Ang

[babydoll]

I've concidered going active duty in the Air Force, but some things came up where it was going to take me a while to go in, and I had doubts about going. I've never heard of the Air National Guard unitl a few weeks ago, so I looked into it. I live in Northern Illinois, and there a 2 units up in WI that I could join, but neither of those offer schooling in IL, so I went down to Peoria, 182nd Fighter Wing, and checked it out. It seems like a really really good deal, but I know how recruiters are and they are full of BS. He told me that as of June of this year, 2005, the ANG will start to pay for all flight training if it is a a public school. Sounds not right to me since it is extremely expensive. I'm just trying to see if it is actually everything the recruiter says it is and was hoping to get some feedback from some of you who have been or are in the guard.

 

[JungleJett]

The Guard, in my opinion, is a better way to go. I have been in the Guard for 10 years and love it. By the way, it is the 182nd Airlift Wing and they fly Herks..not fighters. As to what the recruiter told you:

Most units have a program where the Guard pays 100% of your tuition at a state school. That may also included flight training. In addition, you will qualify for VA benefits that will pay 60% of your flight training through ATP as long as it is a VA approved school and part 141. If you apply and are accepted for a UPT slot, then they will pay for your private or atleast through solo.

The guard is a great deal and you will fly just as much as you would on active duty..more if you want and less if you want. You can pretty much pick and choose how much you want to work. They will expect a certain amount of participation out of you. The 182nd is a good unit with some good people. They have some old airplanes but they are getting some new ones to include a few of ours (KY ANG). Be prepared to possible be required to deploy to some crappy locals. You may have to do it but you will most certainly have to on active duty.

If you have any more questions, feel free to PM me.

Tim
KYANG

I've concidered going active duty in the Air Force, but some things came up where it was going to take me a while to go in, and I had doubts about going. I've never heard of the Air National Guard unitl a few weeks ago, so I looked into it. I live in Northern Illinois, and there a 2 units up in WI that I could join, but neither of those offer schooling in IL, so I went down to Peoria, 182nd Fighter Wing, and checked it out. It seems like a really really good deal, but I know how recruiters are and they are full of BS. He told me that as of June of this year, 2005, the ANG will start to pay for all flight training if it is a a public school. Sounds not right to me since it is extremely expensive. I'm just trying to see if it is actually everything the recruiter says it is and was hoping to get some feedback from some of you who have been or are in the guard.

 

[C-5 MEM]

After being in the Marines then active duty AF and the Air Guard, I would have to say the Air Guard is more down to earth. What I have told individuals joining our unit is to get someone in the squadron to talk to. Going and asking the recruiter is a major road block. We have had in the people blown off by recruiters which is a poor excuse. I have been up that way to Fort Wayne a few months ago picking up fighter escort. PM me if you have any questions and I might be able to give you contacts up that way.

 

[flyf15]

I'm kind of in the same position, although I'm having some trouble finding definitive vision requirements for the Guard. If I were joining it, it'd be after college with no prior military service. Right now, my vision is 20/40 easily corrected to 20/20. Anyone have any info?

 

[HueyPilot]

ANG Info

The National Guard is one of the best kept secrets. I'm active USAF now, but I was in the Army National Guard for almost 8 years.

As for what JungleJett posted, that is correct. MOST states will pay for tuition and some related fees at public universities. That is how I made it through school. The program is called Tuition Assistance (TA), and how much it covers varies from state to state. According to the GI Bill website below, Illinois ANG will cover all tuition, and certain fees limited to registration, graduation and general activities (ie, student government fees, etc). It does not cover flight training. If the recruiter said that IL will start to pay for flight training, then I'd investigate that further. Each state has different programs in addition to the ones that are common with all Guard benefits. My advice...get in in writing...make sure an enlistment contract specifically states that the state will pay for flight training (or specifically list a program that includes such training).

http://www.gibill.va.gov/education/StateNGAid.htm#Illinois

http://www.ang.af.mil

http://www.ilpeor.ang.af.mil/

However, as a National Guard member you can apply for the GI Bill program which will pay for 60% of your flight training. But be advised that you can only have them pay for one program, and they consider "commercial pilot" and "flight instructor" two seperate programs. Either way you will need at least a private ticket first. The commercial program will pay for your ratings through ATP I think, including multi-engine ratings. The Flight Instructor program will only net you a commercial CFI rating. My advice is get your private pilot's license, finish school and do your commercial pilot training after college (or get the military to send you to UPT).

