From Hueys to the Flight Deck: Daniel O’Neil’s 32-Month Journey from USMC to ATP

This week on BreakTurn, Landon sits down with Daniel O’Neil, a Marine Corps veteran who pulled off something truly exceptional: earning his Unrestricted ATP and A320 type rating in just 32 months—all while on active duty.

Daniel’s story isn’t just about logging hours. It’s about intentional decision-making, raw discipline, time mastery, and a deep-rooted “why” that kept him driving forward, even when it meant studying at 1 a.m. after a full day in uniform. From recruiting duty in Texas to flying Hueys in Camp Pendleton, Daniel shares how family, resilience, and a chance billboard shaped his transition from Marine to professional aviator.

Whether you’re E2A, E2C, a current service member, or just looking for real talk on what it takes to radically change your path—this one is for you.

🎧 In This Episode:

• 00:00 – Intro and the viral RTAG post that caught our attention

• 01:30 – Daniel’s USMC background and how recruiting duty shaped his passion for helping others

• 05:00 – A pivotal CrossFit garage convo with his wife that flipped the switch

• 10:00 – Why flying again became the answer and how a literal billboard started it all

• 20:00 – Study habits, CFI prep, and how to squeeze 8 hours out of your “free” time

• 30:00 – Fighting burnout: the cost of ambition and the importance of family buy-in

• 38:00 – Deployment reflections, flying in Okinawa, and the power of finding your “why”

• 47:00 – Strategic time building, schedule design, and maximizing the GI Bill

• 55:00 – Why Daniel chose to pursue a type rating in the Airbus A320

• 1:15:00 – Staying grounded through pressure and what’s next for Daniel

• 1:28:00 – Daniel’s final advice: win the day, don’t end on a zero, and break your goals into battle rhythms

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Action beats deliberation—schedule it, and make it real

• Know your “why” and let it drive every decision

• Communication with your family isn’t optional—it’s critical

• If you want it bad enough, you will make time

• Use your network, lean into your community, and never end your day on a zero

📱 Connect with Daniel:

• LinkedIn: ⁠Daniel O’Neil ⁠

• RTAG Community: Active member—DMs open!

• ⁠Facebook Page⁠🎓 Resources Mentioned:

• ⁠Ready For Pushback Podcast ⁠(Shoutout to Nick!)

• BreakTurn’s Online Courseware for Vets → ⁠The BreakTurn Academy⁠

• Understanding Part 61 vs. Part 141

• Delta Training Center for ATP-CTP

• ATP Jets | Dallas, TX

• Avenger Flight Group

• AeroGuard Flight School (San Diego)

• Okinawa Aero Club

🎉 Thanks for Listening!

We appreciate you tuning in to another episode of BreakTurn. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe—and share this episode with anyone navigating the military-to-aviation pipeline.

✈️ Until next time—stay sharp, stay grounded, and keep turning toward your next break.