I was informed yesterday that I have passed my ASTB for the  United States Marine Corps.  The ASTB is the test battery that the services use to gauge who has the potential to become a pilot upon receiving their commission.

So, just thought I'd let everyone know that someone on the boards is one step closer to fulfilling his dream of eventually becomgin a commercial pilot.  Getting my training through the Marines seemed to be my best opportunity to defend the country, as well as train for a career in aviation.

After a 10 week course this summer in Quantico, I will be fully qualified. I will be commissioned in May of 2007.  Then, it's off to basic officer school for 6 months and then-- a year and a half in Pensacola flying whatever it is I am best suited to fly!

can't wait!

Have a great day everyone!

Well done! 8)

GO STEVE!!!

all the best!

Great!

Quote:


The military don't need to actively recruit pilots for our (shrinking) air force (they have about 40 applicants for each slot), so they get the most out of you that they can, in my case (as is the norm) a 16 year commision, with a 12 year opt out point...

Quote:


Sorry, but that ain't the way it works. The plane selection is based on class rank amongst your fellow midshipmen, not what you want to fly. You want to go fighters, you better the the best.  And the thing about the commission. You get that after you've completed TBS. Or at least thats the way that the recruiter that I talked to explained it to me(before I got glasses). I still got a few years before I have the privaledge of joining the Corps myself, as I'm only a sophmore in High School, but right now I'm looking at Annapolis. Fortunatly I still have 2 more years to be able to run the 3 miles. Im only up to 1.5 at the moment.


When you go to TBS, if you only remember one thing let it be this,

Quote:



I didn't say I would fly whatever I wanted-- i said I would fly whatever I am deemed qualified for.  I am fully aware of the fact that I cannot walktz in there and demand a specific aircraft as my assignment.

I am not a midshipman, just a college junior joining the Corps through the Platoon Leaders' Course. 

TBS is an officer's first training after they get their commission.  I'll be commissioned the day before I graduate, and then I will report to TBS in Quantico when I am given my orders.  TBS is the equivalent of the Army sending it's newly commission 2LTs to OBC, however, the difference lies in that every Marine officer goes to the same TBS course whereas the other branches spread out their lieutenants based on their branch of service. 

I'd say go for the service academy appointment,.  i studied at West Point and got discharged for a BS reason while others who were far worse than I was (academically) were allowed to return.  I won't get into the specifics as to why I think they were allowed to return to school because that will spark a whole new argument here.  I loved every minute while I was at USMA and even though the first few months (even a year) are really tough, demanding, and sometimes tremendously aggravating, the experience and knowledge you will get out of it will be worth the struggles.

Keep running, but also hit the gym.  Pull ups aren't easy.  I'm a big boy, and even though I am in great shape pull ups still give me trouble sometimes. 

Good luck in whatever you choose to do, and if it doesn't work out remember there are other opportunities available for you to become a pilot in the Corps.

Quote:


You know they're starting to offer Lasik surgery through the military?

My vision wasn't perfect but for some reason, it improved from when I left West Point to 20/20, 20/15.  I was quite surprised.

Quote:


I was suprised when I read it's now being offered in the US. The only "downside" is it would ground you for a few months, but in the longterm is a good deal...