NROTC Marine Corp "guaranteed" aviation contracts.

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CessnaEnthusiast04

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How competitive is getting a "guaranteed" aviation contract in the USMC through an NROTC program? Right now I am in AFROTC, and the concept of a guaranteed flight slot seems appealing.
 
Can’t speak to the guarantee, but with DD in the USMC, can speak to the culture. Make sure that, above and beyond being an aviator, you’re ready and willing to be a Marine. Their culture is unique and distinct and not for everyone. You’ll be a Marine first, an aviator second. And everything you do will be in support of the rifleman on the ground. If this is what you want, then great. But go in with eyes wide open. From what I’ve read and heard, the cultural difference between USMC and USAFA may be the biggest among the branches.
 
My DS is a NROTC-MO Aviation Contract. Pass a pre-flight physical and pass the ASTB. Not sure if it's guaranteed or not.

What year are you and are you on AFROTC Scholarship? I think you must be contracted or PLC to get offered an Aviation slot
 
Also, AFROTC and being a Marine option MIDN are completely different. Obviously I don't know you or your physical ability, but please make sure you are the right fit both personality and physical fitness wise. I'd hate to see you make the jump and regret it.

I'd recommend doing PT with Marine options a few times before seriously considering the jump
 
CessnaEnthusiast04 said:
How competitive is getting a "guaranteed" aviation contract in the USMC through an NROTC program? Right now I am in AFROTC, and the concept of a guaranteed flight slot seems appealing.
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Also, from what I understand, about half of Marine aviators fly helicopters, so you'd need to definitely be open to that.
 
Have you passed a flight physical? Better know if you are even able to be aviation before you make career-based decisions.
 
CessnaEnthusiast04 said:
Helicopters are my first choice, and I have a class II FAA medical flight physical, however no military flight physical yet.
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Give some consideration to Coast Guard. They fly a lot of helos. Not sure how you'd swing it though, you'd either have to get admitted to the academy and start over as a 4C, or maybe get a degree and apply to OCS with the explicit aim of flying. There's also CSPI which is for anyone attending minority-serving schools, but that's a small program and you'd likely have to transfer.
 
StPaulDad said:
Give some consideration to Coast Guard. They fly a lot of helos. Not sure how you'd swing it though, you'd either have to get admitted to the academy and start over as a 4C, or maybe get a degree and apply to OCS with the explicit aim of flying. There's also CSPI which is for anyone attending minority-serving schools, but that's a small program and you'd likely have to transfer.
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I applied to USCGA as well, but wasn't accepted. I will certainly consider OCS if rotc doesn't work out for me, but it has been my understanding that flight slots are hard to come by in USCG OCS, much like the other branches
 
CessnaEnthusiast04 said:
I applied to USCGA as well, but wasn't accepted. I will certainly consider OCS if rotc doesn't work out for me, but it has been my understanding that flight slots are hard to come by in USCG OCS, much like the other branches
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Don't forget about USMC PLC. There are many paths to commission. Aviation slots should work the same in the PLC program as the national scholarship pool.
 
Go PLC PLC PLC, NOT NROTC-MO.
PLC has better chances than NROTC-MO and even USNA. You CAN Contract PLC "Aviation" right from the get-go AS A FRESHMAN. In some cases years before NROTC-MO and USNA Students. Before you sign the Aviation PLC Guarantee you will complete the Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB-E) and a Flight Physical. We have a family friend who PLC Aviation Contracted Freshman Year. The current monthly pay is the E-5 Rate. The first summer first half OCS, 2nd Summer 2nd half OCS, then after Grad/Commissioning TBS. then off to flight school.
I have a PLC Contact here in Miami/Fort Lauderdale. Message me for contact details.
 
Here is an official source for Marine PLC path:


To the OP: Be sure you 100% want to be a Marine first. They have a strong, unique culture, and you will not be happy unless you understand the glue that holds them together and want to be part of that above all else. Military aviators do not spend all their time in the cockpit. There are ground duties, non-flying tours, staff jobs.

Just for fun, I’ve listed the Marine officer performance evaluation form link. I have always admired how they spell out in detail exactly what they expect from a Marine officer. Reading in detail through the entire document will give you an idea of how concentrated and resolute that culture is. Note too, as far as I can tell, there is no individual category dedicated to airmanship; that is a professional skill. The leadership traits and professional acumen are what’s important.

 
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