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Marines G4

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Proud to serve

Hobit said:
CX880,

#3 Go for what makes you happy when you are given the choices available to you after all the chips fall on selection night. The advice I got was: 'pick the coolest thing you can on selection night because it's not necessarily what you will retire in.' That advice was great for me. Remember, you are picking a Mission and Lifestyle, not just an airframe. No matter what you select, you'll be serving with GREAT folks and that is a benefit all its own. Work hard and ENJOY as much of it as you can. The reward is well worth the effort.
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Bingo, #3 says it all, no matter what you end up flying, you will proud to part of that unit. In later life you will look back at the first squadron tour as one of the most meaningful expereinces of your life. I wish you best, there is an honor serving that you only understand if you do it.
 
CX880 said:
Click here. Plus the many other vip units they have. No FA18s though.
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Yes, you are correct in that the Army does have Gulfstreams. However, for a prospective/future Army Aviator to feel they can attain an assignment as a C-20, C-37, or UC-35 pilot fresh out of flight school or early in their career is lunacy. That is where you are wrong in your advice. Also, Lynx wants to be a US Marine that flies why steer him differently?

Check the May 2009, Professional Pilot (Page 70) magazine article about USAPAT. You'll see in that article that most of the pilots in USAPAT are Master Army Aviators. (15 years after flight school and >2000 hours) with a few tours as Fixed Wing pilots. They are also chosen by USAPAT from a list of names sent to them by D.A. It's NOT a place for new aviators fresh from Rucker.

The Normal Army VIP units (Guard, Reserve, or Active Duty) are also something an Army Aviator sees after a few Rotary Wing assignments. There are a few who've gotten VIP early on but they are by far the exception, not the rule.

Either way this is tangential as Lynx is going to be a US Marine. And he'll do a fine job.

Thanks for giving me an opportunity to clear up my post. Now, back to the topic at hand.
 
I have found most squadrons to be pretty much the same no matter what was parked out on the ramp, and most aviators took pride in whatever mission they were performing. Its all about supporting Marines on the ground, even if its VIP in a Gulfstream.

I will also second what was said about infantry officers. They tend to be pretty sharp guys and dedicated professionals. You have enormous responsibility as a 2LT infantry officer, far beyond not crashing and learning your aircraft. No one expects much of a nugget pilot, but in the infrantry you get a whole platoon of Marines when you are fresh out of TBS. Its one thing to look like an idiot and make mistakes in front of an IP or ATC, its a whole other thing to make mistakes in front of 30 or 40 guys you are to lead into combat.
 
Well said cobra and cavemen I understand the reality of not doing infantry just because I wash, but what I'm stuck between is what I want to do first. Infantry or Aviation? I ponder it all day at work.
 
One Bullet Away

Lynxman said:
Well said cobra and cavemen I understand the reality of not doing infantry just because I wash, but what I'm stuck between is what I want to do first. Infantry or Aviation? I ponder it all day at work.
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Read One Bullet Away. A good look at a 2nd LT Infantry Platoon Leader.
 
I didn't think you could get an infantry gaurantee for Marine Corps officers. I thought selection of career field happened after TBS, unless you're an aviator. You go through TBS then they give you a rifle platoon or logistics or STD expert, etc. My information is probably out of date and as an Airman I didn't exactly note all of the details of the war stories. Anybody with current info care to correct or verify?
 
Lynxman said:
Well said cobra and cavemen I understand the reality of not doing infantry just because I wash, but what I'm stuck between is what I want to do first. Infantry or Aviation? I ponder it all day at work.
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Do both, sort of. Become an aviator then request a tour as a FAC or ALO (if they still have those). Too bad the Corps still doesn't have OV-10's. Those guys would often spend up to a year with an infantry unit learning the ropes before they started flying missions.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1995/FEF.htm
 
