Army Reserve

[Birdstrike]

...but 5 years into it, when you are laying on a cot in a tent at 2 pm in lower Louisiana in the middle of the summer and brushing the fly's away in 90+ deg. heat while 'resting' (desperately trying to sleep) for a midnight launch to got out and fly NOE with a poor FLIR picture...

There's some guys in the Cav laying in a berm at 2 am in lower Iraq after being in 100+ deg heat brushing the crabs away while resting for a midnight launch through small arms fire and RPGs to fly through another brownout who would give anything to be in Louisiana about now...

 

[CCDiscoB]

I would like to fly and go to college. Deployments don't bother me.

How long do you want to take to finish college? Deployments don't bother you, until you want to finish that semester you were so close to finishing. I wonder how much longer it takes a Army Reservist to finish a four year degree? These days, I'd say at least 3 to 4 more years. Going to college as a part-time student is not fun. Here is something else to consider, once you're Army you will remain Army until your commitment runs out. They don't like in-service transfers. Don't think you'll just transfer to the AF, otherwise half the Army would have left by now. One of the only ways I know to transfer is if you're in ROTC.

One last thing to consider, do you think we're done in the Middle East? Oh no, we've got some unfinished business with a couple of Iraq's neighbors. Did you catch the State of the Union address? If you join the Army, you WILL see action.

No offense to helo drivers, you guys do a great job, but like Hobit alluded to; you want helicopter time, what are you going to get you degree in, basket weaving?

 

[Hobit]

Birdstrike,

When I was in Afghanistan at 50+ degrees Celcius (HIT check temp was 51, thermometer was pegged) all day I still would rather be there instead of Ft Polk (did 3 MRE's there in 18 months ).

I didn't want to bring the whole combat thing into it. I thought it may look over the top. But if you think the young man would be better served by that info (shooting,taking fire etc), I can do that too.

CC,

Excellent post. Hopefully he'll listen to you.

 

[psysicx]

Thanks for the help.I know deployments are high for everyone but won't it calm down after the war.And I talked to the guy in the unit and said that you need 4 to 5 days to maintain currency and you show up and fly.You only have additional duties if your full time.

 

[MIJI]

Thanks for the help.I know deployments are high for everyone but won't it calm down after the war.And I talked to the guy in the unit and said that you need 4 to 5 days to maintain currency and you show up and fly.You only have additional duties if your full time.

Sounds like me when I was 19. If the advice already given doesn't dissuade you, have at it.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[weekendwarrior]

Maybe they will calm down, maybe not. Things change everyday. Best advice to you is, if you want to go to college, go to college. If you want fly in the Army, join the Army. Whatever you do, don't join the Army to go to college.

It used to make me sick to my stomach when people at basic training and Warrant Officer Candidate school were asked "Why did you join the Army" and I would hear "for the college money" or "for the bonus".

Yes, there are benefits when you join. The pay is actually pretty good for an officer. Heck, I made $40,000 to get $100,000 in ratings over a year in flight school. When you think about what you get out of the deal it isn't bad, but you have to have good motives for doing it, because there is alot of b.s. you have to put up with at the same time. But, it does make me smile when the guys accross the street at the helicopter school come in and tell me they spent $60,000 for a commercial rotorcraft instrument rating. I think I paid the DE $80 for my FAA equivalent!

The guard is another option. Oh don't worry, you'll get combat time there, but the chance for you to go to college and get it paid for is much better, after you get your wings anyway, due to the time you'll have when not at your unit. Just understand, if you get called up, you can bet on 1-2 years for a deployment.

Best of luck with your decision.

 

[Checks]

You only have additional duties if your full time.

BS ALERT! The only difference is in the Reserves you wont get paid for the time you spend doing your extra duties!

 

[psysicx]

Is there a difference between the Guard and Reserves?

 

[weekendwarrior]

Guard has chain of command that goes through the state govenor. Reserves are federal. They don't fall under any state. Activation is easier, because they don't have to go through the state.

Don't believe the crap about extra duties. Everyone has extra duties.

 

[Traderd]

Thanks for the help.I know deployments are high for everyone but won't it calm down after the war.And I talked to the guy in the unit and said that you need 4 to 5 days to maintain currency and you show up and fly.You only have additional duties if your full time.

Can't speak for the reserves but I did 10 years active (Guns) and 10 years Guard (Hawks). I retired as a W4. I saw more time deployed as a Guard pilot (and I had a full time job outside of the Guard) than I did as an active duty pilot. My unit went to Saudi, Bolivia, Bosnia, NTC and JRTC multiple times.

In theory you do one weekend a month and two weeks a year. Try and maintian currency with that schedule much less proficiency. My Guard uit was structured the same and trained to the same standards as did my active duty units. Difference is you have to make a living somewhere else as well unless you can survive as a Guard Bum. I've seen it done. As for flight time, I did fine (between 100-200 a year) because I was senior and did a lot of AMC stuff. Just remember that 200 hours a year for a part time Guard/Reserve pilot is usually a lot. Deployments of course can change that number significantly. Also, when you're new it's all about RL progression and PC status so your time will vary.

Hobit and I have the same sentiments. I believe Army Aviation is a vital part of this nation's defense and consider myself lucky to have had ther opportunity to have a small place in it. But....... the fixed wing life will always have it beat unless you really like the idea of living like and with the infantry. On deployments your standard of living can vary and will be directly influnenced by the unit you are supporting. Many years ago when aviation became a branch, I thought things would change for the aviators, but it just got worse. The Army is all about putting steel on target and men on the ground to control it, so the life will never be easy.

As for complexity, jees I was glad to get back into the fixed wing world, leave a runway, do what you're told and go to another runway. One would have to experience life under goggles (Hobit remember the PVS5 full face?) NOE landing with 16 other birds into dusty/snowy LZs to appreciate the difference.

My heart is with our brothers in the sandbox. Godspeed to you all.

 

[RichardRambone]

**CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** theres a great bunch of info here. Birdstrike I am in the same boat as you were. I have about 600 fixed wing time and I took a flight in an R22 and loved it. Helicopters are badass. I did it just out of curiosity and it made me consider joining the Army but its always been the dream to go AF. I researched it and it sounds like I should just stick to the AF. Problem is my vision is 20/10 corrected but like 20/200 uncorrected so I dont think the military wants me. Ive taken all my AF officer exams and was applying for a C130 spot with a guard unit but I stopped b/c I dont have my **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** together enough to make such a commitment yet. Anyway anyone have any opinions on what to do? I have a decent ferry pilot job now but it involves a lot of bs like cleaning airplanes and stuff. I get like 30 hours/ month in a wide range of planes, some twins. Time is coming but slow, and living in Kansas just isnt fun.

 

[semperfido]

Is there a difference between the Guard and Reserves?

just beg, borrow and steal to get your 4 yr degree now, then go in AF and fly neat jets. the world will still be there when you finish. quit farting around