How Difficult Is It To Get Into PLC?

[jelly]

I posted this the other day in the OCS forum, but maybe some of you that frequent this forum will have some answers/advice for me:

Ok guys (and possibly gals?)...I'm a big-time newbie here, so I'm looking for all the information and insight I can get into the world of becoming an officer.

At this point, I have my sights set on becoming an aviator in the USMC.

I'm now a sophomore in college, and basically, to tell you the truth, I've pretty much messed around for two years, taking all the gen. ed classes, taking advantage of my freedom, and pretty much just messin' around. Let's just say my GPA isn't the best around.

Now though, and this sounds kinda weird, but I've become focused and want to turn my life around, pick a path to pursue, and do the best I can.

I don't know how much experience you all on here have with these "classes", but how hard are they to get into?

I take it they are much, much more difficult than just "signing up"?

I really want to become an officer, but I'm very much afraid that no matter how good I do in my next two years pursuing a bachelors degree, my previous two years goofing around will keep me from "getting in".

Thank for any help.

Jelly.

 

[ChrisAg05]

It's much more than just signing up, but your GPA is not the only thing they will look at.
They look at (in addition to GPA):
-PFT score
-Extra Curriculars/Work Experience
-Letters of Rec
-SAT/ACT/ASVAB Score
-How many speeding tickets you have...no, Im not kidding
-Ever tried drugs, even once
-Any tattoes
-Ever been arrested for anything
-Essay

While I think alot of people will tell you PFT or GPA or whatever will be the determing factor, from talking to my OSO, the selection board really goes for the 'whole person concept.' You can explain in the essay why your grades weren't tip top and how youve changed, so don't worry too much. Give it a try, it's fun just applying.

 

[American_Ace]

It's much more than just signing up, but your GPA is not the only thing they will look at.
They look at (in addition to GPA):
-PFT score
-Extra Curriculars/Work Experience
-Letters of Rec
-SAT/ACT/ASVAB Score
-How many speeding tickets you have...no, Im not kidding
-Ever tried drugs, even once
-Any tattoes
-Ever been arrested for anything
-Essay

While I think alot of people will tell you PFT or GPA or whatever will be the determing factor, from talking to my OSO, the selection board really goes for the 'whole person concept.' You can explain in the essay why your grades weren't tip top and how youve changed, so don't worry too much. Give it a try, it's fun just applying.

O God No! It'll be like applying to the academies all over again :icon_rage F*$@!!

 

[EA-6B1]

Something that I've been thinking about lately. Since the April board is getting closer and closer, I thought about how many rejected applications there are for PLC Jrs? I mean, I haven't heard of that many if any at all being denied?

I just wanted to see what your thoughts were. I'm not trying to toot the horn before knowing. I'm just saying that I haven't heard of that many people not getting selected for PLC Jrs. THanks.

 

[jamesd]

I wouldn't worry that much about traffic tickets and such. The only driving offenses that are usually a major problem are DUI, reckless driving, etc.

I agree about the "whole package" concept. That is in line with what my OSO has always said.

 

[ChrisAg05]

Something that I've been thinking about lately. Since the April board is getting closer and closer, I thought about how many rejected applications there are for PLC Jrs? I mean, I haven't heard of that many if any at all being denied?

I just wanted to see what your thoughts were. I'm not trying to toot the horn before knowing. I'm just saying that I haven't heard of that many people not getting selected for PLC Jrs. THanks.

I surely hope youre right about that. In any case, this hell of waiting should be over in a couple weeks.

 

[smileyl]

I applied to PLC and the only thing I'm waiting for is to take the ASVAB. I think if you are in good mental and physical health and you got all the docs there is no reason why you shouldn't get accepted.
Do you guys know if the girls have to do the same when it comes to physical training in PLC? Just curious...
I'm actually thinking about becoming an aviator so I decided to do the PLC and see how it is. I'm a sophomore in college and I wonder what are my chances of becoming a female pilot. I heard that its pretty tough for women in the military...

