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If you are a pilot and you aren't having fun at Oshkosh, you're in the wrong line of work, and you're a helplessly horrible person who deserves a miserable life. I'm a tad jealous all of you sneaking a free ride to the flight line. Don't you feel like you're getting away with something?

Agreed on the Marine "commitment" issue. ROTC scholarships aren't as binding as they look, though, so don't be too scared of them. ROTC and PLC are totally different beasts. Talk to people in both programs to get an idea of what the college experience is like for each. I switched from over...

Your visual accuity (20/200, etc) doesn't really matter. It's your degree of myopia plus your astigmatism that will matter, and it will read something like -3.50 -0.75, similar to a lens prescription. This is not a lens prescription, though, it is the refractive error due to your misshaped...

I'm new to motorcycles, just took MSF, and I'm looking to buy my first bike soon. I've been monitoring this thread the last few weeks, and all of this input is very helpful!

I just finished a DITY using a nice Penske 16' truck and towing my car behind it. I got a 10% military discount when I booked over the telephone, and I received great service on both ends.

You should be able to iron this one out as long as you signed the correct contract in the first place. It looks like a typo. There is a computer somewhere, possibly in India, that knows the truth and can back up your claim. I recommend you check your medical paperwork as well and make sure...

Why not corpsman?

We're looking for a third person to live with us in a condo near the back gate. We're both Marine SNAs reporting to API 14 May, hopefully classing up in early June, and we're looking for someone with a very similar time frame in order to avoid issues with breaking the lease after API. We...

To get competitive air, the usual strategy applies. Study hard and be in good shape, work your ass off, and take charge as much as possible. Selection is done relatively early in the POI. Your SPC is the one that you need to impress. Once you get the air slot, be a good...

You can show up late in the day on your report date, like sometime in the afternoon. Then you'll likely get stashed in Mike Company for awhile, at which point you could take leave.

My brother took a loan with a high interest rate, worked, and paid it off in a year while going to school. I used my some of my student loans, and I also worked...got an air contract with my 20/20 vision...so it was a good decision. What's $4k more toward your ultimate goal when you're...

I think he wants to find out ahead of time if he'll be able to get his leave approved, for planning purposes now. Anyone know if this is possible?

flyingjt2, Since you're a Marine at TBS it means you've passed a flight physical before. So, according to what bogeyspotter said, 20/100 is your standard now and you have nothing to worry about. Hydrate and get good sleep before your physical and you might make 20/40 anyway, if they do check...

Those photos almost make me want to switch back to SNFO. Can I just crash there during API?

Early June is a different ballgame, as NROTC is sending somewhere in the neighborhood of 600 new ensigns down for IFS/API at that time. Most USNA grads are IFS complete and will be classing up or placed on the waiting list for API when they arrive. So it is possible that you will have short or...

I used eye drops everyday for a year and a half and halos were fairly intense for over a year. I still have fading vision at night, especially if I'm tired and/or dehydrated, but it is not nearly as severe as it used to be. You have nothing to worry about, even three years later I still feel...

Thanks for the word, I hope that's good gouge!

The Navy won't cover your student loans for you right now, but the Marines will if you commission this year. You picked the wrong service! But no really, congrats, you've got a good story that all of the daydreaming kids should read. It's awesome when you finally crack the system.

If your vision is correctable to 20/20 (with eyeglasses or contacts) you'll likely qualify for NFO, possibly without a waiver for visual acuity. I initially picked up NFO and later an SNA slot with a hole in the retina of my right eye, so that scar on your eye is definitely worth at least a...

Standards and limitations for corrective eye surgery are constantly changing. Chances are that what limits you now won't in the future, if you have time to wait. I was 20/400 as well and PRK worked out fine, but I didn't have the problem with pupil size that you have.

I'm in the market right now for a motorcycle if anyone's got anything good for a relative beginner. I plan to buy during my first month in P'cola, in May, or possibly during the last months of TBS. Right now I'm looking at standards and small to medium cruisers. Does anyone have any...

In '06 I didn't find out I was selected until the week before OCS. I'm not sure how long my OSO knew without telling me, but I know he didn't have the results any earlier than two weeks before my ship date. It seemed like it was pretty much a rolling process, but I never really got a straight...

Agreed...you'll have to hide it until MOS's come out. After that, you can let your inner FIGMAC out and brag about how much cooler flying is than infantry, the latter of which is pretty damn cool, if slightly uncomfortable at times.

They're sending some of the TBS-complete Marines to Pensacola for IFS this summer, supposedly because Quantico is full.

