Becoming a Fighter/Attack Pilot

[-ACHILLES-]

Hello. I am currently a junior in college studying mathematics and mechanical engineering. I used to be obsessed with flying and becoming a fighter pilot. As I got into college, I decided to drop the air force thing and concentrate on engineering. Now, after long discussion and endless ours of pondering, I've decided that being a pilot in the air force is the thing for me.

I understand that it's too late for ROTC and the Academy, however, I've heard that MOST of the air forces fighter pilots come out of the Academy, and pretty much the rest come from ROTC. Only a select few "walk ons" get the priviledge of becoming a fighter pilot.

I gues my question for me would be, what do I do??? Is there any chance at all for me to become a fighter pilot after I graduate college? If so, what steps should I take to get there?

I've also heard that it's easier to become a fighter pilot for the Marines. Would that be a better choice for me? What steps should I take if I decide to go in that direction?

[Vulture6]

First and foremost, if you decide to take the Marine route, you would be an officer of Marines first, and a pilot second.

Here is how the path would work. You are finishing up your junior year. Sometime this summer or in the fall, make contact with your local Marine Officer Selection Office (OSO). Tell them that you want to go to OCS (OCC) on a flight contract.

OCC is a course that you take after you graduate - it's like 10 weeks long and is similar to basic training, except that the staff is screening and evaluating. Once you complete OCC under a flight contract, you are commissioned a second lieutenant and go to TBS (The Basic School). All Marine second lieutenants go to TBS. If you complete TBS satisfactorily and still qualify for your flight contract, you will get orders to Pensacola where you will go to flight school to become a naval aviator. What you end up flying depends alot on your performance at flight school and, as always, the needs of the Marine Corps. You could end up flying fighters, attack aircraft, fixed wing transports, or helicopters (attack or transport). There are no guarantees.

The only guarantee that you will get is:

1. If you sign up under a flight contract and remain physically qualified, you will go to flight school at Pensacola.

2. If you successfully complete OCC and TBS, you will be able to serve your country as an officer of Marines.

Check out the PLC/OCS section of the Marine forum here for more detailed info.

[-ACHILLES-]

Very useful info, the kind I've been looking for. Thank you very much. I may indeed go this route, and I was looking for a Marine point of view. Again, thanks.

[SpongeJuan]

Vulture has all the info you will ever need. And he breaks it down barney style so anybody could understand.