Hey guys,
Just wanted to say I've made up my mind to reapply for OCC-183 following my denial for 182. It hasn't been an easy decision for various reasons (many of which anyone else who did not get 182 probably understands), but when I take away all the fluff I know in my gut that it is absolutely what I want to do ("it" being become a Marine and fly).
I don't know who else might be struggling with the same decision, so I thought I would illustrate a little of the process that I have gone through. (For those of you who got in or those that had no trouble making the decision to reapply, this may be a little boring.)
I have been at this process for almost a year including the time I spent working with the Navy recruiter (prior to my "seeing the light"). The Navy told me that they were chock full and only taking those with very high GPA's, high flight time etc.
On the day (June '02) that I found out that I was not selected by the Millington crowd (Navy), I called the Atlanta OSO's office and talked with the Gunny there. After some light persuasion and when he found out that my father had been a mustang officer in the Corps, he agreed to meet with me.
We originally started working towards the October '02 OCS class, but I had developed shin-splints and my pull-ups weren't quite where they needed to be. I made the call to delay sending my package until the board met in December so that my PFT would be more on par.
My final PFT for this board was a 241. Under normal circumstances, that may have been enough. However, as most of you know the last eight months or so in aviation recruiting have been anything but normal. I feel like the remainder of my package is competitive. I have high test scores, quality rec's etc.
What I've been told is that this particular board had the highest average PFT score recorded in quite a while. Out of 40 applicants, they only took 25 and nobody from my state was picked up (ground, law or air). I only mention the numbers to say that these are very competitive times, and anyone applying or thinking about it needs to reaffirm their commitment to becoming a Marine and make sure that their package is absolutely everything that it can be.
Anyway, I know that I have to put my name in the hat just one more time or I'm always going to wonder if I really did everything that I could to make this happen. After I got the call from my OSO on the Thursday after Christmas, I was down and started looking at all the civilian flight schools. I was ready to move to sunny Florida and just make it happen on my own (not to mention borrow $50k to do it). But I know that even though that might enable me to fly for a living, I still want to serve. I want to be a part of a community unlike any other and share in the camraderie among fellow Marines and aviators. I know that those that are there now can attest to this - I've never met a Marine who couldn't.
To anyone out there, in any service, that is considering dropping out of the game and just moving on - I say give it one more shot. Don't wake up and be 40 and say what the heck have I done with my life. I'm 26 and married with a good career going. My wife just got a great job here in town and she's making more than me. But she's willing to drop it to follow me. That support is crucial, and I couldn't consider this without it. I know that I have to improve my PFT and get it somewhere in the 275+ range to make myself competitive. It won't be easy. Nobody said I had to like it, I just have to do it.
Hope you guys don't mind me sharing my thoughts. I didn't mean for this to come out sounding like a Tony Robbins testimonial, but just putting my thoughts into words helps me reaffirm my decision.
Best of luck to everyone, and I'll buy you a beer in Q-town when I get there in June.
-Matt
Just wanted to say I've made up my mind to reapply for OCC-183 following my denial for 182. It hasn't been an easy decision for various reasons (many of which anyone else who did not get 182 probably understands), but when I take away all the fluff I know in my gut that it is absolutely what I want to do ("it" being become a Marine and fly).
I don't know who else might be struggling with the same decision, so I thought I would illustrate a little of the process that I have gone through. (For those of you who got in or those that had no trouble making the decision to reapply, this may be a little boring.)
I have been at this process for almost a year including the time I spent working with the Navy recruiter (prior to my "seeing the light"). The Navy told me that they were chock full and only taking those with very high GPA's, high flight time etc.
On the day (June '02) that I found out that I was not selected by the Millington crowd (Navy), I called the Atlanta OSO's office and talked with the Gunny there. After some light persuasion and when he found out that my father had been a mustang officer in the Corps, he agreed to meet with me.
We originally started working towards the October '02 OCS class, but I had developed shin-splints and my pull-ups weren't quite where they needed to be. I made the call to delay sending my package until the board met in December so that my PFT would be more on par.
My final PFT for this board was a 241. Under normal circumstances, that may have been enough. However, as most of you know the last eight months or so in aviation recruiting have been anything but normal. I feel like the remainder of my package is competitive. I have high test scores, quality rec's etc.
What I've been told is that this particular board had the highest average PFT score recorded in quite a while. Out of 40 applicants, they only took 25 and nobody from my state was picked up (ground, law or air). I only mention the numbers to say that these are very competitive times, and anyone applying or thinking about it needs to reaffirm their commitment to becoming a Marine and make sure that their package is absolutely everything that it can be.
Anyway, I know that I have to put my name in the hat just one more time or I'm always going to wonder if I really did everything that I could to make this happen. After I got the call from my OSO on the Thursday after Christmas, I was down and started looking at all the civilian flight schools. I was ready to move to sunny Florida and just make it happen on my own (not to mention borrow $50k to do it). But I know that even though that might enable me to fly for a living, I still want to serve. I want to be a part of a community unlike any other and share in the camraderie among fellow Marines and aviators. I know that those that are there now can attest to this - I've never met a Marine who couldn't.
To anyone out there, in any service, that is considering dropping out of the game and just moving on - I say give it one more shot. Don't wake up and be 40 and say what the heck have I done with my life. I'm 26 and married with a good career going. My wife just got a great job here in town and she's making more than me. But she's willing to drop it to follow me. That support is crucial, and I couldn't consider this without it. I know that I have to improve my PFT and get it somewhere in the 275+ range to make myself competitive. It won't be easy. Nobody said I had to like it, I just have to do it.
Hope you guys don't mind me sharing my thoughts. I didn't mean for this to come out sounding like a Tony Robbins testimonial, but just putting my thoughts into words helps me reaffirm my decision.
Best of luck to everyone, and I'll buy you a beer in Q-town when I get there in June.
-Matt
