USMC OFFICER

Flight Student 7599

Flight Student 7599

Photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms

9 min read
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MOS
Officer

Flight students (TBS) are undergoing or awaiting flight training that leads to designation as Naval Aviator.

Are there any prerequisites to becoming a Flight Student?

  1. Must be eligible for a secret security clearance.

  2. Complete the Introductory Flight Screening (IFS) program at Naval Aviation Schools Command aboard NAS Pensacola, FL, except for those with a Power Flight Program Waiver, FAA Recreational Pilot, Private Pilot, or higher pilot certificate. Average course length is 49 days. This is a structured, fast-paced course designed to provide initial flight screening to ensure that students are aeronautically adaptable. IFS is divided into two parts: an online ground school portion and a flying portion at an assigned fixed-base operator (FBO). The ground school portion is taught through Jeppesen online (augmented with FBO instruction), and will take less than two weeks to complete. Students will complete all online modules in order to pass four exams (Stage I, Stage II, Stage III, and End- of-Course Exam) which are proctored at NASC. In addition to the four exams, students will take the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Private Pilot Airman Knowledge Test from an FAA-approved testing center. The flight portion is conducted at an approved FBO within 50 miles of NAS Pensacola, FL, with a civilian Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and in civilian aircraft. Utilizing the first ten Jeppesen Flight Lessons, student Naval Aviators (SNAs) will brief, fly, and debrief eleven flights (ten instructional flights and one solo), resulting in a minimum of 13.5 flight hours and a maximum of 15.0 flight hours. The last two instructional flights are check ride events. USCG SNAs will fly an additional ten flights, the last flight being a solo cross-country flight.

  3. Complete Primary Flight Training at either NAS Whiting Field in Milton, FL, or NAS Corpus Christi, TX. Course length is 120 days. This course teaches the SNAs the basics of flying. For Navy and Marine Corps SNAs, there are two choices for Primary. The Navy offers training at either Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Pensacola, Florida, or Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in Corpus Christi, Texas. All Naval Air Stations use the T-6B Texan II to train for Primary. The SNA learns visual flight, basic instrument flying, introduction to aerobatics, radio instrument navigation, formation flying, and conducts several solo flights. All Flight Students go through the same curriculum for Primary. At the end of Primary, the SNA chooses the type of aircraft they would like to fly.

Platform Selection

  • Strike (Jets). Once students complete Primary and select the Jetpipeline, they will then proceed to Meridian, MS, or Kingsville, TX, for nine to 12 months of intermediate and advanced training. Students proceeding to NAS Meridian will go through intermediate and advanced jet training at either VT-7 or VT-9. Students going to NAS Kingsville will go through Intermediate and Advanced jet training at either VT-21 or VT-22. Student will fly the T-45C Goshawk jet trainer aircraft. Aircraft selection: F/A-18 C/D Hornet, AV-8B Harrier II, or F-35B/C Joint Strike Fighter.

  • Maritime (C-130). Once students complete Primary and select the Maritime pipeline, they will then proceed to NAS Corpus Christi, TX, for five months of advanced training. Aircraft selection: KC-130J Super Hercules

  • Rotary (Helicopters). Once students complete Primary and select the Rotary pipeline, they will then proceed to NAS Whiting Field in Milton, FL, for seven months of advanced training. Aircraft selection: CH-53E Super Stallion, AH-1Z Viper, or UH-1Y Venom.

  • Tilt Rotor. Once students complete Primary and select the Tilt Rotor pipeline, they will then proceed to NAS Whiting Field in Milton, FL, for two and a half months of intermediate helicopter training. Upon completion, students will proceed to NAS Corpus Christi, TX, for five months of advanced multi-engine training. Aircraft selection: MV-22B Osprey.

Common first assignments

Following completion of Primary and subsequent intermediate and/or advanced training within the specific platform pipelines, you are designated as a Naval Aviator (winged aviator) and are assigned to a Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) which is an O-5 Marine (Lieutenant Colonel) command. While in the FRS, Naval Aviators learn the aircraft systems, familiarization and formation flights, and basic tactics in their platform. Training within an FRS can range from six to 18 months depending on the aircraft. Upon successful completion of the program of instruction, Naval Aviators are assigned to an O-5 (Lieutenant Colonel) operational squadron within a MAG as part of the ACE of the MAGTF.

The focus of effort for the first year within a flying squadron is the aircraft commander syllabus for the respective type/model/series (T/S/S). Simultaneously, Naval Aviators are responsible for a ground job such as a Schedule Writer in the Operations Department, Adjutant (S-1) or Assistant Logistics Officer (S-4A). You may be assigned a collateral duty and will perform Squadron Duty Officer (SDO) and Operation Duty Officer (ODO) several times per week.

Recommended reading for Flight Students?

