Do you veterans miss the military?

[Caveman]

Unlike most of you I wasn't a mil aviator or crewmember. I had one of those support jobs that suck the life out of you and gets absolutely no respect. Somebody had to do it and the Marine Corps told me I was gonna be one of them doing it. I did an excellent job and I'm proud of that. It definitely wasn't cool, glamorous or fostered any war stories. It was just a necessary, unrelenting grind. I'm o.k. with it now but it took a few years before I stopped answering sheepishly that I was an Admin bubba.

I look it at it a bit different these days. The Marine Corps picked my path, not me. I tried many times to get a different MOS but it just wasn't in the cards. Oh well. I did my part. I did what I was told to do and I served honorably.

There is still a small part of me that wonders what it would have been like to serve a combat tour side by side with my fellow Marines. I think every man would like to know how he would stack up. Now that I'm a bit older I'm glad I didn't get shot at and that I didn't have to shoot at somebody else, but I still wonder, "How would I have done?".

So, do I miss the Marine Corps? Absolutely not. I do miss being around Marines. Greatest bunch of folks I've ever met and there is no other fraternity I'd rather be a part of.

Semper fi

 

[Otto77]

Well, from another perspective....

We all know flying rocked. Serving our nation with great guys and gals was a blessing. But...

I got sick of moving every 3 years...I'm a farm kid at heart and wanted to settle down somewhere eventually...

I got tired of being a FIGHTER PILOT, and nothing else. I used to kayak, ride horses, SCUBA dive, sail, hunt, fish, fly GA, play the drums, etc etc. For over 12 years I flew fighters on active duty with its upgrades, SOF tours, OPRs, flight commander duties, and resulting loooong work days--then slept in catching up on Saturdays (when I wasn't deployed). Now I'm rediscovering some of the other parts of "me" that had to be put on a back shelf.

I got tired of constantly being worried about the next assignment, OPR, bad deal TDY, etc etc.

So--I don't go to the bar after a great mission with my airline cohorts, but then again--I've learnd some fascinating stuff from some of them too. Guy I know at FedEx built an awesome house out of concrete. Another gal owns a horse ranch (a lot nicer than mine!). I could go on and on--point is I've learned a lot from some folks with pure civilian background and had a great time learning from them too.

I never went to the airlines to get excited about the flying--but I still enjoy the challenges of flying a smooth, safe flight with a nice touchdown at the end. What I LOVE about my airline job are some things I never had in the military, like:

Days off. I get them. I don't have to ask anyone--just drop, move, or trade trips or bid around the days you want. You don't get that day 1 as a new hire, but it comes...and its awesome. No leave requests--and no dumping work on your bros when take some time off for yourself.

Travel. I don't have pass rights like the legacy/pax guys, but I think thats a great perk. The jumpseat, however, has been very nice and a real magic carpet.

Community. I'm in one now! I'm a church committee member, a regular supporter of some local events, and a local business owner. When I was on active duty, I was an F-15 IP, and it was GREAT. The ANG let me spread my wings in other areas, though, and now that my flying days are done I'm still involved and doing some things besides flying fighters that I am proud of and enjoy. I get to be a bit more multi-dimensional.

Money. I get more now. Granted, I got hired by a great company, and I have an entreprenurial spirit and have done some things besides my airline job along the way. I wasn't poor as an active duty major, but these days I have some things I used to dream about--a horse farm and a plane to share with my family. No disrespect to the active duty retirees out there--many have done VERY well and could buy and sell me--but the fact is my income now is a lot better than it was active duty, and as a result I get to do some things I used to dream of doing with my kids.

So--forgive me on this--when I go to work I ain't lookin' for the adventure, comraderie, or excitement I used to get flying F-15s. I go to work to take care of a family and chase some new dreams. And--no kidding--I thank God every day I got a job that has so much flexibility and so many perks that I can carve out a pretty neat life. We all have to step back sometime, but my back told me I was done at 20 and would get no more. That's fine--I think really it was a message for me to spend more time with family and less at the base.

All this means I don't pine for a military captain or another fighter bro as S/O when I go on a trip--I don't care. I'm so darn glad to be here I'm gonna have a great time with anyone who wants to come along. Flying for a living has some drawbacks, but I cannot think of a single job (okay--maybe a porn star or rock musician) where you can have so much fun if you do it right.

great post..I can only hope to have that kinda life..always greener on the other side!

 

[pkober]

I love flying in the military over the airlines. The airlines are great but they just don't compare.

I'm a Guard baby and my only active duty time is UPT and OEF/OIF. I still have 6 years left and plan on finishing those and then some.

The thing I find the hardest about airline flying is the lack of comradary. Most guys are for themselves and screw everyone below them. These guys are usually the loudest union members also, go figure. It's always a treat to fly with a fellow ex military (flyer and non-flyer) because they get the big picture. When they brief that they want to have fun on a trip and not sweat the small stuff, they mean it.

If I could I would take a long AD tour now. However after doing 6 OEF/OIF tours, I'm altittle gunshy. If I could get a long tour without deploying I would jump on it. Pay and most importantly QOL.

 

[MiserDD]

I do... I freely admit it. In 1991, I was instructing in the AT-38B at Holloman AFB, fighter lead-in training when they still had that program there. Gulf War #1 was over, and we (the IP's) had all missed it. Didn't matter how good a stick you were, or how many hours you had, none of us had that Mother-bleeping gold star on our sleeves.

How stupid was that... sleeve stars? Talk about isolating people.

