How many pilots here are prior military?

[Luchini]

I am 21 and thinking of joining the AF or Navy. One of the things that is holding me back is I will not able to flight train during those 4 years. I been told that the sooner you can get onto a regional the better because everything is senority based. Do you guys think it would be worth it to enlist or am I just wasting 4 years of losing flight training and seniority. The way I look at it I could receive all my flight training in about a year and CFI for another year or 2 but I wouldnt be able to do that while enlisted.

 

[Donsa320]

Hmm, seems as if you have answered your own question. Get as early a start as possible.

 

[MarineGrunt]

Have you considered the Guard or Reserve? I'm in USAF pilot training (for the Guard) right now, and there's a dude here the got hired on with a regional about six months before he left for here. He took a military leave of abscense until he's done with training. By the time he gets back, he will be close to his third year at the airline. Thats the perfect scenario in my mind, as he gets to skip the crappy first year FO pay. I wish I had the flight time to do that...

 

[hbrow15]

Depending on where your based you can do flight training while your enlisted. I was in the Marine Corps Reserve in a city where the Naval air Station had flying club which is where I and many other military members, most of who were on active duty recieved flight training and most are part 141 and do training up to ATP and all CFI training. So if your at a base with an Air Force or Navy flying club you can do your training use your GI bill to help pay for it and instruct there also, if the job you choose will provide you the time to do it.

 

[RJP]

Have you considered the Guard or Reserve? I'm in USAF pilot training (for the Guard) right now, and there's a dude here the got hired on with a regional about six months before he left for here. He took a military leave of abscense until he's done with training. By the time he gets back, he will be close to his third year at the airline. Thats the perfect scenario in my mind, as he gets to skip the crappy first year FO pay. I wish I had the flight time to do that...

It was perfect until you said he went to a regional.

 

[WhiteCloud]

I am 21 and thinking of joining the AF or Navy. One of the things that is holding me back is I will not able to flight train during those 4 years. I been told that the sooner you can get onto a regional the better because everything is senority based. Do you guys think it would be worth it to enlist or am I just wasting 4 years of losing flight training and seniority. The way I look at it I could receive all my flight training in about a year and CFI for another year or 2 but I wouldnt be able to do that while enlisted.

Why not apply to be a military pilot? If your looking at a non flying military gig you should apply to aviation related fields. Even if you're not a pilot in the military you can gain a great deal of operational experience and get a steady paycheck and benefits that no regional airline offers. I disagree with the proposition that you can't pursue flight training while enlisted in the military. Where there is a will there is a way. The steady paycheck and a military aeroclub could be your ticket. Good luck.

 

[Justino]

GO ANG! Thats if you don't want an active duty lifestyle which entails flying but also desk duties and three or so other jobs at the same time! ANG will allow you the best of both worlds.


Good luck on the AFOQT and BAT

Justino

 

[Luchini]

I would do reserve or ANG but my vision disqualifies me for military flying. I am leaning more towards the AF as it has more stability in terms of staying on your assigned base rather then being deployed to 6 months of sea duty. I never considered getting all my training through military aero clubs I would most certainly do that if it is available to me. As far as a regional goes I wouldnt mind being a FO for a few years or even 5 years as long as I got an upgrade to captain.

 

[FlyChicaga]

For the guy who left 6 months into a new company, wouldn't that place get pissed since he is still on probation? I would think so.

 

[WhiteCloud]

For the guy who left 6 months into a new company, wouldn't that place get pissed since he is still on probation? I would think so.

Maybe not. Lots of us support the US Military and have a great deal of respect for those that choose to serve.

 

[Slim]

Luchini,

The only time, while enlisted, you would probably be prohibited from flying is during basic training and your MOS/tech scool training. After you get your private license, you can use Montgomery GI Bill (Chpt. 106) benefits for flight training. Good luck!

RJP,

The pilot in UPT, on leave from a regional carrier, has a good deal. When the majors (those remaining!) start hiring, how many applicants do you think there will be with military AND Part 121 time? By the time this pilot applies, s/he might even have military aircraft commander time as well as Part 121 PIC time. How many of this pilot's competitors' will be able to submit that kind of resume?
Fly safe!

 

[Huggyu2]

Luchini,
Enlist into a Guard or Reserve unit that you want to fly with. Go part time enlisted with them. That way, you can pursue your flying/ratings. Then, after you've got your degree, and have been in the unit a few years, they will give you some preferential consideration for going to pilot training. Now, you get the best of both worlds. Plus, being in a Guard unit means getting to network with all of the part-time mil pilots working for majors/frac/corp/etc...

 

[DirkkDiggler]

If you're worried about advancing your career, spend the next four years getting a college degree and fly while you're doing it. You'll be a lot more marketable in the future (a little bit at the regionals and a lot more at the higher levels). Maybe you already have a degree but I assumed that if you did, you wouldn't be enlisting but rather going to OCS. I think you should ask yourself, "What does enlisting in the military for four years get me"? If you have a burning desire to serve your country then that is certainly admirable and you should do it while you have the chance. If you're looking at it as a career move while you're trying to further your flying career, consider not enlisting at all. It won't help your flying career one bit.

 

[Luchini]

Well I decided to do it. I will be partcipating in the national call to service act which is 2 years active, 2 years active reserve or the option of doing the remaining 2 on active. I will be using tuition assistance and the gi bill to (portion of it if i only do 2 years active) finish my education. I was surprised how far an education can go in the navy. I was able to enlist as an e-3 and also receive a 2,000 enlistment bonus for 70 credit hours. I figure there will always be time to fly and this will make me a better rounded person.