Pilot slot availability between USN vs USMC?

[Pringle]

Hi there,

So quick context; spoke to a navy recruiter and scheduled to take the ASTB here in a couple weeks to try for a pilot slot. Navy recruiter indicated achieving 7/7/7 and a 50 score currently means I could bypass the board selection and be guaranteed a slot. This tracks with other places I’ve looked and people I’ve spoken to.

But I also gave the Marine Corps my info and they just reached out with a phone call. After laying out the current conversation I’m having with the navy to them, the Marine indicated that there’s severely less competition for a slot in the Corps and that anecdotally he’s not yet heard of any aviator aspirants he knew that didn’t wind up with a slot.

Nonetheless as intriguing as his words were, I still didn’t hear anything concrete in terms of a genuine guarantee (and shouldn’t expect any with how the marines do MOS assignment after MEPS as I understand, correct me if I’m wrong). Will be meeting with them the same day I took off for the ASTB in the afternoon after taking the test to get some more info, but was wondering if anyone was willing to speak to this notion and whether it’s a reliable notion or just them pouring honey in my ear?

I expected the opposite to be the case due to the smaller size of the Corps, but it certainly tracks with how frequently I’ve heard the terms “naval aviation” and “competitive” in the same sentence navy-wise when looking around for info. I know this stuff changes with the needs of each branch but just trying to see if anyone has anything to say on the current state of such. My highschool JROTC I joined was Marine Corps so I’m more familiar with them than the navy, but have heard next to nothing about the aviation side of the branch. I feel I genuinely could go either way with no hard feelings and be content with the decision, but just am looking to see if the odds are really that good to become a Marine Aviator as opposed to navy.

Appreciate any and input, thank you for your time.

 

[Pringle]

Also not sure if it’s much of a factor in the question I’m asking, but I’m a 26 yr old with a college degree that would be seeking the OCS/OCC route, not academy nor ROTC. No prior service.

 

[j_c_m_1999]

I’m in a somewhat similar situation. I would qualify for the Navy ISEL program but I think marine corps would be a better fit for me so I’m trying to go that route. The board is next week (OCC 249) so hopefully I hear back soon enough.

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

Hi there,

So quick context; spoke to a navy recruiter and scheduled to take the ASTB here in a couple weeks to try for a pilot slot. Navy recruiter indicated achieving 7/7/7 and a 50 score currently means I could bypass the board selection and be guaranteed a slot. This tracks with other places I’ve looked and people I’ve spoken to.

But I also gave the Marine Corps my info and they just reached out with a phone call. After laying out the current conversation I’m having with the navy to them, the Marine indicated that there’s severely less competition for a slot in the Corps and that anecdotally he’s not yet heard of any aviator aspirants he knew that didn’t wind up with a slot.

Nonetheless as intriguing as his words were, I still didn’t hear anything concrete in terms of a genuine guarantee (and shouldn’t expect any with how the marines do MOS assignment after MEPS as I understand, correct me if I’m wrong). Will be meeting with them the same day I took off for the ASTB in the afternoon after taking the test to get some more info, but was wondering if anyone was willing to speak to this notion and whether it’s a reliable notion or just them pouring honey in my ear?

I expected the opposite to be the case due to the smaller size of the Corps, but it certainly tracks with how frequently I’ve heard the terms “naval aviation” and “competitive” in the same sentence navy-wise when looking around for info. I know this stuff changes with the needs of each branch but just trying to see if anyone has anything to say on the current state of such. My highschool JROTC I joined was Marine Corps so I’m more familiar with them than the navy, but have heard next to nothing about the aviation side of the branch. I feel I genuinely could go either way with no hard feelings and be content with the decision, but just am looking to see if the odds are really that good to become a Marine Aviator as opposed to navy.

Appreciate any and input, thank you for your time.

The short answer: You do you, man.

Longer answer: Take the time to research both services, there's tons of information you can easily find on this forum and elsewhere online. You're not the first, 10th, or 100th person to ask this same question.

Good luck!

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Hi there,

So quick context; spoke to a navy recruiter and scheduled to take the ASTB here in a couple weeks to try for a pilot slot. Navy recruiter indicated achieving 7/7/7 and a 50 score currently means I could bypass the board selection and be guaranteed a slot. This tracks with other places I’ve looked and people I’ve spoken to.

But I also gave the Marine Corps my info and they just reached out with a phone call. After laying out the current conversation I’m having with the navy to them, the Marine indicated that there’s severely less competition for a slot in the Corps and that anecdotally he’s not yet heard of any aviator aspirants he knew that didn’t wind up with a slot.

Nonetheless as intriguing as his words were, I still didn’t hear anything concrete in terms of a genuine guarantee (and shouldn’t expect any with how the marines do MOS assignment after MEPS as I understand, correct me if I’m wrong). Will be meeting with them the same day I took off for the ASTB in the afternoon after taking the test to get some more info, but was wondering if anyone was willing to speak to this notion and whether it’s a reliable notion or just them pouring honey in my ear?

I expected the opposite to be the case due to the smaller size of the Corps, but it certainly tracks with how frequently I’ve heard the terms “naval aviation” and “competitive” in the same sentence navy-wise when looking around for info. I know this stuff changes with the needs of each branch but just trying to see if anyone has anything to say on the current state of such. My highschool JROTC I joined was Marine Corps so I’m more familiar with them than the navy, but have heard next to nothing about the aviation side of the branch. I feel I genuinely could go either way with no hard feelings and be content with the decision, but just am looking to see if the odds are really that good to become a Marine Aviator as opposed to navy.

