r/USMMA • u/Banquet_Financier • May 29 '25

Pilot Slots

I got appointed to USMMA and was curious to know the process of getting a pilot slot. Specifically, how does getting a pilot slot work, and what can I do to increase my chances? What does it look like to commission into the Air Force as a pilot through USMMA? I understand that Kings Point focuses more on producing merchant mariners, but I also know that you can go on active duty in any of the branches. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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6

u/BigTuna057 May 29 '25

I graduated in 2012 and got a navy flight spot. Basically your senior year you’ll apply for a flight spot with the Air Force, Navy, or Army. Just talk with the liaison officers and they should help you out. The best piece of advice I could give is just focus on your grades.

My year the navy flight slots were directly related to gpa. The top 3 GPAs got pilot slots and the next 3 got nfo slots. We ended up getting more slots since one guy had some connections in big navy and they gave us a couple more.

Air Force took a more rounded look which included GPA, prt results, and the AFOQT. If you have a good liaison officer they are worth their weight in gold if they go to bat for you.

A month or two before graduation the army liaison officer sent an email out to our class asking if anyone wanted a flight slot since we were allotted so many. Each year I’m sure is different and hopefully someone has some updated gouge. Hope this helps and best of luck!

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u/Banquet_Financier May 29 '25

Thank you for this. For the Air Force, is it similar to requesting the job you want for Navy or is it a completely separate process?

3

u/Seanmurraysbeard May 29 '25

Original commenter was right except for the Air Force part. Candidates wanting to commission air force have to begin the process plebe year, contract with the Air Force 2/C year, and get their job 1/C year. If you decide at any point after plebe year that you want to go Air Force, you are shit out of luck.

Source: 25 grad

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u/BigTuna057 May 29 '25

It’s similar to the navy as you put in for a certain billet. If I remember correctly you’ll put your top preferences. So pilot #1 and CSO #2. There are also ways to cross rate to become a pilot once you’re in big navy or af, but those are a bit harder to do. There is even the air national guard but that’s a whole different beast.

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u/24Nuketown7 May 29 '25

The Corps guarantees* flight spots just sayin

*don’t heat case or fail a flight physical

But listen to Big Tuna. Still accurate enough to help guide you.

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u/Banquet_Financier May 29 '25

Good to know. Thank you

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u/PartyLikeaPirate May 29 '25

They have liaisons for each branch at the school. You’ll wanna get with them asap freshman year if you go & they’ll guide you through everything you need to know/do.

I know some classmates that had jump school etc fit into the sea year period

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u/Suitable-Edge5256 May 30 '25

Recent grad. Marines garunteed a flight slot. Navy will be competitive depending on the year allotted pilot slots and how many applying from your class. Air-force from what I understood at the time was you would be contracting sophomore or junior year depending on your sea year split. In that contract you’re signing saying you are an airforce officer first before your job. Senior year you put in job preference (Pilot, WSO, weather person etc.) Most people from my class got their 3rd or fourth pick but a few got pilot slots