ANG question about enlisting

[guidoverduci]

Okay- I've read through a lot of the posts and they are very helpful, I just want to thank everyone who contributed. My question is about enlisting in the guard. I'm pretty sure this is what I want to do. I'd eventually like to apply for a pilot slot and serve my country proud. How does the enlisted part work if it's part time? Can I go to the college I'm in now, or do I have to go to ones on the base? If it's a part time job, can I go to a local college but have my enlisted job somewhere else, perhaps another state? If you could tell me as much as you can about how the being enlisted in the ANG works I'd really appreciate it. You can post it here or email me at [email protected]

 

[C-5 MEM]

I am in the Tn Air Guard right now. I am a flight engineer on the C141. If you enlist you go to basic training. Then onto your field. Now in our unit we hire pilots from within, meaning they will select in our squadron also within our unit. I would suggest if you get into a flying unit, that way you will be known and it helps a great deal when you go before the board.

Where do you live now, because there are guard units all over the country.

 

[guidoverduci]

yeah, my plan was to get the job within the unit I wanted to fly for. However- I'm still confused on how the job part of it works. What would my schedule be like if I go to school full time? and what about going to school in one state- and workin for a guard unit in another? I know there are units all over.

 

[C-5 MEM]

Talking about school. I don't understand if you mean college or military school. I will try to explain both sides.

Miltary you will be on active duty until completion of your training. You would go monday thru friday. 8-5.
Civilian school you can work part time in the unit for example drill weekends, then you can attend school while doing weekend drills.
Living in one state and going to the guard in another is not a problem. We have people who live in Dallas TX, Atlanta Ga and Denver Col. So the only problem would be is getting back to drill weekend. These guys who are doing it work for the airline and are able to fly for free.

 

[guidoverduci]

thanks for replying. I'm sorry I was unclear. What I mean is enlisting in a guard unit..... lets say in Hawaii... and going to school in Arizona. A regular college schedule yet keep up your guard duties. Is it possible? How can you go to school full time and be enlisted in the guard? What is the guard work schedule like? That is what I'm confused on. Thanks again

 

[C-5 MEM]

In a flying unit you have one weekend a month to do your drill weekends and with you flying in depends on each unit. Are unit requires you to fly at least one cross country of 3 days a month and at least one or two flights a month.


Living in AZ and flying in HI will be tough unless you work for a airline and can use the flight benefits, other wise it will be very expensive.


Terry

 

[guidoverduci]

Thanks I understand now. For some reason, I thought the military paid for your commercial flights, if you were living in a different state, guess not! I do have one last question. What if I'm going to school full time, and for some reason the guard unit gets called to active duty- how does that work? What about the whole school situation? thanks again

 

[Flaco]

Enlisting in ANG

Guido,

Do you live in AZ now? If so, the Tucson Guard is a great unit to enlist in. I was enlisted in the unit for 3+ years and I'm now going to pilot training. The unit does not deploy very much at all due to the fact that it is an AETC (training) unit. Individual components of the unit have been activated (SPs, etc), but that is rare.

PM me if you need additional info.

Flaco

 

[guidoverduci]

I'm in Phoenix now. I was thinking of enlisting here, not sure though. So you can get deployed while in school? How does that work?

 

[Flaco]

Deployments

Guido,

Yes, you can be deployed while in college. When you enlist, you are committed to being available at any time for deployments or call-ups. I am also in Phoenix, but every month I drive down to Tucson for drill. Is there any reason why you want to join Phoenix Guard over Tucson?

A traditional (part-time) Guardsman works one weekend a month. In addition, you have to work for 15 "annual training" days at some point during the year. In my unit, we choose when we do these 15 days of work, so I always worked around my school schedule.

I know Phoenix Guard has a high ops tempo and does get deployed. Make sure you research this before you commit, unless you don't mind being flexible with school.

