Delaying Commission for Air.

[Navel_Avatar]

Good day to everyone. This is my first post, so a little background is in order. I'm a prior, OCS complete, and just recently completed my degree last month.

I am currently on a ground contract, but am scheduled to take the ASTB in the near future. I did some research on AW and it seems it isn't too uncommon for a switch from Ground to Air prior to TBS. Now, I know this probably coincides with the current needs of the USMC as well. What if I pass the ASTB, but NAMI decides they don't need a USMC SNA right now, could I delay my commission and re-submit later. I believe I have around a year to take my commission post graduation. I am going to commission regardless, but would like to give air a shot. Thanks for any gouge or experience shared on this.

 

[JZAB]

You can always go for a competitive air slot at TBS. In my company we only have 6 Lt’s trying to get an undetermined number of slots. Also NAMI does not determine the # of slots for the Marine Corps, USMC Manpower does. You would have to try and do all of this through your OSO.

 

[Rothman]

Do not count on a competitive air contract. I know a guy that got screwed big time. If you want to go air, and you pass the flight physical and ASTB, you should be able to switch pretty easily. The bottom line is that if you want to go air, do not go to TBS until you have an air contract.

 

[Birdog8585]

Live by the gouge die by the gouge. The thing to do is set yourself up for success no matter what you decide (delay or go forth). If you have the option to delay and use that delay time to get your contract squared away and approved, then you will be in good shape going into TBS, i.e. - air contract as opposed to ground. Reason being, there will come a time in about month 1.5 where the company's air contracts will be asked if they would like to give up their contract and go ground (and yes some give up their ever-so-coveted contract IOT be a grunt). So if at that time you want to switch back, it will be easier.

If you go up there as a ground contract and try to compete for one, you will do just that and the competition is usually stiff (something to the order of 4 slots and 25 competing). For those that are competing, they will give you the opportunity to make yourself competitive (i.e. - ASTB testing, Extra CWS-1 qualifying opportunities, etc).

So my advice to you is get as many of the things to get your Air contract squared away done before you get to TBS. Such as your Flight Physical and your ASTB. And if you dont get the contract, no big deal, your flight physical is still good and so is your ASTB score. That way, when you get up there as ground requesting Air, you are that much more ahead of the power curve in contrast to the others who are competing. I think that it goes without saying that you need to do well on the ASTB also (use the gouge on this site, I did and I got 8s).

Bottom line, once at TBS, its easier to go from "Air Contract" to "Ground Contract," than it is the other way around.

Good Luck and Semper Fi

 

[Carno]

The bottom line is that if you want to go air, do not go to TBS until you have an air contract.

Exactly. Get the air contract, then go to TBS. You can always roll the dice at TBS, but I wouldn't do it.

 

[spitfiremkxiv]

I switched NFO to SNA a few months before commissioning and it was no big deal at all to make it happen once I was physically qualified for SNA. It just depends on what they have available at the higher levels. Make sure your OSO gets you scheduled for a flight physical ASAP, you'll need the results of that before they can officially make you an air contract and submit your RFA. Beg them to let you do the flight physical locally rather than waiting to go to P'cola. The RFA takes about 3 months to process for PLC. Study hard for the ASTB...I had 8's on mine which definitely helped my case.

You'll have to stay on top of things yourself to keep the ball rolling. I'm at TBS now, and it's definitely nice to have the contract squared away. PM me with any specific questions you have about the process.

 

[Navel_Avatar]

Thanks for all the solid advice. I did pas the Flight Physical up at NAS JAX prior to OCS, so that is good...didn't have to study for that one. Also, if it helps I am current on my CWS-1, and think it's good until 2011. The ASTB is right around the corner for me and I think I've accumulated upward of 200 flash cards of gouge. Not to mention Barron's, ARCO, and of course the FAR/AIM. One of you mentioned 3 months for the RFA, is that standard? Again, thanks, and can anyone tell me where I can get some more info on runway lights, colors, definitions...I think it's the only gouge I can't find...

 

[spitfiremkxiv]

3 months on the RFA is a ballpark figure, it just depends on the timing of when it is submitted. It might be shorty if you're one of those lucky types.

 

[Birdog8585]

Try here. You should be able to find any of the info that you are looking for.

http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim/

 

[Navel_Avatar]

3 months on the RFA is a ballpark figure, it just depends on the timing of when it is submitted. It might be shorty if you're one of those lucky types.

Just an update, passed the ASTB, signed some air contract papers, and submitted my RFA. I'll let you know if I break any time records.

 

[JZAB]

Update, for Alpha Co 1-08, we had 8 guys going for the competitive air contracts (AC), 2 were available, 1 NFO, 1 Pilot. However, 4 Pilots dropped their contracts so they put those 4 into the pool and made 6 total contracts 5 SNA and 1 NFO for 8 guys. 2 were sad 6 were happy. This all happened this week; they found out they got the air contracts before we get our MOS's so the guys who dropped the AC’s could be competitive for all the other MOS's and the guys who did not get a contract could submit their wish lists and be competitive as well.

So don’t be discouraged if you are a ground contract before you go to TBS. You could still have a decent chance at getting an AC. Good luck!

 

[Birdog8585]

Update, for Alpha Co 1-08, we had 8 guys going for the competitive air contracts (AC), 2 were available, 1 NFO, 1 Pilot. However, 4 Pilots dropped their contracts so they put those 4 into the pool and made 6 total contracts 5 SNA and 1 NFO for 8 guys. 2 were sad 6 were happy. This all happened this week; they found out they got the air contracts before we get our MOS's so the guys who dropped the AC’s could be competitive for all the other MOS's and the guys who did not get a contract could submit their wish lists and be competitive as well.

So don’t be discouraged if you are a ground contract before you go to TBS. You could still have a decent chance at getting an AC. Good luck!

This was the same procedure when I went through in Delta last year, and from what I hear, is the same procedure for all companies. So just like he said, don't get discouraged just set yourself up either way.

Semper Yut

 

[Herc_Dude]

JZAB, so what you are saying is that the guys who dropped their air contracts are allowed to be competitive now? They were thrown in open MOS's as needed when I went through.

Congrats to the guys who picked up those slots but I would not recommend pinning your hopes on going ground and snagging one of those. JZAB's class was the exception, not the rule.

 

[JZAB]

JZAB, so what you are saying is that the guys who dropped their air contracts are allowed to be competitive now? They were thrown in open MOS's as needed when I went through.

Congrats to the guys who picked up those slots but I would not recommend pinning your hopes on going ground and snagging one of those. JZAB's class was the exception, not the rule.

I agree I would not pin my hopes to it. Try to get an AC before TBS. But if not hope for a bunch of AC drops so you can increase you odds.

Yes, Devil Dog the guys who dropped are now competitive for all the MOS's just like all the other guys.