Flying for the Air Force

[PilotOnTheRise]

I have a few questions for any of you Air Force, or other military pilots.

I am a current college student. I have become very interested in flying for the Air Force, and have been looking into the AFROTC program. Now, I realize that getting a pilot/navigator slot is not guaranteed, but does having a private help? Also, do you military men and women recommend the military as a way to go for a career, flying or not? It seems like being an officer in the military is a really good route to go, but I want to hear first hand from some of you guys.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[bobs98tlr]

I am not an Officer nor am i in the military (yet, will be going enlisted ANG soon). To shin some light in your direction being an Officer in the military is a good thing to be. Especially as a pilot/nav. Haveing your private license does help alittle bit from what im told. It will help you when your testing for a pilot slot and such. AFROTC is a good thing to be apart of, however you must understand that your arent guaranteed a pilots slot and your still going to have to give a comitment to the AF once your commissioned.

 

[PilotOnTheRise]

I am not an Officer nor am i in the military (yet, will be going enlisted ANG soon). To shin some light in your direction being an Officer in the military is a good thing to be. Especially as a pilot/nav. Haveing your private license does help alittle bit from what im told. It will help you when your testing for a pilot slot and such. AFROTC is a good thing to be apart of, however you must understand that your arent guaranteed a pilots slot and your still going to have to give a comitment to the AF once your commissioned.

I understand I will not be guaranteed a pilot slot. I also realize you still have a commitment. But, even if I did not get a pilot slot, I still would like to hear what you military guys think about a career in the military as an officer.

When will you be enlisting and with who?

 

[trashhauler]

I was a 2 year ROTC cadet, 4 year navigator, 10 year active duty pilot and now I've been in the reserves for 4 years. Life as an officer has been pretty good.

The military has a whole bunch of non-flying related stuff that has to be done and they have you 24/7/365. Even when you are on leave they will sometimes call you in (no often). You do miss some family events like birthdays and anniversaries. As for the flying, better training than you can get any place else, really. It's tough and a lot of guys don't make it, but you know you've accomplished something. There is a commitment after training and it's a long time, but you're making pretty decent money (not too hard to raise a family on the pay) and you're building your flight time.

You could also join a guard or reserve unit. You'll be employed full time while you complete training (2 - 2 1/2 years), but then you'll need to find another job, unless you don't need much money, then you can be a bum. I can tell you more about that if you PM me. You won't have enough hours to get hired at even a regional airline for several more years.

It's not a bad way of life, but there is a reason people still call it 'service,' you're life is not entirely your own.

 

[bobs98tlr]

I will be joining the Illinois Air National Guard in Peoria, IL. Its a C-130 unit. Im waiting on some paper work to go through but i sould be picking a job and enlisting sometime in 2 weeks. Hopefully getting a loadmaster or crew chief postion.

 

[psysicx]

You can make decent money bumming usually around 40K.I know KC-135 and C-17 guys who love it.They can make there own schedule fly all around the world and don't have to fly for a regional.It wouldn't take long to make it to the airlines,they average between 500 and 700 hrs a year.The only bad part is no health insurance.Also most upgrade around a year and half.Check out baseops.net they have good info.

 

[qmaster3]

POTR,

you do get health ins., and I am enlisted bumming more than 40k. If you're an O-2 or above you will too. It's a good life pilot or not.

bobs,

Good choice. The GI bill will pick up 60% of the tab from here on out. I think ILL you get free tuition on top of that at a state school. Anyway make sure you get the job you want. If not just threaten to not go. They can't stop you at this point, and if that recruiter doesn’t give you what you want. Shop around, for another recruiter.

 

[psysicx]

How are you getting health insurance.The C-17 pilot I talked to said he would have never left bumming if it wasn't for insurance.

 

[Buck921]

insurance

YOU get insurance, but not your family. Health is covered only while you are on Duty, you are SOL once off. Life Insurance is different. If you are paying for SGLI, it goes 365 days a year (you are paying the same rate an AD guy is so you are covered all year round). There is some rumblings about Reservists being able to pay into the Tricare system and cover their families with full medical and dental, but I haven't seen it put in to force yet. Someone else may have more info on this.

 

[Purpledog]

Does the Marine Corps still guarantee pilot slots during PLC? In '88 I was guaranteed a pilot slot after my first semester of college b/c I passed the AQT/FAR. All I had to do was make it thru OCS and TBS and keep a 2.5 or better GPA. I am dumfounded why more haven't taken that route instead of rolling the dice with one of the other services and being a supply officer (not that there's anything wrong with that). Plus you won't fly anything in the Corps that isn't fun.