Flaco

 

[guidoverduci]

thanks Falco. I will look into the Tuscon unit. How come you chose that one and not Phoenix? Also- if you get deployed, how can you deal with school? Do you just flunk out of the semester?

 

[C-5 MEM]

Guido,

I agree with the other statements. AETC units still get deployed. And with the way things are going now adays deployment is happening more and more. Our unit has been on active duty since Sept 01 and just came off this month, but hearing rumors of activation again next month.
I would strongly agree on getting in the guard, because it will help out with college tuition and also helps you with your flying.

 

[guidoverduci]

thanks again for the reply. However I'm still confused on one thing... if deployment happens while enrolled in college full time- what happens? thanks

 

[C-5 MEM]

If you are in the guard and qualified in the aircraft or if you are doing something else in the guard and you are called to active duty you must go. Now we had guys in school who's proffesors allowed them to postpone until they came back or they would be allowed to retake the class when they get back. For our guys they had to start over in the class.
But you must show the university and proffesors the copy of the orders.

 

[Flaco]

Enlisting Qs

Guido,

I chose Tucson over Phoenix for two reasons:

1.) I wanted to fly fighters.

2.) I knew that I had less of a chance being deployed while I was still in school and I knew that I had to get my degree if I wanted to be a pilot.

You can always enlist in Tucson and apply for a pilot slot for Phoenix. I know a few dudes who have done this. You could also apply to Tucson for a fighter slot if you did this.

I just to happened to speak with a certain Lt. Col from the PHX Guard tonight at a dinner party. I asked him about the deployment rate at Phoenix, and he told me that there were actually a few guys trying to get pilot slots that are enlisted in the unit, but they are having a hard time finishing college because of the deployments they have had.

I have been in Tucson for over 3 years in the engine shop. Number of deployments I have been ordered to: 0. Something to think about.

If deployed while in college, it is your responsibility to figure out what to do about school. If it's late in the semester, some profs might be willing to let you take your finals early, etc. But it's gonna be hard to convince a teacher to work with you if it's early in the semester. You probably would have to withdraw from classes in that case.

Like I said, PM me and I'll be happy to give you more details about enlisting.

Flaco

 

[Bloud]

deployments aren't all that bad

Enlisting in the guard is a great choice. Like Flaco and 141, I have done the same. I now have a pilot slot in IL with my unit.

Deployments can suck. The thing is a lot of the time you can work your deployments when you are off school for the summer. That is what I did. A lot of units are helpful with this. The other side is that out of the blue, like the current, certian jobs like security forces got called up for two years. That means they are on active duty, putting their school and civillan jobs off tell they are let off active duty. The thing is, this is the first time this has happened since the gulf war. It is not the norm, but can happen.

Take a look at the all the jobs open. if you don't want to deploy stay away from Security Forces, Fire dept., and aircrew. They tend to deploy the most. But on the other hand I think you can gain a lot of good and real world experience from going on deployments.

If you are really interested in the PHX unit and want to be a pilot, I would look at doing aircrew. Tankers have enlisted aircrew members and I think you would then be a shoe in for a pilot slot if you have served as a member of the aircrew and then want to be a pilot, but it is not necessary. I just personally think aircrew is the life is where it is at. Get to fly to cool places and get flight pay.

Well I hope this helps..Good Luck

 

[C-5 MEM]

Bloud,

Where in Ill.

 

[Bloud]

I'm With the 126th out of Scott AFB IL.

 

[C-5 MEM]

Ok, just wondering. Looking for a military base up near Chicago for a crashpad.

 

[guidoverduci]

thanks everyone-

Flaco those are some good reasons- so I will give Tucson a thought. What is or was your job? I wanted to be enlisted in the aircrew cause I figured that would be a great experience, and it would help me get a pilot slot, however some good points were brought up about aircrew being called to active duty more than other jobs. Is this correct? If so, should I choose another job, so I can finish my school? You all have been a great help.