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Be 23 said:
I didn't think you could get an infantry gaurantee for Marine Corps officers. I thought selection of career field happened after TBS, unless you're an aviator. You go through TBS then they give you a rifle platoon or logistics or STD expert, etc. My information is probably out of date and as an Airman I didn't exactly note all of the details of the war stories. Anybody with current info care to correct or verify?[/QUOTE

availability of every and all MOSs will always be contingent on the current needs of the Corps. But you are right, there are no Infantry guarantees,only aviation,and MOS selection occurs toward the end of TBS.Thats the way it was done traditionaly.
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Lynxman said:
Well said cobra and cavemen I understand the reality of not doing infantry just because I wash, but what I'm stuck between is what I want to do first. Infantry or Aviation? I ponder it all day at work.
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Lynxman, you will have six months of TBS to make up your mind. Several aspiring infantry guys wanted nothing to do with it after playing 0311 for six months. On the other hand, if you really like it, you can turn in your air contract and put Infantry on your dream sheet. My staff platoon cdr. suggested I do what you are thinking about. I politely declined and wound up as a FAC in a straight leg grunt battalion six years later anyways. The battalion was a great place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there the rest of my career. Keep your contract for now. If you want to turn it in after playing grunt then so be it. You are lucky that you will have the choice. A bunch of your TBS buddies would gladly take your contract if you don't want it.
 
So today I got some info that this summer's OCS was all they needed to reach quota. Apparently this means there is a good chance I'm not going to be able to go to OCS in January, at least that's the vibe I'm starting to feel. I feel like I just got hit with a freight train when I got this news. In fact I have to meet up with my oso tomorrow and the rumor has it they might tell me to enlist pick an mos an after that put in for OCS since I'll have a degree. Not to knock the enlisted boots because I have upmost respect for them, but I just don't think thats a good use for me after having gone through college. Like I said I'm not trying to step on anyones feet, but any info would be greatly appreciated.
 
Hang in there,talk to your OSO,he will give you the straight skinny.Trust me,I'm sure they will be running at least one class through Q-town in 2010.
 
I'm hearing a rumor they want me to enlist. My roommate just hung out with the gunny at my oso last night and that's what he was telling him.
 
There will be no guarantees if you enlist,just PI,the needs of the Corps ,most likely infantry after that.If you want to be an officer,and you want to fly ,pursue those tracks, there has to be open quotas for 2010 sometime during the year. Hang in there. Take your time ,and decide what you want.Best of luck to you. I loved my time in the Marines. PM me if you have any more questions.
 
Needs of Service

Aaa yes, the ole needs of the service. Used to be class standing had something to do with your selection, but I don't think it works that way anymore.
 
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Lynxman said:
So today I got some info that this summer's OCS was all they needed to reach quota. Apparently this means there is a good chance I'm not going to be able to go to OCS in January, at least that's the vibe I'm starting to feel. I feel like I just got hit with a freight train when I got this news. In fact I have to meet up with my oso tomorrow and the rumor has it they might tell me to enlist pick an mos an after that put in for OCS since I'll have a degree. Not to knock the enlisted boots because I have upmost respect for them, but I just don't think thats a good use for me after having gone through college. Like I said I'm not trying to step on anyones feet, but any info would be greatly appreciated.
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Enlisting and OCS have nothing to do with each other. In fact if you are active duty enlisted the competition for OCS is tougher because you will probably be an E-3 or E-4 competing against experienced E-5's and E-6's. Unless the rules have changed I think you need to be an E-5 to even apply for OCS, and that is when they have OCS boards which may be only once or twice a year.

I think you should stick it out. Not everyone that says they are going to OCS actually shows up, so there may be shortfalls and you could get a call out of the blue. Keep badgering your OSO too. If you show you are interested and haven't just given up they may go the extra mile. I had some problems with my flight physical when I applied and was turned down. I filed for a waiver and kept calling my OSO and eventually he went to bat for me first with the Recruiting Distrct CO, who called some Colonel, who called NOMI(?) and so on and so on, and eventually I got a waiver issued. If by mid December you don't hear anything about the January class and are still thinking about enlisting then go Marine Corps Reserve instead of active duty and apply for OCS from there.
 

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