PLC Aviation Option

[PhatFarmer35]

Hello:

I've been reading different things about a program with the Marine Corps where, if you qualify, you can be guarenteed a pilot slot when you are comissioned in the Marine Corps. I'm assuming this is a program that goes with Navy ROTC. However this is really all the infomation I've been able to find about it. Do any of you know if this is the actual name of the program (PLC Aviation Option)? Or where I could get more infomation about it?

Thank you for your help.

 

[TNWhiskey]

Try calling your OSO...go to Marines.com or www.ocs.usmc and click the contact your OSO link. Most of them are squared away.

Yes I believe that is the name of the program (PLC Air).

I wouldn't bite too hard on the guaranteed line...its guaranteed in so far as if you qualify (pass the ASTB, PFT, and are accepted) and pass OCS and TBS you'll go to flight school...Whereas in the Navy you list your top 3 choices (air and shipboard combined) and your application is judged at each of the 3 boards...In PLC its a choice you make before hand (SNA, SNFO, Ground) and get accepted/ contracted into that role. I don't know how air slots in the Chair Force works...nor do I care. But if you like snobbish country club atmosphere look up their website and try for OTS...yes not OCS like the other three "lower class" branches...Officer TRAINING school...lol just my own added cynicism.

Oh and you have to pass flight school too or you revert to ground (in USMC)...in other words you will fill a slot nobody seems to want. Right now in the Navy if you attrite from flight school you're separated...Just something to think about.

One more thing...PLC I think the program name used for students going to college where there is no NROTC program...if you have ROTC then you choose the Navy or Marine option.

 

[PhatFarmer35]

Thank you for replying.

What other things do they look at when considering you besides the test scores from the ASTB and the PFT? Also when during college will you know if you were accepted to the program or not?

So with the Navy, I would choose three jobs I want, and three different boards will look at my application? And if I was accepted into flight school, but failed the program I would be seperated from the Navy?

And with the Marine Corps, if I am accepted into flight school, but fail, the Marine Corps will just put me wherever I'm needed?

Thank you again for your help.

 

[plumberphil]

I'll chime up and give you some info. because I'm in the middle of the PLC process. The other things they look for are a good GPA, a good SAT, ACT, or ASVAB score, and quality letters of recommendation. Also, it's a good idea to not have any waivers, the board doesn't like waivers. The board also looks at extra-curricular activities such as volunteer and community service hours with churches, charities, and the like. The two most important things are definitely a quality ASTB score and PFT (around 280 or so).

Just a personal side note. Be 100% sure that being a Marine Officer is what you want to do because if it's not then you are wasting a whole lot of other people's time as well as your own.

Stay Motivated,
Jacob

 

[PhatFarmer35]

Thanks for replying.

When you say the extra-curricular activities and all that, is that for when you are in high school? Also, how much do they look at grades and everything from high school when conisdering you for the Pilot Option?

If you have prior service, will they look at that just as much as they would look at high school?

Also, will you know during your freshmen year if you were accepted for the Pilot Option or not?

Thanks again for replying.

 

[plumberphil]

Extra curricular activities includes high school and college. I'm not real sure how much, if at all, they look at high school grades. I know they look at SAT scores, but I'm not sure how much those count in the final decision making process.

The main thing for the Air Contract is to get a good ASTB score and a decent PFT score. Also, if you can't pass a flight physical you might as well forget about it.

I'm not sure if you can get the Air Contract your freshman year or if you have to wait a year, I'm a junior so some questions don't apply to me, just ask your OSO.

Stay Motivated,
Jacob

 

[AArider]

Originally posted by TNWhiskey


I wouldn't bite too hard on the guaranteed line...its guaranteed in so far as if you qualify (pass the ASTB, PFT, and are accepted) and pass OCS and TBS you'll go to flight school...Whereas in the Navy you list your top 3 choices (air and shipboard combined) and your application is judged at each of the 3 boards...In PLC its a choice you make before hand (SNA, SNFO, Ground) and get accepted/ contracted into that role. I don't know how air slots in the Chair Force works...nor do I care. But if you like snobbish country club atmosphere look up their website and try for OTS...yes not OCS like the other three "lower class" branches...Officer TRAINING school...lol just my own added cynicism.

Oh and you have to pass flight school too or you revert to ground (in USMC)...in other words you will fill a slot nobody seems to want. Right now in the Navy if you attrite from flight school you're separated...Just something to think about.

One more thing...PLC I think the program name used for students going to college where there is no NROTC program...if you have ROTC then you choose the Navy or Marine option.

Once you sign the PLC Air contract, the avaition slot is yours to lose. First, you will be medically qualified before the OSO signs you, you will have the ATSB (or whatever they call it now) minimum score, and you will meet the PFT standards - or the OSO wouldn't sign you up and "contract" you.

Yes, you still have to graduate from college, and you still have to graduate from TBS. As long as you meet the "minimum" standards for both of these, you will go to flight school.

If you fail out of flight school, or drop on request then you will revert back to a ground contract (less active duty time required) and will be placed into a ground MOS - most likely at the needs of the Marines with possibly some influence by your desires (but don't count on that).

Of course, at flight school be prepared to fly anything the Marines fly - Helos, Props, or Jets. Traditionally about 60% go Helos, 10% Props, and 30% Jets. Usually the guys with the best grades select Jets and Props - and sometimes Props are harder to get than Jets - due to the small numbers avaialable. However, let me say that some guys with excellent grades just want to fly Helos so they select them first.

Good Luck
AArider

 

[PhatFarmer35]

Thank you for replying.

I know this is kind of an open ended question, but generally how difficult is it to get the Air Contract? If you pass the ATSB, do well on the PFT, you you have a good SAT score, get have about a 3.0 average in college and participate in sports, would you have a good chance of getting the Air Contract?

Is there anyway to the the Air Contract doing NROTC with the Marine Option?

Thank you again for replying.

 

[DBLang]

You can contract PLC air as a freshman. I'm shooting for SNFO, my package is almost done and I have yet to finish my first quarter.

 

[Banjo33]

I too had my Air Contract by the end of my Freshman year.

 

[PhatFarmer35]

Thanks for replying.

I assume you would need to be doing NROTC with the Marine Option to get the Air Contract right?

Also, are there two seperate Air Contract programs? One with PLC and one with NROTC?

Thank you again for replying.

 

[DBLang]

When we say 'air contract' its usually refering to PLC (or OCC). So no, you dont need to be doing NROTC, you just need to be a qualified student at a 4 year university. I think you can get a contract through NROTC too as long as you're qualified.