I'm currently a junior at the University of Cincinnati. I'm a double major in Information Systems and Finance, and have a 3.8 gpa through three years. I'm looking to graduate after next spring quarter. I am thinking about going to OCS after I graduate, but I'm trying to find out and lay out possible paths and opportunities that are available. I'm a division 1 swimmer who is extremely competitive, in top level conditioning, who is decently smart. My grandfather graduated top of his class from West Point and retired as full colonel; and I'm his first descendant who's considered the military and is extremely excited that one may finally wear a U.S. military uniform. So I'm trying to figure out what good opportunities are out there. I'd love to get into helicopters or fighter jets, but I know they are extremely competitive and even require a ton of luck to even get a shot at them. I'm sort of an adrenaline junky, so I'm looking for exciting opportunities. Is there possibly some opportunities that could take advantage of my skills in the water? I'm just trying to get some information on possible opportunities that could fit my personality/skills so if anyone has anything they can think of, please let me know. Thank you!
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- Thread starter Legit510
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If you are that good of a swimmer, and are in great shape, talk to an officer recruiter about joining special forces. Army, Navy, AF, and Corps all have their own versions of it and they are all highly competitive and made for adrenaline junkies.
As far as being a pilot, you won't need your skills in the water, but competitive edge and teamwork help a lot. If you really want to fly, speak with an officer recruiter about applying for a student flight slot in any of the branches listed above.
As far as being a pilot, you won't need your skills in the water, but competitive edge and teamwork help a lot. If you really want to fly, speak with an officer recruiter about applying for a student flight slot in any of the branches listed above.
I don't know enough about Special Forces (SOF) to give you a number, but yes...it's very hard to get into. The AF SOF teams are mostly geard towards combat Search and Rescue, the Navy has the SEALs and EOD, Army has the Green Berets, and Marine Corps has Force Recon. The opportunities and connections within those communities are endless, and will require some research on your part. I would venture to guess that most of those communities are much more selective than aviation.
You're best bet will be to contact the closest Officer Recruiter have a talk with him about what you want to do and where you see yourself excel. As with everything in the military, you are going to have to apply and give them your top two or three choices. You may or may not get number one.
Take that word "luck" and replace it with "needs of the military". If you apply for anything and they need you, you'll get picked up.
You're best bet will be to contact the closest Officer Recruiter have a talk with him about what you want to do and where you see yourself excel. As with everything in the military, you are going to have to apply and give them your top two or three choices. You may or may not get number one.
Take that word "luck" and replace it with "needs of the military". If you apply for anything and they need you, you'll get picked up.
Like to get wet and sandy? Need to get to a SEAL Motivator and see how competitive it is...it's ALL about the water in BUD/S...
090910-N-8420M-038 CORONADO, Calif. (Sep. 10, 2009) Students in Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) class 279 participate in a surf passage exercise during the first phase of training at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. Surf passage is one of many physically strenuous exercises that BUD/S class 279 will take part in during the seven weeks of first phase. The Navy SEALs are the maritime component of U.S. Special Forces and are trained to conduct a variety of operations from the sea, air and land. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Frederick Martin/Released)
090624-N-7883G-034 SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND, Calif. (June 24, 2009) Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) students wade ashore on San Clemente Island during an over the beach exercise. The training is designed to prepare BUD/S students to conduct missions that begin in the open ocean and transition to land operations. During the third phase of BUD/S the students learn weapons, demolitions, land navigation and patrolling techniques. The Navy SEALs are the maritime component of U.S. Special Forces and are trained to conduct a variety of operations from the Sea, Air and Land. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kyle D. Gahlau/Released)
091120-N-8689C-035 LITTLE CREEK, Va. (Nov. 20, 2009) Engineman 2nd Class Wilmot Lloyd is training for an upcoming physical screening test as part of the Naval Special Warfare Aquatics Outreach Program at Joint Expeditionary Base, Little Creek. The program is designed to prepare potential SEAL and Special warfare combatant-craft crewmen candidates for the rigorous swimming requirements presented at Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training and Basic Crewman Training. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph M. Clark/Released)
091003-N-9791D-008 GREENSBORO, N.C. (Oct. 3, 2009) An East coast Navy special warfare operator (SEAL) works with a student during the Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge at Grimsley High School in Greensboro, N.C. The SEAL Fitness Challenge helps bring awareness about opportunities in the Naval Special Warfare community and promotes physical fitness as part of a healthy lifestyle. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jacob L. Dillon/Released)
If your thing is helos or jets, both the Navy and Marines can accommodate your plans. With that GPA and extracurricular background, you have a good chance to get accepted with a flight "guarantee" in either one. I say "guarantee" in quotes, because it's a guarantee to have the opportunity to go to flight school if you pass all the training on the way there.
