Originally Posted by porkchopexpress

What makes this an even more effective path financially is that housing and medical expenses/insurance are covered for you (active duty). Definitely makes that paycheck go a lot further. IF one wants to join the military with this goal I wouldn't do enlisted USMC though, go army WOFT. They would have a lot more money to spend on those FW ratings after hours (assuming they got stuck in helicopters), and would still be building time towards that ATP while at work. FW in flight school is a possibility with a little luck, and then they'd be set. Military flight training counts towards significant college credits (60-75 ish credit hours depending on the school). The downside is that it'll be about an 8 year commitment start to finish. Upside is that it's a guaranteed flight slot for those without a degree or who don't want to roll the dice with OCS.