So I'm a sophomore engineer, and I want to be a USMC pilot, any advice?

[pdx]

I have a quick question. Flight physicals are just something that worry me. I am contracted SNA with no problems at MEPS, OCS physical, etc. No waivers. But nonetheless it is something I worry about. If for some reason I got NAMI-Wammied when I made it to flight school, would it be at all possible to pick-up an Infantry slot, even post-TBS? If I couldn't be a pilot I would like to do Infantry, Ground Intel, Tanks, AAV, Artillery- Basically something involving ground combat. If I got NAMI-Wammied would they let me select my MOS, or would my future involve hearing "Adjutant's Call"?

Always a hot question. All attrites (medical or otherwise) submit a preference card and are allowed to compete for whatever MOS they want. MATSG-21 gives some input, then sends it off to the powers that be. Then they tell you what you are going to do. It is like everything, the needs of the MC come first, then your preference. It seems like people usually get something in the top 1/3 of their preference card.

 

[FLYMARINES]

Does TBS performance have anything to do with what MOS you would get? Any other factors? Thanks.

 

[goosegagnon2]

Does TBS performance have anything to do with what MOS you would get? Any other factors? Thanks.

Si.

 

[Harrier Dude]

Does TBS performance have anything to do with what MOS you would get? Any other factors? Thanks.

Aside from air contract, it has EVERYTHING to do with what MOS you get. Even with your air contract it matters further down the line for promotion.

Performance at TBS is crucial. The MOSs are given out on the "thirds system". If there are 100 Lts in a company lined up by class standing, the order of selection would go 1,34,67,2,35,68,3,36,69, and so on until the last 3 guys (33,66,100) get to choose. This keep 0180 and 3002 from getting a continual supply of sh!tbags. All MOSs need good officers.

If you're thinking about working the system to get from the bottom of the top third to the top of the second third.....DON'T. The grades are so tight in most companies that screwing around and "trying to drop" a little is impossible to calibrate. You could drop WAY farther than you intended to.

 

[FLYMARINES]

I understand how TBS works and that is where all ground officers select their MOS, but I am asking If I had already graduated TBS on an Air Contract and got NAMI-Wammied, would they look at my performance at TBS to select a new MOS for me, and would their be any chance of getting a coveted MOS such as Infantry or Ground Intel, depending my performance at TBS was good enough to get said MOS? Thanks for the replies.

 

[Harrier Dude]

My bad. I thought you meant at TBS. I hesitate to bring this up since it was a fairly long time ago that I was in flight school, but back then I think that everybody got admin, trucks, logistics, DASC, or occasionally intel.

I know a guy we attrited from the RAG (great guy) ended up intel. That was last year. I think that 0302 is probably not going to happen, unless there is serious intervention from The Man to help out.

TBS ranking will follow you the rest of your life, good or bad. Don't listen to the FIGMAC guys. It will be a factor no matter what. The closer you are to TBS (API, Primary....) the more I would guess it effects on your post-flying MOS. Needs of the Corps being #1.

 

[FLYMARINES]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I don't understand that FIGMAC thing either. I see doing really well at TBS as kinda like taking out insurance that If something goes wrong somewhere down the line (NAMI Whammy, etc.) TBS performance might play a factor in your assignment of a new MOS. Plus I am an overachiever when it comes to stuff like this, and would love to see the look on some of the 0302 wannabes faces when an Air Contract graduates number one in the company.

 

[Harrier Dude]

Good luck! My goal was to be in the top 1/3, be ranked highly enough that I would have got Infantry if I wanted to drop my air contract or an open air slot if I didn't have an air contract already. It worked out better than I expected.

Here's something else: A buddy and I got commissioned on the same day and went to the same TBS company. I ended up near the top, and he was almost the bottom man. I made Captain 4 months before he did, and Major nearly a year before him. Take a look at the pay differences over that period of time, and it's several thousand dollars.