general, you want to be in good physical shape and very fit cardiovascularly. The standard Navy Physical Readiness Test involves running 1.5 miles (or swimming 500 yards) in a certain time, a number of situps and a number of pushups (both in 2 minutes). The numbers are scaled for age and male/female (younger personnel have to do more for the same overall score as older personnel of the same sex). It used to be during Aviation Officer Candidate School that you had to run a cross-country 1.5 miles and also run a pretty intense obstacle course through a bunch of sand and obstacles, but I don't think that is done anymore. Now, I think you just run a lot of roads and then get the 1.5 miles timed at the end. But don't just train for the 1.5 miles! Make sure your endurance is up to run a lot farther--I'd say be in shape to run at least 5 miles without hurting yourself. That way you should be ready for anything they throw at you.

As another responder said, you cannot be a Pilot in the Navy unless you are an Officer. Once you have enlisted, you CAN become an Officer in the Navy through special programs for Enlisted personnel, but they are mostly quite difficult to qualify for. If you want to be a fighter pilot or any other kind of pilot or Naval Flight Officer in the Navy, my advice is to NOT enlist but instead go to college, get your Bachelor's degree and THEN join the Navy as an Officer. You should speak with an Officer recruiter (NOT an Enlisted recruiter) for more info on the requirements to become a pilot in the Navy.

Incidentally, just because you get a Bachelor's degree and qualify for Naval Flight School (and you do have to qualify medically--good eyes, within height and weight standards, etc., plus you do have to score adequately on the spatial portion of the aptitude test) does not mean that you will become a fighter pilot. How well you do in Primary Flight Training decides what aircraft you get to fly since the students at the top of the class get to choose their platform type first (Jets, Maritime (props), or Helos). Then, you go to Advanced Flight Training and how well you do THERE determines which airframe you will fly (carrier-based jet-type aircraft such as F-18's or S-3's or even the E-2/C-2, land-based (Maritime) airframes such as the anti-sub P-3's or the electronic surveillance E-6A's, or helos such as the H-53, H-46, etc.). Again, students at the top of the class select in order of grades.

There are a variety of affordable ways to get your college degree (grants and loans, the Naval Academy, Navy ROTC, or even if you have to work full-time, etc.).

If you have already enlisted and are on some sort of delayed entry program but still have your heart set on flying, then use these first few years to learn as much as you can about the various Enlisted-to-Officer programs and apply for everything that you are qualified for. If you aren't qualified for a particular program, try to GET qualified for it and apply. If you cannot get accepted to one of the programs, then save up your money, use the Navy's tuition-assistance programs to take as many college courses as you can handle, and when your tour of duty is up, get out of the Navy, finish your degree and come back in as an Officer (but I believe there still is an age limit to becoming a Pilot--used to be 26.5 yrs old). Again, go and speak to an Officer Recruiter to find out all the requirements to be a Naval Pilot or Naval Flight Officer.

Alternately, you could just try to get qualified to get an Enlisted Aircrew job. Those are very rewarding as well as critical to the Navy. The program is not easy to qualify for since they are so selective, but it is well worth the time to try and try until you get picked up.

Most of the above might seem to indicate that I do not think an Enlisted career is worthwhile. That is not true; I have known many, many, many successful, honorable Enlisted personnel. Being Enlisted in the Navy is a VERY worthwhile career choice. But you indicated you wanted to be a Pilot and the simple fact is that only Officers can be Pilots in the U.S. Navy.

(Sorry this was so long, but there is SO much information you need to research. I urge you to go see both an Officer Recruiter and an Enlisted Recruiter and explore all your opportunties.)

Good luck! The U.S. Navy is a great way of life, both for Enlisted and Officer personnel. I wouldn't trade it for any corporate job!

Answer 2

As a RECRUIT you'll have no "scheduled" opportunity to screen for Naval Aviator / NFO... Pilots are all college grads and officers. It's a different program AOCS (Aviation Officer Candidate School).

The TRUE key for a pilot is the medical physical !!

If you're not a college grad... ask your recruiter / detailer about Aircrew Candidate School. It's for enlisted, but the only rate that goes there straight from boot-camp is AW (Aviation Warfare Systems Operator) who then fly in helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft as sensor operators.

It's not too difficult if you're not a fat-body and have some balance and swimming ability !! MUCH easier than the BUDS screening test which I took and passed for giggles.

I went thru Aircrew Candidate School in 1985 followed by RSS (Rescue Swimmer School). After A-School, SERE, some C-schools, and Fleet Replacement Squadron training, I got my Aircrew Wings in June 1986 and went to fly with an active squadron.

Answer 3

You cannot be a pilot in the Navy unless you are an officer. So, no, there isn't a special PT program.

But, you can be enlisted aircrew. You should know by now if you qualify for one of these jobs and will be attending aircrew school - which, for the most part, is one big PT party! You run, swim, run some more, swim some more, do the obstacle course, swim again, and then do some actual lessons in a classroom. It is a lot of fun but very physical.

Answer 4

Well there's not a whole lot of difference for the actual job itself. Of course a major difference besides the aircraft they use is where they land and take off. I think maybe another difference is the Navy spends more time patrolling over the seas where the Air Force spends more time patrolling over the land. They can do both though. There maybe some differences in weaponry as well. I think they probably work and train together on occasion. For the most part though they're combat Aviators that work for 2 different military branches. It's kind of like asking the differences between the Army Infantry and the Marine Infantry. There more alike than different.

Answer 5

This accurate type of information is unavailable on Yahoo Answers.

You must visit with, or telephone your hometown military Recruiters for the very latest information. (A visit is best when getting your information.)

Right now, start making a list of all the questions you can think of. When the time comes, take your list of questions with you to the hometown military Recruiter and "pick their brain" to ensure all your questions are answered.

Also ask what types of high school courses you would also need to graduate high school, which would be to your advantage for your potential future job, when enlisting in the military.

Answer 6

it's a specially task force for naval fighter pilots a lot of work no joke, you have to want to be committed . committed is the key word it can consist of a group of any where from 6-12 depending on what infirmtrey your in. but a gain well worth it as you will see good luck in october p.s go down to any navy recrutment center tell them your going in in october and your just looking for more info and they'll be more than happy to enlighten you.

Answer 7

Pilots do not go to Boot Camp. all Pilots are Officers, and therefore go to OCS or comission via ROTC or the Academy.

Answer 8

If you are going to Navy bootcamp then you are going in as an enlisted.

Pilots are Officers. You have to go to OCS (Officers Candidate School) or some other Officer training program or military college (Annapolis).

Not bootcamp.