Heavy Lifters (C17, C5) Guard/Reserve Jobs

[Mamma]

What are you flying right now? Are you current? What is strategic operational acft anyway?

 

[TheSulaco]

My unit over the past couple years has taken a couple non-AMC pilots. If my memory serves me correctly there was one chopper and Viper driver that came to our Herk world.

 

[dudemize]

Kingsize,

It sounds like you want an AGR slot, that pretty much narrows the field to Guard units as opposed to Reserve. I know of very few Reserve units with AGR slots, most are ART positions (civilian). Hickam is the only C-17 guard unit in your area of preference, not sure about the tankers.

 

[TankerDriver]

When did they stop enlisted palace chasing. I have known some people that were able to do it about a year ago. Good thing they got to the guard before they put a stop to it.

They stopped it about a year ago.

 

[kingsize]

What are you flying right now? Are you current? What is strategic operational acft anyway?

Bombers. Yes. I'm still figuring that out.

 

[C-141/C-5]

I dont't want to be the guy with the negative message, but jobs these days are REAL HARD to get if you are not current and qualified in that aircraft the unit has! Find someone in the unit you want to join and use that as your way in. TRY MCHORD C-17s I think they might need people.

 

[kingsize]

Kingsize,

It sounds like you want an AGR slot, that pretty much narrows the field to Guard units as opposed to Reserve. I know of very few Reserve units with AGR slots, most are ART positions (civilian). Hickam is the only C-17 guard unit in your area of preference, not sure about the tankers.

dudemize, thanks for the real helpful response.
For those knowedgeable about ART positions, what are the benefits? I've heard some pros and cons, and maybe you can tell me which of it is BS.
I heard that if a pilot does 10 years active duty, then gets an ART position, he can retire as a civil servant 15 years later, and within that time will have accumulated enough active duty points to qualify for an active duty retirement. So, in essence, that pilot would be drawing military retirement and civil service retirement immediately. Is this all true?

Other things I've heard is that ART is really a pain in the ass, and that you're basically clocking in all the time, without the freedom that most USAF pilots have.

How does the pay compare? Someone who is ART vs an active duty pilot, major or ltc with pilot bonus (ACP)?

Here's what I found for pay schedules and retirement, and it doesn't look all that special to me, but then I just did a brief search and don't know the reality of it:
http://www.opm.gov/retire/html/faqs/faq11.asp#csrs
http://www.opm.gov/oca/06tables/indexGS.asp

 

[kingsize]

I dont't want to be the guy with the negative message, but jobs these days are REAL HARD to get if you are not current and qualified in that aircraft the unit has! Find someone in the unit you want to join and use that as your way in. TRY MCHORD C-17s I think they might need people.

Thanks. I'm still 3 years away from doing anything, so who knows what will happen during that time, with all the deployments and oncoming energy "crisi" and everything. I'm just looking at options and going to build myself a little folder with different ideas---anything from flying jumbo jets full of rubber dog******************** (or whatever cargo they carry) out of hong kong (Cathay) to joining the reserves and going back to school, to staying active duty and taking the bonus (if it's still around) to going to an AGR or ART job to retiring to a central american country and living as cheaply as possible to getting out entirely and never flying again except for my own personal enjoyment.

 

[C-141/C-5]

THE reserves and guard sound it's what you want. The flexibility and pay is good. Don't expect an ART or AGR job off the bat.

 

[Mamma]

I dont't want to be the guy with the negative message, but jobs these days are REAL HARD to get if you are not current and qualified in that aircraft the unit has! Find someone in the unit you want to join and use that as your way in. TRY MCHORD C-17s I think they might need people.

We are pretty full at McChord. Many apps on file already from units that received the axe in the last BRAC...PDX for one. My unit is 120% manned. Alaska is standing up. Chances best there I think. HI would be next to impossible for an unqualified guy IMHO. McGuire maybe. I hear Dover is getting C-17s so take heed that the early bird gets the worm. Kingsize, what is a strategic operational aircraft anyway and are you current in your airframe right now?