Share This Page:
Commando Pilot?
Commando Pilot?
What are the chances of becoming a pilot in the Royal Marines? Ie. Is this reserved for only a handful of royal marine officers?
The chances are just as the chances would be if you are not a RM. Nothing's reserved, it's just that very few RM officers go on to fly fast jets or even helicopters, mainly because not many people join the Royal Marines to be a pilot.
Basically you do a flying aptitude test in Cornwall, exactly the same as you would do if you were a civvy looking to join the FAA. From then on I'm not exactly sure if you go straight to flying training or not. What's usually the case is that you do an AIB and then basic training of 10 months, but maybe being a RM already means that you skip these.
Anyway, after that you do basic flying training for 6 months and then it's decided (for you, not by you) depending on how you fly, whether you do fixed-wing or chopper training. Then you can be serving on the frontline 17-27 months later depening on whether you go fast jet or helo. You train alongside the FAA and work closely with the RAF.
Regarding your role, I don't know how much action you get on the ground compared to how much you get in the air.
Good to see someone else interested in flying in the Royal Marines. Hope that helped you.
Oh, and forgot to mention that you have to be an officer to be a pilot. Otherwise you can only be ground crew, technician, observer etc.
Basically you do a flying aptitude test in Cornwall, exactly the same as you would do if you were a civvy looking to join the FAA. From then on I'm not exactly sure if you go straight to flying training or not. What's usually the case is that you do an AIB and then basic training of 10 months, but maybe being a RM already means that you skip these.
Anyway, after that you do basic flying training for 6 months and then it's decided (for you, not by you) depending on how you fly, whether you do fixed-wing or chopper training. Then you can be serving on the frontline 17-27 months later depening on whether you go fast jet or helo. You train alongside the FAA and work closely with the RAF.
Regarding your role, I don't know how much action you get on the ground compared to how much you get in the air.
Good to see someone else interested in flying in the Royal Marines. Hope that helped you.
Oh, and forgot to mention that you have to be an officer to be a pilot. Otherwise you can only be ground crew, technician, observer etc.
Yeah that helps, wondering how exactly people go about becoming a pilot in the marines though, ie. do you mention it at the AFCO in your initial interview or do you have to wait until you have passed phase 1 and 2 of the officer training before getting to specialise.
I am not currently a marine but my application was handed in recently for non-commissioned entry but I am now having second thoughts as the AFCO called me about 10 mins after I handed in my application asking if I would rather enter as an officer due to my qualifications.
This was my original plan but I was weary of the 12 year commission as it seemed a bit long to be tied to a job no matter how much you may love what you do. Found out that you do not actually have to stay for the full 12 years though.
I am not currently a marine but my application was handed in recently for non-commissioned entry but I am now having second thoughts as the AFCO called me about 10 mins after I handed in my application asking if I would rather enter as an officer due to my qualifications.
This was my original plan but I was weary of the 12 year commission as it seemed a bit long to be tied to a job no matter how much you may love what you do. Found out that you do not actually have to stay for the full 12 years though.
As far as I know, you specialise after your 2 year officer training, but I would mention an interest to your AFCO anyway. If you do want to be a pilot make sure you know what the role of RM pilots is compared to that of FAA/RAF/AAC pilots and be sure that you would rather be flying in the Royal Marines than anywhere else.
And if that is what you want to do then you better enter as officer lol...in all forces it's only the officers that get to fly.
And if that is what you want to do then you better enter as officer lol...in all forces it's only the officers that get to fly.
Believe the AAC dont have to be an officer to apply for pilot, just need the aptitude.ferret wrote:As far as I know, you specialise after your 2 year officer training, but I would mention an interest to your AFCO anyway. If you do want to be a pilot make sure you know what the role of RM pilots is compared to that of FAA/RAF/AAC pilots and be sure that you would rather be flying in the Royal Marines than anywhere else.
And if that is what you want to do then you better enter as officer lol...in all forces it's only the officers that get to fly.
No have to be officers now certainly to fly, know quite a few people up at Culdrose, ground and aircrew and the pilots are all officers.
Found a page on training on DefenceNews, shows all applicants have to ahve gone through Britannia, Armys page shows they don't have to have gone through Sandhurst as can be drawn from the ranks.