I also advise anyone to get a degree independent of aviation. Professional Pilot degrees are nice, but if you permanently lose your medical ticket, then what? I have a bachelor's degree in environmental geology, so having SOMETHING in your hip pocket is advisable. Business, science, engineering, even a teaching degree can provide you a valid backup plan should you lose your health to fly professionally.

In addition to the GI Bill and TA, you will also be eligible for the Title 1606 GI Bill payments. Look below at the program...it also details the professional flight training entitlements as well:

http://www.gibill.va.gov/education/c1606pam.htm#_Toc528132104

Basically 1606 payments amount to a certain dollar amount you are paid while attending a college. It's around $270 a month (I think...it was $190 when I went to college back in the early to mid-1990s). Not to mention that as an E-1 you also get drill pay of about $160. You won't be an E-1 for long...about 6 months. E-2 pay is about $184, E-3s get around $194 and an E-4 (takes about 2 years) makes about $226 a month.

To get around $400-$500 a month and free tuition just for a weekend job, that's not bad at all. Realize that you can be subject to call up for duty elsewhere, and that will take precedence over your education. But I'll also add that the Peoria unit has already spent it's time in the Middle East, and although they aren't immune from another call up, it's likely that their turn is over for the time being (they were in the ME while I was there).

And if you enlist in an ANG unit and do well and stay medically qualified, you have a very good chance of being picked up by your home unit to attend AMS (ANG officer commissioning program) and UPT.

If I were you, I'd get down to Peoria, read up on the programs they offer, sign up for as many as you can (there are likely more programs now than there were back in the 1990s), do well in college and prove you're a hard worker at your ANG job, and state your desire to attend pilot training early...they could send you shortly after college and you don't need to spend the cash trying to get civilian ratings. Then you can fly C-130s for the Guard and still have civilian career options available.

I did pretty much exactly what I wrote above, so I've been there. I joined the ARNG (Army National Guard) in 1992 after my first year of school. I got TA plus the 1606 benefits. Along with a part-time job, I had plenty of money to live off of while in school. I was an enlisted engineer (Army construction equipement operator), had a good time during summer training and drills, and got sent to Italy for 3 weeks. Immediately after completing basic training I put in my package for flight training with the ARNG. By the time I got my degree in 1996, they had a training slot for me and within a year I was a winged Army aviator flying UH-1 Hueys. Due to budget cuts of the late 1990s, we had a glut of pilots and I found my way into the active USAF. But I owe just about my entire career to the Guard and the State Aviation Officer who helped get my training slot. Without the Guard I would never have been able to afford college, and without the people in the Guard I met, I have no idea where I'd be. Certainly not where I am now flying C-130s.

 

[pkober]

JungleJett,

I'm in the 182 AW (Peoria) and thanks for the complement. Were you at Minhad with us? If you were then sorry to bring up bad memories. You guys made it fun for us, especially when it became an all ANG base. We are getting new Herks but not from you guys. 40 year old Herks to 10 year old Herks. Not Bad!

BabyDoll,

Go Guard!!! It is the best deal in the military. Right now our operations tempo is high and we do go to all the garden spots. But when it gets bad, we can always say "We are in the ANG and this is just temporary".

If you have any questions about Peoria e-mail me.

CLAMBAKE

 

[babydoll]

You guys are awesome, thanks so much for all the input and helping me make my decision. I went and took the medical yesterday, which was not bad at all, and since I know im in good health, I'm not even going to swet for the results to come back.

HueyPilot, thanks a ton for all the info, I'll be checking out all the sites you referred me to asap. But with everything else you mentioned really helps out a ton. Eventually I would love to fly for the military and then go fly RJ's or something, and If i were to get called up, My senority stayes the same as it woudl be if I were physically flying with the RJ. Which im sure you already knew.

But anyhow, it sounds like a great deal. I dont really have much college under my belt, so you bet thats going to be the first thing that I look into after Basic and Tech school are over with.

Thanks again all for all the input, it's really a lot to take in, but really does help me out a lot also.

 

[psysicx]

Can you join the guard and have eye surgrey after you enlist so that you can compete for a pilot slot?Also Huey why didn't you stay in the guard was it due to budget cuts.And having the Guard pay for your flight training is the best way through UPT,but what if you due a pro pilot program and it includes all your ratings,is that considered one program?And what about the Reseves due they offer any TA?

 

[HueyPilot]

Can you join the guard and have eye surgrey after you enlist so that you can compete for a pilot slot

I would talk to someone who's smart on the military medical requirements for pilots. I do know that they are taking some people that had eye surgery but I also know there are alot of caveats to that. I'd check on it before you get any surgery done...has to be done by an AF approved surgeon...some procedures aren't acceptable, etc. Look into it, I don't know much about it.

