Expert: Rod Powers - 10/16/2006

Question
what colleges are available that  train fighter pilots for the marines?  I really need to know... its for a project thats due in 2 days.

Answer
Hi Thomas,

I'm afraid there aren't any colleges which train fighter pilots for any of the services.

To become a fighter pilot (in any of the military branches), one must first be eligible to become a commissioned officer. To become a commissioned officer, one must have a minimum of a four-year college degree. Any college will do for this, as long as it is accredited.

While in college, one can attend ROTC courses, or one can attend Marine Corps PLC, or one can graduate college and apply for OCS (Officer Candidate School). That's just to become an officer. Becoming a fighter pilot is a separate process, once one has been accepted as a commissioned officer.

First, a college graduate (who has been through ROTC, PLC, or OCS) has to take a flight aptitude test (and pass), and also pass a flight-class medical examination. Keep in mind that out of every 10 applicants for flight training, only four or five qualify.

Assuming they qualify, new officers are sent to Navy Flight training, following Marine Corps Officer Basic School (which lasts about six months). Among those who graduate basic flight training, about 1/3rd are selected for fighter training, 1/3rd for tanker aircraft, and 1/3rd for transport/cargo aircraft.

<grin> You thought this was going to be easy, huh? Shouldn't have waited until two days before your project was due. It's actually a very complicated process :)

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com