DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS 3000 MARINE CORPS PENTAGON WASHINGTON DC 20350-3000 MCO 1542.3C ASM-33 MARINE CORPS ORDER 1542.3C From: Deputy Commandant for Aviation To: Distribution List Subj: UNITED STATES NAVY/UNITED STATES AIR FORCE TEST PILOT SCHOOLS Ref: (a) USNTPSNOTE 1542 (b) USAF TPS PAM 36-7, Graduate Course Catalog and Student Handbook, 22 June 2007 (c) OPNAVINST 3710.7U, NATOPS General Flight and Operating Instructions, 1 March 2004. (d) MCO P1070.12K w/ch 1 (e) MCO Pl900.l6F w/ch 1-2 (f) SECNAV M-5210.1 (g) SECNAVINST 5211.5E (h) 5 U.S.C. 552a 1. Situation. Marine Corps Test Pilots perform a critical evaluation function during the process of procuring new or updated aviation hardware and software for Marine combat squadrons. Service as a Test Pilot is demanding and potentially dangerous, therefore the selection process is careful and rigorous. This Order, per the references, posts specific requirements and promulgates standardized procedures for application to the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) and the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School (USAFTPS). 2. Cancellation. MCO 1542.3B w/ch 1. 3. Mission a. The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is responsible for Test and Evaluation (T&E) of aircraft, weapons systems, components and related equipment. b. The USNTPS at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland provides instruction to experienced pilots, flight officers and engineers in the processes and techniques of aircraft and systems test and evaluation. The school investigates and develops new flight test techniques, publishes manuals for use by the aviation flight test community, and standardizes flight test techniques and project reporting. c. The USAFTPS, at Edwards Air Force Base, California, trains pilots, navigators and engineers to conduct flight tests and evaluation of researchprototype and production aerospace vehicles, systems and weapons. The school develops, implements and conducts the theoretical and applied academics and flying curriculum. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
4. Execution a. Commander s Intent and Concept of Operation (1) Commander s Intent. Solicit applications from highly qualified officers for the United States Navy and United States Air Force Test Pilot Schools. (2) Concept of Operations (a) USNTPS. The 10 month course of instruction at USNTPS includes concurrent academic and flight events in three curriculum: fixedwing, rotary-wing, and systems. The curriculum is described in reference (a). (b) USAFTPS. The 12 month course of instruction at the USAFTPS emphasizes flight test methods and techniques in selected USAF aircraft. The curriculum is described in reference (b). 5. Administration and Logistics a. Administrative. Applicants must: (1) Be commissioned officers, Regular or Reserve on active duty. (2) Hold the grade of First Lieutenant through Major. (3) Be a designated Naval Aviator or Naval Flight Officer. (4) Hold a current secret or higher security clearance. (5) Agree to a service obligation of 5 years after successful completion of Test Pilot School (TPS). (a) Unsuccessful completion of a TPS course obligates an officer to two years active duty in accordance with reference (e). b. Academic (1) USNTPS (a) Although not mandatory, a Bachelor s degree in engineering, physical sciences, computer science or mathematics field is highly desirable. At a minimum, the applicant should have successfully completed: 1. College physics or mechanics (static and dynamic). 2. College level mathematics through college algebra, differential and integral calculus. (2) USAFTPS (a) A Bachelor s degree in an engineering, physical science or mathematics field is mandatory. c. Flight and Professional (1) A current flight physical examination (Medical Service Group I), as defined in reference (c), is required. 2
(2) Naval Aviators (a) A minimum of 1,000 military flight hours. (b) For rotary-wing pilots 1. Designation as a Helicopter Aircraft Commander in accordance with reference (c). 2. Additional designations/qualifications/experience such as Section/Division/Flight Leader, mission commander, post-maintenance check flight pilot, advanced tactical designations, all instructor qualifications, and combat experience are all highly beneficial and highlight maturity, judgment, and aircraft mastery. (c) For fixed-wing pilots reference (c). 1. Designation as an Aircraft Commander in accordance with 2. Additional designations/qualifications/experience such as Section/Division/Flight Leader, post-maintenance check flight pilot, advanced tactical designations, all instructor qualifications, and combat experience are all highly beneficial and highlight maturity, judgment, and aircraft mastery. (3) Naval Flight Officers (a) A minimum of 1,000 military flight hours. (b) Additional designations/qualifications/experience such as advanced tactical designations, all instructor qualifications, and combat experience are all highly beneficial and highlight maturity, judgment, and aircraft mastery. d. Waivers. Applications with waiver requests are encouraged. Experience has proven the validity for rigorous eligibility criteria, but waivers of certain criteria will be considered. Requests will be submitted during the application process via the online questionnaire and reviewed by the selection board. e. Application (1) Applications will be submitted via online questionnaire located on the Marine Corps Manpower and Reserve Affairs website and will be accessible to all officers that meet the criteria in para 4.a (1-3). (2) Required documentation that must be scanned and uploaded with the questionnaire in order for individuals to be considered for selection to Naval Test Pilot School is: (a) A one-page standard military biography, summarizing the applicant s educational experience, military service, and operational, flight and leadership experience, must be included as an enclosure with the application. The biography may also include other noteworthy personal accomplishments (honors, awards, etc.) that would be of interest to the selection board. 3
