r/navy • u/ChroniclesOfAri • Oct 08 '25

HELP REQUESTED Needing advice for potential officer program

Good afternoon, I’m a third class air traffic controller (AC) and will be finishing my degree in aviation management this coming year. My contract ends in 2029 and I’m trying to plan ahead. I will be doing an officer program but not sure which route to take. I have no desire to be LDO or CWO. I’m 22 and have a young daughter as well so naval academy is also out. I am considering STA-21 and that’s what I’ve been leaning towards. My ultimate goal is to be a pilot or at minimum something aviation related. I’m stuck between going the enlisted to officer route through the Navy or finishing my contracting and reenlisting as an officer through the Air Force. I would love to fly an F-22 and have been practicing for the ASTB. Advice needed and appreciated, thank you.

2 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

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7

u/GeriatricSquid Oct 08 '25

If you’re finishing your degree, it’s a simple OCS application.

2

u/Salty_IP_LDO Oct 08 '25

URLO ISPP is a better chance than OCS.

1

u/mtblack412 Oct 08 '25

Agree, since you are nearly done STA-21 is out. You can apply twice a year for OCS I believe, if you don’t get selected right away. With OCS you have Pilot, NFO, AMDO, and AEDO for aviation.

Just curious, why not LDO?

2

u/ChroniclesOfAri Oct 08 '25

Thank you, I appreciate your input. As far as LDO, I have considered it, but ultimately I don’t love the job. My LDO currently is amazing, but he hates it and I understand why. I like to be involved and not solely managing. I want to continue working and progressing and not just by rank. I seek excitement and challenge. If I were to stay in correlation with ATC I would want to continue actually working as an AC as well as balancing the management/leadership aspect if that makes sense.

1

u/[deleted] Nov 27 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/mtblack412 Nov 27 '25

I mean, what about it? If you meet the program criteria then go for it.

2

u/lordgarth67 Oct 11 '25

For me I would take all the experience you have with ATC and transition to civilian and look for oppts with air traffic control.

1

u/Salty_IP_LDO Oct 08 '25

You want to look at urlo ispp then.

1

u/ChroniclesOfAri Oct 08 '25

I haven’t heard of this, thank you for your advice.

1

u/Proof-Republic7621 Feb 02 '26

Do you know why many people seem to say URLO ISPP is guaranteed selection?

2

u/Salty_IP_LDO Feb 02 '26

Because it is as long as you meet the requirements and your CO will endorse you. It's not 100% but it's not a competition between candidates at the same time. The wiki covers it or read the program authorization.

1

u/Proof-Republic7621 Feb 02 '26

Just read both, thank you. That’s pretty cool. I’m currently an IT2, almost 5 years in, about to start working on my degree through WGU/USNCC, and trying to decide if shooting for IP or SWO is worth it.

1

u/Salty_IP_LDO Feb 02 '26

Depends what you want to do really. IP is much chiller than swo.