I'm at my second command now, an MASN with under 2 years in, and I love my job. I turned down NUKE and a $20K SWCC contract for MA and no bonus. I might love my job, but I feel as if I should be something else or more.

The STA-21 program to become a pilot is very appealing. I would love to be a pilot, but the horror stories I've heard are keeping me away from the program. Some things I've heard:

1. You have no choice in the type of aircraft or helicopter you would want to fly.
2. About 6 years of schooling and training pass before you ever touch an aircraft if you start from STA-21 with no degree.
3. You lose all your accomplishments from when you were enlisted.
4. The life of a pilot (when not flying) is very stressful and lonely
5. You don't get to choose your orders vs the way enlisted are able to

I also heard about some program called "blue to green" or something like that. It was just word of mouth, I don't have any official info about it. Apparently you can go from an E-5+ in the navy to an apache pilot officer in the army according to what the person was saying. Anyone have more information on this?

I don't really know where I'm going with this and I'm just hoping for some feedback. I love my job and I would like to stay an MA, but maybe I'll apply for STA-21 for pilot and see what happens. Can I turn down STA-21 if accepted?

quote:

I'm at my second command now, an MASN with under 2 years in, and I love my job. I turned down NUKE and a $20K SWCC contract for MA and no bonus. I might love my job, but I feel as if I should be something else or more.

I hope YGG sees that line. I think you just proved his (and Williams) point about classification

1. You have no choice in the type of aircraft or helicopter you would want to fly.
Just like everything else, it's a dream sheet. Then, they pick where you go based on the needs of the Navy. Obviously everyone who wants fighter pilot won't get it

2. About 6 years of schooling and training pass before you ever touch an aircraft if you start from STA-21 with no degree.
First point: STA-21 is only for people without degrees.

Second, it takes up to 8 months after you get selected to the program before you report to NSI, from there 4-4.5 years to complete NSI and a degree (if you can get school done in less time, it's your option to). Once you graduate college and go to flight school you may be on hold for a while, but probably not 2 years (although there is stuff that must be learned before they let you go play in a plane, won't take 2 years though). So total, about 4.5-5 years from the date of acceptance

3. You lose all your accomplishments from when you were enlisted.
HUH???!!! Who's saying that? My DH wears everything he was awarded from his enlisted service on his uniform (including warfare pins), and all his active duty time puts him in a higher pay bracket upon comissioning.

4. The life of a pilot (when not flying) is very stressful and lonely
Stressful? Perhaps, but not more so than anything else. Lonely? only if you make it that way.

5. You don't get to choose your orders vs the way enlisted are able to
where did you hear this stuff? You work with detailers just the same. As on the enlisted side, they may not always have what you want available, especially the higher up you go.

I also heard about some program called "blue to green" or something like that. It was just word of mouth, I don't have any official info about it. Apparently you can go from an E-5+ in the navy to an apache pilot officer in the army according to what the person was saying. Anyone have more information on this?
It's actually a Army warrant officer pilot program.

Can I turn down STA-21 if accepted?
Yes, but if you do don't expect to be selected to any comissioning program again.

Be careful with pilot option, and have a back up plan. The physical requirements are VERY strict, so you may not be eligible at all. Also, to up your chances of getting selected start taking classes or even CLEPS (although, the latter really only looks good if you're at sea). They get WAY more applicants for pilot than they need annually, so you need to do all you can to increase your chances of getting selected. Also, if you don't get selected the first year keep applying. Sometimes it takes multiple chances to get picked up.

Given your short amount of time in, and since you don't seem THAT keen on STA-21 (looking at it more as a way out of your community than having a strong desire to lead), have you thought about striking into another job? (perhaps one that was offered to you previously at MEPS?) Worth looking into.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: catherine0830,

Thanks for the information. I just read the STA-21 info post and it was very helpful also.

After reading over my thread, it seems I worded the post a little wrong. I would love to be a pilot and I am very enthusiastic about trying to become an officer, but I'm scared that I won't get what I want and miss the job I have now.

I have more questions on the STA-21 program so I'll just ask in the other thread. Thank you.

Depending on your age, if you're not 23, you can apply to the Naval Academy.

Out of the Naval Academy you will have a greater chance to go pilot or any other line officer community including SEAL, Diver, EOD and even Marine Corps out of any other program.

The catch it will be at minimum four years of schooling, 5 if you go to NAPS, which is the preparatory school located in Newport, RI.

I am currently attending NAPS right now as a prior enlisted EM3(SW). Non nuke thank you very much. I will start plebe summer in June and graduate class of 2012. It is a lot of sacrifice, especially considering coming from the fleet where you have real responsibilities to a training environment where you have to start from the bottom up. However the opportunities are many and the education is good and line commission is almost guaranteed.

Look up www.usna.edu and OPNAVINST 1420.1A for more information on applying to the academy if you meet the standards.

Reason why I applied? I didn't enjoy my job as an EM. It's an essential job but I wanted to do more in the Navy and possibly the Marine Corps.

If you read his other posts, he already has 2 years of college done. If he goes to the academy, he has to do 4 years there, no matter hos many credits he transfers in. Thus, a waste of time.

what if someone had a 4yr college degree. How many years before they could fly...?

Depends on the route you take. Go direct to OCS then pilot, up to 2 years after entry until you complete flight training, depending on platform. If you enlist and then apply to OCS, it will depend on how long it takes you to get selected to the program.

There are age restrictions associated with pilots, though.