(b) Official copies of Undergraduate academic transcripts. If applicable, Graduate level academic transcripts should also be included. It is also highly encouraged to have a legible copy of all transcripts in the applicant s Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). (c) Letters of recommendation (in addition to the command endorsements outlined in paragraph 4.g) may be included as an enclosure with the application. Evaluations from individuals familiar with the TPS curriculum and T&E career field (i.e., developmental test pilots, operational check pilots, flight test engineers, or acquisition management professionals) may provide invaluable insight for the selection board. (d) Letter of intent detailing intent to apply to Test Pilot School. An example of this is located online with the questionnaire and must be routed for command endorsement as outlined in para 4.g. (3) A standard selection board photograph (as outlined in paragraph 2002 of reference (d)) taken within 12 month of the board convening date must be in the applicant s OMPF. (4) Applications may be withdrawn at anytime by written or e-mail notification to the Commanding Officer, MAD Patuxent River. f. Deadline. The online questionnaire must be completed, all required documents uploaded, and the questionnaire submitted by selecting the submit button at the bottom of the on line questionnaire prior to the deadline stated in the TPS Selection Board Announcement Marine Administrative (MARADMIN) message announcing the board. g. Commanding Officer s endorsement. The Commanding Officer s endorsement weighs heavily in the selection process. The endorsement should be an evaluation of the applicant s airmanship, intelligence, initiative, integrity, judgment, adaptability, and motivation. In addition, the endorsement should evaluate the school s effect on the applicant s Primary Military Occupational Specialty career progression and timing. In cases where the endorsing officer has no firsthand knowledge of the applicant s flying ability, a letter of recommendation should be solicited from one or more officers who have supervised the applicant in an operational flying billet within the past three years. h. Selection. The TPS Selection Board will convene semiannually on the date published by the notification MARADMIN. The number of pilots and NFOs selected are based on anticipated future T&E requirements at NAVAIR in conjunction with Marine Corps officer strength in each Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) at MAD Patuxent River and MAD China Lake. Those officers selected for TPS will be notified via MARADMIN. i. Non-selection (1) Due to the stringent manpower/mos selection constraints, nonselection should not automatically be viewed as unfavorable. Because testing requirements change, the quantity and type/model/series requirements for pilots and NFOs to be selected can and do change up to the date of each board. (2) Applicants are encouraged to inquire with the points of contact listed on the TPS selection board announcement MARADMIN concerning general 4
selection criteria following the board which may have led to their nonselection. MCO 1542.3C (3) All applicants that desire consideration on subsequent boards must re-submit a complete application package. If an applicant is not selected on the board initially applied for, their application will not normally be retained. j. USNTPS Visit Requests (1) Applicants are invited to visit NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, to observe the T&E process, the TPS curriculum, and to talk with Marine TPS graduates. (2) Visits can be arranged through the Executive Officer, MAD, NAS Patuxent River, Maryland (DSN 342-1421). (3) Additionally, TPS graduates currently serving in other fleet billets are an equally valuable source of information about T&E and the acquisition management career field. k. Post Test Pilot Tour. Test Pilots are highly sought after by fleet squadrons and supporting echelons for their high degree of technical knowledge and proven project planning skills. (1) Return to the Fleet. A typical test pilot tour of duty removes the pilot from the operational fleet for 4 years (1 year at TPS followed by 3 years in the HX/VX), and most test pilots depart as a Major. In order to maintain MOS credibility, pilots are expected to return to Fleet squadrons for their follow-on tour. This is essential to afford the opportunity for a department head tour, which allows the test pilot to remain competitive with his/her peers. (2) Professional Acquisition Workforce. T&E is an integral part of the aircraft and systems acquisition process. Marines selected to attend TPS will receive the additional MOS (AMOS) designation of 8057 (Acquisition Professional Candidate) upon completion of TPS. While performing duties as a test pilot, Marines will be afforded the opportunity to accomplish DAWIA T&E certifications. Upon attainment of DAWIA T&E certifications, Marines will be eligible to apply for Defense Acquisition Workforce membership and receive the AMOS 8058 (Acquisition Management Officer). With these certifications, test pilots are eligible to apply for transition to the primary MOS 8059 (Aviation Acquisition Management Professional). l. Records created as a result of this Order shall be managed according to National Archives and Records Administration approved disposition per reference (x) to ensure proper maintenance, use, accessibility and preservation, regardless of format or medium. m. Privacy Act. Any misuse or unauthorized disclosure of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) may result in both civil and criminal penalties. The DON recognizes that the privacy of an individual is a personal and fundamental right that shall be respected and protected. The DON's need to collect, use, maintain, or disseminate PII about individuals for purposes of discharging its statutory responsibilities will be balanced against the individuals' right to be protected against unwarranted invasion of privacy. All collection, use, maintenance, or dissemination of PII will 5
be in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (reference (g)) and implemented per reference (h). 6. Command and Signal. Commanding officers are requested to make widest dissemination of the contents of this Order and to encourage well-qualified officers to apply. 7. Reserve Applicability. This Order is not applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve. J. M. DAVIS DISTRIBUTION: PCN 10201830600 6