Semper Fly

 

[mudkow60]

ROTC is the best of both worlds... you have a job in the military as an officer when you graduate, but for the mean time, you have your college years ahead of you (and you don't want to miss out on those).


Just remember, there are lots of pros and cons to anything. One of the best about being a pilot in the military is the personal satasfaction that it gives me. There is not much else I would rather do then be flying. On the negative side... well, enough said.

 

[qmaster3]

How are you getting health insurance.The C-17 pilot I talked to said he would have never left bumming if it wasn't for insurance.

Active Duty, you and your family gets full health, dental, and wonderful other benefits.

Military takes care of ya.

 

[pkober]

My two cents,

You can get insurance for your family any time you are on AD orders for 30 days or longer. Also if you pull a Noble Eagle or Enduring/Iraqi Freedom tour for 30 days or longer you are given 180 days of AD Tricare for you and your family after you finish your orders. I live near a AD base so my Tricare is free. The 180 day policy is part of the new enhancements for Guard/Reserve medical benee's..

As far as being able to buy into Tricare. I called Tricare a few weeks ago and was told that by law that program is to be in effect in April. They had no details about premiums. But like every other government program delays are almost a gaurantee.

Bobs98tlr,

Peoria is a great unit. I'll see you there.

CLAMBAKE

 

[skyward80]

I'm in the home stretch to getting my wings here at UPT. I'm a reservist heading to the KC-10 after graduation. I can easily tell you that joining the USAF was hands-down the BEST decision I ever made. It's awesome to work with a group of people who are so professional and dedicated to their work (and to their play time as well).

Pay is great. In AETC, I rarely work on a weekend (operational USAF is obviously different). I get great pay/benefits. I earn more than a number of my counterparts at regional airlines. You just can't beat the way the USAF treats you (esp. as an officer).

In the civilian world, I was a flight instructor. They worked us like DOGS for sh**ty pay, no benefits, and it wasn't unusual to work 3 weeks straight without a day off. I HATED it.

Plus... I get to do cool sh** every day. Aerobatics (not in the T-1 though), formation, low levels, etc. I am actually excited to go to work every morning.

Just my .02

Skyward80

 

[Benhuntn]

Do it. You won't regret it. I did it 30 yrs ago and now look. I can see visitors on the weekends and soon I will take solid food again. What was the question....?

 

[bssthound]

GO SAINTS!!​

Rising One,
From one Saints fan to another it is worth it. Active Duty or Guard/Reserve I don't think you'll regret it. The military might not be your cup of tea for 20+ years but I don't think you will regret the experience and knowing you served your country. Just my flag waving .02

 

['72Gremlin]

Benhuntn,
Cool Avitar. Are those C-32 tails?

 

[PilotOnTheRise]

Thanks all of you who have responded to my thread. I definately think I want to do the AFROTC route. Flying has always been a dream of mine and what better than to hopefully get my training and experience through the AF. If it is a career as an AF pilot great, or if I decide to leave at some point I would be set for an airline job.

I have one other question. Part of becoming an AF pilot involves the FC1 physical. I have been reading some stuff on this and it almost seems scary, lol. It seems as though they are looking for the slightest thing to DQ you. For those of you who have it, can you briefly tell me in general what is involved with it?

 

[T3700]

Don't sweat the physical. As long as you meet whatever the current vision requirements are, and haven't ruined your hearing, most college age people should not have a problem with the physical.

Good luck, and don't listen to any of the Navy recruiters

 

[Bjammin]

Navy is Definitely the way to go!

You get to land on a ship!, Don't have to stand up and recite EP's in front a ready room, get WAY more say in how you fly, and won't have to put up with movies like Iron Eagle 4.

Air force bases are in places like Minot ND, Mountain Home UT, and BFE Nowhere like Edward's.

Navy bases are in JAX. FL, North Island CA, Pensacola FL, and Whidbey Island WA.

We are more blue collar then the AF, but all that means is you won't get to wear an ascot.

They may have pretty airplanes, but try to land one on the ship and it will fall apart like Texas brisket off the bone.

GO NAVY!!!!

(Of course this is meant in the most loving of ways, but I expect alot of flak)

 

[RJP]

Fight's On!

Navy is Definitely the way to go!

You get to land on a ship!, Don't have to stand up and recite EP's in front a ready room, get WAY more say in how you fly, and won't have to put up with movies like Iron Eagle 4.

Air force bases are in places like Minot ND, Mountain Home UT, and BFE Nowhere like Edward's.

Navy bases are in JAX. FL, North Island CA, Pensacola FL, and Whidbey Island WA.

We are more blue collar then the AF, but all that means is you won't get to wear an ascot.

They may have pretty airplanes, but try to land one on the ship and it will fall apart like Texas brisket off the bone.

