I am 15 (almost 16), I'm 5'8, I weight 220 and I want to join the marines when im 18, but I need help..

Question

I'm quite chubby and well its always been my dream to become an F/A - 18 Hornet Fighter Pilot. Since I've been chuby my whole life I dont know if I can lose the weight and be prepared for the marines. I know Im smart enough for it, but I dont know if Ill be mentaly and phisically ready for the Marines. Does anyone have advice on how I can get phissically and menatly ready? and Is there anyone from the marines than can tell me what to expect, like how hard it is, what training is like. should I go to college for a Pilots licence before or wait till after I enlist. Any advice would help.. THANX!

I asked this queston again becuase people kept acting like i just turned 15, im actually 1 month from turning 16

Answer 1

Wow, you sure do have a lot ahead of you.

If you want to be a fighter pilot in the Marine Corps that means you have to go to college and get a degree. Make it to that point, you have to be medically and legally qualified. If they find anything in your history that is even semi-serious, you are out. I can't tell you how many incredibly motivated and enthusiastic people I have seen turned down from military service for bullshit medical reasons in their past. Best bet is that when you take your initial physical, don't report anything that you can, even if you may have had a problem. The standards are even higher for pilots...

You also have to be able to go through a Marine Corps officer ascension path. That means either go to the US Naval Academy, do Marine Option Naval ROTC at a college, do the Platoon Leaders Course program if ROTC is not available at your school, or do the Officer Training School after you graduate with your degree. I would recommend going to a school with Naval ROTC; its the easiest way to get where you want to go.

Anyone can sign up for ROTC, but you have to eventually need to meet and exceed standards if you want to stay with it. The USMC has probably some of the toughest and most physically minded training programs in the US military establishment, so be prepared for that. You are going to have to lose a substantial amount of weight to keep up, and that means using a lot of the suggestions in the other answers.

If you can make it through all of those hurdles academically, medically, physically, and legally, you will then have to go through what will probably be the hardest challenge you will ever face: Marine Corps Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Quantico, VA. If you do ROTC, you will go through this 10-week Hell between your junior and senior year of undergrad. If you make it through, you get commission and then you go to The Basic School (TBS), a 6 months long school where you learn the skills of a Marine Officer. After you that, if you can get a pilot slot, then you begin the pilot school pipeline, which consists of a series of difficult flight schools. If you can make it all the way through, congratulations: you are now a pilot in the United States Marine Corps.

You have a hell of a lot against you, but your goal isn't impossible. It will take willpower, dedication, pain, and stress beyond your wildest dreams. You just have to want it enough... and that is all up to you. Best of luck.

Answer 2

First of all, you have to be an officer to be a pilot. That means either you can go to Naval Academy or join the officer training program. There are several programs that will help you become an officer.

To become an officer, you have to be U.S. Citizen and you need a bachelor's degree. You can join the program anytime while you are in college. You will have to go train during summer. Length of the training depends on what college year you join. So that way you have more time to build up physically and metally and it can be up to 4 years.

Training is hard but they will make you get through it. Because only way you get out is to pass the training or physically disabled. They will make you pass it no matter how long it takes. But once you get used to it, it's easy. It becomes habbit.

I see that you are over weight. I recommend that you loose weight down to at least 190. Marine Corps basic excersices are 3 mile run, crunches and pull ups. These are the physical fitness test subjects. You have to run 3 miles in between 18 min. Min and 28 min. Max. 100 Max crunches and 20 Max pull ups. More you do, better chance of getting promoted.

You don't need pilots license since they will send you school for aviation after you finish all the basic traininigs. You will also need 20/20 vision and be in good physical shape. Such as not over-weight, good heart condition, blood pressure and such.

Becoming a fighter jet pilot is not a easy thing. They require the maximum physical requirements. Contact your local Officer Recruiting Office and ask for more detail and they will be glad to help you. They may even set up dates for you to work out with them before you go out for training.

Wish you the best of luck.

Answer 3

I agree with everything that James above said with a couple more things. Yep, you need to loose weight and you know that. You need to develope a healthy lifestyle to maintain that body. You also need to study your *** off. That means math, science, team sports, getting your head together. They may teach you things in school but the academies want to see a demonstration that you have what it takes. That means not just algebra but trig as well. It won't hurt to take some community college classes during your off hours. I loose weight with body building. I'll never be Arnold but its makes me more disciplined and I like the way my shirts fit.

Answer 4

If you may have trouble with endurance join the Air Force. Training physically is a lot easier then the Marines.

Answer 5

first: cut out ALL soda from your diet, even diet soda. drink water and milk only. Limit your sweets to one or two a WEEK. Whole grains only..whole wheat pasta, bread, Brown rice. lean protein: chicken and turkey breast, very lean cuts of beef, lots of fish. double servings of veggies, cooked in olive oil, not butter.

Exercise 5 times a week. especially cardio. Start slow.. maybe a brisk walk around the block a few times, then gradually increase duration and speed.

a commercial pilot's license will not help you, and in fact might hurt you. civilian flying is vastly different than military flying.

Answer 6

you got 22 answers the last time you posted this question. you dont need help from people over the internet, you need to get motivated and start actually working toward your dream.

edit:
you being a year older doesn't change anything. youre still going to get the same answers that you need to diet and exercise. if you cant get yourself to a healthy weight, i then i think you don't have near enough motivation to make it in the military. im not being mean, im being honest. so prove me wrong, get in shape, then tackle your specific career goals with a recruiter.

Answer 7

Here is my diagnosis.....

1) Lay off the fast food.
2) Lay off the ice cream and candy
3) Lay off the soda
4) Buy yourself a diet cookbook and beg your Mom or Dad to buy your healthy foods.
5) Eat in moderation
6) Exercise your butt off.

Oh, another thing, wean yourself from the desire to "War", its not healthy either.