More PLC application woes.

[Jafar]

So I contracted for PLC combined this summer as an 04 aviator about a month ago. Now everything is rapidly coming apart at the seams. It turns out district doesn't like how many credits I have on my transcrpits. I have averaged about 19 hours per semster, and intend to graduate, based on said performance, in spring of 04. They seem to think this is not possible, and now want to send me up as an 05, going to the six week course this summer and the other six weeks next. I intended to be commisioned before next summer. Not a huge show stopper, and I'm getting a letter from an acadmeic advisor to back up my case, but the real big deal is this;

All of a sudden I'm not physically qualified to be an aviator. I'm quallified as an NFO, but not as an aviator. ????? I took the full flight physical at Whidbey Island 6 months ago and was told everything was good to go. Now, district gets a hold of my package and I'm not qualified? No further information has been passed to the OSO as yet, and it is being looked into. Frankly I have no idea what the hell is going on.

I don't mean to bitch to much about all this, just seeing if anybody else is having similar experiances. I've been in the Corps for nearly 7 years now and I may be getting a little tired of jumping through hoops.

 

[jabravo2003]

That is extremely odd and unfortunate, I have no idea why they are not letting you do that, because here is my case. I am a sophmore by credits, but I still intend to graduate in Spring 04 so I am going to PLC Combined. Normally I would have to go to Juniors this year and then Seniors next year, since I am only sophmore. The reason I intend to graduate next spring is because I am taking the max credits this semester plus I am testing out of another 16 units(spanish which I am fluent in). So makes me wonder if that is going to happen to me??? I guess it just depends on the district, I don't know. Sorry to hear about your woe's, also sorry if my post doesnt make 100% sense.

George

Accepted for OCC183-PLC Air

 

[Adrenaline Rush]

Im in the same boat, Id have to take like 18 credits a semester to graduate on time, but I had an academic advisor sign my plan...Guess Ill see what happens..Jafar Im sorry to hear about that I hope you get it fixed, but if in the end you still reach your goal I think that is all that matters!

"And on the 8th day the Marines took over the globe and have been runnin it ever since"

 

[Jafar]

Well, I got a little more info on this medical crap. Apparantly I have a VERY slight stigmatism in my left eye and my refractrive for that eye is slightly out of the usually accepted range. Nobody mentioned this 6 months ago when I took the flight physical. The strange thing is the doc just faxed this up to the OSO today saying "Not reccomended for Waiver" however qualified for NFO. I will switch to ground if I must. It may not make much sense, but I know my personality and I would be a greater asset to the Marine Corps as a ground officer than I would an NFO. There is certainly nothing wrong with being an NFO, but I know enough about the MOS to know it is simply not for me. I really don't know how this is going to play out. There has been talk of a second opinion, possibly another cycloplegic exam. I have 20/20 in both eyes. go figure.

 

[Taxman2A]

What about NFO does not appeal to you? I'm not asking you this so I can talk you down or give you a newfound appreciation of the MOS, but rather I myself have an NFO contract and am trying to figure out if I want to keep it or go ground when I get to TBS. Just wondering if you had any insight into the MOS that I hadn't yet seen.

S/F

 

[Jafar]

Every NFO I've ever spoken with loves their MOS. I think it would be great, however there are other ground jobs I feel I would do more for the Marine Corps in. I have served as an infantryman and a tanker, and I know the ground side of the house quite well. My first choice is Naval Aviator, but my second choice is ground oriented. I want nothing more than to fly, but being an officer is number one for me. I wouldn't discourage you from your NFO slot at all.

https://www.tbs.usmc.mil/Pages/Officer%20Courses/Default/MOS%20Handbook/MOS.htm

This page gives very good descriptions of all the various MOS's available to officers. When all is said and done I will do what the Marine Corps tells me to do, but different strokes for different folks, you know?

 

[Pat1USMC]

All I've ever wanted to do my whole life is be a pilot. I can't, my eyesight sucks. NFO is the next best thing, and just from my past year of flight school and talking to people, I'm not too discouraged anymore.
I can't imagine wanting to work my butt off to fly for the Marine Corps and then not wanting anything to do with aviation because you can't get your first choice. It just seems weird. I think thats what people would like to know, especially those with NFO slots. You're probably scaring them.
Good luck with you application though.

 

[Jafar]

Well it looks like everything may be back on track. I got a letter from my academic advisor explaining my plan, and in addition to the letter the OSO is writting regarding the same thing I should be able to keep my 10 week slot.


I also had another cycloplegic eye exam today. Apparantly the show stopper was an astigmatism in my left eye that gave me a cylinder rating of -1.25. the requirement is -1.00 or less. My cycloplegic today gave me -1.00. So I'm good to go. When I took the last one I had just gotten off a plane and driven for three hours and had no sleep. That may have contributed to the bad eye test.

Originally posted by Pat1USMC
It just seems weird. I think thats what people would like to know, especially those with NFO slots. You're probably scaring them.

Well, sir, like I said, I think the NFO MOS is awesome. It is absolutely critical to Marine aviation. It's just not for me. Just like a lot of guys wouldn't want to be infantry officers, or admin officers or whatever. Strictly a personal thing for me. I would never want to discourage or scare anyone away from any MOS they selected. One good thing I can say about the NFO job is it's guaranteed you will be in a jet. So if that's a priority its a good way to go.

Anyway, thanks to everybody for listening to my crap and good luck to everyone.