Hello Marines, I'm new here and I need a little bit of advice. I'm looking to see if I can get an air contract so I've been talking to recruiters for months now. Naturally I have a few questions and concerns so I figured I'd post them here and make sure I have all the fact before I make a decision. So here it goes...
My OSO tells me that if I want Air I pretty much have to do the 10 week OCS this upcoming summer before my senior year of college. (I am currently a Junior) He claims that the poor economy has sent a whole slew of college grads to the military because they can't get a job in the private sector. As a result the entire pipeline for pilot training is backed up and he can't write a contract for anyone who has already graduated. Is this true? Am I really in such a time-sensitive spot to where if I don't do this soon I may not be able to do it at all?
Secondly, he says he wants me to see a flight Physician and take the Aviation test to see if I qualify for an air contract. If I do these two things will I have to sign any papers? If I complete those do I have to commit to starting my application for air which (from my understanding) will in turn commit me to starting OCS this summer?
Next, how do I know I am actually signing an air contract and not something else? I know how extensive and legalistic contracts can get. What lines should I look for to assure I'm getting a spot in flight school? I've head talk about a line in the contract that says "for the incentive of ____" Does the provide any sort of assurance?
Let's just say I head to OCS but I injure myself somehow and washout. What will happen then? Will it be possible to get a second chance while still keeping my air contract? If not, can I simply walk away from the Marine Corps?
I know if I accept financial assistance for college and fail as OCS I will go enlisted. How can I actively refuse financial aid from the military?
Last but definitely not least. I don't want to interrupt school at all. I want to do my 10 weeks in the summer and then receive my commissioning when I graduate. I've heard tons of stories about guys that sign on the dotted line with the "guarantee" that school won't be interrupted only to get a phone call two weeks later telling them that they are headed to basic training. This has happened across all branches but all the stories I heard were about enlisted members not officers. Are officers assured the guarantee of being able to finish school?
Sorry for all the questions, I just really want to make a well informed decision. Thanks in advance for the timely responses.
