Pancake

Shack.

Whichever program you attend, IMO, the best approach is to acknowledge your aviation experience, however do not give the IPs/flight commander a reason to believe you think you don't need to be in UPT. In my own UPT experience, students with extensive flying experience/ratings who think they (or do) know more than the IPs are targeted for extra scrutiny/harassment, and in some cases wash out. It's usually never skill and almost always attitude. Just get along with everyone in your class, mentor them, and always appear to have a willingness to learn from your IPs (especially FAIPs), even if you know your IP is full of s&it. The Air Force does things differently than the Army and you'll pick up some good nuggets/techniques through your program. Good luck!

Best line from the story:

I also did the Diplomacy program at Norwich. Good: 1. Norwich is an actual brick and mortar school with a name recognized in many circles, including government and business. While not Ivy League or a top 10 B-school, it is respected among those within the above circles. 2. Excellent and accomplished instructors. I had a Nobel Prize winner, a nationally recognized editorial writer, and other oft-published professors. 3. Take it anywhere; completely online. 4. Tough standards-you are challenged both academically and with time management. 5. Residency allows networking and a greater sense of belonging to a community that, regardless of what you think of the education value, is very accomplished with some pretty incredible people/career opportunities. Bad: 1. Expensive. I paid $17,000 out of pocket for a $28,000 degree. 2. Completely online. Personal interaction introduces different leadership, interpersonal, and expertise experiences. 3. Not a top 10 school. Overall: Very satisfied with my degree. Unless you go to Harvard, Yale, Wharton, etc..., school name alone does not matter. I think employers look at online degrees with less respect than residence programs. However, being a 200 year-old brick and mortar school, I think Norwich is a cut or two above, let's say Phoenix, Troy, AMU, ERAU distance learning, etc... That's why I chose to pursue the degree. I equate Norwich to USAFA. It's not West Point (comparing undergrad programs), but it's still a great school, and is respected by those who are "in the know." Opportunity is about both networking and hard work. Norwich offers/requires both, making it a great school. With that said, I am currently an in-resident MBA student at Arizona as I don't think a Norwich degree alone will make me rich. Hopefully the two degrees will complement to provide some great opportunities when I get out (or stay in, who knows???).