GO NAVY!!!!

(Of course this is meant in the most loving of ways, but I expect alot of flak)

Incoming flak.

Why not to go navy.

1) You have to land on the **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**ing boat.
2) Naval air staions at such garden spots as El Centro, California, Meridian, Mississippi and Fallon, Nevada.
3) Won't have to iron your flighsuit because you can't wear them unless you're flying. How 'bout them "pinks", eh boys?
4) Don't have to listen to "I feel the need....for speed" jokes, Mav.
5) Did I mention that you have to land on the boat? Oh yeah, and you live there for months on end too. Neat.
6) Won't have to justify tailhook. It ruined fighter pilot life as we knew it.

 

[Huggyu2]

Registered Eye-Poker, indeed! May I pile on??
- Navy Garden Spots: North Sea in the winter, Indian Ocean for 7 months, Bearing Straits, Persian Gulf, N 05 00' E 03 00', etc...
- Great additional duties (department "head"?; gee, I want to be the Public Affairs officer for my squadron... PLEASE!!!)
- Lots of opportunity for flying once you make O-4: just ask the Hoover and Tomcat guys.
- 100% of AF UPT graduates go to fixed wing. What's the Navy's percentage?
- If you want to fly helos in the AF, they'll send you to Helo UPT, and 100% of those guys get helos.
- can I see a show of hands from all those pilots that did an interservice transfer from the Navy TO the AF? Anyone.... anyone? Beuhler??

Remember: we're the AIR Force. We don't drive boats. We fly JETS (and some helos). We're the experts.

 

[Bjammin]

What on earth are "pinks"? I thought that was the just the color of standard Air Force Issue underwear.

If Doug'y was out on a vollyball court covered in sweat, he would truly be representin'

Why do Air Force guys play pool with their hands? Oh wait, the cues are stuck where the sun don't shine and THAT'S why their so stiff.

GO NAVY!

 

[Steeler Fan]

I understand I will not be guaranteed a pilot slot. I also realize you still have a commitment. But, even if I did not get a pilot slot, I still would like to hear what you military guys think about a career in the military as an officer.

When will you be enlisting and with who?

When you're within a year of getting your degree, you can apply to OTS. You can apply to be a pilot, and if selected, that's what you'll go do.

I think in general, a career in the military is a good thing. Also, serving in the military give you a chance to serve your country while building a strong resume for future employment opportunities.

Good luck.

 

[Steeler Fan]

Why do Air Force guys play pool with their hands? Oh wait, the cues are stuck where the sun don't shine and THAT'S why their so stiff.

GO NAVY!

Air Force does not have the monopoly on uptight people, but the ones we do have are exactly as Bjammin described.

One flight engineer was talking with me about one of our Active Duty AF pilots, Maj V. He said that Maj V. was so uptight, that you couldn't get an icepick up his butt with a sledgehammer. Nice illustration, huh?

I do strongly recommend playing Combat Crud at your earliest convenience, though. Definitely NOT a game for the timid.

Personally, I couldn't do the boat thing, but that's just me.

Most AF and Navy

 

[RJP]

P.S.: Air Force pilots wear scarves and iron their flight suits.

Nah, it's just a rumor. While everyone's issued a scarf, the only guys I've ever seen wear them are missle pukes. Never did iron a bag. Maybe I missed out.

 

[Steeler Fan]

I'm in the home stretch to getting my wings here at UPT. I'm a reservist heading to the KC-10 after graduation. I can easily tell you that joining the USAF was hands-down the BEST decision I ever made. It's awesome to work with a group of people who are so professional and dedicated to their work (and to their play time as well).

Pay is great. In AETC, I rarely work on a weekend (operational USAF is obviously different). I get great pay/benefits. I earn more than a number of my counterparts at regional airlines. You just can't beat the way the USAF treats you (esp. as an officer).

Skyward80

Congrats on the KC-10. You love it.

 

[Huggyu2]

As for the ironed flight-suited guys you ran into: there was a time in the 90's when the flight suits were made with the crease in them. You couldn't get it out if you tried. Most actually had a bead that ran down the front left and front right side, and I saw some guys using a razor blade to cut them off. That was also when they made the right leg calf pocket deeper: the word was that someone didn't like the flight cap showing when it was in there.
The USAF uniform board does not have a good track record, and they definitely don't seem to understand the needs of the warriors that fly and fight for a living. Have you seen the new AF physical fitness uniform?
Now, we're pretty much back to the old style flight suits with the same original problems as they always had. Gotta love them!

 

[pkober]

Those flight suits were McPeak's idea and they were called "Fag Bags"


CLAMBAKE