I've been mulling over my options for so long that it's driving me crazy and I've decided I need some advice from people in the military that aren't recruiters.
Ok so here's my story. I've wanted to be a pilot ever since my grandpa took me to a military air show when I was 4. I am 21 years old and going to be a Senior in college this year. For my first two years, I was in Air Force ROTC. My grades weren't the best but I stayed above a 2.0.
In AFROTC, you have to commit before you even find out if you're qualified to be a pilot and I did not want to get stuck flying a desk.
Close to the end of my Sophomore year, my friend told me about Marine OCS and how they can guarantee you a flight spot if you pass the ASTB. I scored a 6/7/6 and got contracted. The only thing lacking was my PFT score. I had 15 pullups, 100 crunches, and a 26:00 run time.
I did not get accepted to OCS that summer
This year, my Junior year, my grades were a lot better. My last term I got a 3.05 gpa. I had 20 pullups and 100 crunches. They told me in order to get selected I needed at least a 24:00 run time. I ended up getting a 23:30 run time. On the same exact day I made that time, my OSO got an email from OCS saying that they had raised the bar to 23:00 flat and under. They still submitted my package, however I didn't get accepted for a second time.
Now here is my dilemma. I know that OCC is a LOT more competitive than PLC and that I would probably need to get my run down to a 22 or 21 in order to be even considered. But when my OSO told me I didn't make it, he basically told me if I still wanted to be a Marine I would be better off enlisting. Now, I know some officers going into OCS are prior enlisted, but I also know you have to be at least a Corporal to apply for the Enlisted to Commissioned program.
If I went enlisted, I would try to do something aviation or something that promotes fast so I could go to OCS as soon as possible but still get that enlisted experience of how to be a marine so I would have a better idea of how to lead Marines. I'm guessing it would be an extra 3 or 4 years before I made corporal since I already have my bachelors degree. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Now, my family has a few Marine and Naval aviators in our extended family that I was previously unaware of. Would having them as references or having them write letters of recommendation help my chances for OCC any?
I have also talked to my local Air Force Recruiter. She has gotten me in contact with the Officer Selection Officer for their branch. They got back to me and said that with my bachelors degree and Private pilot's licence at the end of the summer, I would have a very good chance of being selected.
Now the final part of my thoughts. I have a girlfriend of 2 1/2 years. I know she is the one. I was trying to figure out what would be the best option as far as that goes. We both know we are going to end up together and she is nothing like the women you hear about that write Dear John letters and such. I know I will still get warnings because I read somewhere that 85% of enlisted marine marriages end in divorce. However I'm thinking that the majority of those are people who enlist right out of high school and marry their high school girlfriends.
I'm thinking, Marine enlisted then officer would be the the most stressful on our relationship. We are both very down to earth people and are smart enough not to live outside our means. I've heard the Air Force has the best living conditions and base housing, and officer pay would be better as well if we get married after I'm commissioned.
Ranks of my three choices:
1) Marine OCC
2) Air Force Officer
3) Marine Enlisted to Officer
This summer, I've started the 300 PFT program at 300pft.com as well as P90x2 to try and get in better shape for whatever I decide to do.
Final thoughts: Ultimately, I still want to fly. I never considered the Marines before I found out about OCS, but now that I've had the prospect of being a Marine and being one of the best put in my head, I really want to be a Marine. As awesome as flying in any branch of military would be, I want to earn that title and lead marines. I feel like if I don't become a marine and choose the Air Force instead, I would be something I'll regret the rest of my life.
Thank you for taking the time to read my huge wall of text.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Very Respectfully,
Ventus
Ok so here's my story. I've wanted to be a pilot ever since my grandpa took me to a military air show when I was 4. I am 21 years old and going to be a Senior in college this year. For my first two years, I was in Air Force ROTC. My grades weren't the best but I stayed above a 2.0.
In AFROTC, you have to commit before you even find out if you're qualified to be a pilot and I did not want to get stuck flying a desk.
Close to the end of my Sophomore year, my friend told me about Marine OCS and how they can guarantee you a flight spot if you pass the ASTB. I scored a 6/7/6 and got contracted. The only thing lacking was my PFT score. I had 15 pullups, 100 crunches, and a 26:00 run time.
I did not get accepted to OCS that summer
This year, my Junior year, my grades were a lot better. My last term I got a 3.05 gpa. I had 20 pullups and 100 crunches. They told me in order to get selected I needed at least a 24:00 run time. I ended up getting a 23:30 run time. On the same exact day I made that time, my OSO got an email from OCS saying that they had raised the bar to 23:00 flat and under. They still submitted my package, however I didn't get accepted for a second time.
Now here is my dilemma. I know that OCC is a LOT more competitive than PLC and that I would probably need to get my run down to a 22 or 21 in order to be even considered. But when my OSO told me I didn't make it, he basically told me if I still wanted to be a Marine I would be better off enlisting. Now, I know some officers going into OCS are prior enlisted, but I also know you have to be at least a Corporal to apply for the Enlisted to Commissioned program.
If I went enlisted, I would try to do something aviation or something that promotes fast so I could go to OCS as soon as possible but still get that enlisted experience of how to be a marine so I would have a better idea of how to lead Marines. I'm guessing it would be an extra 3 or 4 years before I made corporal since I already have my bachelors degree. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Now, my family has a few Marine and Naval aviators in our extended family that I was previously unaware of. Would having them as references or having them write letters of recommendation help my chances for OCC any?
I have also talked to my local Air Force Recruiter. She has gotten me in contact with the Officer Selection Officer for their branch. They got back to me and said that with my bachelors degree and Private pilot's licence at the end of the summer, I would have a very good chance of being selected.
Now the final part of my thoughts. I have a girlfriend of 2 1/2 years. I know she is the one. I was trying to figure out what would be the best option as far as that goes. We both know we are going to end up together and she is nothing like the women you hear about that write Dear John letters and such. I know I will still get warnings because I read somewhere that 85% of enlisted marine marriages end in divorce. However I'm thinking that the majority of those are people who enlist right out of high school and marry their high school girlfriends.
I'm thinking, Marine enlisted then officer would be the the most stressful on our relationship. We are both very down to earth people and are smart enough not to live outside our means. I've heard the Air Force has the best living conditions and base housing, and officer pay would be better as well if we get married after I'm commissioned.
Ranks of my three choices:
1) Marine OCC
2) Air Force Officer
3) Marine Enlisted to Officer
This summer, I've started the 300 PFT program at 300pft.com as well as P90x2 to try and get in better shape for whatever I decide to do.
Final thoughts: Ultimately, I still want to fly. I never considered the Marines before I found out about OCS, but now that I've had the prospect of being a Marine and being one of the best put in my head, I really want to be a Marine. As awesome as flying in any branch of military would be, I want to earn that title and lead marines. I feel like if I don't become a marine and choose the Air Force instead, I would be something I'll regret the rest of my life.
Thank you for taking the time to read my huge wall of text.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Very Respectfully,
Ventus
