USAF or USMC

[Harabek]

Hi, I'm former AF and a freshman in school at the University of Northern Colorado. I have been forever in love with flying, and I plan on being a fighter pilot. I have some questions to ask... I tried navigating through the forums, but there is sooo much information I couldnt see my answer.

~I've been told that the PLC course can guarantee me a pilot slot if I meet all of the qualifications (Physical health, Academics). Is this true? Can I be guaranteed a commission and a pilot slot after completing those 6weeks in the summer of my freshman year, and 6 weeks of my junior year?

~I also heard that being a Marine pilot means that I am a Marine first, a pilot second. I am proud to earn the title of marine, like my father before me...but flying is my calling, its the ONLY thing that I am look foward to do everyday. Don't get me wrong, I'd proudly lead a platoon, or do another career...but I thought being a pilot would be guaranteed. Would I be frequently re-assigned to different jobs?

~The Marine Corps doesn't offer that many aircraft to choose from, do I have a better chance of getting the aircraft that I want if I went AFROTC?

Please keep in mind that I am not planning on starting a family, and I do not mind long tours overseas, or frequent base changes.

Thanx for any help you can give me.

 

[Grant]

I've been told that the PLC course can guarantee me a pilot slot

Yes, its true.

The Marine Corps doesn't offer that many aircraft to choose from, do I have a better chance of getting the aircraft that I want if I went AFROTC?

The USMC is ALOT smaller than the AF, and a much different mission, so of course its aircraft inventory will reflect that accordingly.

 

[KBayDog]

I tried navigating through the forums, but there is sooo much information I couldnt see my answer.

It's there. Many, many, many, MANY times.

I thought being a pilot would be guaranteed.

No.

Would I be frequently re-assigned to different jobs?

Yes.

The Marine Corps doesn't offer that many aircraft to choose from, do I have a better chance of getting the aircraft that I want if I went AFROTC?

"Yes" if you want F-16s; "No" if you want Harriers.

 

[DocT]

http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9916

This will answer all your questions and the ones you haven't asked yet.

 

[DFuqua86]

I was in a smiliar pickle earlier this year i was trying to decide between PLC and AFROTC, i chose afrotc and have had my share of disapointments with the Air Force. While it's true that the air force has a bigger inventory of aircraft it seems to me they can be unserious as a warriors. In AFROTC you are selected for pilot nav your junior year about 30% who apply are selected nationwide, however 10 cadets were recoomended at my det and 5 got pilot 4 got nav so it varies. The Air Force is also staffed mailnly by people who fly desks,80% of officers in fact. We spend most of our AS classes learning about sexual harassment the culture is very corporate alot like the military version of OFFICE SPACE better like coffee and tps reports. That said
I have met some officers(the fighter pilots) who are top notch and the air force does have some great planes and great golf course. I myself am considering a tougher challenge in one of the other services.

 

[Mayday]

Can I be guaranteed a commission and a pilot slot after completing those 6weeks in the summer of my freshman year, and 6 weeks of my junior year?

What they mean is: yes, as long as you meet all other criteria of a Marine Corps officer. An air guarantee does not mean guaranteed wings, it means a guaranteed slot in the Navy aviation training pipeline -- provided, again, that you meet all the criteria and make it through The Basic School after OCS and aren't homosexual and stay away from drugs and don't get yourself into any other trouble and exemplify(sp) a Marine Corps officer etc etc etc...

I also heard that being a Marine pilot means that I am a Marine first, a pilot second...
...but flying is my calling, its the ONLY thing that I am look foward to do everyday...

That's not exactly what it means. Yes, the Corps is the only service that has a contractual promise to give you a shot at being an aviator as long as you honor your end. BUT, you still must be willing to put your entire life's emphasis on BEING a MARINE, not just being a "fighter pilot." If there ever was an aviator that avoided being called that, it would be a Marine. You live to support your brothers on the ground. The often-quoted 'Marine first - aviator second' line describes where your heart should be your entire career, not a chronological "duty pipeline" in which you do your time leading in the trenches before jumping in the cockpit. Heck, if it were that way, people like KBayDog would have to be pushed out onto the tarmac in wheelchairs by the time they got to primary :icon_tong .

...but I thought being a pilot would be guaranteed. Would I be frequently re-assigned to different jobs?

Again, what that means is that capital-L "Leading" becomes your primary occupation. Colateral duties is the name of the game. You'll still get a decent amount of flying under your belt, but what separates the USMC from the other services is how much you utilize your time NOT in the cockpit by actually DOING stuff. The Marine Corps doesn't have the money to pay officers to sit around on their collective a$s.

Okay, jumping down off my podium now...

 

[KBayDog]

The often-quoted 'Marine first - aviator second' line describes where your heart should be your entire career, not a chronological "duty pipeline" in which you do your time leading in the trenches before jumping in the cockpit. Heck, if it were that way, people like KBayDog would have to be pushed out onto the tarmac in wheelchairs by the time they got to primary :icon_tong .

I'll have you know that I got to Primary today and was pleasantly surprised that they found room in the budget (they knew I was coming) for a cool blue USAF-style Short Bus to ferry me to and from the flightline. Something about being eligible for the AARP discount on PFTs or something.