As far as "SOF" in the Marine Corps, the officer paths all go through other MOSs. In other words, you have to do well in the regular forces in a primary MOS (mostly infantry in that case) and then you can try for Recon or MARSOC.
As far as "SOF" in the Marine Corps, the officer paths all go through other MOSs. In other words, you have to do well in the regular forces in a primary MOS (mostly infantry in that case) and then you can try for Recon or MARSOC.
Potential OCS Candidate
I'm going into my final year of college and facing the decision of civilian life or military. With the current job market, I'm leaning towards Marine OCS. Both grandfathers graduated from Westpoint and retired as full colonels, and I will be the first grandson to serve my country. I'm a division 1 athlete (swimmer), by looking at the PT qualifications I'm sure I can get 300. I have a 3.8 gpa with a double major in Finance/IS along with All-Academic Big East all 4 years. With regards to OCS, what are my best options? What is in demand for the military? I've always been somewhat of an adrenaline junky, so exciting opportunities would be always attract me but I'm looking for the best opportunities out there in OCS, marine or navy. Flight or Ground? Possible Special Forces? with my resume, what would be some of my best options or perhaps most desirable options? Thank you for your time.
I'd also like to add that I have no prior military or flight experience. I've grown up strictly focusing on academics and athletics and didn't think hard about the military until I got into college.
I'm going into my final year of college and facing the decision of civilian life or military. With the current job market, I'm leaning towards Marine OCS. Both grandfathers graduated from Westpoint and retired as full colonels, and I will be the first grandson to serve my country. I'm a division 1 athlete (swimmer), by looking at the PT qualifications I'm sure I can get 300. I have a 3.8 gpa with a double major in Finance/IS along with All-Academic Big East all 4 years. With regards to OCS, what are my best options? What is in demand for the military? I've always been somewhat of an adrenaline junky, so exciting opportunities would be always attract me but I'm looking for the best opportunities out there in OCS, marine or navy. Flight or Ground? Possible Special Forces? with my resume, what would be some of my best options or perhaps most desirable options? Thank you for your time.
I'd also like to add that I have no prior military or flight experience. I've grown up strictly focusing on academics and athletics and didn't think hard about the military until I got into college.
GreenLantern330
Active Member
First off, use the search function. Similar questions have been asked and answered before. If I were you I'd do more research on both branches and the different job opportunities and requirements. Try going to a Marine OSO and a Navy OR and getting more information from them. See what's available to you and regardless of Marines or Navy, start studying for the ASTB. In the end, it's your decision. This is a naval aviation forum, so most likely most responses will be somewhat biased. There are so many different opportunities available, seriously dude just do more research.
Not to rain on your parade but a 300 pft is no easy feat and i've seen the best of athletes fall short many times. Also thats not much of a resume you put up so we can't really tell you what you have aptitude for just because your grandfathers were colonels and you can swim. Like greenlantern said, it's your decision but also keep in mind this forum is full of pilots and nfo's
WinterMute
New Member
Really Sir?
I understand the situation is very different out in the fleet, but at OCS I had 6-7 295+ PFT's in my platoon of 50 or so guys alone, and as far as I know, none of them did anything outside of highschool and small colleges. 100 sit-ups and 20 pull-ups are fairly easy if you train for them, even for a nerd like me. The difficult part is running. A division 1 swimmer can probably run three six minute miles with a little training. Bio-mechanically, running and swimming are different beasts, but he should certainly have the muscle mass, cardio, and endurance for it.
As for the OP, yeah, use the search function.
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Edit: As a disclaimer, my PFT is far from impressive, peaking in the 260 range.
You basically proved my point which was achieving a 300 pft is very difficult. I called him out because he sounded too cocky like it's no big deal. Although it takes a lot of athleticism to swim, running requires a whole separate muscle group as well as technique.