Advice/info? Army Nat'l Guard UH-60 opportunity.

[CaravanMan]

For those of you in the know, I need a little guidance. Found out from one of our rotor pilots that his former Army NG unit is looking for Black Hawk pilots. I've always felt a desire to serve my country, and have always wanted to fly helicopters, but I need some info to think on.

I'm 30, married, have a 2yr old son and baby #2 in the oven right now (due Christmas!), and I have a good job flying EMS in a C-90.

I've got a friend who's a pilot in the same unit, and I'm having him over for dinner soon to get his take on everything, but what should I ask?

One of my primary concerns is our finances. I'm making about $55k right now; we own a house and have 2 car payments...well, you know the rest of the song. What happens when/if I join up? How do we pay for everything? Is there some sort of military deferment that most mortgage/credit lenders can work out with you?

Gah, I don't even know what else to think of. I've already talked with him about what the 1st year is like and have a basic understanding of it. I just don't know what it would be like after I'm done with flight training. Should I talk to my employer to see if they'll have my job for me when I return?

Thanks for any and all advice!

 

[hyflyt560]

I would ask him if he has a good recruiter contact he can give you within his state. Ask the recruiter all those questions about pay/benefits. Not sure which state you're looking at, but our state's UH-60s have deployed 2-3 times and are on the hook again in 09. I would say you have a great chance of going to flight school due to lots of shortages of pilots.

 

[Hobit]

Go to APTAP-dot-org , kiowapilots-dot-com, verticalreference-dot-com. Use the search functions at those websites then ask questions about the application process. There is s HUGE amount of info out there about the paper work process. For your own good, SEARCH those sites before asking questions.

WO-1 pay in flight school will be base pay+BAS+BAH+flight pay.
http://www.dfas-dot-mil/
Also go to http://www.defenselink-dot-mil/militarypay/pay/index.html to use a calculator to get the estimate of your pay.

Your employer can't 'legally' hold your service against you. USERRA Law protects Guard/Reserve service. Download the reg and read it. It's only 27 pages in PDF format. http://www.esgr-dot-org/userrathelaw.asp

I assume you want to be a Warrant? If so, I would schedule an appointment with one of the senior warrants in the unit and ask some serious questions after you get some info at the sites I listed above.

 

[Hobit]

Also, there are some bonuses that you may qualify for somewhere up to 20K if finances are a big issue with you.

 

[Richard Gozinya]

This is the one that you are looking for.

http://aptap.forumco.com/forum~FORUM_ID~3.asp

DG

 

[CaravanMan]

Thanks for the info, fellas. Good links, too. I've got some reading to do for the weekend!

Hyflyt, I heard this unit just got back from the Gulf and should be here for a couple years. It's the UH-60 unit in SLN. My buddy missed the deployment since he was in Flight School, and said he's slatted to go on a Medevac deployment in a year or so.

 

[AirCobra]

Money should not be a problem. With base pay and allowances you will make well over $55 k in flight school, considering you will no longer have any health care expenses and much of your pay is untaxed. You can also join the Army Federal Credit Union and the USAA so I am pretty sure you loan rates will drop if you want to refinance your car or home loan. Your empolyer is also required to release you for up to five years of active duty.

If you don't mind the possibility of being activated for some time in the sandbox, this is a no brainer. You will come out of flight school with helo ratings, improved piloting skills, and a part time job that pays $10-15 K per year. Plus the network of former military pilots is very strong, check out aptap.org. Guys are always helping bro's find jobs.

 

[SpoilerFault]

Hey guys.....Just a question. What are the average deployment cycles for Army helo units like in terms of length/frequency?

 

[SpoilerFault]

Sorry, I also meant to ask for both Active Duty units and National Guard. Thanks

 

[stearmann4]

Flying for the Guard is a great deal...but pack your bags cuz' you'll be overseas for at least 1 2 months at a time...multiple times.

Mike-