[alb3]

(10-15-2011 10:11 AM)Smitty Wrote:  

(10-14-2011 12:09 PM)LostGringo Wrote:  

I didn't attend the Naval Academy, but served with many pilots who did. I entered the military directly through OCS after graduation from university. I also know a lot of guys who went through NROTC. Thus I ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT, as opposed to the previous poster. Almost without exception, the Annapolis guys had their shit wired tight and kicked ass on the other guys - for two reasons; they were more disciplined and used to performing under stress. They often got the F-18's, while the other dudes got the lesser gigs. It aint a four-year frat party to be sure, but you will get a superb education, a well-paid professional job upon graduation and an unparalleled professional network for the duration of your post-military career. Perhaps the best deal of attending the Naval Academy is the "rolodex" that you will own after graduation and completion of your military service. I am currently in a new business venture with two Annapolis grads who are late 30's and killing it professionally. They both did their minimum commitments following graduation and have become wealthy men through business. They are fit, smart, hooked up with beautiful women and fun as hell.

If I was an young guy and had it to do all over again -knowing what I know now - I wouldn't hesitate to attend one of the academies. Don't worry, you'll get plenty of pussy along the way.

LostGringo is spot on -- listen to him. Although I personally would not recommend an academy to anyone who intends to serve the minimum active duty commitment.

There is a lot of bad gouge (wrong information) in this thread so it should all be taken with a grain of salt.

A bigger truth has not been spoken on this thread. LostGringo knows the truth.

[Dash Global]

So your saying getting promoted to O-4 is "HARD"?

It is not competitive. Pretty much do your 8 years and not fuck up and you will get promoted.

O-4 & O-5 is primarily about time served.

After that shits gets real political.

We gonna have to agree to disagree on this one.

(10-15-2011 11:22 PM)alb3 Wrote:  

(10-15-2011 11:07 PM)Dash Global Wrote:  

Alb3,

Not everyone wants to be a pilot. There is many jobs out there in the AF. And even still I know many pilots from civilian schools.

The pay is the exact same.

Everyone automatically gets promoted to O-3. Then everyone gets promoted to O-5 as long as they put in the time and are not a complete fuck up.

Yea past O-5 shit gets political. Need to have good recommendations and some stuff on paper that looks good.

Other than patting yourself on the back I cant see no benefit for going to the Academy over a good civilian school

No offense Dash but you have no clue what you are talking about. Everyone does not get promoted to O-5. Captain is automatic and you have to meet a board for anything above that and it is quite competitive.

For Ohio, like a previous poster told you, that call is yours but don't listen to the misinformed on this board.

[alb3]

(10-15-2011 11:28 PM)Dash Global Wrote:  

So your saying getting promoted to O-4 is "HARD"?

It is not competitive. Pretty much do your 8 years and not fuck up and you will get promoted.

O-4 & O-5 is primarily about time served.

After that shits gets real political.

We gonna have to agree to disagree on this one.

(10-15-2011 11:22 PM)alb3 Wrote:  

(10-15-2011 11:07 PM)Dash Global Wrote:  

Alb3,

Not everyone wants to be a pilot. There is many jobs out there in the AF. And even still I know many pilots from civilian schools.

The pay is the exact same.

Everyone automatically gets promoted to O-3. Then everyone gets promoted to O-5 as long as they put in the time and are not a complete fuck up.

Yea past O-5 shit gets political. Need to have good recommendations and some stuff on paper that looks good.

Other than patting yourself on the back I cant see no benefit for going to the Academy over a good civilian school

No offense Dash but you have no clue what you are talking about. Everyone does not get promoted to O-5. Captain is automatic and you have to meet a board for anything above that and it is quite competitive.

For Ohio, like a previous poster told you, that call is yours but don't listen to the misinformed on this board.

Are you speaking from any positing of credibility? Are you or have you been a commissioned officer in any of the services?

Again for Ohio, don't base any decision off of what you read on this thread.

