Originally Posted by mtsupilot09
I spoke to a Marine recruiter this morning who came to the aerospace building. He was telling me about a program that they have were you graduate college, go to OCS, and if you qualify, recieve a guaranteed flight school slot. If I don't make it to flight school, I can walk away with no obligation. He gave this program to me in writing. Sounds pretty good. I've always loved the military and almost inlisted in the corps after high school. Has anyone heard about the success of this program or if it sounds like a good? I have always thought that airline pilots made way more than military pilots, but in checking out the pay rates and comparing the two, looks like military is the way to go, at least for the first few years.
Chandler
The USMC is the only service that offers a Fly or Nothing contract. If you don't finish, you can get out if you choose. However, the downside to the marines is that they have a lot of helicopters. If you get stuck in helos, then your airline career is on hold for ten years, after which you get to start over and get civilian flight training and work your way up. Few ex-helo people do that, most sell insurance or something. The only save on this would be to do a tour as a fixed-wing instructor pilot during your military helo career.
Military is a great option, because ex-military guys get hired right into the majors. Their first ten years of aviation are spent getting good pay & benies, while the civilians are paying for their training, and working for low pay under miserable conditions as CFIs, cargo, and commuter pilots.
But the helicopter thing is a problem..
USA: Almost all Rotors
USCG: Mostly Rotors
USMC: Lots of Rotors
USN: Plenty of Rotors
USAF: Few Rotors
You don't get your aircraft assignment until you're partway through flight school, and then it's too late... I think the navy at least lets the number one guy in the class pick his aircraft, but that guy will probably be a rhoades scholar with an annapolis ring, not you. The only exception to the aircraft assignment lottery is the ANG: Find a ANG unit in your state that flies fixed wing, and try to get on with them. You will go to AF flight school already knowing for sure that you will fly that aircraft. Then you can get a regional airline job while doing the guard and really enhance your $$ and career opportunities.
Military Disclaimer: You might go to war. However, entry level civilian flying is equally hazardous. I know people who died doing both, about equal numbers. The military will give your family $500K.