I'll refrain from bitching and moaning, for now, but damn, maybe I'll just go to Corpus!

Does this apply to Marines as well?

Yes, Hobbs is actual engine time, tach time is the one that is based on RPM. You'll most likely be charged for Hobbs time and that is what you will log. Personally, if I were owning and renting an aircraft, I'd want to charge based on tach time. That would encourage renters to cruise at...

3 months on the RFA is a ballpark figure, it just depends on the timing of when it is submitted. It might be shorty if you're one of those lucky types.

I switched NFO to SNA a few months before commissioning and it was no big deal at all to make it happen once I was physically qualified for SNA. It just depends on what they have available at the higher levels. Make sure your OSO gets you scheduled for a flight physical ASAP, you'll need the...

I'd say that the vast majority of local, day VFR flights are flown without flight plans on file, at least in the flat part of the U.S. where I fly. Pilots flying in the Nevada mountains might be more inclined to file because of the inherent dangers of mountain flying, but Fossett didn't...

Trev...I agree, cut back on the lifting (and supplements) and focus on short runs for awhile. Some lifting is still okay and you can make up for some of the lost muscle tone with good calisthenic workouts before and after running. As far as appearances are concerned, the girls will will dig...

I'm attempting this right now. All that I know so far is that there has to be an available air contract either in your district or possibly your region.Does anyone know more about this process I'm fully trained with a recent flight physical but not yet commissioned.

Was this recently? This is what I'm hoping to find out. My friend went to Wright-Patt in November and just got results, which would have been great timing for me as well, but I'm being told he was an "exception." Of course I'd like to be an exception too, since this is the only thing delaying...

I have a flight physical scheduled for 24 Feb 07 at Pensacola. I've graduated college and completed OCS, so the result of the physical is the only thing I have left for commissioning on an NFO contract, and I'm very anxious to get this done as fast as possible. Does anyone have a good estimate...

PLC won't pay for college, at least not quite like the deal you are getting now. Becoming a Marine could end up costing you a lot of money now, but if you're willing to make that sacrifice you're a good man for the Marine Corps. That says a lot about your priorities right there, if you're...

If you really want to fly, fight the good fight to the end. If you don't, you may never forgive yourself. Push that Bronchitis argument as far as it will go. Getting back to P'cola for another test is probably impossible, but you can see if there is a way to retest and submit for the waiver...

I had it two years ago. On a bright, moist day when I'm not tired I can see better than 20/20 but as my eyes get tired and dry and the day turns to dark my vision gets a bit weaker. I still use eyedrops daily. Overall though it's 10x better than wearing contacts or glasses, and it was a huge...

I spent the last Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix with some better-than-thou Notre Dame fans (although the college-aged fans were cool and had a knack for shotgunning beers), and since I'm going back this year and would hate to spend it with a bunch of elitist M*ch*g*n fans. Troy Smith is a convincing...

Doing pushups regularly, often mixed in with the pullups, was key for me. If you're really committed to getting better, check this out: http://www.4mcd.usmc.mil/AOP/OSOHyattsville/Armstrong%20Pullup%20Program.htm Even if you don't like the exact program or it doesn't fit your routine, you...

I'm shipping out of Columbus OSO, from Port Columbus Intl. Where are you two shipping from?

I'm not sure whats worse...the thought of pick-up next week, or cramming to take these finals early.

I had a problem with blisters until I got some teflon socks - $10 a pair but they work. I'm still debating whether its worth buying a week's supply of them to take to OCS. My Belleville's might be heavier than the Bates lights but I don't really notice the weight. They broke in quickly by...

I'm still waiting on the board results (got the last board), but the plan is PLC Combined 4 June with the rest of you guys and commissioning this December after finishing the 10 quarter hours I have left. I just took the pre-ship PFT and filled out my 30 day checklist yesterday. My OSO said...

Yeah I remember seeing that as a kid. I don't know which was more amazing...the deadstick routine itself, or the fact that he did it in an Aero Commander!

Wow you guys seem awfully defensive about being in the Navy. I'll answer his question. If you're still in high school right now, you won't need to worry about the AFOQT and PFT until you show up for college (unless they tell you otherwise). Go on baseops.net if you want more info about prep...

After being medically DQed from AF flying I've decided to look into the Marine Corps. I'm fourth year AFROTC with a scholarship and my OSO told me I'll have to get off of that scholarship before I can compete for a PLC aviation slot. It sounds like there are a few guys here going through...