At UPT..figters vs. heavies

[Be 23]

I highly recommend doing neither. You can go helo track for the best flying in the military. You could fly HH-60's in the guard at Moffet Field or Long Island; in the resserves at DM or Patrick. And then if you want to fly airplanes, go buy a Be 23, because you'll probably never get hired by a major airline.

On the other hand, I think your screen name tells us your real aspirations. Go fly fighters while you can. Be up front with your sponsoring unit and they'll probably understand.

Fly safe . . .

 

[hoover]

Not knowing anything about military aviation, I will simply say this. You made a commitment to the unit that sponsored you to pilot training. You made a promise. Now it is up to you to fulfill that promise. One of the measures of a decent human being is that he keeps his promises, regardless of the personal cost.

Now, having said that, if you have the opportunity to fly fighters, then the honorable thing to do is to contact your sponsoring unit and discuss the situation to them. Make your wishes known. If they are cool with it, then by all means GO FOR IT! If they are not cool with it, well like I said, you made a promise. Go to transports and never look back.

 

[highsky]

I was in same situation 10 years ago. I was first in my class in UPT and could have done anything. I was "loyal" to my heavy unit. That was the worst mistake of my life. If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't hestitate to go fighters. As has been said, it's a very small window of opportunity. Your "loyalty" is to the American people, for paying the millions to train you, NOT to a particular flying squadron. Your job as an officer is to do the best job you can for your country. If you are miserable flying heavies, when you could be kicking ass flying fighters, you are betraying the people you have sworn to defend.

 

[Gorilla]

Your "loyalty" is to the American people, for paying the millions to train you, NOT to a particular flying squadron. Your job as an officer is to do the best job you can for your country. If you are miserable flying heavies, when you could be kicking ass flying fighters, you are betraying the people you have sworn to defend.

Interesting perspective, and I don't disagree. I think it is critical to do your very best to smooth things over with your unit. Go to extremes; find ways to demonstrate how profoundly grateful you are, but the fighter path is something you want or need to do. They may respond with understanding and support, or they may be livid... I have no idea. But whatever their reaction, if you decide to do it, take the high road.

 

[kc10/c130]

Make it easy on yourself. If Buffalo beats Auburn this weekend, go fighters. Otherwise, heavies. Easy decision. Whew, now back to your regulary scheduled program.

Go fighters and keep everyone informed cause Buffalo ain't ever beating Auburn. Then again, Auburn will choke before the season is out.

 

[freddriver20]

My 2 cents....

I'm on MPA (full time) orders with my unit and have lots more time off than my fighter buds nearby who are traditional guard guys (part time). That being said... We (my unit) have plenty of former fighter pilots who would never, ever have traded their experiences as fighters. Have fun for a while, when you get married and have a couple kids, maybe think about going heavies. You can't go the other direction.

 

[afres bum]

As a reserve baby, I was at the top of my pilot training class and was approached several times by flight commanders, ip’s, etc. to go the 38 track... the catch was that it was on active duty. If a guard or reserve fighter unit near where I lived would have offered me a spot I would have found a way to make it work. 3 years after UPT I was a new hire at a major airline (average 800 hours per year in the heavy reserve airplanes and some time prior to UPT) while my UPT classmates had years of commitment in front of them; I thought I made a good choice. Bankruptcies and furloughs and one screwed up industry I am on the mpa gravy train... I will tell you in 30 years if I made the right choice.

In your case, you may not want to even consider going to the airlines at all! Nice set of options, you are choosing between good and better!

 

[bagasticks]

Go fighters. . .I was a boom sponsored by a 135 unit (AFRES) at UPT, and got hired by the Hooligans up in Fargo while in tweets. I talked to my squadron leadership and they backed me 100% (although I had been a flier in the unit for 8 years). . . . .Then after 1 day in 38's I got a call from an AFRC 1 star and was promptly placed back in T-1's and told to shut up and color. . .Unquestionably Go Fighters ! I love the Tanker, but I would trade it in for a Viper Guard unit in Korea right now. . .That being said, probably have more paydays in a heaviy unit. .

 

[SIG600]

You can always burn holes in the sky in something big, but your chance to be zipper suited sun god may be a one time deal. Are you going to regret it later on if you don't take it? Maybe something to think about...

 

[Stewage]

Great opinions here; I know a fella in my previous unit who was sponsored by a fighter unit and washed out of lead in. It does go both ways. But, I cannot recommend what has been said over and over - KEEP YOUR CURRENT UNIT IN THE LOOP! Look at it this way, if you do, then you won't feel bad or feel like you're betraying them.

Also (and I know this is a LONG shot...) do you know anyone at your base sponsored by a fighter unit that isn't going to end up flying fighters? Just a thought... Best of luck and don't let UPT stress you out!