Civilian vs. Military

[pilotyip]

20 years in the mil is not a sure thing, particarily for pilots. Talk to any the Korean ear pilots riffed in mid -50's or the Vietnam era pilots who were riffed in mid -70's because Uncle Sam had too many pilots. The same thing happened again after Gulf I. In fact a few years ago Money magazine rated a military career as one of the most insecure.

 

[El Chupacabra]

Yeah its not easy.... but you miss every shot you don't take.

Go military and stay in as long as possible.

 

[qmaster3]

Yeah its not easy.... but you miss every shot you don't take.

Go military and stay in as long as possible.

YES


I'd have to say I'm happy to be military right now.

 

[rattler]

Here's my scoop. I went the civilian route. I often wished and dreamed I tried the military route. When I was in college the airlines were hiring like crazy and the military was cutting back. I decided that the civilian route would be best for my career. Well a few years latter I am still a FO at a regional while all the ROTC guys I went to school with are flying F15s/F16s/C5s/C130s etc...Looking back I think these guys will probably be in a better position to land the major airline job in the end.

I think the best way to cover all the bases is the ANG. I know many pilots who took this route, and they say it is the best kept secret in the military. Maybe, maybe not. Some of these same guys have recieved orders to deploy.

It's all a crap shoot, AirInc claimed pre 9/11 that 60% of all major airline pilots hired were civilian. I have also heard that Delta exclussively hires only military pilots. So who knows? I don't. The best advise I can give is do the best you can, and hope for the best.

 

[GVFlyer]

Yeah its not easy.... but you miss every shot you don't take.

Go military and stay in as long as possible.

Good advice. In the military you'll find the best flying, the closest group of friends and the highest sense of reward for what you' re doing. Additionally, the $4375.00 a month retired pay (O-5, 25 years) and lifetime free medical care that come as part of the package, are not bad benefits.

GV

 

[qmaster3]

BTW, Is retirement pay tax free?

 

[Grizz]

No it's not. Uncle Sam wants his cut of that too.

 

[pilotyip]

More Stuff

Retirement pay is tax-free in many states like Michigan, but as per above Uncle Sugar wants his cut. BTW you do not fly that much in the military, I see retried pilot’s resumes all the time; average after 20 years is about 4000 hours. Brakes down to about 200 hours per year. The flying you do is great! The guys you fly with become some of the best people you will ever meet. You will also, particularly in the USMC and USN have to take jobs that have nothing to do with you flying a airplane, Cat officer on big gray boat is one of them, and you are gone from home for nearly two years out of a 2.5 year assignment. Motivation has to come from a desire to serve, otherwise you might be disappointed.

 

[Purpledog]

Go Mil if you have the personality for it, ie, not self serving. Fly something gray and pointy and you'll have the time of your life, all over the world with 20 of your best drinking friends. Stay in for your commitment (or longer), than go into guard/reserves and finish your 20 years and you will have a guaranteed pension/medical when you hit 60, not to mention having fun and serving. I was going to stay 20 but I happened to get the call that I couldn't refuse and now I'm finishing in the reserves. As far as who has the advantage, you make your own conclusions, the recent class of 32 at FDX had 22 military in it. With the military they get a known product and you get great training and great networking opportunity. Airlines are different though and you won't know until its time to make that move so have fun now while you're young. I wish I could be a boot Lt and pull G's again.

My 2 cents.

 

[El Chupacabra]

Good advice. In the military you'll find the best flying, the closest group of friends and the highest sense of reward for what you' re doing. Additionally, the $4375.00 a month retired pay (O-5, 25 years) and lifetime free medical care that come as part of the package, are not bad benefits.

GV

I just wanted to highlight a few things GV just said. Being in a squadron is the best experience you will have in your life. Avoid too much Staff Duty...

There is no better life for a pilot.

And when you are to old to fly military your former squadron mates will make sure you get hired over everyone else applying at Delta and American or MNBA Bank or NJI.