Am I too old?

[usaair12]

I'm 28 and looking into joining the military. My primary reason is a career in aviation. I look at it one of two ways.

1. I would prefer to be a pilot if I join. What are the age restrictions for both active and reserves to even be considered? I'm told that reserves get more flight time, is this true. I have a degree in Aeronautical Technology, an Airframe and Powerplant license, and a Private certificate. Will any of this matter assuming I pass the physical?

2. If I don't get a pilot slot, I'm assuming I can at least work around/near/on the aircraft or in air division. What are my best options for spending time with military aircraft? I ask this based on my long term goal of working with a military aircraft manufacturer.

Any help is appreciated. Also, my brother in law is a captain in the ANG active reserves. Anything I should ask him to do for me? He is already setting up meetings with a flight surgeon and looking at slot in other states.

 

[weekendwarrior]

If you don't mind rotor, go Army. Better yet, go National Guard or Army Reserve. I'm 31 and got a waiver for my age, and will be flying Apache Longbows in about 6 months.

 

[Nalo Boy]

Hurry up

Are you too old? Depends
there are a lot of guys out there that want to be military pilots, a lot of them are younger than you. If you want to go the guard route, dont waste your time asking if youre old enough, go apply to every unit in the country that you can stand living near. Lots of squadrons need people soooo bad that theyll give you a waiver. A good thing about being "close" to the age is that a guard unit will send their age critical candidates first, a plus for you (worked against me.) Just start applying now. If you want military flying, your time is limited and youre wasting it. You can still get a job. Good luck.

 

[CCDiscoB]

Age Waiver

Anyone know how common or how hard it is to get a age waiver to fly for AF or Reserve? Age 30 with 3000 hours?

Never take no for an answer, I'd definitely try.....but realize the AF is very hard to get a waiver from. I haven't heard of any on this board, except a Guard guy here or there.

 

[ToBeKC135Pilot]

Be careful to use the military to build flight time. It is not an easy way to do it, and I would save the slot for someone who really wants to fly military.

However, if your goal is to fly MILITARY, good luck! Keep pressing on

 

[JungleJetFO]

quit wasting time

If you're worried about age, quit spending time on this board looking for answers and go directly to the source, the recruiter. Ask for officer programs and tell them you want pilot and don't accept anything else. Everytime they tell you you can't do something, request a waiver. Everytime they tell you to try something else, say no, pilot or nothing.

 

[Steeler Fan]

www.airforce.com

follow the links: "contact us"

then "advisor locator"

call the OFFICER Recruiter for your zip code directly and ask them what the age requirements are

 

[phroggdaddy]

If you go Navy, odds are you'll end up rotary wing. Ditto the Marines. What are you looking at as far as the mil. goes? Flight time? Job satisfaction? As far as the Navy and Marines go, flying is only a small part of what you do, but at least you can do it to a small unlit moving target at night on goggles.