Advice on getting into PLC-Aviation?

[jdfairman]

The Quantico Flying Club does NOT have T-34's any longer. Plus, it would be impractical for you to be checked out on any of their aircraft while on your OCS liberty. You get less than 24 hours liberty in which time you have to study, un**** your gear and uniforms, get some rest and maybe get a decent meal in you. In order to use their planes, you have to be become a member of the club, take the tests for the aircraft you wish to fly, be checked out by an instructor in that type of aircraft, and find time on their flight schedule to rent it. I think you will find it totally impractical to try to get flight hours while at OCS. I am in the IFS program at the flying club at Quantico, and I know the flight schedule there. With the IFS guys and their regular club members, it can be a real hassle.
My advice to Rachel is to concentrate on your GPA 1st and foremost, followed very closely by your PFT score. Civilian flight time is helpful, but keep in mind that if you get your private of recreational certificate, you will NOT BE ELGIBLE FOR IFS. I don't think prior flight time is going to influence the board's decision. You might look into doing IFS while you are still in college. Ask your OSO about that. If you don't do it during college, you'll complete it at the beginning of TBS. Hope this helps.

When you've got 'em by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow.

 

[vtstephiecat]

rachel, you're really on point for knowing what you want to do that far in advance. I, on the other hand, recently decided to go the marine route, and I'm almost out of school. I have a few questions that I'm sure a recruiter could answer, but I've been pleasantly surprised by all of the honesty that I've found at this board, and would prefer some real advice.

1) I'm graduating next december (2004). Is there any way I can go to OCS in the summer and then accept a commission in december once i graduate? or will I go through PLC next summer then the second half the summer after that? I guess I'm asking what you guys think would be the best way to schedule my school and OCS in order to get out of school and into the marines as fast as possible.

2) My grades are pretty good (stupid engineering major), and I've been studying for the ASTB (I want to be an NFO - no piloting for me cuz of my ****ty eyesight). My run time is okay (and getting better), and I can almost max out on situps. My problem is the flexed arm hang (I'm sure the age old problem for girls). I'm tall for a girl and kinda lanky, so building up muscle in my arms to do this is seemingly more challenging than I expected it to be. Could anyone give me some advice on how to build up arm muscles as quickly as possible? Especially if there's anyone out there that's had the same problem. I've got a PFT coming up the beginning of September (my first one with my SSGT), and I want to make sure that even for my first one that I get a solid score.

Thanks for your help!
~Steph

A true Warrior doesn’t seek war, nor does he wish to do battle. He merely believes that it is honorable to cling to a worthy cause. It is noble to reach out to those who are weaker than yourself. And it is valiant to believe that many things are worth giving up everything for. ~Phil Messina

 

[chiplee]

Originally posted by jdfairman
The Quantico Flying Club does NOT have T-34's any longer. Plus, it would be impractical for you to be checked out on any of their aircraft while on your OCS liberty. You get less than 24 hours liberty in which time you have to study, un**** your gear and uniforms, get some rest and maybe get a decent meal in you.

Yeah I never made it happen in Quantico. I got checked out in a Cessna at SOI (school of infantry) so I could fly home on the weekends, but I do remember thinking it was a bit involved when I went over to the airport there in Quantico. Could have done it in TBS no problem though (alot more libo) and I didn't say she had to do it in OCS. What's the syllabus like at TBS now? I heard they condensed the field portion and LTs have to live on base. Any other news? More or less free time?

 

[rachelm]

Mustangable - I'd rank enlisting immediately right up there with staying in school for PLC - I want to fly, but I'd also like to experience enlisted life before becoming an officer. I've read up on MECEP - it would be a long shot, but I'm willing to try... If I enlist, I want to work with aircraft, of course! Probably something like mechanics or electronics... maybe aviation ordnance. It doesn't really matter to me - I just want to be a Marine - having a cool job would be nice too, though. Thanks for the advice - I'll definitely talk to my OSO about trying to get an intro flight. If that can't be arranged, we've got a ton of airports around here - I'm pretty sure I can find one that wouldn't charge too much for an intro flight.

chiplee - Thanks for the advice! I'm working on my upper body strength most of all (I have none now, but I will!). A lot of the female Marines I've spoken to have told me that I have to always stay ahead of the game and keep my bearing - even more so than the guys - for me to be taken seriously. As for flight time, that's one of the reasons I'm looking into PLC. And I'm up near Oklahoma - nowhere near Austin.

jdfairman - Thanks for the advice. I'm definitely going to be focusing on my GPA! I hope I don't sound stupid, but everyone keeps referring to IFS - what does it stand for/what is it?

