Contract Question: Midshipman vs MECEPs in NROTC

[MarineInOkinawa]

I have no intentions posing questions that that might have been answered but I have failed to find the answers to the following questions anywhere. Even asking around my battalion has had me uncovering more rumors, further clouding my outlook on this process.

A Navy 1/C who will be reporting to NAS Pensacola told me that Midshipman were more likely to recieve selection for flight contracts and service selections based off of age and TIS alone. Again, this is word of mouth from someone who appearently managed to get selected on the Navy side as a Midshipman. A MECEP on the otherhand stated to me that he was informed by the previous MOI that as long as MECEPs are qualified they are selected on the board. All the while, a MIDN with no prior service who had a high GPA, PFT and passed the ASTB on her second try was selected a few months back.

Where is the truth in any of this? Would anyone on this forum happen to know if MECEPs are "given" guarantees so long as they are qualified? And do Midshipman not attending the academy compete strictly against each other for the remaining slots that are not initially granted to MECEPs? If Midshipman do compete against MECEPs does active duty status or prior service even matter?

I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you and have a great day.

 

[SWACQ]

When I got my flight contract, both the Navy and Marines couldn't find enough people to pass whatever they are calling the AQT/FAR these days. From my class, among both Navy and Marine option Mids and MECEPs, if you had the grades, PFT, and a passing AQT/FAR score, you were getting a flight contract for Marines and going right to Pensacola for the Navy guys.

My money would be on GPA and PFT scores over TIS and age as competitive qualifiers.

 

[MarineInOkinawa]

Thank you for this response. I would certainly hope that PFT and grades are critical statistics when applying. My credentials have placed me in a unique situation. I took the ASTB early and scored 6/6/6 to pass and get it out of the way as a 4/C before my Spring semester. My MOI has told me to get with the AMOI this semester and get my package together to get submitted. He said that it would take months to put together and more months to receive a response. If the timing is appropriate and the Marine Corps does not select me for Naval Aviator or NFO I might possibly switch to the Navy side as a backup. My credentials are as follows:

2.5 years of service as a Marine
3.5 GPA in pre-business (major will be announced upon admission to business college)
286 PFT
300 CFT
26 years old on date of graduation

 

[KCOTT]

I was a middie that selected 1390 back in the day. I don't think age is a measurable deciding factor like grades and PFT scores, only mattering in that you qualify to be a pilot, aka not too old. Pretty much it's all about GPA, ASTB, fitness scores, aptitude and recommendation by the CO I believe. What's TIS?

As far as Marines, don't you select out of TBS?

 

[MarineInOkinawa]

KCOTT, not a lot of people happen to know that you can get selected for a flight guarantee for the Marines through NROTC. I know about this because an F 18 pilot recommended this route to me who happen to get selected for a slot 13 years ago. I left active duty early for this. TIS is time-in-service and I have 2.5 years of it. Not many Midshipman are prior enlisted and even fewer knock out the ASTB before their first Spring semester. Contracts are limited at this time for the Marine upposedly and as a result they are more competitive to obtain than usual. A fellow MECEP told me that MECEP's are first priority for these contracts. If that is the case then I am at an extreme disadvantage being a MIDN and am best off switching to the Navy side to better my chances (not that I won't apply as a freshman for the Marine side).

 

[SWACQ]

Are you sure MECEPs have priority, or could it be that MECEPs tend to be slightly more mature, take college a little more seriously, and end up with more competitive GPA and PFT scores than their straight from high school MIDN "peers?"

 

[KBayDog]

OP: You are very, very fortunate to get an NROTC scholarship. They are extremely rare and competitive for active-duty Marines. Do not let something crazy like alleged historical trends dictate your future. When you put in your aviation package, you are competing against the others on your particular board - not those who have gone before you. Do not try to game the game. Bust your ass and make yourself as competitive as possible. If things don't work out the first time around, keep pressing. Do not allow word of mouth from a Navy MIDN 1/C to sway your decision.

 

[MarineInOkinawa]

Are you sure MECEPs have priority, or could it be that MECEPs tend to be slightly more mature, take college a little more seriously, and end up with more competitive GPA and PFT scores than their straight from high school MIDN "peers?"

A SSgt told me the following: "Maj soso (last MOI) told me last year when I brought it up to the staff I wanted aviation they told me they would put my package in and as long as you're a MECEP and there is a slot it's given to you. Midshipman compete against Midshipman."

I understand that the AFROTC works this way when it comes to pilot slots so the USMC wouldn't be the only branch holding flight selection boards to do this. Also, given all of the preferential treatment geared towards MECEPs at NROTC units, this would certainly add up. MECEPs do score high GPA's and high PFT's, but I would certainly say my GPA will improve and my PFT/CFT status is excellent. I have no negative PRB's at this point either. Yes, MECEPs are also more mature on average (not all are immune to mistakes though) and this plays a part for their success, but as evidenced by a fellow Marine Option 2/C that was selected, drive can play a part. However, if I get denied by the first board I submit my package too,(and it might be the only board) and it's because I'm not on active duty status, I'll ask myself if there is anymore that I could have possibly done.

 

[MarineInOkinawa]

OP: You are very, very fortunate to get an NROTC scholarship. They are extremely rare and competitive for active-duty Marines.

Thank you for letting me know this KBayDog. A MECEP who was constantly rubbing it in my face that I was MIDN and not a MECEP told me that getting into MECEP for 2010 was 100/600 whereas the NROTC scholarship for active duty Marines had a 98% selection rate. I would certainly hope that he was wrong with his statement.

Do not let something crazy like alleged historical trends dictate your future. When you put in your aviation package, you are competing against the others on your particular board - not those who have gone before you. Do not try to game the game. Bust your ass and make yourself as competitive as possible. If things don't work out the first time around, keep pressing. Do not allow word of mouth from a Navy MIDN 1/C to sway your decision.

Honestly, I've told myself the same thing regarding historical trends because nothing is official. However, an F/A 18 Capt from the fleet told me there are rumors going around about flight contracts being phased out soon for the Marine Corps. If this is true, then wouldn't the Navy be the ONLY way to get to the cockpit at this point for me? I would love to stay Marine, and I'm not 100% certain if I even could leave it. Simultaneously, I can't image how I'll feel later on down the road knowing I didn't take a stab at the other option if I fail to get selected on the Marine side.

Your advice is greatly appreciated and is worth noting.

 

[usmarinemike]

I admire your drive, but you're nuking it on the headwork. The MECEP mafia at your unit sounds like it's keyed a little high. Take EVERYTHING that everybody except for the current MOI has told you and shitcan it. Trust me, it's absolutely worthless and your mental attitude is way better off without it. Shit, some of it doesn't even make sense.

Air contracts are thin right now. You have three more years for the trend to reverse. Your stats are rocking so if you don't get it now, then keep asking for it.

Keep pressing, and stay in your MOIs ear without making him want to slap you.

 

[KBayDog]

MECEP Marines aren't in some sort of secret society with insider information about aviation selections. Nor is a captain who flies Hornets.

Like I said, you can't control anything other than your attitude and qualifications. usmarinemike is right on the money - keep your MOI informed as to what you want.

As for "rumors" of the Corps doing away with flight contracts: Believe it or not, those of us in the cockpit right now aren't going to be here forever. Where do you think our replacements are going to come from?

This is the last I'll say of it: Stop listening to the Midshipman rumor mill.