Found a page on training on DefenceNews, shows all applicants have to ahve gone through Britannia, Armys page shows they don't have to have gone through Sandhurst as can be drawn from the ranks.
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/About ... aining.htmThe Royal Navy recruit direct entry students for both Pilot and Observer specialisations. Both specialisations undergo a common training pipeline for the first year before diversifying into their specialisations.
Initial Officer Training
All students complete 2 1/2 terms at Britannia Royal Navy College where they participate in Naval general training, Academic studies, Leadership exercises and aircrew grading.
Pilot Grading
All student Pilots spend 3 weeks grading at the Royal Naval Flying Training Flight at Plymouth Robrough airport, being assessed on their ability to succeed in flying training.
Observer Grading Air 424 Course
On completion of the Dartmouth training students undergo a package of training based at HMS Sultan in Gosport. The course covers Aircrew First Aid, Aviation Medicine, Crew Resource Management, Aircrew Survival, Survival Equipment and Drills, and the Underwater Escape Training Unit.
...
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/About ... aining.htmThe Army Air Corps (AAC) recruits pilots from 3 main sources:
Direct Entry (Officers only)
The ranks of the AAC (Corporals and above)
Officers and soldiers from other arms and branches of the Service (Corporal and above)
Note: Applicants can be male or female
...
Last edited by _chris on Mon 07 May, 2007 3:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
SNCO's cannot become a helo pilot, now at least (or so my liason officer and careers brochure say).
Best to tell your AFCO just to check anyway, kevin916.
Edit: seems _chris got there first lol.
Also, in the careers brochure, for commando officer specialisations the equivalent to above is "Pilot", not "Aircrewman".Aircrewman
As an Aircrewman, you will fly on board the helicopters of the Commando Naval Air Squadrons. Trained to operate by day or night, and in all conditions, you will carry out important missions from recon to helping transport troops or supplies to the front line.
Best to tell your AFCO just to check anyway, kevin916.
Edit: seems _chris got there first lol.
I am planning to get down to my AFCO this Friday as I have a couple of exams to do before then. Tried to phone them today but think it must be closed because of the public holiday.
I am concerned that attempting to switch from non commissioned entry to joining as an officer will be frownded upon as my application is already in and my psychometric test already schduled. Hopefully this will not be a problem.
I am concerned that attempting to switch from non commissioned entry to joining as an officer will be frownded upon as my application is already in and my psychometric test already schduled. Hopefully this will not be a problem.
Hate to do it but im going to go slightly off topic here, iv been reading this topic but dont intend to apply for pilot.
But could you join the RM as a marine/commando then once in, get some qualifications required and then apply for a commission a few years down the line if you show potential?
Just wondered, back on topic
But could you join the RM as a marine/commando then once in, get some qualifications required and then apply for a commission a few years down the line if you show potential?
Just wondered, back on topic
It appears so:
Taken from here. However, the info is not official so the credibility can be questioned. Best to ask your AFCO.Entry is highly competitive but there are shortages, so if you have the right combination of qualities, you have a good chance of entry. Opportunities exist for senior non-commissioned officers (SNCOs) to become commissioned officers later in their career, although competition is fierce.
That questions asked every few weeks, the answer is usually that if you show potential then yes you can be selected to go across. In fact I remember someone (Druadan?) saying you could be noticed during recruit training and go straight across from recruit to YO training.
But also usually stated is its pretty difficult, if you want to go officer work at it now, and go for the officer entry route.
But also usually stated is its pretty difficult, if you want to go officer work at it now, and go for the officer entry route.
AAC majority of pilots NCOs, possible to transfer from RM if you wish. Yes commissions from the ranks possible if you show good potential, either early in your career via Corps Commission (whereby you have to return to Lympstone and do the full 14 month YO course) or later (minimum Cpl, usually Sgt or higher) via Staff Officer Late Entry (now called something else I think) which is a 5 month course.
Info may be slightly out of date.
Never heard anything about RM Officer pilots, not saying it can't be done; but really the wrong job to be going in to if you want to fly - even Aircrew as a Bootneck is hard to get in to and a long waiting list.
Info may be slightly out of date.
Never heard anything about RM Officer pilots, not saying it can't be done; but really the wrong job to be going in to if you want to fly - even Aircrew as a Bootneck is hard to get in to and a long waiting list.
