Marine Aviation Question

[Occam's Razor]

"Career progression" in the Marine Corps is not dependent upon your MOS. When there is a shortage in your MOS, you'll stay in a fleet billet. When there is a surplus (or a higher priority need) you'll find yourself filling in the gaps. With the exception of lawyers and a few other single-mission specialists (if you speak Farsi right now, you are a 2600, and ain't going nowhere else!) everybody is fair game for almost everything else.

That is one of the cool things about the Corps, and to a few that are unable to see the big picture, one of the most aggravating.

 

[AVDAD]

Thanks for the reply however I'm not sure if I understand the system here. Number two son is doing well at Canoe U, boat school or whatever. He has made up his mind to go USMC. He is trying aviation out to see if the gene has been retained. It was my perception from what has been discussed and discussed on the "parent boards" that since he is doing well he will probably get his first choice which may be Marine Aviation. If I read your post right you are saying that if the Marines need trivits then it doesn't matter what he "got" at USNA he's going to make trivits. Is this correct?

Thanks for all the information folks, I really appreciate the education.

Avdad

 

[727C47]

I miss the Corps , great reading all the above, former 0302, they didn't have LASIK back in '82 ! Best of luck to your son,Godspeed !

 

[skiddriver]

Thanks for the reply however I'm not sure if I understand the system here. Number two son is doing well at Canoe U, boat school or whatever. He has made up his mind to go USMC. He is trying aviation out to see if the gene has been retained. It was my perception from what has been discussed and discussed on the "parent boards" that since he is doing well he will probably get his first choice which may be Marine Aviation. If I read your post right you are saying that if the Marines need trivits then it doesn't matter what he "got" at USNA he's going to make trivits. Is this correct?

Thanks for all the information folks, I really appreciate the education.

Avdad

If he selects for Marine air and stays PQ then he will get a slot at flight school. If the training pipeline backs up, he may get a slot tour while he is waiting. His commitment starts at winging minus six-months for TBS, so waiting around does have a negative effect, but if he keeps his eyes and his ticker sound, he'll get his chance at flight school.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Do a lot of research

A little dated, but when I went through about a dozen years ago one could get a flight contract from the Marine Corps saying that following TBS, you were off to flight school. It was pretty solid. You did not have to "select" aviation while in TBS since you (and the USMC) knew where you were going. In TBS, there were only about 3 other slots for the other 200+ or so guys to fight over (not that everyone wanted to go fly, some wanted to keep their feet on the ground).

My commitment was 8 years after winging, however, the commitment term ebbs and flows based on manpower. No credit for TBS. I can't help but recommend jets to a young Marine, but I bet he'd love whatever he gets to fly. Feel free to PM me for more info. I'd much rather chat on the phone than type.

 

[Occam's Razor]

If I read your post right you are saying that if the Marines need trivits then it doesn't matter what he "got" at USNA he's going to make trivits. Is this correct.

My post addressed what happens after he's winged and in the Fleet. When a need arises for a body, the "every Marine a rifleman" axiom is executed. I chafed against it at first (sent to a USN squadron to get my LSO qual), but warmed to it (Air Officer for an infantry battalion) as I matured as a Marine officer.

The wisest Marine I ever met put it in perspective for me:

"Sometimes it's not who you are, what you are, or even how good you are...it's simply when you are."

 

[AVDAD]

This is going to be interesting!

Received a call from the future pilot Wednesday evening, it seems that he broke his left hand (middle finger metacarpal) while weight lifting. That should make holding the yoke interesting.

He did get the info on the career starter loan. any ideas in that area to pass on?

Have a great day and fly safe,

AvDad

 

[FlyingSkip]

Buy a porsche---that's what I did. Great training for flying something high performance, and hey...a couple years in he'll get married and drive a minivan so better to enjoy it while he can!

 

[SIG600]

If he's smart he won't take that loan at all. The 500 dollar payment for several years as a JO/student isn't worth blowing it all on something rediculous.

 

[flyboyike]

Question for everyone: an older friend of mine retired from the Navy just short of Captain some years ago. He was telling me that one of his duty assignments was flying a C-118 with an Air Force squadron. Does this sort of thing still happen? Also, how would one go about getting a C-40 gig?