USMC Reserves Aviation

[Z_Pilot]

Hey everybody, I am new to this website.

I am somewhat familiar with the procedures and politics of joining the ANG & Reserves, but there is not much information out there about the Marine Reserves. Where can I get some gouge & information? How is getting in different than the AFRES? What are they looking for in a canidate? Anyone know any non-biased recruiters?

Thanks,
Z_Pilot

BTW>> non-prior, 25, college grad 3.5gpa, regional airline captain 3000tt, not taken the AFQOT yet

 

[wink]

I don't know what a non biased recruiter is. As a former honest recruiter (wait, that doesn't sound right, I'm still honest, just a former recruiter) familier with the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve I can answer your question though. The Navy and Marines do not take people off the street to fly in the Reserves. All the pilots and NFOs in the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve are prior service fleet experienced aviators. That is the only way we do it. Sorry, good luck.

 

[46Driver]

Wink is absolutely correct. The Navy and Marine Corps reserves only take prior fleet aviators (I think the Marine Corps reserves only take prior fleet Marines) If you want the Wings of Gold, you have to go active duty. However, the Air Force reserves will hire you (I don't think you are guaranteed a certain airframe) but the Air National Guard will guarantee an airframe choice. In the post Sept 11 world, it is extremely competitive to get a slot because there are a lot of former military guys trying to get back in - however, with your 3000+ hours, you stand an excellent chance. Matter of fact, I've been working with some of our younger pilots at ACA trying to give them straight up gouge on how to get in - 3 of them are trying to go Air Guard, 1 wants to fly helos for the Army Guard (he thinks it would be fun to fly something completely different - and it is ) If there is anything I can do for you, send me a PM.
Best of Luck.

 

[phrogdriver]

The Marine reserve takes only prior fleet officers, but does take enlisted off the street. Pilots obviously have to have been pilots in the fleet, but they do flex in other MOSs. E.g. Any MOS can command a reserve grunt unit, if they need the body.

 

[wink]

46Driver,
For the guys that want helos and can put up with the Army the Guard used to have a great program worth seeing if still available. Funded by the states and not the feds, most states only take a few a year. Here in little AZ it was less than ten. With a private pilot ticket and instrument rating they would take a guy make him a Warrent Off. and send him to Rucker. He comes back a helo bubba with only weekend commitmments. No further active duty. Good deal worth a few phone calls, but you might have to dig. I found out about it from a AzNG Col. whose son I put in the Navy for NFO.

 

[Z_Pilot]

Thanks guys.
It did seem that all non-priors were looking at the Air Guard and Army guard, and not many were looking at the Marines or Navy. So, I guess that answers that question. I guess I just have to "jump in there" and sell myself in this competitive field.
Yes, I do want to fly something COMPLETELY different than my airline job...I am not interested in straight and level (tankers). Fighters would be fun. I am also interested in Helos in the Army guard, and going the warrant officer program. However, many sources have told me to stay out of the Army because "Army aviation has gone down hill" and that the "politics are far worse than the other branches."
What do you feel about the Army Guard?

BTW- Perhaps I don't mean "non-biased" recruiter. I am looking for a good recruiter that can actually appreciate what I have to offer (experience) and help me acheive that goal....instead of doing everything they can do (lie, mislead) to get me to sign "the paper" just like all the 18 year olds out there that "want to fly a figher"

Thanks,
Z_Pilot

 

[wink]

I don't know if Army Aviation has gone down hill any more than the other branches. It is tough out there. Not much money and a optempo that leaves little room for training or rest. As to the politics, I have lots of buddies in the Air Guard and Army Guard and they say it is the internal or state politics that suck, not so much the Army. And you do find it in either Guard branch. I'd just consider putting up with it a small price to pay for a great deal like military flight training and a weekend only commitment. You have to pay your dues some way.

 

[B.E.]

I'm currently in the air guard. With your 3000 hours you'd have been a shoe in at my units last pilot board as long as your scores turn out decent. I'm in AK and it's actually one of the more competetive guard units to get a pilot slot at as far as I can tell. We had about 30 applicants meet the requirements and interview for 6 positions this year. Most that were accepted had a few hundred hours. Also, if you could get in with an Air Guard rescue or special ops unit flying helo's you'd get to do some wild things.

 

[Z_Pilot]

Wink-
Thanks for the replies. I am willing to put up with bs, and willing to pay my dues. I guess I am a bit cautious of the Army guard because so many guys have warned me against it. Flying helo's would definately be y cup of tea!

B.E.- 210th Rescue Squadron? Sounds exciting and challenging. I think the most frusterating part of this process is figuring out which unit (based on location) would work for me...for example, the only two airlines I could work for if I joined your unit would be FedEx and Alaska Airlines. I wish I could get hired by a major airline first, and then apply to a unit that would be compatable....

Z_Pilot

 

[46Driver]

Check on the army units. Once you get the qual (in say an H-60) then you could transfer to a different unit if things got bad. Sweet thing is that the army guys get to go on deployments to Europe and a few other places. Tired of the airline gig - take orders to Germany and drink some real beer. (I am trying to get a 6 month staff job now in either London or Stuttgart as a change of pace.) Good place to pick up a lot of army and helo gouge is www.aptap.org The army rotorheads there will be able to answer these questions better than most of us. Good Luck - and you too can soon put on the NVG's and go screaming around at 120 knots and less than 200 ft!

 

[B.E.]

Yea, I'm at Kulis where the 210th is located. I'm actually a C-130 mechanic with the airlift squadron, or I guess I was, shipping out for OCC 184 in 2 days. Flying for the 210th would be exciting even doing their mission for the state, always hearing about them pulling people off mountains or out of the ocean. I believe most units will allow you to live out of state as long as you can make it in town for the drills. Course with rescue units like the 210th the pilots are on call and have to be local. We have some airlift pilots though that live out of state and fly in with their civilian airline job for drills. So depending on the unit, you could possibly apply where they have the aircraft you'd like to fly and then relocate afterwards for an airline job.