PLC/flight/92-day program questions

[American_Ace]

I'm new to the thread, but I have a serious question on my mind. I'm a few days away from signing up for the 92-day program, unless someone tells me something profound enough to change my mind. My recruiter told me its very competitive to get into and he had to pull some strings to get an extra slot, since they filled up months ago, so I'm sort of under the gun. So here's my plan, but if anyone knows something I don't, please tell me:

With the 92-day program, I would leave for Camp Pendleton a week after graduation, go through the Marine Corps hell, then return a few days before school starts at AZ State as a reservist. Then for the next two summers I would go through Platoon Leadership Class, and attain my commision upon graduation, while hopefully being guaranteed a pilot slot.

First of all, I want to be a pilot, so what are my chances if I take this route, I know their are a million variables, but could someone please ballpark it. Is everybody getting a pilot slot, are some people getting them, or would I have a better chance at winning the lottery? Also, when they are considering pilot candidates, would I have much higher chances with NROTC and if I went into engineering and had a 3.0, would they give me the same consideration as a poli sci major with a higher GPA?

Also, I have a full ride to Embry Riddle in Prescott (AFROTC), ASU (AFROTC and civilian scholarship), and I might still get into the AF or Naval Academy (though doubtful). Is this the worst thing I could do to become a pilot, or a brilliant plan. Everything I've heard has been from a recruiter, which isn't always the whole picture, so any advice would be great help.

PS, 3.65 High school GPA, AP Calc, AP Physics, etc., 1290 SAT, 95 ASVAB, soccer, track, school paper, Honor Society, almost have my pilot license, and a bunch of other fun clubs and stuff.

Also, I don't have to go to the 92-day program, I just want to burn off some of the ambition that I won't get to use at the Academy (now that they have 15,000+ applicants).

 

[usanavypilot]

Ace

I know someone who is doing that right now. He went to boot camp last summer and is in the reserves right now as he applies for PLC Jrs. He totally has it made. The Marine Corps pays for school and he pretty much has no worries. I don't know all that much about the program, but it sure seems like the guy I know who is doing it is pretty darn happy about his decision.

 

[Dustball]

You better think long and hard about your priorities before you go off and enlist. You need to ask yourself if your willing to put your education aside for awhile if your reserve unit gets called up, and no matter what your enlisted recuriter is telling you, you will go with them. This could delay your education for one or even two years. I'm not saying don't enlist, thats definitly one way to go and an honorable one at that. Myself, I went through the PLC-Combined program and was not enlisted, it was a very good program but in hindsight I wish I would have done the Marine Option at NROTC. You can't really have anyone tell you what is best, you should look at what you want to do in the long run and make you decision based on your career goals.

 

[American_Ace]

thanks for the advice, It's definitely given me something to think about.

 

[DBLang]

If you're qualified PLC air spots arent incredibly difficult to come by.

I decided not to do the 92 day program. The advantage of it is you get paid, and you can take all the college money the PLC program offers while still getting that time in service which will add up in your pay if you are an air contract.

If your recruiter tells you once you are accepted to the PLC program they drop your contract know that it isn't true. Your wont be let go of your contract until your time is up or you actually graduate college and accept a commission. That said I dont think its any harder to get a PLC air contract this way as long as your CO lets you send in your application.

 

[EA-6B1]

Let me tell you about the whole enlisting in the reserves while in college deal. My best friend, and roommate is in the Marine reserves. He went after high school graduation did the whole summer thing at PI. He unlike most of us, doesn't want to move onto to be an officer. He is doing it because he feels it's the right thing to do at this point in his life.

Well, he came to college and met a great girl. Ended up getting engaged to her, and then his unit got activated, and he is now in Iraq. I'm not trying to scare you at all by telling you this. I just want you to know that just because you're in the reserves doesn't keep you from being called up.

I'm sure you're not going to be engaged any time soon, anyways. I said that to just drive my point home about enlisting first. If I were you, unless you're dead set on enlisting, and YOU KNOW you want to be an officer some day, I say enjoy your summer before college, and apply for PLC after your first semester in college. Whoa, that might have been the worst run-on sentance ever. Anyways, put all of what's been said aside, and do what YOU want to do. I wish the best with your decision. I comend you for making the decision to come this far. Grace and peace...

 

[American_Ace]

So EA-6, was your friend in college when his unit was activated? Also, does the 92-day program prepare you that much for PLC?

All of you, thanks for the help, this is a pivotal time for me. I really want to be a MC officer, I just want to get started before next year.

 

[EA-6B1]

So EA-6, was your friend in college when his unit was activated? Also, does the 92-day program prepare you that much for PLC?

All of you, thanks for the help, this is a pivotal time for me. I really want to be a MC officer, I just want to get started before next year.

Yes, he is a Junior in college.

 

[American_Ace]

How competitive is it to get into PLC? If I go with an engineering major and get a 3.0 do you think I will get in first try, is it borderline, or would I have no hope.

 

[x-wing]

if you are a resident can you enlist to get your citizenship (a recruiter told me this) not sure if it works for reserves. Then if i'm enlisted can i apply for PLC air?

 

[Dokeman]

A_A - I enlisted in the USMCR with the same plan, get money for school and get some time under my belt in before I went to PLC/OCC. I ended up NPQ'ing for a pilot slot and just finished up my enlistment (did not want a ground contract - was already an 0311).

I totally agree with the other guys about being prepared to get called up. My units were never called up while I was in but I know some people who were and the "I can't go because I'm in college" line won't fly (but the I-I staff will get a good laugh out of it). YOU WILL DEPLOY WITH YOUR UNIT IF IT GETS ACTIVATED. So if you enlist be prepared to do that, especially in this post 9/11 and Iraqi Freedom environment which is much different than when I signed up in '96.

Another word on drills - they will ALWAYS fall on the worst possible weekend. ALWAYS, ALWAYS. I used to think that it was just bad luck but the I-I staff has to have some kind of vendetta against us. I don't know how many times I had drill on a weekend when I either had a big exam on Monday, family activity planned that weekend, or just something on campus I wanted to attend. SUCK IT UP MARINE!!! - is the only advice I can give you on that one. You'll have to make some sacrifices from the "college life" to fulfill your commitment. Think hard about that one. Also, when I was away at drills freezing my ass off in N. Michigan my roommate in AFROTC was partying it up all weekend because all his activities were completed during the week most of the time. And they don't call up ROTC cadets/midshipmen. It's your choice ultimately but make sure you are comfortable with the sacrifices, because there will be some. Good luck!!

D

 

[American_Ace]

Thanks for the advice, although I want the challenge, I have finally come to my senses and realized that it isn't worth the risk. Once again, THANKS.