Expert: Jason Grabill - 3/15/2004

Question
  Hello Jason,
I just had a few questions about flying in the Marines.  I attend Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, and saw a flyer in the school about becoming an officer after graduation and becoming a pilot in the Marines.  I am pretty sure that my eye sight is within the requirements and I am interested.  In the past I've only heard people talk about pilots in the Air Force and the Navy, I didnt know that there were pilotes in the Marines.  So I'm kinda curious why people dont seem to talk about pilots in the Marines.  Was wondering in your opinion if you thought it was worth looking into (I would think yes).

  I also had another question if you wouldnt mind answering if you can.  I am currently 20 years old.  When I was younger I had planned on joining the military but I got arrested with some friends and was chareged with a felony, and a later offense that was continued without a finding.  The first offense was when I was 16 and the second when I turned 18.  I was put on probation till 21 as a result of the felony.  So I was ineligible for any ROTC programs.  Now that I'm approaching the end of the probation I'm thinking about joining again, but most likey after attaining my degree with the hopes of entering the service as an officer.  I know that I'll have to apply for waivers for the criminal history but was curious as to how the Marines are when it comes to waiving criminal activity.

I appreciate any information you can provide me with and thank you for your time responding to this e-mail.

                          Sincerely,
                          Michael Coyle

Answer
Mr Coyle:

  The criminal waivers shouldn't be a problem, as long as they are now cleared from your record.

  Marine pilots don't get talked about much because they are the smallest 'pilot' branch of the military...and they exist for only one reason.  To support the Marine 'grunt' with his 'ass in the grass'.  They have no 'national objective' or anything else.  Marine Aviation is there (just like everything else in the Corps) with the ultimate objective to support the little guy on the ground with a rifle.  Sometimes it is not very glamorous, but to us little guys with rifles, those pilots are a godsend.

 I was lucky enough to be stationed with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312, "The Fighting Checkerboards", from 85-89, as their Intelligence Chief.  I had a blast, and hold a great deal of respect for what they did.  At that time, '312 flew the F-4 Phantom;  in 1988, we transistioned to the F-18.

  Anyway, bottom line is, that is why you don't hear much about Marine Aviation.   FYI, Marines have Helicopter pilots, Jet fighter pilots (F-18 & Harrier), Transport pilots (jet and prop) and helicopter attack (Cobra) pilots.  So, there is plenty out there.

  Eyesight, I'm not sure of, so I don't want to tell you wrong.

  My next suggestion to you is to talk to your local NROTC advisor, who should be a Marine Staff NCO;  he or she can lead you in the right direction (an officer recruiter is what you are looking for).  If you can't find your NROTC advisor or they aren't available, simply go to your local Marine recruiter, whose number is always in the 'blue pages' of the phone book, under 'US Goverment".

 Good luck with your quest!

  Semper Fidelis,

   Sgt Jason Grabill, USMC