Marine corps commisioning max age is 30, can you waiver to 35 (for pilots?)?

im wanting to enlist in the marine corps (im 22 right now) and i want to enlist for four years. and become an officer for the marine corps (with the MOS of pilot...) i need to serve 4 years (or if i am lucky get admitted into a program to become a commissioned officer before then).... looking at it worst case scenario... if i serve for four years without being allowed to get early commissioning. i will be 26 once i am discharged. another 4 years for a bachelors would make me 30 or 31. depending on when i get discharged. I would definitely apply for officer class as a freshman; while im attending university for aviation. after i achieve a bachelors i will be older then 30 more then likely. is there any way it can be waived and still be eligible to become an aviator for the Marine Corps? or what would be the best route in my circumstance. any help would be greatly appreciated.. thanks

Public Comments

1. Not gonna happen, Your best bet, would be to enlist in the Marine reserves or Army national guard, Use the educational benefits and go to school now. Enroll in Navy ROTC with the Marine Corps Option., and make good enough grades the first year or two, to be awarded a NROTC scholorhip. Then apply for flight school, while a junior in NROTC. Almost all pilots come from the Academy or from ROTC. Very few pilots come from OCS, and those that do, have far higher standards they must meet. Higher GPA's and higher AFASAT test scores. IE: about 45% from the academy, 50% from ROTC and 5% from OCS.
2. Actually, the first answer isn't the best choice for you. From what I read, you want to go enlisted in order to get money for college, and then go back as an officer. Well, you're in luck, my friend! The corps has a specific program exactly for people in your position. It's called the MECEP (Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program). Basically what it is, is this: You join the corps enlisted, and serve for a couple years. Once you hit NCO (1-3 years, depending on MOS) you can put in a request to join the MECEP program. The MECEP program rotates you out of the active duty group, and into reserve status. While you are in reserve status, the Marine Corps will pay for your college, and ALSO pay you your base pay as an E-4 in the Corps. Basically, you are on a full ride, WITH PAY. Basically it is a Corps sponsored scholarship for enlisted member. Of course there are requirements and standards you have to keep yourself up to, but here's what happens. After you finish your 4 years and get your bachelors degree (by your timeline, you will be 26) you will then be automatically commissioned as a Marine 2nd Lieutenant. From there you will go on to TBS and OCS, and then on to your job of choice. Really, the MECEP is probably the Marine Corps' best kept secret. Look into it. Go ask a recruiter about it. He will be more than happy to talk to you about it. You may message me directly if you have any further questions.