Infantry Officer or Pilot

USMCGrunt said:
+1 to Hoops who is right on point as always. I did want to highlight her comment on injuries.

The Infantry Officer Course is a tough course. There are lots of injuries, strains, and pains. We didn't have air contracts join us in my day but you may not want to run the risk of injury. Its a decision for later in this long journey.

Frankly, I can't imagine why anyone would want to do anything other than Infantry but that is a topic for another day...
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I’ll just have to wait and see how it works out. I know officers that chose to not attend IOC before flight school because of injury risk, but as of now I’m not worried about it. We’ll see if my mentality changes over the next couple of years. I figured if I stayed ahead of the training and kept my body in amazing shape, it could be done without too much pain, but I really don’t know much on IOC. As I get closer to that decision and make up my mind, I will have Most likely already attended OCS. Anyways thanks!
 
USMCGrunt said:
+1 to Hoops who is right on point as always. I did want to highlight her comment on injuries.

The Infantry Officer Course is a tough course. There are lots of injuries, strains, and pains. We didn't have air contracts join us in my day but you may not want to run the risk of injury. Its a decision for later in this long journey.

Frankly, I can't imagine why anyone would want to do anything other than Infantry but that is a topic for another day...
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That day is today. INFANTRY! ;)
 
You will definitely pushed physically at IOC from what I saw them go through. My ex boyfriend was an instructor there so I got a decent glimpse at it. TBS physically wasn’t crazy bad, but no matter how good of shape you are in, it’s hard to know how your body will react to 100+ lbs in your back. It does a number on your body, especially when exhausted on little sleep and food in 30 degrees. But, nothing a Lt can’t handle. I don’t remember the Quigley being a part of TBS. I started in July and finished in Jan, although we did zero in Jan. We had some of the longer field ops in Nov/Dec in the cold. They watched closely for temp issues. We crossed a river for an assault once and nearly all of us got hypothermia, but it was handled well. They graduated 2/3 of the company prior to the Christmas break so they could go to MOS school right after the holiday. So Jan we sat around, worked out on our own and slept a lot. Was a nice break to be honest.
 
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I can confirm that the Quigley is a OCS swimming hole only. However, depending on the time of year, you can find yourself wet and freezing cold at TBS and IOC - or enjoying black flag days with the heat and humidity. There is something for everyone!
 
Brother man, take things one step at a time. Its good that you're thinking about what you want to do now, but we have to get you through college, then OCS, and then TBS, and then most likely if you're an aviation contract, just Flight School.

As far as attending IOC because it will help you be a FAC, every FAC I've ever had was appreciated for their proficiency in controlling aviation fires, not because they were kicking doors. As an 0302, graduating IOC is impressive for about as long as the graduation ceremony takes. Your Marines, peers, and superiors will stop caring almost immediately.

If you want an aviation contract because its always been your dream to fly, pursue the aviation contract. I haven't heard of aviators attending IOC since long before I graduated. It was a function of a massive surge of personnel and long wait times to attend training. I wanted to be a grunt, so I went and became a grunt. You want to be a pilot, go be a pilot. The Marine Corps wins because each community does what they do better than anyone else, and they do it together.
 
Recruiting Station XO said:
Brother man, take things one step at a time. Its good that you're thinking about what you want to do now, but we have to get you through college, then OCS, and then TBS, and then most likely if you're an aviation contract, just Flight School.

As far as attending IOC because it will help you be a FAC, every FAC I've ever had was appreciated for their proficiency in controlling aviation fires, not because they were kicking doors. As an 0302, graduating IOC is impressive for about as long as the graduation ceremony takes. Your Marines, peers, and superiors will stop caring almost immediately.

If you want an aviation contract because its always been your dream to fly, pursue the aviation contract. I haven't heard of aviators attending IOC since long before I graduated. It was a function of a massive surge of personnel and long wait times to attend training. I wanted to be a grunt, so I went and became a grunt. You want to be a pilot, go be a pilot. The Marine Corps wins because each community does what they do better than anyone else, and they do it together.
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Helps a ton. I’m confident in my abilities as a leader and as an athlete I can take on the challenge of NROTC. I 100% agree with one step at a time. I didn’t know FACs go through IOC. I really appreciate you saying this, it gives me another way of looking at it. Thank you sir.
 
tpaine7 said:
Helps a ton. I’m confident in my abilities as a leader and as an athlete I can take on the challenge of NROTC. I 100% agree with one step at a time. I didn’t know FACs go through IOC. I really appreciate you saying this, it gives me another way of looking at it. Thank you sir.
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To clarify, FACs don't go through IOC. They will attend the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) course after completing a tour with a squadron, then be assigned to an infantry battalion. Any sort of infantry training they receive will be from TBS and resident with their battalion. The Air O's and FACs definitely can bring some much needed chill to the units.
 
Recruiting Station XO said:
The Air O's and FACs definitely can bring some much needed chill to the units.
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I always got a laugh at these guys when we went on forced marches or out to the field. They were hurting pretty bad at the beginning of those tours but sucked it up and represented the Air/Artillery communities well.
 
Devil Doc said:
Surely a Marine officer here will correct me if I’m wrong.
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Doc: You're not wrong...As I remind my wife, "I'm never wrong, only misinformed"!;)
And I'm never late, only behind schedule:rolleyes:
 
Wishful said:
Doc: You're not wrong...As I remind my wife, "I'm never wrong, only misinformed"!;)
And I'm never late, only behind schedule:rolleyes:
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From Rules as They Apply to the Chief:

THE CHIEF IS ALWAYS RIGHT.
IN THE IMPOSSIBLE HYPOTHESIS THAT A SUBORDINATE MAY BE RIGHT, SEE ABOVE.
THE CHIEF DOES NOT SLEEP, HE RESTS.
THE CHIEF IS NEVER LATE, HE IS DETAINED ELSEWHERE.
THE CHIEF NEVER LEAVES WORK, HIS PRESENCE IS REQUIRED ELSEWHERE.
THE CHIEF NEVER READS THE PAPER IN THE MESS, HE STUDIES.
THE CHIEF NEVER GOES ON LIBERTY WITH HIS JUNIORS, HE CONDUCTS TRAINING SESSIONS.
WHOEVER CONFRONTS THE CHIEF WITH AN IDEA OF HIS OWN, MUST LEAVE WITH THE CHIEF'S IDEA.
THE CHIEF IS ALWAYS THE CHIEF, EVEN IN HIS SHOWER SHOES
 
Just like a Navy Chief to change the conversation from Marine Infantry/ Pilot to one of about them self.
 
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