Would I be a good candidate for Navy OCS?

2018-05-12T20:41:31-04:00

I'm going into my senior year of college; I have GPA of 3.6 with degrees in Accounting, Business, and Finance and am interested in being an aviator. I've heard that the Navy likes their aviators to have technical degrees (engineering, physics, etc.), but I'm curious about my chances nonetheless. In addition, how high would my ATSB score have to be and what else would I have to do to make my packet competitive?

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2018 10:40 PM

2018-05-12T22:40:19-04:00

I'm in flight school right now.
Your GPA is great. Your degree is just fine.
Get a 60 7/7/7 and you'll had absolutely nothing to worry about

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2018 10:40 PM

2018-05-12T22:40:43-04:00

50 6/6/6 and you'll be at least competitive

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2018 8:15 AM

2018-05-14T08:15:26-04:00

Cale-I had plenty of squadron mates at VT-4 with degrees in Poli-Sci and GPAs around 3.0. I was a History major with a 2.8. Yes, having a B.S. always looks good, but your GPA is great. Having an engineering/hard sciences degree probably prepares a student better for the training...as a great deal of it is systems and procedures focused.

Everything about "getting in" depends on the needs of the Navy. The demand for aviators in pipeline is cyclical...so any advice I'd give you may be invalidated by the current cycle. In general though, you sound like a solid applicant. Remember that you're not just being evaluated on academics, but physical and mental stamina as well. You need to be as comfortable in the water as you can be; API involves a significant portion of water survival that can be very intimidating if you've not prepped for it. You should be "well-rounded" in terms of physical training...cardio is important, but so too is strength training.

Do you have any civil flight experience? I've seen licensed pilots face unexpected challenges in Primary, but there's no doubt that having a working knowledge of IFR and some experience executing maneuvers, approaches, etc. is a definite "leg up"...so long as you can "accept" that it's a whole new ball of wax.