Hey Everyone,

This is my first post, and I became a member of this website for this reason... I need help. I am a 16 year old student still attending highschool with good grades, and am planning to go to a descent 4 year college. I have hopes to one day fly helicopters for a living. This is something that interests me very much, and I think I would love to have as a career. Before I fly as a civilian, I am interested in flying for the Marines. I figured I could get learn to fly, get some flight experience, and serve my country all at the same time.I do not know much about flying for the Marines other than the requirements of good vision, hearing, and your education. So here are some questions I have...

-Must you be an officer to fly a helicopter?
-If you do have to be an officer... How long would it take to become one? (Without going throught ROTC)
-How long does it take to become a pilot in the Marines?
-How many years do you have to serve as a pilot?
-How difficult is it to become a pilot in the Marines?
-Would it be easier to fly for the Navy/Army/Airforce?
-What is it like?

Thanks.

Yell for the Gunny

MOS 7558 through 7568, Pilot HMH/M/L/A (I)

a. Summary. Pilots HMH/MIL/A operate rotary wing aircraft on observation, transport, rescue, utility, and fire suppression missions.

b. Requirements/Prerequisites

(1) Must be a U.S. citizen.

(2) MOS 7558 - FRS Basic CH-53D Pilot. MOS 7560 - FRS Basic CH-53E Pilot. MOS 7561 - FRS Basic CH-46 Pilot. MOS 7562 - Pilot CH-46 Qualified. MOS 7563 - Pilot UH-1N Qualified. MOS 7564 - Pilot CH-53 AID Qualified. MOS 7565 - Pilot AH-1 Qualified. MOS 7566 - Pilot CH-53E Qualified. MOS 7567 - FRS Basic UH-1M Pilot. MOS 7568 - FRS Basic AH-1 Pilot.

(3) Must have a secret security clearance.

c. Duties

(1) Performs missions, such as observation, message pickup, transportation of troops and equipment, laying wire, hoisting, rescue, and fire suppression.

(2) Operates aircraft from land or sea with helicopter facilities.

(3) Operates aircraft from small fields in close coordination with ground troops.

(4) The HML/A pilot also performs spotting for naval gunfire and field artillery.

(5) Commands or may assist in commanding an aviation unit.

OK, the above is the MOS or Military Occupational Specialty discription of a USMC Helicopter Pilot. Anything that mentions the word 'fire' relates to gunfire.

Becoming a Marine Corps Pilot is and can be a very rewarding experience for those that have the desire and drive to do what it takes to be one.

Your first step will be to speak to your parents. I know you expected me to say go see the recruiter, but your mom and dad are your first step due to your age. Get them behind you and things will go alot smoother for you to actually do this.

You will need a degree to be a Marine Officer.

Your intial questions:
-Must you be an officer to fly a helicopter? YES
-If you do have to be an officer... How long would it take to become one? (Without going throught ROTC) All Marines must go through Marine Corps Boot Camp first to become a MARINE. That lasts 12 weeks, could be longer if you injure yourself in the process. Once you graduate boot camp, you would get orders to report to US Naval Academy. (this is providing you obtained your degree (Bachelors) and it is written up in your contract. All non-prior service Marine Officers go here. Want to know what they go through? While I'm not a fan of Richard Gere, watch the movie 'Officer and a Gentleman' and leave out all the parts with women in it and you'll get a general idea.

-How long does it take to become a pilot in the Marines? After completing Officer Training School or Platoon Leaders Class, an aviator candidate will have a guaranteed spot in flight school in Florida, where his or her training will proceed in stages:
Pre-indoctrination: This six-week phase includes an introduction to aerodynamics, aviation physiology, engines, navigation and land and sea survival in classrooms at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Fla.

Primary flight training: A candidate’s first in-air experience is at Whiting Field in Milton, Fla., in a T-34C. Prospective pilots each spend 67 hours in the air, including four solo flights, as well as 27 hours on a flight simulator. Another 166 hours of classroom work attending flight support lectures round out the instruction. At the close of this training, candidates are picked, partly based on grades and aptitude, for flight training on one of three aircraft: jets, helicopters or turbo-props.

Those selected to fly helicopters or turbo-props will receive an additional 26 hours of instruction on the T-34, with emphasis on radio and navigation training. Those selected to fly jets will proceed to the Naval Air Station in either Kingsville, Texas, or Meridian, Miss. There, they will take five weeks of ground school, including instruction in meteorology, visual flight rules and safety. From there, trainees will progress to the T-2C or T-45 for hands-on training in aerobatics, gunnery, radio communication and catapult take-offs.

Then you get assigned to a Marine Corps Squadron and what you do with that depends entirely on you.


-How many years do you have to serve as a pilot? I can't answer this question, you'll need to speak to a recruiter.
-How difficult is it to become a pilot in the Marines? VERY.
-Would it be easier to fly for the Navy/Army/Airforce? No. Military Aviation is a very demanding and dangerous profession regardless of branch of service. Each branch of service has its pros and cons. As you progress further into this, you will reach certain conclusions about it.
-What is it like? Do you like riding roller coasters? Imagine that times 50 without the rails and you controlling speed and direction.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: thegunny,

Wow. Thats alot of information. Thank you very very much. This helped very much.