 

[DocT]

I believe it was Squeeze who said in the thread that I previously posted the link to: It's not a guarentee, it's a contract. I f you uphold your end (surviving OCS, TBS, etc.), the Corps will uphold theirs and you'll go to API. If you don't uphold your end of the contract, they don't owe you $hit.

 

[Harabek]

http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9916

This will answer all your questions and the ones you haven't asked yet.

Thanx that really helped out.

Don't get me wrong, I want to serve my country and I believe that the USMC is the best service to do that. Being in the AF I seen my share of AF officers...all pricks. I've talked to AF pilots on the flightline, and they've acted the same way. I dont want to serve my country pushing papers.

 

[SteveG75]

Substitue USMC for USN, but since USMC aviation is trained by the Navy, it applies: :icon_smil (Especially with one USMC Hornet squadron in each Navy air wing, just substitute cannon cocker and grunt for shoe and bubble head)

USN or USAF? by Bob Norris

Bob Norris is a former Naval aviator who also did a 3 year exchange tour flying the F-15 Eagle. He is now an accomplished author of entertaining books about US Naval Aviation including "Check Six" and "Fly-Off". Check out his web site at his web site. Click Here. In response to a letter from an aspiring fighter pilot on which military academy to attend, Bob replied with the following.

12 Feb 04

Young Man,

Congratulations on your selection to both the Naval and Air Force Academies. Your goal of becoming a fighter pilot is impressive and a fine way to serve your country. As you requested, I'd be happy to share some insight into which service would be the best choice. Each service has a distinctly different culture. You need to ask yourself "Which one am I more likely to thrive in?"

USAF Snapshot: The USAF is exceptionally well organized and well run. Their training programs are terrific. All pilots are groomed to meet high standards for knowledge and professionalism. Their aircraft are top-notch and extremely well maintained. Their facilities are excellent. Their enlisted personnel are the brightest and the best trained. The USAF is homogenous and macro. No matter where you go, you'll know what to expect, what is expected of you, and you'll be given the training & tools you need to meet those expectations. You will never be put in a situation over your head. Over a 20-year career, you will be home for most important family events. Your Mom would want you to be an Air Force pilot...so would your wife. Your Dad would want your sister to marry one.

Navy Snapshot: Aviators are part of the Navy, but so are Black shoes (surface warfare) and bubble heads (submariners). Furthermore, the Navy is split into two distinctly different Fleets (West and East Coast). The Navy is heterogeneous and micro. Your squadron is your home; it may be great, average, or awful. A squadron can go from one extreme to the other before you know it. You will spend months preparing for cruise and months on cruise. The quality of the aircraft varies directly with the availability of parts. Senior Navy enlisted are salt of the earth; you'll be proud if you earn their respect. Junior enlisted vary from terrific to the troubled kid the judge made join the service. You will be given the opportunity to lead these people during your career; you will be humbled and get your hands dirty. The quality of your training will vary and sometimes you will be over your head. You will miss many important family events. There will be long stretches of tedious duty aboard ship. You will fly in very bad weather and/or at night and you will be scared many times. You will fly with legends in the Navy and they will kick your ass until you become a lethal force. And some days - when the scheduling Gods have smiled upon you - your jet will catapult into a glorious morning over a far-away sea and you will be drop-jawed that someone would pay you to do it. The hottest girl in the bar wants to meet the Naval Aviator. That bar is in Singapore.

Bottom line, son, if you gotta ask...pack warm & good luck in Colorado.

Banzai

PS Air Force pilots wear scarves and iron their flight suits.

http://www.tailhook.org/USN USAF.html

Of course, I have have heard Marines say that the hottest girl in the bar in Singapore is actually a ....................guy. But that may have to do with the bars that the Marines were hanging out in.......(can you say Orchard Towers, boys and katoys).

 

[Harabek]

Your basically telling me that the AF is for families and the USN is not for kids. Someone once told me that nothing worth doing in life is ever easy... I'm gonna do my best in PLC and in flight training.

 

[ANGLICOSAILOR]

Your basically telling me that the AF is for families and the USN is not for kids. Someone once told me that nothing worth doing in life is ever easy... I'm gonna do my best in PLC and in flight training.

Hey brother I'm a shoe and I'm also with ANGLICO, we control air, so we've got Marine Aviators and Artillery guys along with some SWO's and Infantry. Its a special unit. We work with the AF periodically. Our biggest complaint about the Air Force is that they don't really think out of the Box too much. Things have to go according to plan and they typically won't deviate. Naval Aviators especially USMC guys are trained for CAS and have the attitude of Semper Gumby. To put in ground terms, we would rather be dealing with Naval Aviators in a pinch, than AF or Army. So good luck....

 

[KBayDog]

Your basically telling me that the AF is for families and the USN is not for kids. Someone once told me that nothing worth doing in life is ever easy... I'm gonna do my best in PLC and in flight training.

That article is amusing, but remember that each service requires frequent moves and separations (some more than others, of course - the Naval services tend to be forward deployed). It is a fact of military life.

Glad to hear that you are going to do your best. That's all they can ask of you, and that's all you can give.