Aviation without guaranteed contract?

[mattscollin]

Can anyone tell me if it is common (or even possible) to become an aviator in the Marine Corps without getting a guaranteed air contract as early as PLC, assuming one meets all the requirements and doesn't wash out? To clarify, could I apply and hopefully be accepted to PLC, not go the PLC-Air route, and still have a chance at an aviator MOS after TBS? As the Marine Corps is the only branch to offer guaranteed aviation contracts, do they only draw from those with said contracts, or are all new Marines, in theory or practice, able to put in for an aviation slot at TBS? Thanks for any information you might be able to provide.

-Matt

 

[squeeze]

well... seeing as I got an aviation slot (7599) at TBS during MOS "selection" (ground contract) and I'm currently a Naval Aviator, I would venture a guess that, yes, it is possible.

now, would I want to go through the agonizing debacle that is MOS selection again... hell no. not all TBS companies have 7599 slots available for selection, so it's not your best route. If they do though, and you are qualified (physically, astb, swim) then you have a shot at it.

 

[mattscollin]

thanks squeeze. BTW, is all MOS selection an agonizing debacle in your opinion, or was aviation particularly horrible?

 

[squeeze]

MOS selection is a total clusterf-ck. It's all based on a thirds system that is supposed to provide the various MOSs with a 'quality spread.' The politics of your TBS company can play a big part in how the MOSs are assigned as well. Basically, it's needs of the Marine Corps + your performance + how your company falls out into thirds and if your performance helps or hurts you based on the thirds + SPC/Co CO's opinion of your fit in certain MOSs + your desires. Do a search on the site.... I typed out some long explanation of the thirds system a while back; it's on here somewhere.

 

[Matt S]

Squeeze, I never noticed your location until now.
I stared laughing big time when I thought about where that came from.
"Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" = Great Movie
Sorry I hijacked the thread.

Just get an air spot to begin with.
There I am back on topic.

 

[openbah]

Post:

The company is evenly divided into thirds (eg: 100 man company - 1st third = 33, 2nd third = 33, etc..) Everyone in the company lists their MOS choices from 1-25(?). I think it's 25 total for men and 19 total for women (women cant select combat arms). Then, the SPCs/XO/CO go through and assign an MOS based on your standing and how they think you'll fit in the role. The thirds work in to give the Marine Corps a quality spread. The first person in the first third goes, then the first in the 2nd goes, then the first in the 3rd. So for the example company it would look like this for two rounds: 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 2-2, 2-2, 2-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-3. get it? It's based on 1) the needs of the Marine Corps 2) your standing and 3) your personal preferance. Sometimes the companies have SNA/SNFO slots to give out, sometimes they dont. To qualify for these slots (and thus, allow you to list 23 vice 21 MOSs), you MUST have a valid flight physical and qualifying ASTB scores. Without these, you can't list 7599 or 7580 on your choices. Depending on the company, 0302 is usually easy or hard to get. The MOSs with the largest numbers are usually things like Comm-O, Adj, Supply and the like. Combat Arms usually don't have that many slots save for infantry.

Clear as mud?

 

[E5B]

well... seeing as I got an aviation slot (7599) at TBS during MOS "selection" (ground contract) and I'm currently a Naval Aviator, I would venture a guess that, yes, it is possible.

now, would I want to go through the agonizing debacle that is MOS selection again... hell no. not all TBS companies have 7599 slots available for selection, so it's not your best route. If they do though, and you are qualified (physically, astb, swim) then you have a shot at it.

And what happened to that other pilot slot that came out of MOS selection in your company?

 

[squeeze]

And what happened to that other pilot slot that came out of MOS selection in your company?

sometimes you eat the bar, and sometimes the bar, well, he eats you