Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Nath-BDP on December 13, 2000, 01:05:00 PM
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Anyone know if there are any vision requirements to be a pilot in the USN do you have to have 20/20+ vision? Also can you wear glasses or contacts?
I heard that there were wavers or something like that.
[This message has been edited by Nath-BDP (edited 12-13-2000).]
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Well I know here in Canada due to recruitment shortfalls you can get into the aviation program with V2, which I THINK is 15/20. Anything worse than this, forget it, be prepared to be a navigator.
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Actually standards are way down because they have such a hard time recruiting pilots.
But, you have to have a college degree first.
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Bartlomiej Rajewski
aka. Wing Commander fd-ski
Northolt Wing
1st Polish Fighter Wing
303 (Polish) Squadron "Kosciuszko" RAF
308 (Polish) Squadron "City of Cracow" RAF
315 (Polish) Squadron "City of Deblin" RAF
Turning 109s and 190s into scrap metal since 1998
Northolt Wing Headquarters (http://www.raf303.org/northolt/)
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Two things you need to ensure being a naval aviator:
Graduation from Anapolis
20/20 vision
There were rumors that people who received laser surgery would be accepted as long as they now had 20/20... though I haven't heard if this was really accepted.
The best thing to do would be to stop by the USN web page and start poking around.
The very minimum requirements are that you have a 4 year degree.
AKDejaVu
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You also need to sign an "I am an allied opportunist and proud of it" waiver.
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StSanta
9./JG 54 "Grünherz"
(http://www.geocities.com/nirfurian/stSanta.jpg)
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That's not entirely true ski. You can enlist and make it into pilot training, though it's not the easiest thing to accomplish. I know two guys who have done this, and last I heard one was driving a 'Cat and the other a Hornet. Granted they enlisted about 5yr ago.
Nath probably the best way to find what the requirements are would be to call the Navy's pilot training command and ask them. I know that about 5yr ago the laser surgery to bring your vision back to 20/20 was a disqualifer for pilot training, and you can forget fighters with glasses or contact because of the Gs (as was explained to me by a pilot friend).
You could try a local recruiting office, but they'll blow so much smoke up your arse you won't be able to see for a month. One recruiter tried to convice me that LSO was the next best thing to being part of the flight crew. When pressed about LSO being an officer from one of the squadrons he says "On some of the smaller boats chiefs are the LSOs." Yeah, smaller boats like FFGs, DDs, and AEs signaling for a helo pad.
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Graduation from the Naval Academy is required? Can't you go to another college and get a 4 year degree then try for the Navy?
thanks
[This message has been edited by Nath-BDP (edited 12-13-2000).]
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Its not required... but its definately more difficult without it.
USAF is pretty much the same way for the advanced fighters.
.. of course.. your mileage may vary.
AKDejaVu
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Don't know about the other services, but for the Army you have to have 20/20 for Warrant Officer Flight training. Commissioned guys can get in as long as its correctable to 20/20. And before people start giving me toejam about the Army, just remember: To fly is fine, to hover is divine (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
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LJK_Raubvogel
LuftJägerKorps (http://www.luftjagerkorps.com)
(http://www.luftjagerkorps.com/images/logo.gif)
[This message has been edited by LJK Raubvogel (edited 12-13-2000).]
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Interesting to hear there is a shortfall in the number of pilots over there.
The same problem exists here - the RAF are having a hard time recruiting people of the right calibre.
But they are sticking to their requirements:
1) 20/20 vision (which isn't the best your eyes can be, BTW) for Aircrew
2)Laser surgery is not accepted
Also - doesn't the Naval Academy involve Basic/Leadership training? Or is that done somewhere else?
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I would never knock army aviators Raubvogel. I try not to knock the army at all. I actually feel kinda bad that while I was in the Air Force, we had it so cush compared to our infantry brethren. At least.. I feel kinda bad about it now (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
And Dowding, without knowing the exact curriculum at Anapolis... I would tend to believe that building leaders (military) is one of the key goals.
AKDejaVu
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20/20 uncorrected vision or better with no color blindness is required to be admitted into US Naval Aviator training (as a potential pilot). You can have corrected 20/20 vision and still be admitted as a potential NFO (Naval Flight Officer). Check with a recruiter to keep up to date with any changes to the policies.
Leway is given, however, to those that have completed primary training and need some kind of correction to maintain 20/20.
MiG
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Graduation from the Naval Academy increases the chances of obtaining a slot in the aviator training program. A minimum of a four year bachelor degree is needed to become a commissioned officer. (Only commissioned officers can act as pilots in the Air Force and Navy.) Joining ROTC while in college gives a greater competitive edge over those who didn't when seeking a training slot.
