Air Force Officer to Marine Aviator

[roger95]

I recently washed out of USAF pilot training. Long story, basically I just sucked. I had already served 4 years active duty in a non-flying career field, so since my time commitment was up I was able to separate. I know it may be a long shot, but I have been exploring the possibility of flying with one of the other services.

The Army is hiring, so that's a possibility. From what I've read on these forums, it seems like the Navy is overloaded with officers right now, but I get the impression that the Marines have open slots.

Is it correct that the age limit for Marine aviators is 27, with a credit for each year of prior service up to 4 years? Anyone know if my prior Air Force service will count for that four years? I'm 28 now.

I've done some searching around, but haven't found anything showing the whole path from "off-the-street" to fully winged mission qualed aviator. Is there any good consolidated source out there?

Is it possible to get a flying slot with one of the other services after washing out of a pilot training program, or am I just chasing a pipe dream?

 

[wink]

You can not have attrited from any military flight training program and be eligible for Navy flight training. That means NFO as well. Because the Marines have different needs from time to time, things like test scores or GPAs may be lower or higher than the Navy's. Currently, they are slightly lower. Sometimes a wavierable medical condition might not be waived for the Navy but the Marines would, because they need guys. Just happened to a relative of mine. To the best of my recollection, the disqualifier of prior flight school attrition is not waiverable even if the Marines would be inclined. And I rather doubt they would. If you are interested in another MOS they may consider you, but probably not through a local officer recruiter becaue you would not be going to OCS. You will be in a better position if you retained your commisiion in the Reserves. Then you just work a interservice transfer.

 

[E6286]

I thought Marine ASTB standards were higher? Did they change? I was able to apply for the Navy and got pro rec'd a year ago with my scores, however, they don't qualify me for the Marines and I would need to retake them to apply.

 

[scotty008]

A somewhat related question...
My old roomate washed out of OCS 188 due to a knee injury sustained while running. What are the chances of him applying and being accepted for a Navy SNA position? Does this happen, or might they (the Navy) assume that since he couldnt handle Marine OCS that its not worth the risk. He was given a recommendation to return to a later class, but doesnt know if the knees can handle the physicality of USMC OCS. I searched previous related forums for an hour without success before deciding to post this, and though I'm sure an officer recruiter could answer, i thought I'd try here first.

 

[Grant]

The Army needs infantry officers...

 

[Steve Wilkins]

The MILPERSMAN (Military Personnel Manual) clearly states that you cannot have attrited from any other military flight program, to include DOR, when applying for Navy flight training. Wink says this is not waiverable. He was a recruiter, so I'm not here to explicitly contradict what he's telling you. For the most part, I think it's the rule. HOWEVER, I'm of the opinion that nothing is impossible and (mostly) everything is waiverable. There are many, many factors that would go into the outcome of your particular situation. One thing is for sure though. If you don't try, then it will definitely never happen.

 

[skidkid]

I recently washed out of USAF pilot training. Long story, basically I just sucked.

Probably not what the Marine Corps is looking for, good luck though.

 

[wink]

An OCS wash out for physical injury with a "recommendation to return to a later class" would no doubt have a RE code (reenlistment code) qualifying him to apply for Navy OCS. If his knee checks out on an ortho consult he could give it a try.

For the last several months competitive ASTB scores for Marine Air have been lower than Navy. They just happen to need folks and the Navy does not. The situation has been reversed over years past.

Steve is right, that many things are waiverable and sometimes you won't know unless you try and get a answer from on high. However, some things are not waiverable. It is a good sign that something is not waiverable if it is law, statue or regulation without specific waiver provisions. If I remember the CRUITMAN references the US Title Code that would make the flying attrite rule not waiverable. That said, my only personal experience is with USAF DORs and attrites applying for NAVAIR. In those cases, and there were several over the years, the Navy said pack sand and there was no waiver. It is significant to consider that most of those requests came when the Navy was building a 600 ship fleet and we needed every warm body we could get. If anyone gets a chance to ask a USMC OSO about this please report back.

 

[Steve Wilkins]

Steve is right

That has a nice ring to it.

It is significant to consider that most of those requests came when the Navy was building a 600 ship fleet and we needed every warm body we could get.

Wink, you said "ship" on an aviators' forum. You are just ASKING to be investigated aren't you?

 

[wink]

Wink, you said "ship" on an aviators' forum. You are just ASKING to be investigated aren't you?

Just couldn't remeber how many aircraft we were buying to go with the 600 ships!!