vstephiecat - On the FAH - I suck at it. I can sympathize. If you have access to a pull-up assist machine, USE IT. It works! If you don't have access to one, use a lat pull-down machine to strengthen your muscles. Also, if you can afford it, buy a pull-up bar to put in a doorway or you can even build one. Use it as much as possible. If, like when I first started, you can't do more than a few seconds of FAH, you might need to work on your grip (a better grip has done wonders for my time!). Bicep curls with your palms facing the deck help build your forearm muscles, as do sets of just hanging from the bar (It sounds silly and got me some strange looks at the gym, but the first time I did five sets of 20 seconds, I could barely use my arms the next day!). I've heard that the Armstrogn program can be adapted to work on the FAH, but I really have no idea. Hope this is of some use!

 

[reapergm]

vtstephiecat - get the ASTB gouge from this site. Im so mad I didnt get it before I took it. I would have done alittle better. You should be fine with that.

Praying to get in 184

 

[jdfairman]

Chiplee... I don't know about the condensing the field work at TBS. We spent a pretty good amount of time out there. Everyone is assigned a BOQ room, and as far as being required to live on base, thats affirmative unless you are married. I'm a married guy, so I live in Fredericksburg. Of course, there were quite a few nights where we were done so late that I just stayed in the BOQ. I got most of my weekend free though. All in all, its a good course and a vital one. However, I'd definitely be a liar if I said that I am not jumping for joy over the fact that I will be checking out and heading to P-Cola within a week or so.

When you've got 'em by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow.

 

[vtstephiecat]

Thanks for your help so far guys -
rachelm: i'll let you know how my FAH goes...glad to know i'm not the only one that sucked when they started

no one answered my question about OCS though...does anyone know if you can go through the complete OCS in the summertime with a semester of school to complete in the fall? Or will I have to do PLC, or wait the full extra year to go to OCS?

and one more thing...i've been reading all over this board that now you can get laser corrective surgery for your eyes BEFORE going into the marines? i was under the impression that you could not get corrective surgery before you applied to OCS.

A true Warrior doesn’t seek war, nor does he wish to do battle. He merely believes that it is honorable to cling to a worthy cause. It is noble to reach out to those who are weaker than yourself. And it is valiant to believe that many things are worth giving up everything for. ~Phil Messina

 

[jdfairman]

As of right now, laser surgery is a no-go. PRK is acceptable, but talk to your OSO first. As far as going to OCS in the summer, thats what PLC is. I did the PLC Combined Course during the summer between my junior and senior year of college. PLC Combined just means that rather than going for two six week sessions over two summers, you do one ten week course, and you are done. If you graduate this December, there is no way you could do either. Look into the regular OCC course.
Now... for Rachel's question about IFS. It is a program where the Marine Corps pays for you to recieve 25 hours of flight instruction and the accompanying ground training. Its basically just to ensure you have the monkey skills to fly before they start you at Pensacola. Its pretty cool. Check out http://www.ifs.cnet.navy.mil. Some people complete it while they are in college. I ended up in it at the end of the Officer's Basic Course at TBS. The policy was changed as of a few weeks ago, and now the new lieutenants will start IFS immediately after checking into TBS and complete it before they start the Officer's Basic Course.

When you've got 'em by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow.

 

[vtstephiecat]

jd - okay, wrong terminology i was using...still the same question...
can I do the combined course PLC my last summer during school next summer, then go back to school for htat last semester (next december) and leave?
as in, can i do the 10 week class, then still have school left to do?

thanks for your help...too many acronyms...i'm starting to get them all confused

have a good weekend everyone!

A true Warrior doesn’t seek war, nor does he wish to do battle. He merely believes that it is honorable to cling to a worthy cause. It is noble to reach out to those who are weaker than yourself. And it is valiant to believe that many things are worth giving up everything for. ~Phil Messina

 

[Taxman2A]

Originally posted by vtstephiecat
jd - okay, wrong terminology i was using...still the same question...
can I do the combined course PLC my last summer during school next summer, then go back to school for htat last semester (next december) and leave?
as in, can i do the 10 week class, then still have school left to do?

Yes.

 

[farkle84]

thats what taxman and i did, we took PLC combined after our junior year in college. graduated from OCS, then went back to college for one year and got commissioned.

 

[vtstephiecat]

thanks guys
you just made my summer!

 

[jdfairman]

Yeah... I'm pretty certain as long as you have at least a semester left you can do the PLC Combined Course.

 

[farkle84]

now a days you better apply early especially if you are a male. because slots are hard to come by. good luck

 

[vtstephiecat]

can someone explain to me the difference between laser corrective surgery and PRK...and why one is okay but the other's not?
thanks!