How do I get started on AF res/Guard?

[outofAAjob]

I just started looking at joining the guard or reserves and don't know very much. Can anyone suggest any websites that are good sources of info for pilot jobs in either?
How does one find out about what aircraft are based where? I live in ATL but am willing to go to other locations in the country.
Thanks

 

[Tweetdrvr]

Guard Reserve info

This thread has a pretty good discussion and contains much of the info you need


http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16939

 

[skyward80]

Search for anything posted by airgator, vandal, or sonic cruzer. You can search for my name as well. However, in all honesty, I asked more questions than I answered. That might work to your advantage if you have the same questions. If your searches don't work out too well, PM me and I'll help you out where I can.

Skyward80

 

[HoursHore]

baseops.net has a table of job listings. Some are pretty old, but theres a lot of unit phone numbers.

I forgot, the link to the table is really small. its in the upper right hand corner.

 

[bssthound]

My two cents

First, one question. How old are you??

You've already gotten some great advice. The only thing I would contribute is that you compile a list of every Guard and Reserve unit out there. Contact every one of them. Certainly have your preferences, but you never know which unit will need someone yesterday. For instance, we had a guy drop out of OTS last year. He was replaced as quickly as the system allows because we have several people interviewed and ready to go.

One other thing. Pardon me if I step on your toes, but do you want to serve your country and quite possibly get shot at?? The Reserve Forces are great furlough protection, true. It is much much, much more than a job, though. There's a pretty gosh-darn good chance you'll spend a significant amount of time in the desert. You'll quite possibly miss birthdays, holidays, and other events.

Anyway, I wish you the best of luck. Our nation's Reserve Forces are a top-notch organization. You will work with true professionals, make life-long friends, and serve your country.

One big difference you'll notice between this and the airline world is the camaraderie in a squadron. The airline is a job. True, you make some friends there but it is still just a job. Your unit is a brotherhood. I don't think any of our Reservists/airline pilots would disagree with me.

By the way, that is a magnificent avatar!!

 

[outofAAjob]

Thanks you guys for all the good info and your thoughts!

 

[airgator]

I HIGHLY suggest you buy the book "Flying in the Guard & Reserve" by Rob Black. It is worth every cent.

 

[keydet96]

Go to www.ang.af.mil and surf the unit websites. Some sites have UPT info posted and who to contact. Others that don't will at least have the e-mail address of the recruiter for the unit. Contact them and ask about UPT opportunities and who you need to talk to. Get a good resume together and as many letters of reccomendation that you can get. Military sources are the best if you can get them and military aviators are even better.
This is how I got my slot.
Keep in mind some units are hiring for slots two or three years down the road. You most likely won't be whisked away to UPT. I sent my resume to my unit in '99 and am just now finishing my co-pilot upgrade in the 135.
Best of luck!

 

[SkySpray]

Okay, spare me, please. Everytime someone with airline credentials in their profile posts something about ANG or reserve flying, it is inevitable someone will say this. Most military guys I know would never have considered joining if they didn't have the opportunity to fly a hot jet, chopper, or a big tanker. "Serving your country" had nothing to do with it. Well, that's just my ignorant civilian opinion.

Pardon me if I step on your toes, but do you want to serve your country and quite possibly get shot at?? The Reserve Forces are great furlough protection, true. It is much much, much more than a job, though. There's a pretty gosh-darn good chance you'll spend a significant amount of time in the desert. You'll quite possibly miss birthdays, holidays, and other events.

 

[keydet96]

Gross, uninformed generalization

I spent five years behind a radar scope before I decided to fly. I've spent over six months supporting the now happily defunkt Operation Southern Watch and 3 months in Bogota, Colombia supporting counter-drug ops, plus countless trips away from home for different training/operational trips. 250 days away from home during the first year of my first operational assignment alone. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years of 99/2000 spent in lovely Riyadh, KSA. All before I bacame a pilot.
How many layovers have you spent in a tent? How many meals served on a paper plate with a spork? How 'bout a beer after a hard days work? Sorry, no freedom like that for the G.I. in Saudi or Kuwait.
I'm not saying that there aren't people in uniform like you've described, because I've met a couple. But, the VAST majority have a sincere desire to serve. Would you eat **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** on a hilltop in Kuwait if you didn't?
Please be more careful with your remarks!

 

[skyward80]

That is a low insult to be throwing at people who protect our freedom. Who are any of us to question why they are there? Everyone joins for their own reasons, but I guarantee that "serving [this] country" is somewhere on just about everybody's list.

Skyward80

 

[bssthound]

Spare me, please. I thank God that I've taken the opportunity to serve in this nation's military so that in times of trouble I have the opportunity to "do something about it." The point in my earlier post is that if you're not in it to serve your country please don't try. That type of personality is usually not very successful because the main thread that runs throughout all branches of and duties in the military is teamwork. Without it you're nothing. That's just my informed military opinion.

 

[SkySpray]

As far as disrespecting servicemen by my comments, that wasn't my point at all, nor would I do that. I'd just be curious to see how many people would've signed up in the military if the AF/USN/etc just flew pistons and turboprops. That's all. There's nothing wrong with a person saying they want to fly an F-16/15/18/etc, and as we all know, the U.S. military is the only place to do that.

That is a low insult to be throwing at people who protect our freedom. Who are any of us to question why they are there? Everyone joins for their own reasons, but I guarantee that "serving [this] country" is somewhere on just about everybody's list.

 

[wingnutt]

Everyone joins for their own reasons, but I guarantee that "serving [this] country" is somewhere on just about everybody's list.

negative...ive been active duty for 5 years and guard for another 3, i can attest to the contrary. there are (unfortunately) more people than you think that join for one of the following;

1) it sounds cool
2) the free college
3) and when it comes to flying, being able to fly better stuff than they ever would in the civilian world.

you can really tell who these people are when it comes down to crunch time. im not saying they're in the majority, but they are definately out there

 

[Hoss]

Skysprayer,
I see where you are coming from. Personally, I got into the Air National Guard because I wanted to fly a fighter jet. Does that make me a bad person because serving my country was not at the top of the list? I don't think so.

 

[wingnutt]

yes, but the idea of flying a fighter jet does in no way exclude the fact that you may indeed get shot at....something about the word "fighter" at the front of the word "jet"

itd be like a guy wanting to drive a tank...theres no other way to do it but join the military, and put yourself in the position of possibly being in harms way

i guess what im saying...is there any other way to fly a fighter jet, and not serve your country?

 

[SkySpray]

To Hoss: I wasn't saying you are a 'bad person', actually quite the contrary. I think your post just highlighted the point I was trying to make.
Everyone else: Sorry for hijacking this thread.