  • Chickenhawk. Robert Mason

  • All the Shah’s Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror. Stephen Kinzer

  • Fighter Pilot: The Memoirs of Legendary Ace Robin Olds. Ed Rasimus and Christina Olds

  • The Hundred Year Marathon: China’s Strategy to Replace America as the Global Superpower. Michael Pillsbury

  • Devotion: An Epic Story or Heroism, Friendship, and Sacrifice. Adam Makos

Related occupations

  • 7502, Forward Air Controller/Air Officer (I) (Col to 2ndLt) FMOS

  • 7503, Billet Designator – Fixed Wing Pilot (LtCol to 2ndLt) FMOS

  • 7504, Billet Designator – Naval Flight Officer (LtCol to 2ndLt) FMOS

  • 7505, Billet Designator – Helicopter Pilot (LtCol to 2ndLt) FMOS

  • 7506, Billet Designator – Any Pilot/Naval Flight Officer (LtCol to 2ndLt) FMOS

  • 7507, Pilot VMA FRS Basic AV-8B Pilot (I (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS

  • 7509, Pilot VMA AV-8B Qualified (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS

  • 7511, Pilot Helicopter CH-53K (LtCol to 2ndLt) NMOS (7566)

  • 7513, Pilot Helicopter AH-1Z/UH-1Y (LtCol to 2ndLt) NMOS (7563, 7565)

  • 7516, Pilot VMFA FRS Basic F-35B Pilot (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS

  • 7517, VH-92, Presidential Helicopter Pilot (Col to Capt) NMOS (Any PMOS from 756X and 7532 and 8042)

  • 7518, Pilot VMFA FRS F-35B Qualified (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS

  • 7521, Pilot VMFA FRS Basic F/A-18 Pilot (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS

  • 7523, Pilot VMFA F/A-18 Qualified (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS

  • 7524, Naval Flight Officer (NFO) FRS Basic F/A-18D Weapons Systems

  • 7525, Naval Flight Officer (NFO) Qualified F/A-18D WSO (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS

  • 7531, Pilot VMM FRS Basic V-22 Pilot (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS

  • 7532, Pilot VMM V-22 Qualified (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS

  • 7533, Aircraft Section Lead (SL) (Col to 2ndLt) NMOS (any PMOS from OccFld 75 and 8042)

  • 7534, Aircraft Division Lead (DL) Qualification (Col to 2ndLt) NMOS (any PMOS from OccFld 75 and 8042)

  • 7535, Flight Leader (FL) Qualification (Col to 2ndLt) NMOS (7532, 7563, 7565, 7566, 8042)

  • 7536, AV-8B Weapons Training Officer (WTO) Qualification (Col to 2ndLt) NMOS (7509, 8042)

  • 7537, Marine Division Tactics Instructor (MDTI) (Col to 2ndLt) NMOS (7518, 7523, 7525, 8042)

  • 7538, EA-6B Defensive Tactics Instructor (DEFTACTI) Qualification (Col to 2ndLt) NMOS (7543, 7588, 8042)

  • 7539, AV-8B Air Combat Tactics Instructor (ACTI) Qualification (Col to 2ndLt) NMOS (7509, 8042)

  • 7542, Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor (Col to 2ndLt) NMOS (7518, 7523, 7525, 8042)

  • 7543, Pilot VMAQ EA-6B Qualified (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS

  • 7544, Forward Air Controller (Airborne) Instructor (FAC(A)I) Qualification (Col to 2ndLt) NMOS (7509, 7518, 7523, 7525,7563, 7565, 8042)

  • 7547, Night Systems Instructor (NSI) Qualification (Col to 2ndLt) NMOS (any PMOS from OccFld 75 and 8042)

  • 7551, Pilot VMR C-9 Qualified (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) FMOS

  • 7553, Pilot VMR C-20/C-37 Qualified (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) FMOS

  • 7554, Pilot VMR UC-35 Qualified (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) FMOS

  • 7555, Pilot VMR UC-12B Qualified (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) FMOS

  • 7556, Pilot VMGR KC-130 Co-Pilot (T2P/T3P) (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS

  • 7557, Pilot VMGR KC-130 Aircraft Commander (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS

  • 7560, Pilot HMH FRS Basic/CH-53E Pilot (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS

  • 7562, Pilot HMH/M/L/A CH-46 Qualified (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS

  • 7563, Pilot HMLA UH-1Y Qualified (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS

  • 7564, Pilot HMH CH-53D Qualified (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS

  • 7565, Pilot HMLA AH-1 Qualified (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS

  • 7566, Pilot HMH CH-53E Qualified (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS

  • 7567, Pilot HMLA FRS Basic UH-1Y (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS

  • 7568, Pilot HMLA FRS Basic AH-1 (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS

  • 7570, VH-60N Presidential Helicopter Pilot Qualified (I) (Col to Capt) NMOS (7532, 7562, 7563, 7564, 7565, 7566, 8042)

  • 7571, VH-3D Presidential Helicopter Pilot Qualified (I) (Col to Capt) NMOS (7532, 7562, 7563, 7564, 7565, 7566, 8042)

  • 7573, Strategic Refueling Area Commander (STRATRAC) (Col to 2ndLt) NMOS (7557, 8042)

  • 7577, Weapons and Tactics Instructor (Col to 2ndLt) FMOS

  • 7578, Naval Flight Officer (NFO) Student (TBS) (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS

  • 7580, Naval Flight Officer (NFO) Tactical Navigator Flight Student (NATC) (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS

  • 7588, Naval Flight Officer (NFO) Qualified EA-6B Electronic Warfare Officer (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS

  • 7589, V/STOL Training Landing Signal Officer (Col to Capt) NMOS (7509, 8042)

  • 7591, Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing (STOVL) Training Landing Signal Officer (TLSO) (Col to Capt) NMOS (7518, 8042)

  • 7594, Landing Signal Officer (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) FMOS

  • 7595, Test Pilot/Flight Test Project Officer (Col to 2ndLt) FMOS

  • 7596, Aviation Safety Officer (Col to 2ndLt) FMOS

  • 7597, Basic Rotary Wing Pilot (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS

  • 7598, Basic Fixed-Wing Pilot (I) (LtCol to 2ndLt) PMOS