How sure is sure in reference to becoming a pilot?

[bgoldvarg]

I am currently jumping through all of the hollahoops necessary to get to OCS with a flight contract but I am still having reservations about the whole thing. I LOVE THE CORPS and yes I do bleed green. However, so many friends and family are telling me that I need to consider other options and yet it seems as though I am the only one in my own corner fighting to become a Marine Corps Officer. Any one else experiencing the same thing? I am currently an reservist (6yr Cpl) but I seem to be doing a lot of

lately with all this. I have wanted to fly since I was knee high to a grasshopper but truthfully......"HOW SURE IS SURE WHEN IT COMES TO WANTING TO BECOME AN OFFICER........ESPECIALLY A PILOT?" Reply at will. S/F

 

[NeoCortex]

I"m not sure what your asking. I'm in the same boat, I'm jumping thought hoops to become a pilot. I'm as sure as I can be that I want to fly. If that mean applying to every service untill I'm excepted I will. (Even thought I hope I'll just be accepted the 1st time) so I have to say that for me it's a 100%. If your not 100% you might want to look at all your options. Flight school is not the easiest thing out there.

 

[stevew]

Which part of it are you having second thoughts about?

 

[bgoldvarg]

Originally posted by stevew
Which part of it are you having second thoughts about?

I am not sure. I guess that I am having second thoughts about the uncertainty of what I am getting into. What is a common, everyday life of A Marine Corps Pilot? What kind of daily time conmitted is required? How do theirs family's react to their being on call all the time and live with the possibility of being deployed at a moments notice? I was mobilized in January of 2003 for 6 months and that went fairly smoothly but that is also with a supply MOS...not avaition. How did your family(Parents, Girlfriend, Best Friend, etc.) react when you told them that you were going into Active military Service as a pilot? I am curious because I seem to be getting only flak.

 

[NeoCortex]

I come from a military Family, so my family was happy for me. Best Friend also happy. All and all the only people that seem down on it are people that don't know me too well. As to deploying, I"m not in yet, so I'll let someone else answer that.

 

[Crowbar]

I don't know if there's really such a thing as a typical everyday life of a Marine Corps pilot. Maybe somebody else can elaborate on that. As far as daily time commitment? If you're worried about that, then maybe you should consider another line of work. Seriously, not to be a dick, but aviation (especially around helicopters) is extremely maintenance intensive. It is not at all uncommon for maintenance crews to work around the clock. Sometimes it can be split into 3 shifts, sometimes 2 shifts, or you can end up on what's called "Day crew-stay crew". That's just for maintainers, though. Aircrews are limited by "crew day" where they can only work a certain number of hours per day if they are flying. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong here...that can be waived at the CO's discretion, right? If they aren't flying, though...

As far as how do you handle deployments? There will be people who try to help you out (family services center, legal office and such) before you leave. Otherwise you just try to scam as much time at home as possible then call and email every chance you get while you are gone. Letters are nice too but who writes anymore? It's weird-being in college is the first time since I've been in where I haven't watched the evening news to find out where I'll be going next.

How to handle what people think? I'm sure others will tell you their stories of how they comforted their families and what worked and what didn't. My wife supported me and that's all I needed. You're either with me or against me, right? I'm not trying to get a commission because my high school buddies think it's cool. And those assholes out there who called me a traitor for leaving the SNCO ranks, well, I don't care what they think. If you support me, I love you. If you don't, take a hike. In summary, my take on that issue is that if you always worry about other people being happy, other people will be happy instead of you. Do it for you. Good luck.

 

[riley]

I like Crowbar's advice. I'm just in the application process (no prior service - unlike both you and crowbar). If it were up to my folks and their "goals" for my life - I'd be rotting in a cubicle waiting for that pension at 65 and counting off every weekday for the weekend. If it were up to my friends, I would be stuck in the same town, doing the same thing as everyone else, and, again, counting down the weekdays for the weekends.

So, I'm glad it is up to me. The only people that have been supportive are prior service people, friends that are in right now, and my wife. (Like Crowbar said, the wife is the only support you really need to worry about).

It took my wife awhile to become 100% supportive - I never tried to coerce her or anything - I had her meet with wives whose husbands were active duty Marine pilots - to get the real scoop. We don't have any pretenses - we know the separation is a fact and that it will be tough. She really wasn't supportive at all to begin with - then 9/11 happened and she became more so - but only with the AF - it took two years of them messing up my stuff before she finally saw what I really want to do - be part of the best, be a Marine.

I'm not pretending to know your situation - but I can bet you that the people you know that are the detractors - saying to check all your options - are wanting the best for you - the only problem is, it is what they think is best for you.

I've always taken it as a good sign that I'm doing the right thing if it is difficult, if most people don't take that route, if people say I am crazy, that it isn't practical - I know I'm on the right path then. Look around you - are the ones that are asking you to check your options truly happy with their career - with their past choices? I'd guess that most aren't. That would scare me - to listen to advice of those who are miserable. Talk to ones who really pursued their dreams, who are happy to wake up every morning to go into work - who don't count down the days to Friday.

Sorry about the long post - this subject always gets me going, because I have had the same problems.

 

[hoorah2death]

My neighbor is a Marine Pilot, helped me get through some of my process, He is gone like every month, but the Wife loves the Marines. Have children it will keep them busy and theyll love it. That is her advice. If being a Marine Pilot what you really want like me, you will do anything to be it. At least try so you wont regret not doing it. Good luck, Semper FI

 

[bgoldvarg]

Thank you CrowBar and Riley...Your words are VERY MUCH appreciated. You are both correct. It is my father that loves me and wants the best for me but it is also my father that doesnt want me to do this out of "LACK OF OPTIONS". He didnt like my responce of "This was my first Option...not my last." I have wanted this since I was 3 yrs. old. THAT IS NOT A JOKE OR AN EXAGGERATION....3!!! I love the Marine Corps and truly want this. Thanks for encouragement! Keep on Keepin On!

 

[airwinger]

I was a 4 year reservist and had a number of job offers out of college(lowest was making twice what I do now) but I never even thought about anything else. That remark about counting down the days till 65 is very apt. While I am still only a flight student, I would not change what I'm doing for anything, I'm amazed I get a paycheck. Heck I just got back from a solo and have another one tomorrow

I keep in touch with alot of friends from college and they tell me two things 1) That big paycheck only means your tastes become more expensive, so you don't see too much after expenses. I know a guy who makes 65K and has $1000 a month to screw with. 2) EVERY single one of them hates their job, college preps you to think you'll change the world, then you end up living in "dilbert's" world.
Semper fi and good luck in your decision