• Please take a moment and update your account profile. If you have an updated account profile with basic information on why you are on Air Warriors it will help other people respond to your posts. How do you update your profile you ask?

    Go here:

    Edit Account Details and Profile

Got some questions and need some advice! *long story*

juslaxn

New Member
I have the same story as many of the new guys here have; 24 years old, soon to be graduating college, have good grades (2.9) but working on getting that up to a more competative level. Additionally I have taken the ASTB study guides off this web-site, bought the barrons flight aptitude study guide book, I have talked to a professor at my school assist me in refreshing my math skills, i am very dedicated and determined to do this. I am in great health, great vision, a little over weight but all this is in the process of being up to standards. I dont know how much it helps, but I even have my private pilots license. I am trying to pursue a Navy or Marine Corp. slot, and would fly any bird, even be a Flight Officer of any one as well.
One hitch I have recently run into is talking to two seperate local recruiters. One basically gave me the run down when I mentioned that I wanted to be a pilot (in any platform) that my chances are slim to none! and suggested that I would qualify for a SWO position. The only thing that I felt would have prevented me from becoming a pilot was being over the weight limit for entry, not much but he mentioned that would be an issue, but if that was the only issue, i could definitly and would absolutly have that in order in a matter of weeks/months. He did suggest that I also may be eligible for possilbe NFO position. When I left the meeting, I was kind of lost as to what to do now? A day or so later a second recruiter from a different office called (a mix up at the enlisted recruiters put me in contact with 2 officer recruiters) he said that i needed to do one thing, take the ASTB. Depending on my score, would dictate if I had any possible chance what so ever of ever getting any position in an airplane, from their i would go before a board and either get denied into OCS or accepted.
I guess my questions are; what advise is more realistic? I too favor a pilot slot, but would gladly accept any position that got me in the air. What are my realistic options?
I will continue to study for the ASTB and will take the test in December, but I am just curious if i am working for somthing that may never happen?

Sorry for the long content, but i truly want to make this happen, and all I really need to know is that their is a chance. If I know this, I know that their is a light at the end.

BTW: thank you to anyone who actually read this entire thing, i know it was a pain, but I do appreciate any and all the advise and help that I could get.
 

skim

Teaching MIDN how to drift a BB
None
Contributor
without getting into a who's right or wrong, I say take the test and apply. You get 3 communities to apply for. If you're lucky you get SWO:D

If youre worried about your weight, get in shape. People on this site claim they are overweight or have physical issues and get accepted.
 

HAL Pilot

Well-Known Member
None
Contributor
Go with the 2nd recruiter. Take the ASTB and apply for pilot. Worst they can do is say no. No one is competitive unless they apply.
 

juslaxn

New Member
The thing is that i'm in shape, just overweight... i actually surprised myself about a month ago running and how fast your body begins gaining endurance...
I guess i have worked myself up for things in the past and they have naturally never worked out, regardless of how hard I try... i will definitly take the advise you guys have given and continue the hard work!
thanx again for reading that... definitly means alot!
 

skim

Teaching MIDN how to drift a BB
None
Contributor
Its not the paperwork, but the waiting that kills. Good luck!
 

Spekkio

He bowls overhand.
Some recruiters will tell you misinformation because they are trying to fill billets for specific communities. However, the 2nd recruiter seems more pragmatic, so go with him. Do the best you can on the ASTB and then apply.

Oh, and there's a big difference between Navy and Marine pilots. You might want to do a lot more research on that one.
 

Schnugg

It's gettin' a bit dramatic 'round here...
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
The thing is that i'm in shape, just overweight... i actually surprised myself about a month ago running and how fast your body begins gaining endurance...
I guess i have worked myself up for things in the past and they have naturally never worked out, regardless of how hard I try... i will definitly take the advise you guys have given and continue the hard work!
thanx again for reading that... definitly means alot!

Put down the Twinkie and step away from box.

Keep trying, be in shape when you visit your recruiter...not in "I can get in shape soon" shape.
 

jostuar1

New Member
juslaxn,

I am currently contracted with the Marine Corps for an air slot and awaiting word on acceptance for OCS starting in late January. My selection boards meet in December. My OSO recently informed me that there were 2 SNA (pilot) slots available for applicants from my OSO. The good news here is that there are only 3 guys applying for them. So I have a 66% chance of getting one of those spots.

-Start the process as soon as possible by going to the OSO closest to you and filling out your general application.
-Take your ASTB.
-Get your college transcripts together (sealed), your birth certificate, SSN card.
-Take the ASVAB (sort of like the SAT, but if you have records of your SAT scores from high school you can just turn those in and won't have to take that test).
-Background info paperwork
-Undergo Flight Physical
-TRAIN FOR YOUR PFT!!!

This is the generic process. I made my decision to enter the Marine Corps in August of this year (2007), with the exception of the ASTB (I already took it two years ago), I completed the application process and was contracted in roughly 2.5 months. It is true SNA spots are difficult to get but certainly not impossible. If you have no legal woes, decent grades (above 2.0), passing ASTB scores, are medically fit to fly, and are in good shape you will be very competitive. The PFT is the deal breaker. If you have a good application but a less than competitive PFT be prepared for bad news. Get in shape, period.
 

HH-60H

Manager
pilot
Contributor
I am currently contracted with the Marine Corps for an air slot and awaiting word on acceptance for OCS starting in late January.

I will admit not knowing much about the Marine Corps' commissioning process, so take this question with a grain of my ignorance... How can you be contracted, but not have been accepted into OCS?
 

tiger84

LT
pilot
I was over the weight limit when I started my app (although I was a big fatty so maybe not the same issue). Just work on dropping a few pounds or get your recruiter to tape you instead. Definitely take the ASTB as soon as you feel ready and don't get persuaded into applying for something you don't want.
 
Top