Hey all,

I've read a whole bunch of posts on pilot training but can't seem to find much information about nav training. I have a whole bunch of questions about this: my name is Kraig, I'm currently 19 years old and part of Air Force ROTC at FSU.  I really want to get a navigator slot if pilot doesn't work out for me which is possible due to the fact that I have to get PRK surgery this summer because I don't fit within Pilot/Nav standards so I need to get the surgery either way. How will this hurt my chances with Pilot or more importantly securing that Navigator slot? My AFOQT scores were not that well but I passed and am eligible with my scores, they are as following: (Pilot 47, Nav 31, Aptitude 23, Verbal 15, and Quantitative 37) I know that these scores are not good but what do you think I should do considering I have taken the AFOQT once already? Will these scores combined with PRK totally put me out for getting a Pilot/Navigator slot? Just curious because these are some things I have really been stressing over lately.

If I do in fact get selected for a Navigator (Combat Systems Officer) slot I would be so freakin happy by the way, a flying job is better than any other job!  However, I'm unsure of what exactly Navigators do, where they sit, what do they do, some different airframes with interesting missions etc. I wasn't sure about putting in for a Pilot slot but I've been contemplating it lately..what do you think? I mean I've heard a lot of negative things from posts on baseops about how navigators jobs aren't good..can anybody elaborate on this if it is true or not?.  So.. I was wondering what some interesting airframes are or the most sought out airframes are..how do they determine which one you go to and how hard is getting your top pick out of Navigator training. I would love to be WSO on F-15 Strike Eagles or even the B-1 but I'm not sure how to get to that point..what do I need to track select to fighters/bombers in a Navigator position? What are some cool jobs as heavies that people tend to like? Anybody have any suggestions about the airframe they are flying or navigator on?

My colonel will be leaving next year which kinda sucks but I'm unsure if it's actually bad or not because we will be getting a new one and his rating counts towards my PCSM, order of merit etc. Anyways, is it impossible to get to fighters/bombers in my position? If so what should I be doing now to get there. I really do appreciate all of you feedback and don't know where I would be without the help of guys out there like yourself!!!

Sorry for the long post

-kraig

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FlyinCajun Posted:30 Jan 2009 5:03 PM

Subject: RE: Navigator Training? Dude, you have some legit questions that anyone on here, including myself, are more than happy to answer for. Lets just get one thing clear, you don't need to keep reiterating that your a 19 y/o fresh at FSU, and posting your AFOQT scores, eye vision scores or whatever they are, ESPECIALLY since you have posted those same numbers and questions in several other threads. your sources of info dont change from thread to thread. Everyone reads them and everyone can answer all of them, if you have follow-on questions from what someone has responded with, ask it in the same thread, don't start a new one. Now, to TRY and answer your question(s).... Navs are a decreasing career field, that's my perspective, since airframes are almost all getting upgraded with GPS systems. You are less likely to become a pure Nav as you are to becoming an EWO (Electronic Warfare Officer) or WSO (Weapons System Officer). In fact I think the term Nav itself has been dropped for CSO as you indicated in your post. EWO are on Buffs and maybe B-1s and they are basically the defense system on the airframe, where as WSOs are on B-1s and Buffs, the actual bomb dropper. Just like in UPT, to get one of these slots you have to be extremely competitive in UNT as to be at the top of your class in order to get your first choice. If you don't get selected for this, then you stay a CSO/Nav and work in C-130, C-17 etc etc As far as what to do get fighter/bombers, do the best you can at everything and hope for the best that's about it.

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Team WantsCheck

Sorry about the different posts and stuff guys I'm still new to this website and forum stuff but thanks for your post!