[Dash Global]

Are you gonna answer or address any of the points I made?

I will ask one more time.

So you think getting O-4 is hard and competitive?

(10-15-2011 11:33 PM)alb3 Wrote:  

(10-15-2011 11:28 PM)Dash Global Wrote:  

So your saying getting promoted to O-4 is "HARD"?

It is not competitive. Pretty much do your 8 years and not fuck up and you will get promoted.

O-4 & O-5 is primarily about time served.

After that shits gets real political.

We gonna have to agree to disagree on this one.

(10-15-2011 11:22 PM)alb3 Wrote:  

(10-15-2011 11:07 PM)Dash Global Wrote:  

Alb3,

Not everyone wants to be a pilot. There is many jobs out there in the AF. And even still I know many pilots from civilian schools.

The pay is the exact same.

Everyone automatically gets promoted to O-3. Then everyone gets promoted to O-5 as long as they put in the time and are not a complete fuck up.

Yea past O-5 shit gets political. Need to have good recommendations and some stuff on paper that looks good.

Other than patting yourself on the back I cant see no benefit for going to the Academy over a good civilian school

No offense Dash but you have no clue what you are talking about. Everyone does not get promoted to O-5. Captain is automatic and you have to meet a board for anything above that and it is quite competitive.

For Ohio, like a previous poster told you, that call is yours but don't listen to the misinformed on this board.

Are you speaking from any positing of credibility? Are you or have you been a commissioned officer in any of the services?

Again for Ohio, don't base any decision off of what you read on this thread.

[alb3]

(10-15-2011 11:43 PM)Dash Global Wrote:  

Are you gonna answer or address any of the points I made?

I will ask one more time.

So you think getting O-4 is hard and competitive?

(10-15-2011 11:33 PM)alb3 Wrote:  

(10-15-2011 11:28 PM)Dash Global Wrote:  

So your saying getting promoted to O-4 is "HARD"?

It is not competitive. Pretty much do your 8 years and not fuck up and you will get promoted.

O-4 & O-5 is primarily about time served.

After that shits gets real political.

We gonna have to agree to disagree on this one.

(10-15-2011 11:22 PM)alb3 Wrote:  

(10-15-2011 11:07 PM)Dash Global Wrote:  

Alb3,

Not everyone wants to be a pilot. There is many jobs out there in the AF. And even still I know many pilots from civilian schools.

The pay is the exact same.

Everyone automatically gets promoted to O-3. Then everyone gets promoted to O-5 as long as they put in the time and are not a complete fuck up.

Yea past O-5 shit gets political. Need to have good recommendations and some stuff on paper that looks good.

Other than patting yourself on the back I cant see no benefit for going to the Academy over a good civilian school

No offense Dash but you have no clue what you are talking about. Everyone does not get promoted to O-5. Captain is automatic and you have to meet a board for anything above that and it is quite competitive.

For Ohio, like a previous poster told you, that call is yours but don't listen to the misinformed on this board.

Are you speaking from any positing of credibility? Are you or have you been a commissioned officer in any of the services?

Again for Ohio, don't base any decision off of what you read on this thread.

Dash,

Have you read anything I typed in my previous posts? Again, promotion to O-3 is automatic. Anything after that, the officer who is up for promotion must meet a board where their records are reviewed and they are racked and stacked in comparison to their peers. Plenty of O-3's and O-4's who have good records don't get selected for promotion. That is not an automatic promotion for anyone. So there is competition to get promoted beyond O-3. It's obvious you've never been a commissioned officer. And to the original point of this thread, their are many advantages to going to an Academy that was pointed out by myself and LostGringo. Try reading them again.

[Dash Global]

(10-15-2011 11:55 PM)alb3 Wrote:  

Dash,

Have you read anything I typed in my previous posts? Again, promotion to O-3 is automatic. Anything after that, the officer who is up for promotion must meet a board where their records are reviewed and they are racked and stacked in comparison to their peers. Plenty of O-3's and O-4's who have good records don't get selected for promotion. That is not an automatic promotion for anyone. So there is competition to get promoted beyond O-3. It's obvious you've never been a commissioned officer. And to the original point of this thread, their are many advantages to going to an Academy that was pointed out by myself and LostGringo. Try reading them again.

