Applying for Marine OCS and ANG

[Hawker1]

Is it ok to apply to both services? In my case, it's Marine OCS and ANG UPT slot. What are some things I need to consider?

 

[Hawker1]

Bump

 

[BeechScrub]

Gotta question for you: If you are willing to commit to active-duty Marine Corps, what's stopping you from commiting to active-duty Air Force?

I don't see a problem applying to two services. I'm sure some of the folks on this board have done the same. I applied to AD Air Force, AFRES, and ANG. If I were you, I would make it clear to your recruiter that you're doing this.

 

[Hawker1]

Gotta question for you: If you are willing to commit to active-duty Marine Corps, what's stopping you from commiting to active-duty Air Force?

I don't see a problem applying to two services. I'm sure some of the folks on this board have done the same. I applied to AD Air Force, AFRES, and ANG. If I were you, I would make it clear to your recruiter that you're doing this.

It's not that I wouldn't be willing to go AD Air Force. I have an application pending for AD Marines, and I thought I'd give the ANG a shot, since everyone says it's the best way to go. AD Air Force is 10 year comittment, where as the Marines is 8 years. I don't know how hard it is to get and AD AF JSUPT slot? I feel confident that I could get accepted into the Marines, but not so sure about the AD AF. I'm calling the Maj. at the ANG unit in my town today, and I'll see what he has to say...

 

[BeechScrub]

IMHO, there isn't any best way to go. From what I've heard and seen, the best service is the one you're in. The ANG is great, but you'll have to also find a full time job if you can't survive guard bumming. Yeah, the commitment is 10 years for the AF and the ANG. However, in the Marine Corps, it will take you longer to get your wings due to the basic course and the speed of Navy flight training, and that's when the commitment starts. I would say the competition is far more tough for an ANG slot than an AD slot. Apply to whoever you're interested in, but do your research before you commit (obviously). Ask yourself what you want to fly (most Marines go to rotor-wing), where you want to live, how you want to live, and what you want to be doing when you're not flying. Of course, I'm biased because I'm going in the Air Force, so talk to guys who fly for all of the services.

 

[Hawker1]

Thanks for the great words of wisdom. I'll continue to see what my options are, and what I want to do.

 

[Jafar]

... AD Air Force is 10 year comittment, where as the Marines is 8 years...

More accurate statement:

AD Air Force is 10 years from commissioning. Marine Corps is 8 years from winging.

Air Force is most likely the shorter of the two commitments, but not by much. In the Corps, you probably won't be winged for two years or more from the time you are commisioned. 6 months at TBS, god knows how long you'll wait to go to TBS, then indoc, then primary, and you aren't winged until after advanced, whether its jets, props, or helos.

My .02 cents, go Air Force. I was a Marine for some time, and considered going the officer route in order to fly. (I've been through and graduted from PLC juniors, which is probably the program you are looking at I assume, that or OCC.)

Remember what usmc33 had to say in my thread? Heed it. I know his story very well. I also know my own.

 

[BeechScrub]

I'm reasonably certain that the Air Force starts the commitment you get your wings.

 

[Jafar]

Well that's the information I was given by my AFROTC Det.

Upon further examination I've found I may have been mistaken. I've seen sources that say the ten years begins after SUPT. If that is the case, I stand corrected, and apologize, before anyone else tells me I'm screwed up.

I firmly stand behind the remainder of my post, however.

 

[pony251]

Hawker,
Think of it this way: If you want to be a Marine that happens to fly then join the Corps. If you want to be a pilot then join the air force.
There are hundreds of stories from people who had bad experiences in both services just as there are those who had the time of their lives. Most of us fall somewhere in between the two extremes. Either service will make you sweat blood and tears to get your wings. Either way, the only way to get exactly what you want is to be the #1 guy. If your not him then you are rolling the dice. If that prospect scares you then fly cessnas. Neither service has to promise you jack. Just like the airlines, there are a million guys who want to join. Good luck.

 

[C12Driver]

Hawker,

You should not consider the Marine Corps unless you are fired up about being a Marine Officer and would be happy being a helo driver for the next ten years. It takes 3 years to finish flight school followed by a 6 year committment. More than half of the Marine Corps aircraft are helicopters. Helicopters require 2 pilots while jets are single pilotted. (Way more helobubbas tha jetguys) That means that you must be in the top 25% of pilots in flight school to fly fixed wing in the Marine Corps.

Trust me, I have been down that road. I don't know you, but unless you got a 1400 on the SAT, an instrument rating, and a couple hundred hours you ain't in the top 25%.

Bottom line. If you want to be a pilot join the Air Force. If you want to be a Marine join the Corps.

C12Driver
USMC CH-46E

 

[Hawker1]

Thanks, C12. I sent you a PM.

 

[tele_pilot]

USMC Flight Training

Was in flight school about 13 yrs ago. I assume the breakdown is about the same today..about 10% end up in C130s, 60% in helos, and 30% in jets...ANG would give you a better chance of fixed-wing if that is what you want. After primary (about 6 mos if everything is on schedule), youu select a pipeline....There is a minimum grade level you need to get jets. Some weeks several guys finish with high grades, but if there are no jet slots, they end up in a different pipleline. You might finish the next week with barely having jet grades and get jets...Alot of variables in the week you select for the pipeline, and how the instructors you fly with grade you. You definately have to go in with the idea of being a Marine first, and an aviator second. Most guys usually end up with a non-flying job for a year or so somewhere in their initial contract.

 

[Hope53]

tele_pilot, 13 years ago & 200 hours. Not really the guy to be giving the current info on Navy Flight School. As for selections, they try to be a lot more consistent than you portray. Everyone has a guy they knew story, but this is definitely not the rule.

With that being said, if you to be a pilot join the AF or ANG. If you want to be a Marine who gets to fly sometimes, go Marines.