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PLC juniors - good or bad?

S

Strider

PLC AIR
Greetings,

First of all, I am new to this site and would like to thank everyone here on AW for all their knowlege, tips, and know-how for all things aviation. The information here has helped me tremendously, especially with the ASTB.

Anyways...

I am currently a PLC-air candidate and have some questions regarding the time in grade issue with PLC Juniors/Seniors. I am currently a freshman in college and was told by my OSO that the clock starts ticking for time-in-service once you complete the first six-week course of PLC. This would mean that by the time I graduate from college I would have acquired roughly 3 years of service (not bad!). I know for a fact that these extra years raise your base pay once you get commissioned, but do they help in the promotion arena? In theory, I would believe that the extra 3 years could actually be a negative as far as promotions go.

Example: two captains are competing for promotions to major. Both have good fitreps. One of the captains came from the USNA and has 12 years of active duty service. The other captain came from PLC and also has 12 years of service, but 3 of those years came from doing nothing military-wise and just attending college. Which captain deserves the promotion?

I have also heard that the military can actually force you to separate or retire if you have too much time-in-service for certain ranks. In other words, officers who went through PLC might have to get promoted faster than traditional officers or get placed Above-the-Zone. Don't get me wrong, PLC is a great program for aspiring officers, but some issues make me question how it will influence my future career. I am just confused on whether these extra years would put you ahead or behind your peers as far as military service is concerned. Even though this is still in the distant future for me, if anybody has gone through PLC and could clarify I would appreciate it.
 
M

MasterHaynes86

Registered User
I was under the impression pay started from your first day at OCS as a PLC Jr.

Yes you do accrue (sp) "time in" service... The difference is about $700 as a fresh Lt (i think). But as you rank up, it has less significance. I know one benefit of it is you can buy drinks for your platoon at least once a month :) lol

I dont know about the promotion thing. Just be a squared away bad a$$ and let it happen. If you are more competitive, then you will get it, I'd assume. It's so far down the road, you dont need to worry about it, really. Take care of OCS and TBS before you worry about that.


Yes, you can be forced to resign at certain year marks. Captains have until 12yrs and Majors have until 20 yrs. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. You get a severence pay, as far as I know.

Welcome to AW. I'd jump on it ASAP or you will miss out on PLC this summer.

OORAH
 
JTS11

JTS11

Well-Known Member
pilot
Contributor
Someone help me here, but when you start PLC's that starts your PEBD(Pay Entry Base Date), which determines how many years you have in for pay purposes.

In the scenario above, you would viewed as a Captain with 9 years in.

Take that with a grain of salt though(...Helo pilot with 6 beers in him:eek: :eek: )
 
skidkid

skidkid

CAS Czar
pilot
Super Moderator
Contributor
PLC time will count as time in grade from signing you contract on for pay purposes but not for active duty for promotion and retirement.

I.E I am a Major with 11 years in for retirement and promotion but this spring will be paid as an O-4 with 14 years (signed PLC contract as a freshman)


-more than 6 beers!
 
Slammer2

Slammer2

SNFO Advanced, VT-86 T-39G/N
Contributor
OSO said that it only affects your PEBD and not your promotions. It certainly cant hurt you.
 
6

6pack

Registered User
congrats on the plc air selection Im a freshman in college too and I just got selected for PLC air so many Ill see you at OCS this summer
 
jfulginiti

jfulginiti

Active Member
pilot
None
Slammer2 said:
OSO said that it only affects your PEBD and not your promotions. It certainly cant hurt you.
Click to expand...

Concur. PLC only affects PEBD and has nothing to do with getting promoted or how long you'll spend in each rank. You'll spend 2 years exactly as a 2ndLt (unless you do something stupid like get a DUI). Then you'll spend at least 2 years as a 1stLt. It will probably be exactly 2 years but can be longer depending on if there is room in the USMC for promotion. I spend 2.5 years as a 1stLt and some guys in my squadron spent a full 3. This was about 4 years ago though after the USMC put Stop Loss on for OIF.
 
W

whitesoxnation

Well-Known Member
pilot
Contributor
Do I get that extra year of pay if I was injured as at JR's when I went as a freshman, or is it only if you complete?
 
ArkhamAsylum

ArkhamAsylum

500+ Posts
pilot
If you look on a pay scale chart, you'll notice that every rank gets paid higher with more years in service. For example....

O-1 (2ndLt):
< 2 yrs service: $5/month
2-3 yrs service: $8/month
3-5 yrs service: $12/month

if one was prior enlisted, his "years of service" include his enlisted time. for PLCers, it starts when you start OCS. for USNA (and NROTC, i believe) guys, it starts when they get commissioned. beware of financial assistance programs such as FAP and MCTAF, because they can move your PEBD around and decrease your pay later in life.
 
M

MasterHaynes86

Registered User
FAP extends your contract 6 months but does not affect PEBD

MCTAF immediately changes PEBD to the day you are commissioned if you are not prior enlisted. MCTAF does not affect PEBD for priors because their PEBD is from bootcamp. My OSO wont let anyone who isn't prior take MCTAF... well, he will if you absolutely insist
 
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