Royal Marines Commando Pilot

[BAW014]

I've seen thes chaps sitting in the cockpit on FA2's with there Royal Marines Commando patches on there arms. I was wondering if its part of the Fleet Air Arm and if the training to be one of these guys is the same as the ground forces and then training for Aircrew? Is there anyway to apply for this?

Can someone give me more information. I'd really like to find out more.

Cheers,

Alex Macdonald

[Tourist]

Join the Marines as an Officer (no more nco pilots)
Complete training.
Apply to be a pilot.
Do well enough at Barkston to go Fast Jet.
Job done!
Oh and yes they are part of the FAA.
Most go to 847 NAS to fly Gazelle/Lynx

[BAW014]

Does anyone happen to know what the eyesight standards need to be to become Fleet Air Arm Aircrew too?

Cheers,

Alex Macdonald

[P-T-Gamekeeper]

BAW 014 Are you talking about the actual "ROYAL MARINES COMANDO" letters on the uniform, or the Commando Dagger, which can just signify that any member of HM Forces has completed the All Arms Commando Course, which is no mean feat, but no where near being a RM.

As far as eyesight, I believe the entry standard is the same for all 3 forces. If you are serving, and applying for aircrew, I believe there is a tad more leeway.

The high standard is only for entry to training. Once qualified, corrected vision is no problem.

[BAW014]

Hi there P-T-Gamekeeper,

Yes i'm aware of the Commando Dagger patch. All the Marine pilots I have seen have it.

Thanks for the info on eyesight though.

Regards,

Alex

[AllTrimDoubt]

Join RN
1. Train as Officer
2. Train as Aircrew (note order)
3. If good enough for FJ, then streamed as such. (Otherwise rotary)

Join RM
1. Complete Officer and RM Commando training
2. Complete at least 1 front line tour as RM
3. Apply and be selected for RM Aircrew
4. If good enough for FJ, then streamed as such. etc

All details have been posted in these threads recently. Simply search for keywords. Alternatively call in @ local RN/RM Careers Office.

NO easy route in, and competition is stiff. But worth it.

[bad livin']

As far as I'm aware, all the booties I knew while in flying training had to do their probationary time as a troop boss first as well. There is at least one front line RM officer who's a SHAR pilot at the moment. Getting the all arms course under your belt is still secondary to flying ability of course...as a friend of mine recently found out when streamed Merlin despite getting his green lid - NOT an experience he says he'd wish to repeat!

[CBA_caption]

If you're a primadonna who wants the highlife from day one join the airforce. (I am one)

If you are a double hard B*rstard who thinks 4.5 years of non too pleasant chopping too easy; join the marines, do all the double hard B*rstad things Marines have to do, then do the the 4.5 years of non too pleasant chopping stuff. Your reward will be flying a navy interceptor with no radar (GR9).

CBA

Edited for english (anymore errors= state education.)

[Black 'n Yellar]

There are currently 3 Royal Marines Officers as FJ pilots. 2 have already migrated from the Sea Harrier and are now at Cottesmore on the GR7. The third is still on the SHAR and is due to go on exchange to fly the AV8B with the USMC later this year.
As has already been said, it takes a long time to get to the front line. An RM Officer must complete officer training (13 months) and a troop command (1 year) before being able to specialise in aviation. There is then the standard FJ (or rotary) pipeline to get through.
The RN rotary cross-over course (Air 309) is also available to RMs. However, by the time an RM officer gets through rotary training and a suitable front line tour he is usually up against the age limit for the course. The Corps seem fairly happy about its officers specialising in FJ flying, although that does sometimes change dependent on personalities! There are currently no RMs in FJ training at this time, but the path is definitely still open. There is hopefully an exciting future for us as we migrate to GR7 and support 3 Commando Brigade in the ground attack role. However, don't join the Corps just to be a FJ pilot as there is a lot to get through before they let you loose in a jet!!