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USN aviator vs USMC aviator - fixed wing vs rotary wing

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propanelord

New Member
I am an enlisted Marine, and I graduated bachelor's degree in May, and I am still fighting to try to get my medical records fixed. I think the Marine Corps recruiter doesn't want to touch me anymore because I have too much drama and paperwork. I got a 55/8/8/8/57 on the ASTB.

Regardless of the possibility that nobody will want to entertain my medical waiver, if I would really be happy to serve, and be really happy to fly anything, even if it is a giant soda can with a wing, but I would prefer to fly fixed wing, am I crazy to not try to commission as a USN aviator instead of a USMC aviator? I realize being an officer in any branch is a whole lot more than MOS and/or a whole lot more than flying. I am excited to serve my country with a greater responsibility, regardless of any machine(s) involved.

Obviously, there are people who spend years fighting trying to enlist and/or spend years fighting trying to commission in any branch of service, and then ultimately succeed. I have to accept that I could be one of those people. There are not many Marine Corps officer recruiters, and they are far away and they may expect any applicants to put in mountainous effort driving to see the officer recruiter. It seems like most Navy recruiters are Ensigns... is that true? Are they more common? There's a certain point where maybe I have to just join whatever if any branch will take me because at the end of the day, time is money.

I'm in my mid-to-late 20s, so age limits are also a consideration. I've already invested hundreds of hours into this process and want to make the best decision regarding which commissioning path(s) to pursue.

I tried to get my FAA medical certificate so I could begin flying on my own dime as a civilian while waiting-to-hopefully-apply-for-a-military-flight-contract, but due to smoking weed and drinking alcohol when I was 15 and 16 I have to submit to tens of thousands of dollars in alcohol and drug testing paid out of pocket. If I temporarily give up on FAA medical certificate for now, and then someday as a hypothetically successful military pilot, I ever want to convert any future military pilot ratings or military pilot hours to FAA ratings, I will likely have to ask a squadron or group or whoever leader to excuse me from work so that I can go to alcoholics anonymous, pee in a cup, and blow in an alcohol breath machine semi monthly, so that the FAA will grant me a certificate. Has anyone heard of a then-currently-active USMC, USN, USAF, USA, or USCG aviator having to do that to get an FAA certificate? I can't imagine that is a good look in terms of optics to your leadership.

The Marine Corps already waived the 15-year-old childhood drinking and smoking when I enlisted. I don't think any military BUMED and/or other people significantly care about that now, but the FAA certainly does

Thank you
 
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Until you have an approved aviation contract with your name on it from both branches, there isn't even a decision to make. So shoot your shot and make them tell you no. Yeah, depending on where you are it can be a significant time investment. Neither branch has any shortage of qualified officer applicants. Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear.

FAA medical certificate is not simply a paperwork drill because you're a military pilot. It is an entirely separate process done via a civilian Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). Your best bet is to just find one (there is a locator on the FAA website) and ask for a consultation. They can tell you exactly what the process will be.
 
Roger_Waveoff said:
Until you have an approved aviation contract with your name on it from both branches, there isn't even a decision to make. So shoot your shot and make them tell you no. Yeah, depending on where you are it can be a significant time investment. Neither branch has any shortage of qualified officer applicants. Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear.

FAA medical certificate is not simply a paperwork drill because you're a military pilot. It is an entirely separate process done via a civilian Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). Your best bet is to just find one (there is a locator on the FAA website) and ask for a consultation. They can tell you exactly what the process will be.
Click to expand...
Sir, thank you very much for the response.

While I will always ask follow-up questions and/or be disappointed by an answer, I appreciate the truth and reality. Conversely, if I perceive sugarcoating, that is something that would elicit a negative reaction from me.

Is it generally considered acceptable to be simultaneously pursuing officer aviation opportunities with multiple branches, provided that an applicant is transparent with everyone involved? I was not sure whether that is viewed as normal or as a faux pas within the recruiting world. I have a lot more to say, and a relevant personal story to share, but as RecruitingGuru astutely pointed out, I am too wordy, so I will stow that, at least for the time being.

Regarding the FAA side, I have spoken with several AMEs and have received significantly different guidance regarding the HIMS process. The only consistent theme has been that obtaining an initial FAA medical certificate may be a very expensive undertaking in my particular situation.

Again, I do really appreciate it.
 
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