No shit promotion to O3 is automatic. I said that.

Half of my family is in the military. O's and E's.

I come from one of the largest military towns in America. My main friends are Officers in the Army and Air Force.

It is not hard to get O4. Put in the years (usually around 8 if my memory serves me correct) and you will get promoted.

I will say O6 is DEF not easy to obtain. Years in will not guarantee you that promotion like the most of the rest.

I am not on here to argue with you.

Like I said before we will have to agree to disagree on this topic.

[alb3]

(10-16-2011 12:12 AM)Dash Global Wrote:  

(10-15-2011 11:55 PM)alb3 Wrote:  

Dash,

Have you read anything I typed in my previous posts? Again, promotion to O-3 is automatic. Anything after that, the officer who is up for promotion must meet a board where their records are reviewed and they are racked and stacked in comparison to their peers. Plenty of O-3's and O-4's who have good records don't get selected for promotion. That is not an automatic promotion for anyone. So there is competition to get promoted beyond O-3. It's obvious you've never been a commissioned officer. And to the original point of this thread, their are many advantages to going to an Academy that was pointed out by myself and LostGringo. Try reading them again.

No shit promotion to O3 is automatic. I said that.

Half of my family is in the military. O's and E's.

I come from one of the largest military towns in America. My main friends are Officers in the Army and Air Force.

It is not hard to get O4. Put in the years (usually around 8 if my memory serves me correct) and you will get promoted.

I will say O6 is DEF not easy to obtain. Years in will not guarantee you that promotion like the most of the rest.

I am not on here to argue with you.

Like I said before we will have to agree to disagree on this topic.

No arguing here, getting the facts straight for someone who is seeking advice in the least optimal of places. You are eligible for O-4 after 10 years, they AF got rid of below the zone promotions in 1998.

Nice use of a 4 letter metaphor.

Again, for Ohio, listen to those who have actually served and make your best decision. If you can get into one of the Academies, give it a strong consideration, if you can get into one to the Academies you can get into any of the top tier universities.

[Dash Global]

O4 is nothing special. Put in 10+ years (do your job and dont get into trouble) and you are guaranteed to get promoted to Major.

Ohio, id suggest going and talking to some O's. Dont talk to any recruiters or E's.

Talk to a decent sample of people. (there are idiots in the military like any other profession that dumb as rocks and clueless)

[LostGringo]

Young Dash never ceases to amaze me with his ignorance and regular flow of bullshit. Here we go again, with men who have real life experience on the topic, offering thoughtful, knowledgeable insight for the benefit of interested readers - and you just spew stupidity like shit through a goose. Why don't you educate us on another topic, say the politics of South Sudan......

[Aliblahba]

(10-16-2011 06:09 AM)Dash Global Wrote:  

O4 is nothing special. Put in 10+ years (do your job and dont get into trouble) and you are guaranteed to get promoted to Major.

Ohio, id suggest going and talking to some O's. Dont talk to any recruiters or E's.

Talk to a decent sample of people. (there are idiots in the military like any other profession that dumb as rocks and clueless)

That's a little judgmental coming from someone that never served. Ironic that you say that about guys defending your 1st Amendment Rights.

I respect what LostGringo has to say on the subject.

[LostGringo]

(10-16-2011 05:24 PM)Aliblahba Wrote:  

(10-16-2011 06:09 AM)Dash Global Wrote:  

O4 is nothing special. Put in 10+ years (do your job and dont get into trouble) and you are guaranteed to get promoted to Major.

Ohio, id suggest going and talking to some O's. Dont talk to any recruiters or E's.

Talk to a decent sample of people. (there are idiots in the military like any other profession that dumb as rocks and clueless)

That's a little judgmental coming from someone that never served. Ironic that you say that about guys defending your 1st Amendment Rights.

