Air National Guard Decisions

[El Cid Av8or]

Well, I've pretty much decided I want to join the Air National Guard unit in my home state. At 32 years old, I realize it's later in life than most but it's still more than possible. I've always wanted to serve in the military but when I graduated college, the military was doing major cutbacks and enlisting didn't appeal to me at the time. I am not eligible to be a pilot since the military thinks that you can't be trained or you're too old to enter flight training after 30 so I want to work on airplanes (A&P mechanic stuff).

Here's my scenario:
- 32 with 4-year college degree (B.S. in Computer Science)
- Life-time love for airplanes of all makes and sizes, especially fighter jets
- Want to do the one weekend, two weeks thing with the ANG so I can pursue a corporate pilot career as a regular job
- Really nice, well-respected ANG unit with F-16Cs and a C-130

Do I go in as enlisted or go for an officer slot? Basic training doesn't bother me since I've pretty much went through it at The Citadel and I need to get in better physical shape anyway. I want to work on planes, not sit behind a BSD (Big Steel Desk -- I am trying to get away from that kind of thing by leaving the nerve-racking computer industry). Officer pay is obviously better but that is not very important right now (though it might be when I go to finish out my ratings and build flight time as a civilian flight instructor). The idea of one day having my name on the side of a fighter plane as a crew chief is pretty cool since I can't have it on there as a pilot or WSO.

Any ANG personnel out there that currently fly corporate planes, fractional, or freight? What's it like with your civilian employer when guard weekend rolls around?

Thanks!

 

[Bloud]

Would try to go officer

Just from my experience I would try to find a officer slot if I were you. You will find that at your age and with your education you can apply more of what you know.

If you do enlist I would look into the C-130 unit. While you can't be a pilot, you might be able to enlist as a flight engiener or load master. Both are air crew positons, which mean a little more pay and a lot better working enviorment. Air Crew is where it is at. If you went to the Citadel, did you resign a commision or anything like that. You might be able to be directly comissioned or at least not have to go to basic. I have a guy in my unit that let his commision expire in the reserves. They let him come in with out going to basic all he had to go to was cop tech school.

But I would try to find a officer appointment. More responsibility and you will be able to apply more of what you have learned earning your degree and going to the Citadel. If not then I would try to become a Flight Enginer on the C-130's. Just my two cents.

Good Luck

 

[Sonic Cruzer]

El Cid,

Not to sidetrack you post, but Roy LoPresti's dead? What a shame.


I got his autograph at Sun N Fun a few years back. He asked for my name. I gave it to him. He made the autograph out to someone completely different. Not sure if he was being funny or if he was just flying behind the brain.