Also Huey why didn't you stay in the guard was it due to budget cuts

Primarily budget cuts. We had too many pilots in the Guard, and at the time the overall defense budget had been the lowest in many years. The Army, in trying to fund their programs, would often short the Army Guard. Luckily the Air Force and ANG have a better relationship and they usually do not shortchange the reserve components.

And having the Guard pay for your flight training is the best way through UPT,but what if you due a pro pilot program and it includes all your ratings,is that considered one program?

If you want to get your professional civil ratings on your own, it doesn't count for UPT or anything. You don't need any prior experience to get a UPT slot. However, having a private pilot's license will help enhance your packet because it proves you can at least fly an airplane. And going through UPT won't affect your GI Bill funds because in theory, graduating UPT does not lead to a professional pilot rating (although the FAA will give you a commercial multi-engine license). You can go through UPT, get your FAA ratings, and use the GI Bill to pay for your ATP training (Airline Transport Pilot rating).

And what about the Reseves due they offer any TA?

Since the ANG is run and owned by each individual state, they have the authority to use ANG funds to pay for your tuition at a state-run university. However the AF Reserves is a federal service, and thus cannot get state universities to waive tuition. So the short answer is NO, AF Reserves do not offer TA. They do offer Title 1606 benefits, though.

If you want to help the military pay for education, go ANG.

Thanks again all for all the input, it's really a lot to take in, but really does help me out a lot also

No problem. If you have any other questions drop us a line here...I'm sure someone might have some info. Good luck with your ANG and flying aspirations. I think you'll find that overall the experience will be a good one...certainly some headaches in between, but it's a pretty good deal.

 

[psysicx]

But the reserves have the Gi bill just the Guard correct?And in California they don't have any TA.And I know that PRK is accepted and be waivered if you meet the requirements.

 

[C-5 MEM]

We have the same benefits as that of the reserves.

 

[JungleJett]

Thanks man! Months of therapy and now I am right back sleeping in that freaking tent across from the crappers (near the beer tent) and it is 1 billion degrees out..and its only 9 am!! Soon I will be waiting for Izzy's love bus run downtown! One day your on the beach and the next your dodging SAM's over Baghdad!

Yeah, you guys are a good bunch and as much as the time there kind of sucked, we had a "good" time. I feel like that I should be back doing what we can to help the folks up north.

We are losing 4 airplanes over the next few years and were told you guys were getting two and the others were going to Boise..maybe not. Anyway, if you do, you will be getting some good birds..but you know that. They may be missing some parts..

Let me echo what others are saying here. Joining the Guard or Reserves is like joining a huge family. Its a great family too! I would not trade all the crap holes (I have been to 52 countries) I have been too for anything. It has been an awesome ten years and I have loved just about every minute of it. You will be hard pressed to find higher morale in the active duty.

Go Guard!

JungleJett,

I'm in the 182 AW (Peoria) and thanks for the complement. Were you at Minhad with us? If you were then sorry to bring up bad memories. You guys made it fun for us, especially when it became an all ANG base. We are getting new Herks but not from you guys. 40 year old Herks to 10 year old Herks. Not Bad!

BabyDoll,

Go Guard!!! It is the best deal in the military. Right now our operations tempo is high and we do go to all the garden spots. But when it gets bad, we can always say "We are in the ANG and this is just temporary".

If you have any questions about Peoria e-mail me.

CLAMBAKE

 

[HueyPilot]

You will be hard pressed to find higher morale in the active duty.

Ah, yes. The active duty Morale Supression Police were in force in the AOR. I flew into OMDM a couple times, but never long enough to do much. The Guard folks took good care of us when I was there.

 

[qmaster3]

Ill.

My cousin was active duty and from IL. He and others said that you get 100% education provided by the state. Don't know the details, but hear guys from Texas and IL brag about the free college. If one of the state colleges has a flight training program, and it's free. Well, there you go. Just pi$$ed I enlisted in IA I would look into this. Who knows you might just get to bank your GI money on top of the free tuition.

HueyPilot,

I am using my GI bill for Instrument, Comm, and hopefully other ratings. I know a lot of old timers got all there ratings, and CFI's off it. Is it that they only pay for one program, or one program at a time? Couldn't find out on the site.

Cheers,

 

[flyf15]

How difficult is it for someone who has no prior military experience to get a pilot slot in the air national guard? Anyone have a brief list of what all happens? What kinds of things give you the best chance?

Thanks much!

