Former or current pilot question

[freezinnuts]

I'm a current CFI asking for your experiences in the AF or Navy. I am currently hired by an airline, but have yet to start ground school like many others. I am giving the AF and Navy serious consideration, and am wondering what your careers and experinces have been. I'm married, 25, and have a bit over 1200 hours. I'm bored with flight instructing, and I'm not so sure I want to fly for the airlines in the near future. I've always wanted to fly military, but have not pursued it as seriously as I am now. Any comments?

 

[B-J-J Fighter]

Comments

My board interview for the mil is a week from Weds. I will tell you how it goes. Its quite a long process, just be patient.

 

[navhnt]

OK, I'll throw my two cents in. I wouldn't change my experiences in the Navy for anything. Flying jets off carriers is something that you simply have to do to appreciate. I look back on some of the things I've done, places I've been and people I've worked with and sometimes wonder if it really happened.
Having said that, let me tell you it's a long and bumpy road in military aviation. The highs are great but the lows are so very low. Coming home after a six month deployment and seeing the coast of the USA for the first time from 30K is an indescribable high and something I'll never forget. On the low side, I've also buried many friends and cursed this business for taking them from us. I've also sat on my rack holding back tears as I try and explain to my daughter why I won't be home for Xmas.
I guess what I'm saying is that you have to look at yourself on this one. The military can teach just about anybody to fly. You have to decide if the rest of it is worth it. My input is a resounding yes but you have to want to do it.

NAVHNT

 

[pilotyip]

Previous answers

go to the scearch function and look for previous answers on this subject. There is a lot of decent information on the subject. The move to the military is not about flying, it about serving your country under some "non-life style conditions"

 

[Eagleflip]

I first entered the military only wanting to fly. Quickly, I learned that it's called "military service" for a reason--you are in the military for the greater good of your country, which will demand huge sacrifices as noted above.

Once I accepted that issue, I loved my time in the military. It was not always enjoyable (staff tours stink), but but the sense of being part of something larger than myself made me a better person. The flying is second to none; the comraderie cannot be replaced.

Best of luck in your decision. Do the right thing for the right reason, though.

 

[Draginass]

You sound like you want a job. Military officer is not a job. It is a profession. You're not a "pilot," you're a military officer. One that may involve the taking of life and/or the giving of your own life. If you're 25 and just now contemplating if military service is what you want to do, I would submit that it's probably NOT what you want to do. When you're in, your really in and there's no turning back. USAF pilots training routinely washes at least a third of the previously carefully screened pilot trainees.

 

[Bustamove]

Pilot vs Officer

I'll never forget as a young LTJG one of 'old' LTs got up in front of the ready room and said "Rember, you put on these (pointing at his collar devices) before you put on these (pointing at his wings)." We all laughed. Naturally he was right.

Once you get out of training and into the Fleet flying is under the best circumstances less than half your job. If you don't want to be a leader, work a lot of hours, aren't willing spend a lot of time away from home and hearth, and don't feel a duty to serve then your military career will be a short one.

Just one more input to take into account.