MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. -- The Marine Corps Foreign Personnel Exchange Program was established during World War II when allied forces exhibited a need to exchange and standardize operation doctrines.
Since then, the MCFPEP has been exchanging U.S. Naval personnel with similarly billeted military service members from allied foreign nations on a one-for-one basis.
According to Marine Corps Order 5700.4E, the Marine Corps looks for individuals who have demonstrated military characteristics and are well qualified through experience to fulfill these ambassador-like billets.
On Feb. 14, it was deemed that Capt. Brett McGregor, a Marine Attack Squadron 211 AV-8B Harrier II jet pilot, met those standards. He was selected to fill one of two Harrier pilot slots in England. There are also slots in Spain and Italy, allowing a total of four U.S. Harrier pilots to fly for foreign nations. Harrier pilots are selected from throughout the Marine Corps for the opportunity to fly abroad for one of the three countries.
“It sounded like an interesting experience that would keep me flying. It’s a good opportunity and I’m really looking forward to it,” said McGregor, a Bellaire, Mich., native. “Most pilots, after being in Yuma, (Ariz.), three or four years, have to move, sometimes to a ground-side job. This keeps me flying and I get to fly a couple different types of aircraft while I’m over there.”
For the next three years, McGregor and his family will be living in England as he flies for the British Royal Air Force. But before he takes off for Europe later this year, McGregor and his family have a lot of preparation to take care of.
“There are a lot of decisions we’ve got to make and a lot of things we need to take care of before we go,” said McGregor. “We’ve got to figure out what we are going to do with our house and our cars. Since we are taking our dogs, we have to get them vaccinated six months before we go.”
Once in England, McGregor will be flying a variation of the Harrier he flies here in Yuma, but he will still have to hit the books once again.
“With the exchange, I’ll have to go back to flight school,” said McGregor. “I’ll be going through an abbreviated British flight school. It’s not going to be a focus on flying, but I need to learn how the (British) operate.
“U.S. pilots that go to Italy and Spain don’t have to go to flight school again because Italians and Spaniards come to the U.S. for their flight training,” said McGregor. “They have to go through language training at the (Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center).”
Spanish Navy Lt. Manuel Rodriguez now pilots Harriers for Marine Attack Squadron 214 as part of the exchange program.
“Everybody wants to come here,” said Rodriguez, a San Fernando, Spain, native who began his two-year U.S. tour in September. “Everybody applies and it’s a big competition.”
Rodriguez first tasted life in the U.S. when he trained at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. It was the time he spent here then that prompted him to try to return.
“I enjoyed my first tour over here when I was in flight training. My daughter was born here too,” said Rodriguez. “I wanted to show her the U.S., and I want her to learn the language.”
Besides the personal benefits for the service members involved, the militaries involved expect feedback from their deployed representatives.
“The program allows us to see how other communities operate and how they approach and solve problems,” said McGregor. “We try to exchange ideas and learn how things can be done better.”
Almost half a year into Rodriguez’s deployment, he has noticed differences and similarities between Spain and the U.S.
“The flying here has mostly an air-to-ground mindset. In Spain, the focus is on air-to-air fighting,” said Rodriguez. “Pilots everywhere are all the same. There are very few small differences.”
Harrier pilots are not the only individuals in the Corps who stand a chance of working overseas for another country’s military though.
“There are other exchange programs out there too” said McGregor. “Jet pilots and helicopter pilots both have similar opportunities. Several pilots on base have done this. It’s a constant turnover.”
According to the MCO for MCFPEP, career designated staff noncommissioned officers can also be sent to tighten the bond between allies of the U.S.
Whoever is sent, regardless of military occupational specialty, can expect an opportunity to be immersed in the culture of our allies, just as Rodriguez has been here.
“It’s given me a chance to meet new people, do new things and travel the U.S.,” said Rodriguez.
McGregor and his family are looking forward to doing the same things in England and the rest of Europe while he demonstrates the Marine Corps’s military prowess and strengthens the bond between allies.