Anyway, the basic question was "When it comes time to command a squadron, who is going to get the job? Those of us who were IP's here, or those who were blowing up tanks and MiGs in Iraq?" We felt isolated and uncompetitive. We had no war stories for the bar. The airlines were hiring like crazy, the pay was awesome, and the rest is history.

Fast forward 16 years - most airlines are dying a slow death of a thousand cuts. The pay is gone. The fun has been engineered out of the job by bad schedules and overworked crew. I was holding 78 hour 12-day months in 1993. Now, I am struggling to hold 15 day lines and avoid reserve as a 16 year FO at AA.

Hindsight - Leaving the Air Force was stupid. I miss the challenge, the awesome hardware, and above all I miss my buds. It always comes down to the people you worked with, and my old squadron pals were the best. Yes there was a lot of Mickey-Mouse stuff, but if I could go back in time, I'd not resign.

Does anyone else have any regrets about leaving the military? I'm curious... I don't believe I'm alone in this.

I’m active duty and have been since ’89. I fly a 78 hour month and still hold a day job (Airfield Ops Officer). My days average 14 hours. Not for 15 days, but for the whole month. I work most weekends and have a damn cell phone with me 24/7. I have 19 months until terminal and can’t wait! To be honest though, I’m very fortunate. I haven’t deployed in two years. Most of my buds, who deployed when I last did, came back and are just now returning from another one year deployment.

If you’re interested in switching your day and paycheck for mine, give me your number, I’m sure we can work something out!!

 

[AlbieF15]

Magnum,

You TX'ing right now or TDY here?

I was in AK 92-96, and my bride was VERY happy up there. We both had a blast, and even though my pageant princess is hardly an outdoor junkie like I am she got really into the Anchorage scene and did some great things...had a great job and also won AF Spouse of the Year in 95 with some volunteer work and other activities. And--she did learn to do a pretty good roll cast and ended up catching a lot of Reds for us. If either of you want to chat about AK--although some of my data is dated--we both still have a lot of contacts up there and will help you or chat about anything you want to ask. My bride is more than willing to do the same for your bride...

You know where to find me. Hard to stomach helping a *&^* Viper driver but since you are twin tail/twin engine driver now I feel compelled to offer my help!

Number hasn't changed....website or VIPS....

Cheers....

 

[rhinodriver]

not only no but he!! no...

Lets see... Almost 4 years sea time. Back to back sea duty. Missing both kids first steps, first words, first birthdays. 6 months at sea with 5000 of your closest male friends.

But then there's.... Day bagex. BFM on a beautiful day. Tactical low level into the range. 4 ship self escort strike with AIM-9X and the helmet. Stumbleing into the admin at 3 in the morning to find all the beds taken and the only place left is the small spot on the floor and you have to take the curtain off the window for a blanket...

OK, yea maybe a little...

 

[bssthound]

Albie "rolled" another 7:

And--she did learn to do a pretty good roll cast and ended up catching a lot of Reds for us.

Dang, Albie. You got me beat again!! I went and found an absolute hammer that has the greatest personality ( seriously, I'm not kidding!! ) ever and your missus goes and perfects her fishing skills!! Guess I'll always be a step or three behind you!!

BTW, my house'll be finished in about 6 weeks. It's on deep water and about 90 seconds off I-10 whenever you're over this way. Oh, there are reds, Dixie Style, and specks in the backyard during the winter months. Bass and bream when it's warm.

 

[LeonPhelps]

I've never met a block 50 that cost more than $50M.

I asked my wife if she wanted to move to Anchorage tonight. My life would be awesome flying in the 302nd FS at Elmo and being an MD-11 F/O. My wife, born and raised Richmond, VA, laughed out loud. BUT, I know her...she googled Anchorage tonight!

Do you guys like Anchorage? Why?

Hey Magnum! If you are moving up to Alaska, I think you should take that twin brother of yours who is nothing but a "tax and spend liberal", who is dying to get a spot on Hilary's campaign staff, and the only position still available on her staff at this point is the deputy assistant campaign director for the eighth district in Anchorage.

 

[LJDRVR]

I miss having the foothills in my back yard. (Beale) I miss watching the seasons change at Arlington National Cemetary. (USAF Honor Guard)

Other than that, I look at it this way:

Joining the USAF was the smartest thing I ever did, getting out was the second. *

*Keeping in mind that I seperated as an active duty SSgt, working in some shoeclerk job and now fly for a legacy carrier with upgrade about a year away.

Life is good.

 

[Huggyu2]

I’m active duty and have been since ’89. I fly a 78 hour month and still hold a day job (Airfield Ops Officer). My days average 14 hours. Not for 15 days, but for the whole month. I work most weekends and have a damn cell phone with me 24/7. I have 19 months until terminal and can’t wait!

Yikes! I thought I was working long days!! Good luck on the next 19 months.

 

[anotherF16pilot]

We used to drink whiskey and f**k women; now we drink diet coke and f**k each other . . . . .

That needs to be on the back of my friday T...

 

[MiserDD]

We used to drink whiskey and f**k women; now we drink diet coke and f**k each other . . . . .

You must be in my squadron!

 

[JungleJett]

What I don't miss is the guys that have finally gotten out that did nothing but bitch and moan about being in the Guard but refused to get out....until a deployment came up.

Some think the reserve components are a flying club and not a military unit with some of the same BS that goes along with it. I will do my f'ing awareness training right before we go fly some TAC on a night like tonight. Sometimes the flying and the buds make up for a lot of the other crap we have to put up with. I can get most of my ancillary training done in two days...then I do not worry about it for another year.