How to Become a Marine Pilot

Marine Corps pilots are among the elite who wear the Wings of Gold. They fly fixed-wing, rotary-wing and even tilt-rotor aircraft. It is a long and difficult road to become a Marine pilot, but for those who love to fly and who have the desire to be leaders in the Marine Corps it is well worth the effort.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Decide if you wish to become a Marine Corps officer. Every Marine pilot is an officer first. Although you may want to become a pilot, there are no guarantees that you will get your first choice.

2. Research the different commissioning paths. The Officer Candidate Course is the method for college graduates. If you are currently in college, look into Platoon Leaders Class or NROTC. If you are still in high school and have the desire, attempt to earn an appointment to the United States Naval Academy.

3. Check the flight eligibility requirements in addition to the officer program requirements. You must meet both sets of requirements if you want to fly. The medical requirements will be more stringent for pilots.

4. Apply to the commissioning program of your choice. If you apply for NROTC you must apply separately to the college of your choice. Begin the application process online through the Marine or Naval Academy Web site.

5. Complete your commissioning program and enter The Basic School or TBS. TBS is a six-month program where you learn to lead Marines. Officers choose their Military Occupational Specialty based on their performance at TBS.

6. Choose Marine pilot as your specialty out of TBS. Naval Academy graduates will pick their specialty at the Naval Academy.

7. Attend and complete flight training in Pensacola. After your initial training you will pick if you want to fly helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft. Eventually, you will get to choose the specific aircraft.

Tips & Warnings

• The officer programs are competitive. Work hard on grades, test scores, fitness and extracurricular activities. The Marines want well-rounded leaders.
• Be in good physical shape no matter which path you choose.
• Perform as well as possible throughout the process. At each step career choices are based on individual performance, preference and the needs of the Marine Corps.
• The Marine Corps has the last say in what you do in the Marine Corps. They need more ground officers than pilots.
• Not everyone can fly jets. Be ready to fly helicopters too.