Guard Commitment

[Chickenhawk]

Someone who knows please....

I've got the handshake from a guard unit. I feel lucky and glad to have a job....but what is the initial commitment after the RTU. I have heard that there's really no obligation (drop my papers at anytime) to at least 4 years.

Any real answers would be appreciated.

 

[T1bubba]

Every state has their own reg that covers this, so you'll have to ask your unit.

From what I've seen, there's no commitment as long as you're current and qualified in model. If they have to spend money on your training, you're probably going to owe some time. One unit I talked to wanted four years to requalify me in an aircraft that I'd already flown a variant of, the unit I ended up with wants five years to train me in a new aircraft. Since the unit is only 25 minutes from where I live and I was planning on staying until 20 anyway, the commitment wasn't really a factor for me.

One thing that one of the personnel folks mentioned was that the commitment was to the guard bureau, not any one particular state. So you may be able to switch units if you can get hired by another one later on. Don't know if that varies by state or not.

The bottom line is that somewhere in the avalanche of paperwork you get to fill out will be a sheet that talks about the amount of time you agree to serve. Just make sure to read it before you sign on the dotted line.

Good luck.

T1bubba

 

[Bloud]

Hawk, are you talking about the comitment you have to the guard because they are sending you to UPT. If that is the case I have heard it is now 10 years.

Or are you talking about how long you have to stay at your unit before maybe you look into transfuring to another unit? If this is the case I know guys whose jobs moved them so they transfured units. I think though most units expect 1 year or so at least. But paper work can always be shuffled if you find another unit who really wants you.

Or lastly are you talking about your comitment to the guard but do you really have to serve all 10 years? I am not sure on this one. But would assume you have to serve most of it. I know this isn't the same but in my current enlisted carrer I know guys who did like 4 out of six years and requsted to get out. But I don't know if you can do that as a pilot

Hope any of that helps

 

[Chickenhawk]

Thanks both...I'm ticking at 11 years active with both prior enlistment and my current gig. I assumed to initial obligation would be 3-4 years. We'll see.

 

[T1bubba]

Chickenhawk,

In my reply above I assumed that you had already been to UPT. If you haven't you're looking at more time. Talk to your unit, but from what I've heard most units want 10 years reserve with a couple years active duty at the beginning to get you up to speed on the aircraft.

I'm sure others on the board can shed more light on this.

T1bubba