 

[jamesd]

I think if you are in good mental and physical health and you got all the docs there is no reason why you shouldn't get accepted.

I wouldn't exactly agree. There are a lot of people on this site (including myself) who are working their a$$es off and still aren't sure to be selected. I am trying for an OCC slot, which may be a little more competitive right now, but PLC is NOT an automatic in.

As far as your question about women in the military, there are several good threads in this forum. Check them out before you make blind comments.

 

[smileyl]

I never said that it was an automatic in, I'm just saying that if you have the qualities to get in, you probably will.
I actually haven't seen any threads about women in the military because I'm new to the site and if you think my comments are blind then why even bother to reply. All you have to do is be nice enough to tell me what threads you are actually talking about...

 

[usanavypilot]

Smiley,
As for women in the military, it is harder depending on what branch you are in. I have talked to AF, MC, and Navy female officers and the only one who said that she didn't think she had a harder time than the guys was the female officer in the AF. You have to have even thicker skin than the guys do to deal with a lot of the $hit people are gonna throw at you. I have had minimal experience in the Navy, but I know for a fact (because I was at Navy OCS) the the DIs at Pensacola are harder on the women than the men, just a fact of life. They are getting them ready for the fleet.

 

[towbubba]

I applied to PLC and the only thing I'm waiting for is to take the ASVAB. I think if you are in good mental and physical health and you got all the docs there is no reason why you shouldn't get accepted.
Do you guys know if the girls have to do the same when it comes to physical training in PLC? Just curious...
I'm actually thinking about becoming an aviator so I decided to do the PLC and see how it is. I'm a sophomore in college and I wonder what are my chances of becoming a female pilot. I heard that its pretty tough for women in the military...

Well let's see if I can answer this without all the femanazies stepping on my crank. From a male prospective no you don't have the same standards as the men, for good reason. Generally speaking women aren't as strong physically as men ie smaller hearts and lungs, lower oxygen exchange, lower muscle mass and bone density and that's why you will get plenty of extra time to finish events in your training cycle. The O-course at OCS is shorter and you get ramps up to the obstacles. Academically speaking, your training is no different than ours and that's not fair because women might even be smarter that us. That's my little joke, or is it, but seriously since you should never see combat on the ground the physical events are weighted for you to be able to finish. In the air you will be fine but you will have to deal with some people's idea that they need female quotas (top brass) and the evaluators they appoint to train you who may not agree. But in the end you will catch hell from those who don't agree but must pass you because the top brass says you will. Your job is to make damn sure you are passing not for that reason alone. Because the Lcpl in the back deserves the best pilot he can get and not a trophy for the recruiting poster. Get me? So that is the way I see the issue from a male Marine's perspective. I can't wait to field the attacks from this one. :icon_wink

 

[smileyl]

Towbubba,
I see where you are coming from but I also think that I speak for everyone when I say that usually people join to become the best pilots they can be, because they really want it, not just for the title. Women in general have to deal with a lot more crap in life...so what's one more to deal with, right? I agree with you that women are physically weaker than men but any woman who is not willing to take the risk of mental and physical challenge shouldn't be there in the first place. I guess if I ever make it, I'll let you know how it went

 

[KTSpudnik]

I would definitely consider myself a feminist, so this is not said lightly - towbubba, that may have been the best statement from a man regarding females in the military I have ever heard. See? Honesty doesn't always have to be brutal.

Kate,
Marine Aviator Hopeful

 

[Louie]

Towbubba, take it easy man. I now where you're coming from. As far as becoming the "best pilot," remember first that you are a rifleman/plt leader no matter what. If you are in it for self, you are wrong. Take a big look at the Corps and see where you fit in the whole picture of mission accomplishment. Support for the guy on the ground is essential and first no matter what.

 

[Dustball]

You "now" where he's coming from huh.