Aviation in the Marines

[Orthok]

Here's where i stand, my father was a pilot in the Marines. The only thing i've had experiance in life with is aviation career wise. I pass bye recruiters like those of the Marines offering me a chance to do somthing i can enjoy and also respect. I just want to know that if i try to become a pilot that i have a chance.

With what you guys are saying "Officer first, Pilot second." How many Marine officers are pilots? Sounds like there are a lot of grounded pilots if you could clarify that

 

[phrogdriver]

I think people are exaggerating the ground aspect just to ensure that you are prepared for the idea. I've been in 8 years. All except for TBS have been in flight training or flying billets. After this tour (as an IP), I'm expected to go back to an operational squadron, perhaps with a year off of flying to go to an intermediate level school.

Yes, there are FAC tours. Some people ask for them. Some people get drafted. Just like anything else, if you're a key player in your unit, you get to make the choice, rather than having someone make it for you.

Phrogs phorever

 

[Jester]

I don't want my post to be misunderstood. I was just trying to convey that it's allright to want to join the Marine Corps because you want to fly. However, anyone that wants to fly in the Marine Corps should do so because they want to be in the Marine Corps. My main grievance was that people were getting jumped on for asking legitmate questions about flying in the Marine Corps-questions that we've all thought about. This forum is for sharing information, not telling people what service they should or shouldn't join based on the questions that they ask. The Marine Corps does a pretty good job of weeding out candidates that don't belong.

Highflyer,
I have no regrets about going into the Marine Corps. I love the Marine Corps. As for TBS, it's not bad, it keeps you busy and challenged but that's why we joined the Marine Corps. As far as the type of aircraft that I want to fly, I have my sights set on the hornet, but I'll be happy flying any of the aircraft in the Marine Corps inventory.

Semper Fi,
Jester

 

[E5B]

Helo's all the way!!!

LAND MINES are equal opportunity weapons!!!

 

[HighFlyer55]

Jester
Thank you for the help sir. Good luck! I hope you get that hornet! I know I sure hope that I can get a hornet, but like you I will be happy with anything that flys. Graduating from OCS and then earning those coveted wings of gold is what matters to me the most. Thanks again and good luck

 

[jason12]

Hey as for me....if it gets me off the ground i'm happy with it!!!!

"IF ONE ADVANCES CONFIDENTLY IN THE DIRECTION OF HIS DREAMS,
AND ENDEAVORS TO LIVE THE LIFE WHICH HE HAS IMAGINED, HE WILL MEET WITH A SUCCESS UNEXPECTED IN COMMON HOURS."

 

[gq]

Does anyone know what you need to score on the ASVAB to
qualify for Marine aviation program?

 

[Nick]

Here's my two cents for what it's worth (is that redundant?):

I always knew I wanted to fly. I solo'ed at 16, got my lisence at 17 and finished high school. Started college majoring in professional piloting and I'm finishing up my ifr rating. I always wanted to fly fighters instead of a 747 bus while I had the chance. So naturally I thought I would work at my slot in the USAF. I seen that same flyer with a promised flight slot in the hanger at UAA, so I checked it out. After learning about it I realized how much harder the PLC program would be than AFROTC, but with equal rewards. Here's how I view the whole thing: If I try my damnest at the hardest thing to accomplish than even if I do fail I can walk away with my head up and have absolutly no regret because I tried. I'm proud of how hard I've worked to even get in front of the review board for the !second! time and I have learned alot about myself, and have been given the honor to be working with people who are so professional and motivated that my respect for them cannot be put into words.
sorry for being longwinded but I thought it needed to be said. I respect all the other people out there trying the same thing as me.
Nick

 

[Orthok]

I would love to be in the Marines; i dont know how to explain it but then again i am not a Marine so i wouldn't know. I want to fly, now if you can tell me right now that i would have a significantly better chance with whatever program the Airforce can offer, i guess i might say i would go for them. Above all else i can definatly i would rather be a Marine pilot than anything else because i know they are the best.

 

[jason12]

uh oh, i wouldn't use the word "best" in here you don't know what that can can bring about...lol.....anyways check out all the programs if all you're interested in is flying and you know you can make the grades academically speaking, (i'm not sure what you're real flight time or experience is) go for the most challenging one then you can raise standards for yourself and see what you're capable of, after all...studies show we are capable of more and perform better when we have pressure on us.....good luck in whichever you go for though!!!!

"IF ONE ADVANCES CONFIDENTLY IN THE DIRECTION OF HIS DREAMS,
AND ENDEAVORS TO LIVE THE LIFE WHICH HE HAS IMAGINED, HE WILL MEET WITH A SUCCESS UNEXPECTED IN COMMON HOURS."

 

[Orthok]

i'll remember to be more carefull with my wording next time, thank you.

 

[DBLang]

Orthok,

As far as the actual obligation, I believe it begins AFTER officer candidate school. Even if you complete OCS, if you dont think the Marine Corp is the place you want to be you can walk away without any obligation. If you accept a commission it is a 4 year commitment, and if you're winged it adds a number of years from that date (6-8 years depending on your platform).

 

[Rainman]

Originally posted by phrogdriver

To put things in perspective, the USMC is mostly helos. The Army is almost exclusively helos. The Navy is also over 1/2 helos, with a good chunk of the rest being maritime patrol. The USAF has very few helos, but what proportion of its aircraft are fighters?
Phrogs phorever

Marines--457 fixed wing 725 rotary (figure is a couple years old). . yes mostly helo. .just so people can get a feel of the proportion. Harriers will be replaced by the F-35 by your second tour. Presently, anyone with slightly above average flight school grades in the Marines is getting jets. Sure your chance of dogfighting or shooting down an enemy aircraft is approximately zero; but it's approximately zero in an F-15C || F/A 22 squadron as well.

Air Force owns and operates 2,175 no sh*t "fighter" airplanes; not sure what % that equates to. . anyone?

Semper Fi

 

[phrogdriver]

"Harriers will be replaced by the F-35 by your second tour..."

I remember being told I was going to be an Osprey pilot by now, too.

The F-35 is hitting some stumbling blocks, too. It's a couple grand overweight for the STOVL variant.

We practice DM vs. FW on the helo side, if air-to-air is your thing. Don't do half bad, either.

Phrogs phorever

 

[Rainman]

I haven't heard anything about stumbling blocks on F-35 STOVL. This program hasn't been tested by the Navy (will begin in 2005 @ VX23). The Lockheed full-scale prototypes met and exceeded all design requirements.

Yeah, we might be flying the Harrier for a while, but I think it's pretty accurate for a college student just getting into a program (maybe eight years from a second fleet tour). . that's where I was coming from -- time will tell.

It is also interesting to note that the STOVL is slated to begin service before the CV. . .
The VX23 pao website has more info for those who desire. . . s f