Are Aviation Obligations Driving Students Away?

When can aviators expect to be eligible to leave the Navy, and how does it compare to what other officers can expect? Is the difference affecting choices?

The clock on aviation ADSOs starts after flight school (the clock is ticking during "graduate training" in a Fleet Replacement Squadron). Ideally, flight school ranges from 1.5 to 2 years. However, time to train has increased in recent years;jet pilots, for example, can take 3 years to complete flight school. Students have practically no control over the duration of training, so obligations are not only long but also uncertain. Therefore, aviators can expect to spend between 8 and 10 years ii the Navy (maybe more). The typical jet pilot who is commissioned at the age of 22 would be at least 32 years old before he or she is allowed to leave the Navy.

In contrast, a Surface Warfare Officer who is commissioned at age 22 will be eligible to leave in 3 to 5 years, between the ages of 25 and 27.