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So I'm going to be a pilot

PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 9:27 am
by Steve_Butka
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!

Re: So I'm going to be a pilot

PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 11:48 am
by Ecko
That's great news Steve! :)

Re: So I'm going to be a pilot

PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 6:57 pm
by Saitek
Well done! 8)

Re: So I'm going to be a pilot

PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 7:46 pm
by C
Well done Steve. How long will you have to serve in the Corps before you can escape... I've got another 14 years left over here! ;D

Re: So I'm going to be a pilot

PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 7:48 pm
by Souichiro
GO STEVE!!!

all the best!

Great!

Re: So I'm going to be a pilot

PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 7:57 pm
by Steve_Butka
Well done Steve. How long will you have to serve in the Corps before you can escape... I've got another 14 years left over here! ;D



Thanks to everyone for the replies!

As for your question Charlie, I'm not sure what my commitment is, but it really doesn't matter.  I want to have the best training possible so I can one day fly for a major airline-- that's my ultimate goal.

How on earth did you find yourself in a 14 year commitment!?!  Re-up?

Re: So I'm going to be a pilot

PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 8:04 pm
by C
[quote]


Thanks to everyone for the replies!

As for your question Charlie, I'm not sure what my commitment is, but it really doesn't matter.

Re: So I'm going to be a pilot

PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 8:10 pm
by BFMF
Good luck ;)

Re: So I'm going to be a pilot

PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 9:18 pm
by elite marksman
a year and a half in Pensacola flying whatever it is I am best suited to fly!


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, Shut up and do whatever the DI tells you to.

Re: So I'm going to be a pilot

PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 10:14 pm
by beaky
Congrats and good luck!

Re: So I'm going to be a pilot

PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 10:33 pm
by Steve_Butka

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, Shut up and do whatever the DI tells you to.



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.

Re: So I'm going to be a pilot

PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 10:54 pm
by elite marksman
No opportunities for me to fly in the military, im -2.00 in my left and -1.75 in my right eye. I gotta settle for a ground job. Hopefuly the Corps needs MPs when I get the comission, as with the exception of pilots, most officers dont get to choose what they do.

Re: So I'm going to be a pilot

PostPosted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 10:34 am
by Steve_Butka
No opportunities for me to fly in the military, im -2.00 in my left and -1.75 in my right eye. I gotta settle for a ground job. Hopefuly the Corps needs MPs when I get the comission, as with the exception of pilots, most officers dont get to choose what they do.


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.

Re: So I'm going to be a pilot

PostPosted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 11:21 am
by Ben_M_K
Congrats Steve!!!!!!!! ;D

Re: So I'm going to be a pilot

PostPosted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 12:39 pm
by C
[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.