First PFT

The Basic Idea

If you do not know already, PFT stands for Physical Fitness Test. You scored on a scale of 0 to 100 for three events with an overall perfect score of 300. You must do pull ups, USMC crunches, and 3 mile run.

Currently for 2016 the maxes are 20 pull ups, 100 crunches, and 18 mins on the run. (No one needs to know the mins because we should be shooting for the maximum, the mins will not even give you a competitive score to be considered for OCS from what I have been told)

For my first test I hit 17 pull ups, 85 crunches, and 23:27 on the run, overall score was a 237.

Use this calculator:

http://usmc.pftcalculator.com/

Review

My 237 is by no means competitive for OCS application or good fitness to make it through OCS but it is a start and my recruiting officers told me that most people cannot even pass it their first time.So I have plenty to work on with a good base and only three weeks of preparation.

Be aware that as of January 1, 2017 the standards are changing. New body fat limits, weight exemptions, and a whole host of other BS you shift through to find out that the new maxes are something like 23 pull ups, 125 crunches, and about the same on the run, with the option to do push ups (do not do them) for fewer possible points.

Here is a quick video:

 

Forms, Paperwork, Regular BS

First Group of Paperwork

- Rough Application: simple form with stuff about you, high school, college, parents, etc.

- Social Security Card: need to make a copy for you

- Birth Certificate: same

- Proof of enrollment: college degree duh

- Transcripts: same

- Letters of Rec: One from the Dean of your college and 4 or 5 more from other references

- ASTB-E: standard flight aptitude test

- PFT: fitness test

Second Group

- Federal Background Check

- Medical form

Death by paperwork

Contacting an OSO

Just sent in my info on the official Marine Corps website. Got the information for Officer at my local OSO. Gave him a call and set up an appointment o come in and talk. They are super friendly (more than likely part of their training) I was respectful, I mean everybody in the South use to be raised to yes or no sir so it was easy. Do not dress like a slob but be comfortable they are a resource for you to talk to. They are feeling you out when you go in to talk to them. First they want to make sure that you are not wasting their time. Second they need to get to know you because they ultimately will be vouching for you and your application. I was asked some standard questions like why I wanted to become a Marine Corps Officer. Also, asked about some tags with different reasons why you wanted join. You pick a couple out and talk about them. I knew it was kinda feeling me out but you have to be honest with them and yourself as to why you want to do it.

The Start, Occupational Possibilities, Branch Choices, Research

What I Want To Do

Born and bred in the South, I am a red blooded American with a passion for my country. I  did the right things growing up, no drugs, got good grades, captain of the football team, and finally made it to college. Now it was time to pick your future career and I went with Engineering at UF. The pay is good, jobs are generally available, and it aligned with my likes/talents. However, the idea of sitting in an office crunching numbers ate at me. I thought flight test engineering might be a method to be more hands on, but at the end of the day they are a fraction of a percent of engineers and it takes loads of years of experience to reach that. Couple these doubts with the classic American Sniper idea that I was born a Sheepdog and want to protect the flock idea. I knew I wanted to serve and even more so fly. Of course when I was a kid I wanted to be a sniper and do crazy stuff all over the world, but as I hit college flight became the ever growing buzz in my ear. So why not do both. Fly planes at 500 mph at 500 ft and serve my country with honor.

This video of the A-10 did me in and I have had the bug to fly a fighter ever since:

Choosing My Hopeful Future Branch

Now when it comes down to being a pilot you would think the Air Force is the way to go, but hold your horses not so fast. The Air Force while great pilots, do not have to meet some of the requirements of the Navy or Marine Corps. Why you may ask? Carrier Landings! It takes more precision to hit a moving runway in multiple directions than it does your ordinary runway. So the best pilots are trained together, the Navy and the Marine Corps pilots. I mean who does not want the chance to live out real life Top Gun. Besides that,the Army is helicopter based and I want to go Mach baby. Further, I have been told that most officers in the Army plan missions instead of flying them, they leave that up to Warrant Officers. So we are down to Navy or Marine Corps. Superficially, to be a pilot the sure route is the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps offers the ability to take a flight aptitude test and do your flight physical before signing a contract, aka they can guarantee a pilot slot at training. They cannot guarantee that you will actually be successful, that is on you! The Navy cannot so you are contracted first then roll the dice on your abilities and needs of the Navy. Further, the Marines have a prestige about them. They are the tip of the spear. You get to train and become a Marine before becoming a pilot second. You will get to learn land based tactics and methods, run around in the forest, shoot big guns, then learn to fly. Becoming a Marine Corps Officer is a tough physical and mental challenge that not everyone can do. At the end of the day I want to fly, but I also want to be able to puff my chest out knowing that I heard the call and met the challenge. Marine Corps it is!!!

Background/Goals

Background

- Currently a college student enrolled at the University of Florid (Go Gators!).
- Pursuing a dual degree in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
- I came straight out of high school to college and am 22 right now.
- height 5' 10'', weight 180 lbs, 20/20 vision, no physical abnormalities (more details to come)
- Athletic background (more detail to come)
- Two hours of flight time in a Cessna
-  3.24 GPA, no crazy involved in clubs or academic teams
- Graduating in May 2017

Goals

- Become a Marine Corps Officer
- Be a fighter pilot (F-35B hopeful)
- Leave after 10 years
- Obtain Masters Degree
- Start my own company
- Fly part time for Reserve unit or airlines (details and complications to come)