GenericPilot
Active member
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2005
- Posts
- 40
More leadership stuff
In response to Fox-Tree, the guard is changing (at least at my unit).
We joke that our guard unit is more like "active duty" than the active duty guys are. The team players get quick upgrades to A/C and IP, and the guys that do the "mins" sometimes hang out as a copilot for years. Non-flying participation is very important. Preparation for Operational readiness Inspections/Exercises take up a lot of our time. Frequent voluntary deployments that are quasi-mandatory pop up, and we are expected to help out. TACC and the guard bureau are building trips that are very busy with little down time. Tactical training flying requirements have increased with the advent of NVGs. New technology has also made it more difficult to fly as a min timer. Throw in constant threat of BRAC and it gets stressful for
the full-time staff and pure guard bums who refuse to move out of the area. We occasionally have fun, but not like the previous generations did.
However, a "well behaved" pilot who plays the game and acts like an "adult" can still thrive as a part timer with a civ flying job. It's just a lot tougher than it used to be. I have heard of more than one A/C or copilot who pulled some stupid stunts (on the ground off duty and in the air) and were placed in the min fly/min pay penalty box.
All these comments are from a guy that took a long time to actually become a team player, used to bash the system, and pulled a few stupid stunts as an
0-2/0-3. It still worked out for me, but I don't depend on the guard for my paycheck. I'm 18.9 years
into my career and have the option to "retire" in 2009. I'm looking to expand my non-flying education and eventually just fly my own plane for fun (airshow stuff).
In short, be smart and follow the party line. Have fun and remember that the Air Guard/Reserves aren't like they were for the previous generations. However, it's a great way to make above average pay, get a free education, and see the world...all while serving your country (and occasionally getting shot at).
Good Luck!
In response to Fox-Tree, the guard is changing (at least at my unit).
We joke that our guard unit is more like "active duty" than the active duty guys are. The team players get quick upgrades to A/C and IP, and the guys that do the "mins" sometimes hang out as a copilot for years. Non-flying participation is very important. Preparation for Operational readiness Inspections/Exercises take up a lot of our time. Frequent voluntary deployments that are quasi-mandatory pop up, and we are expected to help out. TACC and the guard bureau are building trips that are very busy with little down time. Tactical training flying requirements have increased with the advent of NVGs. New technology has also made it more difficult to fly as a min timer. Throw in constant threat of BRAC and it gets stressful for
the full-time staff and pure guard bums who refuse to move out of the area. We occasionally have fun, but not like the previous generations did.
However, a "well behaved" pilot who plays the game and acts like an "adult" can still thrive as a part timer with a civ flying job. It's just a lot tougher than it used to be. I have heard of more than one A/C or copilot who pulled some stupid stunts (on the ground off duty and in the air) and were placed in the min fly/min pay penalty box.
All these comments are from a guy that took a long time to actually become a team player, used to bash the system, and pulled a few stupid stunts as an
0-2/0-3. It still worked out for me, but I don't depend on the guard for my paycheck. I'm 18.9 years
into my career and have the option to "retire" in 2009. I'm looking to expand my non-flying education and eventually just fly my own plane for fun (airshow stuff).
In short, be smart and follow the party line. Have fun and remember that the Air Guard/Reserves aren't like they were for the previous generations. However, it's a great way to make above average pay, get a free education, and see the world...all while serving your country (and occasionally getting shot at).
Good Luck!