MiG
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Nath, you need 20/20 to get in the training pipeline, and if your vision gets worse than 20/30 in either eye before you finish training, you get canned. I was a navy hospital corpsman a few years ago doing flight physicals at Corpus Christi.
It is already waiverable to get PRK surgery to correct vision, or to wear glasses or contacts in flight. The catch is, you have to have your wings already. To get into the program you still need 20/20. Now, the navy started a program last summer where they inducted a number of new trainees who had PRK surgery.
PRK will likely become a standard waiverable item for new student aviators in the near future. Notice, this is only for PRK right now. Lasik may be allowed in the future, but I haven't heard about that.
The exact standards are spelled out in Chapter 15-65, Manual of the Medical Department (NAVMED P-117), available here (http://www.vnh.org/Admin/MMD/10MedExam/65Aviation.html).
If your vision is currently worse than 20/20, hold off on any surgery to correct vision. Go to school and get your degree. No, it doesn't need to be the Naval Academy... you can go anywhere you want. NROTC probably will help, but it isn't required either. By the time you're getting ready to graduate, the physical requirements will probably allow either PRK or Lasik, and you should be able to get in.
(http://www.jump.net/~cs3/sigs/uns_sig.jpg) (http://www.jump.net/~cs3)
[This message has been edited by Sancho (edited 12-14-2000).]
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And Dowding, without knowing the exact curriculum at Anapolis... I would tend to believe that building leaders (military) is one of the key goals.
I was asking a genuine question, because someone was saying that you might be able to become a naval flyer without going to Naval Academy. What is Anapolis?
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Anapolis is the U.S. Naval academy. Its sole purpose is to groom officers.
If you just get a degree at any college then get a commision... you must go through "Officer Candidate School" (OCS). At least.. that's how it works in the Air Force.. I imagine the Navy is very similar. That is where you get the military structure/leadership training.
There is also something called Reserve Officer Traning [Corps?] or "ROTC". It enables college students to get officer training while attending college.
...and... I wasn't trying to be snide. It was a serious answer. I just didn't quite get all of what you were asking I guess.
AKDejaVu
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My roommate from the navy times just went into a rag squadron for hornets. AZ2 is now LTJG (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif) Dweeb...
if any of you were at the AH Con - he was the guy there with me.
You don't need to have Annapoilis graduation under the belt to fly. If you want to be an admiral one day - you prabably better come from USNA...
As for pilots - shortages in USAAF and USN are rather horrible.
Get a degree in basket weaving under water and chances are you qualify ( if you have eyes )
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Bartlomiej Rajewski
aka. Wing Commander fd-ski
Northolt Wing
1st Polish Fighter Wing
303 (Polish) Squadron "Kosciuszko" RAF
308 (Polish) Squadron "City of Cracow" RAF
315 (Polish) Squadron "City of Deblin" RAF
Turning 109s and 190s into scrap metal since 1998
Northolt Wing Headquarters (http://www.raf303.org/northolt/)
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I see. But why have separate institutions for training officers? Why not treat graduates and non-college educated cadets alike?
Reason I ask is that I applied to be an RAF officer recently, and IOT (Initial Officer Training - based at RAF Cranwell) trains graduates and non-graduates alike. The only distinction is pay and promotion - the graduate starts at a higher rank, and is guaranteed to make Flight Lieutenant after 2-1/2 years.
Unfortnuately, I had some kind of (stress related) epileptic-type fit while studying for my finals in May. After loads of tests which showed nothing was wrong, I applied and got an offer to go to OASC (Officer/Aircrew Selection Centre). But I've just been told that they won't accept me until I've gone 5 years without another fit. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif) That means I can't apply until I'm 27 years old. Double (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif).
Aaah well, just have to continue my 'normal' job. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
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just keep in mind if you go navy or any military position you are an officer 100% of the time taking care of all sorts of unenviable tasks and only 25% of the time you are a pilot. for most its worth the price.
you wont get much flying compared to your civilian commercial aviation counterparts over the next ten years you are committed to serve and pay is not so great.
you need 20/20 vision or a waiver for corrected vision. if you can get it a waiver for it then its not an issue. but you will need a waiver for it if you dont have 20/20 and they are hard to get.
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thanks for the info.
Where there's is a will there's a way...
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Its also a distinct reality that a technical degree in college will increase your chances as well, preferably an engineering degree.
My father use to do the candidate testing for the US Air Force Academy for my state (he spend 27 years in, a good portion of it as a navigator).
I was offered a chance to get into the Academy and passed it up. Stupidest thing I ever did.
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Vermillion
**MOL**, Men of Leisure
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small p.s. you cant be even a little color blind
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Not sure about USN vision requirements but I heard if your parents were married they won't let ya in.
(http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)