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Hi all, ok...Dilema time.

For years I dreamt of being a pilot in the Navy (fixed wing). However, I also had a desire to be in the Royal Marines.
This year, I graduate university with an Aerospace Engineering degree, but am staying on a year to do a post-grad course.

So...I want to join the forces next summer...
Firstly, any tips as to when i should be applying for entry after June 2004 (i suppose i should ask at my local office.)
Secondly...I am having real trouble deciding whether to apply for officer in the marines of navy officer pilot?

Lastly, if i applied to join the marines as an officer, and for some reason failed (not that im gonna ). If i then applied to be aircrew in the Navy would they take the fact that i applied as a marine against me (ie. not fully commited?)

I know i should decide...but does anyone know if it is possible to change later in life. I mean, if i was lucky enough to get in as a marine officer, would it be totaly unrealistic to think i could apply to "re-join" as a navy pilot later in life?
I will be 21 if i get in the marines next summer so i know i am still pretty young...but it is still so hard to decide. I wanna do both, its not fair

Sorry, i know there is no real question here, just wanted to vent my thoughts/troubles and see if there was any good feedback floating around in the wisdom of this forum.
Anyone out there actually joined the marines and then moved on?

thanks anyway for providing a place to vent!

I voted RM.

I'm sure you can be a pilot in RM?

If not, I know you can transfer out.. but you won't wanna...

JD

You may join the RM and fly, but the selection process usually follows a stint on ground tours etc. and is therefore a bit of a 'right place, right time' in terms of getting a chance at selection, also does your face fit. There is an option to fly helos with the Navy, and request Commando ops with 845 based at Yeovil. They work primarily with the RM. With your background and qualification they will probably snap you up. I believe you may do the All Arms Commando Course (AACC) with 845, an abbreviated form of Commando Test, covering basic field craft and all the physical tests. Carry out a search (top left of screen, for 845 Sqn and then AACC.

Joining the navy as a helo pilot and working as a green lynx pilot is the way ahead.
You are able to (and are in fact actively encouaraged to) go for your green lid through the all arms course.
Once you are in the RM it is extremely difficult to transfer branches unless you are golden bollocks. It took me two years. And that was navy to navy. The oppurtunities for pilot are quite limited within the RM but working for 845 will afford you a wealth of chances. not to mention a good deal of active operational experience as well as exercises in far flung parts of the world.
Naval Pilots and aircrew (primarily pilots though) are also being given an absoloute fortune to stay in the mob after their min. service.
Fixed wing aircraft are impressive and it is true that only the creme de la creme are put forward for it but it will involve a hell of a lot of training. More so now that we are getting rid of our Harriers and picking up the JSF. This will mean we have no operational fixed wing pilots for approx. two years. That is a lot of sitting around trust me.

I will not vote as i feel that the opinion of people that don't know you should hardly affect your choice but I would say that it is pretty obvious which way I lean who knows maybe i will see you in the fleet someday.

thanks to you all for your opinions. Im sure one day i will make my mind up...(probably around the time i apply to one or the other ).

PS-the poll was just for fun but at the minute the results are close

I really like the sound of being able to fly AND be in the marines...surely that is the best of both worlds

Strength, I had heard from a YO when I was at CTC that there were two RM Officers flying Navy Harriers... absolute ninja's!

The choice and selection for flight training is not that straightforward if you join the Corp. Derek and I were extremely fortunate to be SNCO pilots, there is great competition for places and many drop by the wayside. The RN helicopter world is very varied and in the Commando Sqn, very interesting.
If I had my time again, and had not been a pilot, I would still join the Corp. However, having been there, I would now attempt the pilot officer training with the RN.
There are many pros and cons for each service, the choice is difficult. Got a coin?

Nope, I'm a poor student No coins, only credit cards