Appreciate any and input, thank you for your time.

The PFT is very important for the USMC, more so than the ASTB. I would get applicants from the USMC recruiter who had be declined by the USMC board for what was more than likely due to the PFT score.

 

[Sonog]

What's it take PFT wise to get into Marine OCS these days? Back in the early 10s, anything longer than 20 minutes (280+?) on the 3 mile run was a no-go.

 

[jointhelocalizer]

As @FormerRecruitingGuru said, take time to research both services. You are an officer first and aviator second in both services. See which culture and mission sets interest you. Where would you be happier if you weren't flying? Both services offer unique missions and capabilities. Good luck!

 

[Pringle]

The short answer: You do you, man.

Longer answer: Take the time to research both services, there's tons of information you can easily find on this forum and elsewhere online. You're not the first, 10th, or 100th person to ask this same question.

Good luck!

You weren’t kidding about how easy it was, only took a couple vids on YouTube to discover that aviation is very much indeed one of the exceptions where contract can be guaranteed prior. Wasn’t able to find much concerning slot availability, but reckon that’s a given considering from what people tell me it changes as often as the weather itself. Thank you for your input

 

[Pringle]

As @FormerRecruitingGuru said, take time to research both services. You are an officer first and aviator second in both services. See which culture and mission sets interest you. Where would you be happier if you weren't flying? Both services offer unique missions and capabilities. Good luck!

“Where would you be happier if you weren’t flying?” Definitely seems like the way I should be approaching this, appreciate the insight.

 

[Pringle]

The PFT is very important for the USMC, more so than the ASTB. I would get applicants from the USMC recruiter who had be declined by the USMC board for what was more than likely due to the PFT score.

PFT Standards has certainly been on my mind when making this consideration, as I’ve never been averse to physical training but never been the type of guy to seek it out either. Will definitely weigh it as a factor when I talk to both recruiters following receiving my scores, thank you for making me aware.

 

[VMO4]

While my experience was many years ago, and enlisted rather than commissioned, a poster above mentioned you are an officer first, aviator second, in the corps, it is almost you are a Marine first, officer second, and aviator after that. The Marine Corps is grunt centered, then everybody else, you will do many things the hard way, because it is the Marines, how fast you run might be more important than what type of officer you are, and you will spend an inordinate amount time occupied with the concept of being a Marine, and not flying (most likely helicopters)

 

[Fallonflyr]

I spent my whole time on active duty (minus one year as a FAC in an infantry battalion) in fleet squadrons. In the squadron, guys were judged by their flying ability, being a fun Bro, and pulling their weight in their ground job. Not a whole lot of hut hut devil dog stuff.

 

[JTS11]

I spent my whole time on active duty (minus one year as a FAC in an infantry battalion) in fleet squadrons. In the squadron, guys were judged by their flying ability, being a fun Bro, and pulling their weight in their ground job. Not a whole lot of hut hut devil dog stuff.

The old 3 legged stool. You have to be good at 2 of the 3 to succeed, right?

 

[PhrogPhlyer]

aviation is very much indeed one of the exceptions where contract can be guaranteed prior

Assuming you complete OCS, TBS, and flight school AND maintain your aviation physical standards.

you will spend an inordinate amount time occupied with the concept of being a Marine, and not flying (most likely helicopters)

This has always been the case, and is becoming more so today. Read as much as you can of HQMC and CMC's guidance o the future of the Corps.

In the squadron, guys were judged by their flying ability, being a fun Bro, and pulling their weight in their ground job.

Agreed. We had on 1stLt who was an OK pilot, but damm, could he plan and execute a happy hour at the O'Club. Nearly got our CO relieved twice because of those, and he got great fitness reports from that same CO!

 

[zippy]

Hi there,

So quick context; spoke to a navy recruiter and scheduled to take the ASTB here in a couple weeks to try for a pilot slot. Navy recruiter indicated achieving 7/7/7 and a 50 score currently means I could bypass the board selection and be guaranteed a slot. This tracks with other places I’ve looked and people I’ve spoken to.

But I also gave the Marine Corps my info and they just reached out with a phone call. After laying out the current conversation I’m having with the navy to them, the Marine indicated that there’s severely less competition for a slot in the Corps and that anecdotally he’s not yet heard of any aviator aspirants he knew that didn’t wind up with a slot.

Nonetheless as intriguing as his words were, I still didn’t hear anything concrete in terms of a genuine guarantee (and shouldn’t expect any with how the marines do MOS assignment after MEPS as I understand, correct me if I’m wrong). Will be meeting with them the same day I took off for the ASTB in the afternoon after taking the test to get some more info, but was wondering if anyone was willing to speak to this notion and whether it’s a reliable notion or just them pouring honey in my ear?

I expected the opposite to be the case due to the smaller size of the Corps, but it certainly tracks with how frequently I’ve heard the terms “naval aviation” and “competitive” in the same sentence navy-wise when looking around for info. I know this stuff changes with the needs of each branch but just trying to see if anyone has anything to say on the current state of such. My highschool JROTC I joined was Marine Corps so I’m more familiar with them than the navy, but have heard next to nothing about the aviation side of the branch. I feel I genuinely could go either way with no hard feelings and be content with the decision, but just am looking to see if the odds are really that good to become a Marine Aviator as opposed to navy.

Appreciate any and input, thank you for your time.

Apply to both. Take the one that gives you the job you want. You’re on the older side so make sure you take the timeline to get you commissioned into account.