I wanted to go to OCS this summer on PLC (10 week course). I was planning to go as NFO and then maybe get my eyes fixed later and switch to Pilot during my senior year of college. I've been told by my OSO that wouldn't have been a problem. I am now trying to go as a ground contract because our district didn't get any NFO contracts this year. Is it true it's easy to switch from ground to air during my senior year? Has anyone else done this or been told it's easy. They said there were a few cases here last year that did it, but they tend to say a lot of things to get ink on paper. I'm in aero engineering at Purdue (3.47 gpa), have a private pilot license, a 274 pft, and i got an 8/9/8 on the ASTB.
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Changing From Ground to Air, before TBS
- Thread starter rjmayer
- Start date
My kid did exactly that and commissioned in 08 as a SNA. I think one of the keys is to get all the paper done before comissioning. That and the needs of the Marine Corps.
If you'd like, PM me your contact info and I'll see if I can hook you guys up and you can ask him directly about the process.
plenty of time
well the way i figure it, I have from the end of OCS to a full year after i graduate (which is almost two years total) to transfer. I haven't ever passed a military flight physical, but I have done the civilian ones twice so i don't think i'll get DQed. I figure in the course of two years, there's bound to be some SNA or SNFO slots open. If not, then there's a lot of us in trouble!
well the way i figure it, I have from the end of OCS to a full year after i graduate (which is almost two years total) to transfer. I haven't ever passed a military flight physical, but I have done the civilian ones twice so i don't think i'll get DQed. I figure in the course of two years, there's bound to be some SNA or SNFO slots open. If not, then there's a lot of us in trouble!
I had my heart set on flying for the Marines, if I can't serve with them in the air I might try either the Navy or Air Force for an engineering position. My degree is in aerospace engineering and I think it would just be a waste to put me in something else other than an aviation related field. I figure with the engineering skills and previous flight experience SNA or SNFO would be the best way for me to serve.
Possibly. But from the way I understand it, you're not going to be up there busting out calculus and fourier transforms. Theres people flying with a wide variety of non-engineering majors. Your degree will pretty much get to to the starting line to apply, just like everyone else. Spend some time asking questions about the training you will receive as a Marine officer before you even get to flight school. Different branches are for different people. You're not "better" than someone else just because of the branch choice you make. But theres going to be a lot more to all of this than just flying. So check up on the whole officer thing a little bit and see how you feel about it. Good luck
I just finished talk to my OSO moments ago and our district (indiana) has no NFO slots this year. Why? because very few are being given out because the Marines plan on doing away with NFOs. Think about it, the JSF is replacing everything and it is a single seat jet. He's telling me to go on a ground contract because they have way more air contracts than ground, but my eyes are no good like yours. So I'm trying for ground and he said that after OCS i will have priority over anyone else for an air contract after the surgery, if i medically qualify. Try for NFO if you can get one, but if not consider ground.
The reason for the flying really is that way down the road I hope to be a test pilot. That's where the engineering degree will become very important.
The reason for the flying really is that way down the road I hope to be a test pilot. That's where the engineering degree will become very important.
i think you guys are all right, there is no guarantee. I've been doing a lot of researching on the forums and everyone that was in my same situation had no trouble. The key is to transfer the contract after getting your physical, but BEFORE your commission. IF you try after that, you're screwed. I really hope it works out. I wanted Marine aviator because i want to support fellow Marines on the ground. I'm not going to be bombing some factory full of civilians that might help win a long term war, I'm going to instantly help our boys on the ground and hopefully save more lives than I take. I'm also looking forward to being in the infantry for a year as a forward air observer.
Not necessarily. Its just slimmer chances.
I love to talk shit and play Yut-yut McGee like the next guy, but I hope you're not implying that the Airforce or Army or Navy bomb factories with innocent civilians. And, if your only tools are bullets, rockets, and bombs, the only way youre going to be saving lives is by taking lives. Unless theres some magic wand pod attachment I didnt learn about...
Its good you're motivated but some people might read into your statements and get pissed. I dont think you meant it that way though. I've certainly said my fair share of stupid shit. Good luck
AJB37
Well-Known Member
Whatever you decide to do, don't go to OCS with the attitude that it would be a waste of your talents if you couldn't fly. People with poor attitudes tend to get kicked out fairly quick, and if they aren't weeded out before the first board, they won't graduate. I was at OCC 199 and got sent home due to a knee injury in the 8th week, that really sucked because I was so close to commissioning and now I have to repeat the program, hopefully only the 6 week, but we'll see. As much as that sucked for me, imagine being the guy in my platoon with the shitty attitude who got sent home the Wedensday of the 9th week. I'm not trying to be a dick and say you have a shitty attitude, and I would take the advice of the guys with the gold wings over mine, but you should always be prepared for a situation where you may not be able to fly.
Hold out and wait to go to OCS with an air contract. Simple. As. That. Unless you don't mind being a logistics or communications officer (both very respectable jobs which I would take in a heart beat if I got NPQ'd). You're planning on going to PLC(C) anyway. Get an OCC slot after your surgery if you have to. 10 weeks is 10 weeks. And you'll have more direction at OCS, which is not to be discounted.
Or you can go to other recruiting districts for an NFO slot, but recruiters usually don't like to do other recruiters that way, even if it is allowed for officer applicants.
Or you can go to other recruiting districts for an NFO slot, but recruiters usually don't like to do other recruiters that way, even if it is allowed for officer applicants.
I did not imply that I have anything against the Navy/AF. Or that they go around killing innocent civilians. Personally, i feel if you're a "civilian" that works in a munitions plant in a time of war, you know what you got into. I don't feel any of my talents would be wasted on the ground, I would still enjoy just being a Marine. I just don't want to lose technical knowledge I've worked so hard for in college. I am wondering if you can go in ground Marine and work in the Navy Aero Reserch Labs. I have noticed that the Marines have an MOS designated "aeronautical engineer". I just don't know what they need them for.