 

[psysicx]

It depends if you want Army or Air Guard.Right now you can get on with both without prior service.The Army usually only want to send people already in there unit but with the war they don't care as much.The Air Guard is more popular because you get to fly big jets on the weekends and they pay for all your ratings.Its very competive but doable.Go to baseops.com and click on jobs listings,and find units your interested.And there units not listed but still try if thats what you want.And Huey the reason I was asking about Pro Pilot course is you fly helos in the Guard but want to fly fixed you would need those additional ratings.

 

[HueyPilot]

It is a bit easier to get a pilot slot from inside a particular unit...they know who you are and have a good handle on whether or not you'd be a good risk to use up a training slot on you. But that's not to say that they won't hire outsiders. I was an outsider when I got hired by the ARNG...granted I was in the ARNG, but I wasn't in the aviation unit. I was an engineer operating construction equipment for an engineer battalion.

ANG units typically hold interview boards. In order to get into the game you need to send them a packet, usually consisting of the application paperwork plus a resume or something similar. Contact each unit individually to find out what their requirements are. Once you are selected for an interview and get that behind you, they decide on primary and alternates for however many slots they have. If you're a primary, they will contact you and tell you which slot you're slated for. If you're an alternate, then hope that one of the others withdraws or gets sick (withdrawing happens...sometimes people get hired by, say, a tanker unit and then later get picked up by a fighter unit and tell the tanker unit "thanks but no thanks". If you're the alternate, now you are going to UPT).

And Huey the reason I was asking about Pro Pilot course is you fly helos in the Guard but want to fly fixed you would need those additional ratings

I no longer fly helicopters for the Army Guard. I have a Learjet type rating and currently fly C-130s.

Even if I stayed in the Army Guard, you can still get commercial MEL ratings for free if you fly the C-12 (Beech King Air 200), which most Guard units have.

 

[babydoll]

Go to baseops.com and click on jobs listings

It's actually baseops.net and yeah i've obvioiiusly already been to that web site. And Somebody mentioned that IL an TX guard pay for 100% tuition, that is absolutely 100% wrong, TX ANG only pays 50%. and from what I am told, they dont pay for all of your ratings in the ANG, they only pay for one rating. But anyhow, i've made up my mind and i'm going down to Peoria (182nd AW) and signing up. Medical is finished as well as the ASVAB. So im in good shape. Thanks for all the help guys!

By the way, I'm joining as a Crew Cheif on the c-130 getting my degree, and then cross training to a flight engineer, and putting my UPT packet in and hopefullly fly for the military.

 

[JungleJett]

If I may recommend something. If you really want to be aircrew, get a flying slot in any crew position. I would be willing to bet that they have openings for Loadmasters. You can cross train from that position to FE. I have nothing but respect for the MX folks as they are truly the forgotten folks. It can be difficult to go from MX to flying...it really depends on the unit.

Find out who the LM Chief is (I think it is still CMSgt. Barnick) and contact them directly. You will eventully have to go through the recruiter but your best bet is to go directly to the folks in charge. Trust me on this.

Loadmaster school is about 4.5 months plus survival. All C-130 training is done at Little Rock AFB and I had a pretty good time. You really need to take a look at becoming a Loadmaster. You will be part of the crew and be in a better position for a pilots slot. Plus, the money you can make by flying can be pretty good and will certainly help out with school! You have more opportunities to make money as a crew member.

Just my two cents.

Go to baseops.com and click on jobs listings

It's actually baseops.net and yeah i've obvioiiusly already been to that web site. And Somebody mentioned that IL an TX guard pay for 100% tuition, that is absolutely 100% wrong, TX ANG only pays 50%. and from what I am told, they dont pay for all of your ratings in the ANG, they only pay for one rating. But anyhow, i've made up my mind and i'm going down to Peoria (182nd AW) and signing up. Medical is finished as well as the ASVAB. So im in good shape. Thanks for all the help guys!

By the way, I'm joining as a Crew Cheif on the c-130 getting my degree, and then cross training to a flight engineer, and putting my UPT packet in and hopefullly fly for the military.

 

[qmaster3]

Go to baseops.com and click on jobs listings

It's actually baseops.net and yeah i've obvioiiusly already been to that web site. And Somebody mentioned that IL an TX guard pay for 100% tuition, that is absolutely 100% wrong, TX ANG only pays 50%. and from what I am told, they dont pay for all of your ratings in the ANG, they only pay for one rating.

Good Luck. So what does IL pay for?? Does the state pick up your tuition bill at a state college? I am assuming this is a STATE thing, and is separate from the Veterans Affairs. It may not apply to weekend warriors though.