Chasing a Dream

[toneal]

I found this posted on an Air Force site, here is the link if anyone wants to see the article. All I have to say is where theres a will theres a way:

https://www.travis.af.mil/news/tailwindonline/stories/2001/dec/20012108.htm

 

[skyward80]

Awesome article! I hope to be flying the KC-10 for the 76th ARS some day soon. I love that machine.

Skyward80

 

[avratdwc]

I myself am looking into the Military, actually Reserves or Guard. Hoever I am 21 and dont have my degree finished yet. I am actually entertaining the idea of not flying for a while, get a job that will allow me to pay the bills and finish school then apply. If I go that road I will be around 24 when all is said and done and ready to press on. What is everyone's opinions on this? Is 24 or 25 too old? Would appreciate some feedback. CYA

Avrat

 

[JaimeZX]

If I go that road I will be around 24 when all is said and done and ready to press on. What is everyone's opinions on this? Is 24 or 25 too old? Would appreciate some feedback. CYA

Not at all. I'm at UPT and I'm 26, the oldest guy in our class turned 30 (the cut off) just after class started. Best of luck to ya!

 

[Birdstrike]

Hmmm. So Jason became an air force pilot...and it only cost him his family...but that's okay, he just got a new one. Bullshid. I wonder if you asked Jason's two children from his first marriage whether it was worth it for them what they would say. A broken home, their father gone into a new family and a new life leaving them behind his ex-wife and kids to find his "dream job". Pardon me if I don't applaud. I would think twice before chasing any dream that damages your children's security, it's not worth it. How many more guys are going to leave broken families in their wake while they "find themselves". You want to do something truly heroic? If you're married with a family then you'd better figure out a way to make it work. You owe that to your kids. That was the first oath you took (to your wife) before flying ever came along.

 

[Michael Knight]

Birdstrike,

I think you read a bit more into the article than was actually there. Either you actually know this person or you have some personal issues. Either way, they really don't apply here.

Ok, I've wasted enough keystrokes here.

 

[Birdstrike]

There was enough there to make a comment. The article stated that Jason's marriage ended in divorce due to the strains brought on by his pursuit of flying. I was pointing out the other side of the "chasing the dream" story that there's more to it than "attaboy Jason."

My point was to take a harder look; there are three injured people left behind which should be factored into the cost of "chasing the dream". IMO the price of achieving that dream was too high and that may apply to guys facing similar decisions, whatever they decide.

My "personal issues" with it involve seeing broken families here in my southern hometown airline community where I belong to a church with some guys like Jason. I get tired of seeing the same story; "...I have to fly no matter what it takes...". Sometimes it takes too much when the cost is measured in terms of a father no longer there. There's always two sides to every story.

 

[chawbein]

I have to agree with Birdstrike....

I'm married and I will say that the solemn vow I took when we were married takes an immense precedence over "chasing a dream". One might say that I'm not committed to "the dream" by readily giving it up when it comes to choosing my wife's well-being over flying. I am committed. Luckily, my wife is behind me 100%. Otherwise, it sounds like that dude is a self-made man. I really admire him for that.