I respect what LostGringo has to say on the subject.

Aliblahba,

I hammered you before and was over-the-top. Please accept my apologies.

[alb3]

(10-16-2011 05:12 PM)LostGringo Wrote:  

Young Dash never ceases to amaze me with his ignorance and regular flow of bullshit. Here we go again, with men who have real life experience on the topic, offering thoughtful, knowledgeable insight for the benefit of interested readers - and you just spew stupidity like shit through a goose. Why don't you educate us on another topic, say the politics of South Sudan......

I agree with you completely LostGringo. I'd love to give you shit now for being a naval aviator but I rally around our own. I'm trying to give Ohio some insight, he can go to a normal school and get to where he wants to go but he can't expect to party it up. You flew for the Navy and know the +'s and -'s of going the Annapolis route versus a good civilian school route to get to where you are. I can offer the same advice for the AF.

What did you fly for the Navy? Me, I was a KC-135R and a C-130E/H guy.

[Aliblahba]

(10-16-2011 05:59 PM)LostGringo Wrote:  

(10-16-2011 05:24 PM)Aliblahba Wrote:  

(10-16-2011 06:09 AM)Dash Global Wrote:  

O4 is nothing special. Put in 10+ years (do your job and dont get into trouble) and you are guaranteed to get promoted to Major.

Ohio, id suggest going and talking to some O's. Dont talk to any recruiters or E's.

Talk to a decent sample of people. (there are idiots in the military like any other profession that dumb as rocks and clueless)

That's a little judgmental coming from someone that never served. Ironic that you say that about guys defending your 1st Amendment Rights.

I respect what LostGringo has to say on the subject.

Aliblahba,

I hammered you before and was over-the-top. Please accept my apologies.

Apology accepted. I was drunk in Dubai when writing that post and was out of line. I emailed the other poster on the other thread to apologize for it.

[Kona]

(10-16-2011 06:09 AM)alb3 Wrote:  

Again, for Ohio, listen to those who have actually served and make your best decision. If you can get into one of the Academies, give it a strong consideration, if you can get into one to the Academies you can get into any of the top tier universities.

Lotta great information on this thread.

Whether they are separated from service or not, every guy I know that went to an Academy is successful right now.

Ohiogang, you say you want to work with missiles and submarines. You are going to need education and then hands on experience to do that. Graduating from USNA and then NPS is the best way on this planet to guarantee you will get that. No question about it.

I'm not deep like some other folks, but I think you need to start thinking in levels, if that makes sense? Focus on GETTING IN to the Academy right now. It's tough. I tried when I was a youngster and got on some waiting list. I had tons of experience on the water, a great recommendation, and participated in the limited NJROTC available to me. I was also in great shape. In fact the best advice I think I can give you is this: START RUNNING HILLS AND GET IN THE WATER.

(10-16-2011 06:09 AM)Dash Global Wrote:  

O4 is nothing special. Put in 10+ years (do your job and dont get into trouble) and you are guaranteed to get promoted

As alb3 said earlier there was a policy change that happened to be right at the start of my time that shifted around when you were considered below or in the zone for promotions. It took a few years for the laws to catch up to that policy, which is where myself, and a lot of other guys got lucky.

Performance could put you in line for speedier promotions. Some wars, tsunamis, and hurricanes happened which forced people to do their jobs, and get noticed for it. I got bumped to 0-4 right at 8 years. Your fitness report had a lot to do with it, too.

I was commissioned as a reserve officer, so when I had built up enough recommendations to be considered for the 0-4 promotion, I had to also be appointed for a change to regular officer. I realized at that point because of laws, and other people's time spent as regular officers, I'd be looking at a certain passing over at some point regardless of my performance, just because of time in service.

There were a few special things about my promotion. My berthing situation really improved. My deposits got bigger.

Where it really had an impact was with girls. White Girls.

