How Smart?

[USMC Bound]

Hey folks. I am just in the bigining stages of attempting to obtain a dream of becoming a USMC pilot of any kind. I have been looking over ASTB study guides and have been pretty overwhelmed. I am not a very good test taker and my gift is definatly not memorization and recolection for test taking. My question to all of you who have taken the exam is how smart do you have to be. I only have a 2.3 in college (even though it was a private school with tough accedemics). I am wondering how smart is the avarage usmc pilot. Obviously they dont put idiots in the cocpit but I am just wondering. I know I have a slight chance, maybe. I guess I am just trying to get my self psyched for the ASTB. I know the physical stuff I can prepare for much easier than the exam. I am willing to work very very hard but I just dont know if that will cut it or not. Let me know your thoughts and if anyone else can relate. Thanks!!

 

[FlyingFortress]

If you put your mind and energy into it and you want it bad enough, you can accomplish your dream. The ASTB is not nearly as difficult as the AF exam and there is plenty of gauge around here and elsewhere to give you a HUGE idea of what the test is all about. With that said, you definitely want to know the general parts and surfaces of airplanes, helicopters, and boats. Know the mecahanics of how they move and what makes them move such as the forces of flight. Know general airport rules (i.e. lights, runway numbers..). TRUST ME, if you're interested in aviation like you say you are then these concepts and terms will not be a bore to memorize. It is cool and fun knowledge!

Know BASIC trig and algebra. Study a Latin book and you will understand the meaning and concept behind many words just by how they are spelled.

You don't have to be a genious to be a pilot. A GPA does not measure your intelligence. I have a good friend who had a 2.5 gpa in college. The thing is he had an easy major and he was a big goof-off. Went to AF ots and is training in T-38's right now, on his way to being a fighter or bomber pilot. He really put himself together in order to get where he is right now. If that lazy bonehead can do it, I'm convinced anyone can.

Light a fire under your a$$ and get busy studying!

 

[VarmintShooter]

USMC Bound, I don't want to rain on your parade, but half of my life since API has been spent memorizing stuff. NATAOPS, course rules, OPNAV, weather req's, intrument stuff, procedures, etc, etc. I'm not saying that you can't do it, but if you have trouble with that kind of stuff then you'd better start getting used to it sooner rather than later. No one here can tell you if you'll make it or not, and most (if not all) would like to see all qualified guys get out to the fleet, so work hard on the study guides and do your very, very best. You certainly don't have to be a genius to make it through the training, but you do have to want it bad enough and be willing to put in the time. Don't sweat the GPA, but you'd better do well on the ASTB.

I don't know how smart the average USMC pilot is (I've met some pretty smart dudes), but they are pretty much all highly motivated.

Hope that helps - good luck!!

 

[Zoltan04]

Your number one priority should be becoming a Marine. Being an aviator is secondary. Work extremely hard at both OCS and TBS and you will reap the rewards. Good luck.

 

[USMC Bound]

Thanks

Thanks a million for your advice guys. I am not in OCS yet. I will take the ASTB before being commissioned and see how it goes. I appreciate all of your comments. :icon_smil