Marine Officer

[brkres]

I have a question regarding joining the Marines after college. They have a program(I think it is called PLC or OCO) that is for people in college. What my question is that I am interested in Fed. LE for a career and if my understanding is correct Fed. agencies like people with military experience. Another question I have is that I would be interested in doing the aviation part of the marines and am wondering what is invovled in that program and do you obtain your pilot's certificate from the FAA. Any information will be helpful.

Thanks,
Bret Kressin

[WILawman]

If a career in Federal Law Enforcement is your desire military service will definitely look good on an application. It might even put you a step above applicants with only a bachelors degree.

If you are just wanting military experience than the Marines is the service to go if you want to get into shape and learn some dicipline. (Trained killing machine :) )

However, if you are wanting to dabble in federal law enforcement, than Coast Guard OCS would be the way to go. If and when you graduate, depending on where you are stationed, you will go to a school for law enforcement.

Another question I have is that I would be interested in doing the aviation part of the marines and am wondering what is invovled in that program and do you obtain your pilot's certificate from the FAA.

Now if aviation is all you want to do in the military than you need to call each branch of the service and tell them you are interested in receiving an FAA certification. Make sure you contact a person involved in the aviation program because recruiters might not be aware of the answer. See if the training in aviation that you will receive in the military will go towards an FAA certification. I don't know how many hours flying you need, but Good Luck!

[KA12345]

In the Army, and I'm sure it is the same in all branches of service, you must take an FAA test called the Military Competency Exam. After you are a Rated Aviator and have your military flight records are evaluated by an FAA Examiner you will be awarded a commercial/instument ticket. With the Army flying helicopters you are looking at 14-18 months of training and a little longer with the Air Force, Navy, and Marines. As far as going to a recruiter, be careful. It is a lot of work to process a flight applicant and many either don't know how or don't really want to go out of their way to get you to flight school.

[CA_ARNG_LT]

In the Army, while working on your BA you can become an aviation officer. The FAA cert is optional and most receive it but I do beleive you have to seek it out on your own with little or no payment simply testing. If you are only a junior, ROTC is one opportunity because you can still take your 2 years to complete the program. Active duty time as an officer will look extremely good. Also, if you simply want the aviation and flight experience the National guard or Air Guard is an option through ROTC. You sign the contract and find a unit that needs a pilot and have them write a letter of acceptence and put it in your assessions packet. All reserve, aand guard guys receive the choice of branch. If you go active duty you have to compete for your branch, and aviation is high competition, best of the best... that workout program better be a good one.

If you have or will soon have your degree federal OCS (officer candidate school) is your best bet. Again you will have to find a unit of acceptence and the program is 6 weeks plus basic training then on to aviation school total time active will be close to two years then on to guard time.

Feds work very well with guard/reserve guys and normally pay you your salary while you are on mil duty. You get to duble dip and lose no vacation or holiday pay.

Good luck... Military service is always a excellent idea...

[brkres]

Thanks for the advice, I'll be sure to make sure the that when I talk to the recuirter that I make sure to watch out and make sure that they understand that I want to go into the aviation program.

[RoscoeRuhl]

While it's very possible to go from high school to flight school, it's a highly competative process. It's also time consuming. All recruiters know what's involved and can provide the details. The reason they don't like to process flight packets is because of the time and also because it's no fun processing someone, getting them qualified, the slot and then they can't make to decision to sign the papers. Anyone involved in the recruiting business knows exactly what I'm talking about! The first step beyond the ASVAB test is the FAST test (flight aptitude skills) and then the flight physical. If you're not willing to make an investment of at least 4 years of your life (beyond training), don't bother applying. The government is going to spend alot of money and they want a return on their investment. If you're just wanting FAA certification, save your pennies!

Have a great day!

[phrogdriver]

I'm a Marine helicopter pilot currently on deployment. The two most popular Marine officer programs are PLC and OCC. PLC is usually two 6-week sessions of Officer Candidates School, split between two summers in college. OCC is one ten week class for those who already have a bachelor's. I was commissioned through Marine option Naval ROTC, which only has one 6-week OCS session, but involves classes and drill during the school year and other training during the summers. All three offer aviation "guarantees," but NROTC will only give one once you're already in the program.

PLC used to give 10 free hours of flight instruction at a private facility as part of the program. I don't know if they still do that. It was more of a recruiting teaser than a serious training program, as you can't get any kind of licence with that amount of instruction.

Whichever course you choose, once commissioned a second lieutenant, you'll go to 6 months of The Basic School in Quantico, VA. It's mostly infantry tactics, general military knowledge, and leadership training. If you don't already have an aviation contract by TBS, air slots are very limited.

Flight school takes from 1 to 2 years, depending on how crowded the pipeline is and which type of aircraft you choose/are selected for. Picking up the appropriate commercial licence is simply a matter of paying a nominal fee and taking a fairly short (about 1/2 to 1 hour) test at a testing facility after graduation. I got my single-engine airplane and rotorcraft commercial and IFR tickets that way.

Of course, a certain contractual obligation is necessary, but nothing in life is free, is it?

[brkres]

Phrogdriver,
Do you need uncorrected 20/20 vision to be a helicopter pilot?

Thanks,
Bret

[KA12345]

brkres,

No...at least in the Army. Not sure as to the other services requirements. As a matter of fact they are allowing some students to come to flight school that have underwent corrective surgery, as some sort test subjects.


K

[phrogdriver]

The Navy and Marine Corps both require 20/20 for pilot training for all platforms. Like just about anything else, it can be waived, but waivers are somewhat difficult to get, and they usually don't waive that much, e.g. if you're 20/30, you have a good chance, but if you're 20/100, forget it. Once you've started training, your eyes can pretty much go to hell, as long as they're still correctable to 20/20.

[Boy]

Can someone tell me what federal OCS is?
I am looking to join the Armed Forces, I'm 30 have a wife and 2 kids, have a Masters degree and am looking for the best rout for me and family. Can anyone give some advise. Thanks

[CA_ARNG_LT]

It is simply a 6 week officer candidate school. Your income is paid federally and you can do reserve or active duty after completion. If you dont have any prior military service you will go to basic training prior to OCS. If you are prior service and have a degree you can just go straight through the 6 week OCS. So your family will have to go 8 weeks without you for basic (if it is still 8 weeks) and then 6 more for OCS. Quickest route to become an officer in the Army. I am sure they are similar for other branches. It is 14 weeks of BS but necessary to make an officer out of a civilian. You should find out all the pros and cons of officer work before you make the decision. I know enough officers who should have never become officers. It is an important job, it shouldnt be taken lightly. Good Luck!