During my 8 years as Lt. Kona, when I was firing at them and the "what do you do" part of the conversation came up, I'd usually just say "I can't talk about it" which worked pretty well. With white girls especially, they wouldn't believe I was a Naval Officer at all. They would say it was because of my hair, but we all know it's because of my luxurious brown skin. Sometimes I'd take advantage of their doubt and make it last for a while, then show them an ID, which would guilt my dick into their mouths.

Once I was LCDR. Kona, it really cut a lot of the bullshit out of swooping girls. I'd just look them in the eye and say "I'm a Commander" and they were mine.

My final year I was lucky enough to be at Pearl Harbor. I still got to cruise places like Rappongi, Darling Harbor in OZ, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Naples, and a few places in between. I did pretty well in my Lt. Kona days, but holy shit the summer whites got so much ass thrown at me that last year.

Aloha!

[Dash Global]

Dont get me wrong. I aint saying Academy's are no good and dont mean anything.

They are great and one should be proud to attend one, and it will open doors for you.

With that said you can still get / obtain the same lifestyle by going to a regular school.

Promotion is not dependent on where you went to school. So rank and pay is a non factor.

What job you get is not dependent on where you went to school. Atleast not for the AF. They turn out pilots from civilian schools every year.

At the end of the day its your life so make what ever decision you feel the most comfortable with.

Cant go wrong with either choice.

[LostGringo]

(10-16-2011 06:07 PM)alb3 Wrote:  

(10-16-2011 05:12 PM)LostGringo Wrote:  

Young Dash never ceases to amaze me with his ignorance and regular flow of bullshit. Here we go again, with men who have real life experience on the topic, offering thoughtful, knowledgeable insight for the benefit of interested readers - and you just spew stupidity like shit through a goose. Why don't you educate us on another topic, say the politics of South Sudan......

I agree with you completely LostGringo. I'd love to give you shit now for being a naval aviator but I rally around our own. I'm trying to give Ohio some insight, he can go to a normal school and get to where he wants to go but he can't expect to party it up. You flew for the Navy and know the +'s and -'s of going the Annapolis route versus a good civilian school route to get to where you are. I can offer the same advice for the AF.

What did you fly for the Navy? Me, I was a KC-135R and a C-130E/H guy.

Hey, we might have met at the gas station. I drove the F-4 into retirement and should have stayed around to transition into the -18, but I left for the glamour of sitting sideways watching the fuel panel....ah the idiocy of youth. I'd give my left nut to fly scary fast jets today. I've always loved the Herc, especially with the JATO bottles.

[alb3]

(10-16-2011 10:42 PM)LostGringo Wrote:  

(10-16-2011 06:07 PM)alb3 Wrote:  

(10-16-2011 05:12 PM)LostGringo Wrote:  

Young Dash never ceases to amaze me with his ignorance and regular flow of bullshit. Here we go again, with men who have real life experience on the topic, offering thoughtful, knowledgeable insight for the benefit of interested readers - and you just spew stupidity like shit through a goose. Why don't you educate us on another topic, say the politics of South Sudan......

I agree with you completely LostGringo. I'd love to give you shit now for being a naval aviator but I rally around our own. I'm trying to give Ohio some insight, he can go to a normal school and get to where he wants to go but he can't expect to party it up. You flew for the Navy and know the +'s and -'s of going the Annapolis route versus a good civilian school route to get to where you are. I can offer the same advice for the AF.

What did you fly for the Navy? Me, I was a KC-135R and a C-130E/H guy.

Hey, we might have met at the gas station. I drove the F-4 into retirement and should have stayed around to transition into the -18, but I left for the glamour of sitting sideways watching the fuel panel....ah the idiocy of youth. I'd give my left nut to fly scary fast jets today. I've always loved the Herc, especially with the JATO bottles.

I don't think anyone will fault you for going to commercial route. I've only seen "Fat Albert" using JATO. It's been a good run traveling the world and "experiencing" the various cultures. I hope Ohio makes a good decision for himself and tunes out the noise created by some here.