Becoming a Navy Fighter Pilot - Part 1 (What's the Best Commissioning Source?)

I've received A LOT of questions about how to become a Navy Fighter Pilot and what's the best commissioning source. Hopefully this video will shed some light on these questions. The is the first part of a multipart series that we give you the best chances at becoming a Navy Fighter Pilot.

Summary:
Must earn a 4-year degree
Commissioning Sources
1. Service Academy
2. ROTC
3. OCS
Enlisted Commissioning Sources
1. STA-21
2. ECP

Link to Commissioning Sources:

IG: @atbowman

#Navy #Navalaviation #Fighterpilot #becomingapilot

[thesearcherman]

You got a real talent for explaining things, without leaving out the details! The Navy should have kept you. 👍

[TheKCaryer]

Back in my ROTC days in the late 80’s, it was hard to get a pilot slot. In the early 90’s, only the top grad got a slot. We know the stories of 1942 thru 1945 and 1965 thru 1970 when we were cranking out pilot slots to virtually all qualified officer candidates to give it a go. It ebbs and flows based on the needs of the service.

[kengarcia]

I enjoy your videos but I love how you're giving back by helping young people enter into the Community. This is gold, keep it up.

[Riverplacedad]

Good video. It’s always a good thing to understand the process. I was a product of both AFROTC and NOCS. The AF cut 90% of pilot ROTC scholarships in 75 so I went OCS shortly after finishing college. Never regretted it and after a long airline career, I still consider my time as an A7 pilot the most exciting and challenging time in my life. One thing I will point out. A normal college life gives you more freedom to enjoy your youth but there’s no doubt academy grads are given preferential treatment and that’s to be expected.

[Chavylifts]

I’ve been watching your videos for a little bit and it’s nice to finally get a video like this from you. I love the channel. ❤️❤️

[tinaballinger]

My nephew just got accepted into OCS in Newport. He already has his pilot license (which is nothing compared to Navy). But it took an arm and leg to get into these elite selection!!

[pauldaignault]

Not all schools have a Navy ROTC program. That leave you with the Navy OCS program. At the time that I was in it was a NAS Pensacola. I am sure that most attendees of OCS at NAS Pensacola found life there exhilarating. Every day was an adventure. I made lifetime friends there. Unlike Newport everything at NAS Pensacola was focused on flying. Ships were never talked about. There were some demanding times, but all it took was a low flyover by a couple students pilots going on a gunnery hop in the Gulf and we were 100% motivated again. It was great!

[Helibeaver]

Thanks for posting this. You don't get this kind of advice often. I'm sure it will help someone.

[cameronpfister]

Just got my OCS acceptance with a student naval aviator slot afterward! Great info!

[PatFarra-tz]

I stumbled into an OSC class in 79. Went back and got my degree. I had an aviation guarantee. Flew the phantom and the sky Hawk. Top gun grad. Augmented into regular usmc. Awesome.

[ascherlafayette]

Thank you, I've enjoyed watching your videos. It's good to see a new face in the online community. Personally I hope to attend a service academy and appreciate your optimistic motivation. I look forward to any future posts.

[rvdareyet]

Hey, Alex. Love your channel and I’m also a member of the Tarheel Navy Class of ‘84.

[margobaxter]

Such thorough detail Alex. You're an inspiration to all the new pilots, all over the world. Pity I'm too old now but if I wanted an instructor to teach me how to fly a fighter aircraft, I'd want it to be you. Keep the super videos coming, cheers from Scotland.

[juno]

Oh, how this brings back memories. Here’s what my O recruiter told me about securing the best chance at an aviation career (when I sought this information in the early 80s): (1) go to Annapolis; if the Academy isn’t a possibility, (2) attend a quality 4-year school; (3) take a technical degree (Engineering, for example); (4) go NROTC; (5) while an undergraduate, get your private pilot’s license; (6) also as an UG, get every leadership opportunity possible (clubs, school organizations, etc.); (7) prepare to take the aviation officer exam early—as early as your junior year—because it is difficult and a highly competitive aspect of admission consideration. You can only take it again (in the event of a low score) after 6 months have elapsed.

[Ben..E]

A little wrench to think about... Needs of the Navy. It doesn't happen too often, perhaps rarely, but if there is a projected deficit in the number of qualified graduates entering a certain service selection, say Submarines, a number of graduates may 'volunteered' away from their first service selection. This happened during the build up of fleet back in the early 80's. Some may not be able to initially select Pilot due to class standing, and have to go Surface Warfare, but they can apply to go Pilot later, so all is not lost.

[Brickswol]

You said with OCS you don't get your college paid for by the Navy, which is true UNLESS you do it like I did. I enlisted in the Navy at 18, did 4 years active then immediately started college using the Post 9/11 GI Bill when my service was up, and now I'm at the point where I can apply to OCS if I want to and I'm completely debt free. If you're able to get any classes done while active, you could make better use of the GI bill and get a higher degree. My bachelor is paid for and part of a masters.
Although I'll have to double check but, I coulda swore a Navy officer recruiter told me a few months ago that they couldn't guarantee a pilot spot before OCS - that I'd have to compete for it. I pretty much tuned her out after that. I learned the hard way with enlisting that the navy will feed you bullsht and to never gamble something like this.

[gracegiver]

As a young female dreaming of being a naval aviator, I find this very helpful! I’m starting at a very young age in hopes of making my dream a reality. I want to study aerospace engineering (how to operate and design the jets), so that maybe I’ll have a better chance at being the next female naval aviator. I’ve searched through many jobs, trying to find something to fit, but nothing has made me as excited as naval aviation. I need it as bad as I need to breathe, honestly. I have a long journey ahead of me, but hopefully this information will guide me farther down the trail!

[markrosier]

This is the info I was looking for, for my genius thought not driven or highly motivated son, Joshua. I'm not living a vicarious life through him but sure wish I had this information at his age.

[darealjason]

USMMA is a hidden gem of an Academy and is a shoe-in for Naval Aviation. Don't sleep on it

[matthewmarston]

I'm a 3 decker: WARCOM, USAF, USMC: not listed in DOD: 1, US Enemies can't look me up 2, I out rank, and am cleared TS stamped 3, Related to Presidents in Office