Military Flight Option

[usaair12]

I'm in the process of investigating options for my upcoming career change and wanted to get some feedback on the military option for flight training.

Little background: Will be 28 years old by the time I make the change. Currently hold a Private pilot certificate. Also hold an Airframe and Powerplant license. Graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelors in Aeronautical Technology.

Anyone have any suggested routes assuming I can pass a military physical. Air National Guard, Air Force, Army National Guard, Navy?

 

[Rush Limbaugh]

My recommendation would be to go for an ANG or reserve slot. The problem with it is that you may not be able to get a full time job if that's what you want. The problem you have is that you may not have a lot of time to get on with a unit. You are going to pushing the age limit and it may take some time to get hired. Unfortunately, time is something you don't have a lot of.

My next recommendation (obviously) would be to go for an Air Force slot. Flying wise, the Air Force offers more options than the other services. Yeah, you won't get to land on a boat but honestly, I never even had an ounce of desire to but that's just me. The good part of the Navy is the locations you can be stationed. You're pretty much guaranteed to be near a coast and that sure beats the heck out of some of the places the Air Force will stick you.

It all just depends on what you want to do. Pick something you like and start getting the paperwork together. I'm sure there are a lot of guard dudes here that can tell you a lot more about the guard life than I can.

Good luck

 

[smoker]

Late, but there is still time...

Your situation is very similar to mine. I will be 28 next month, currently work in the financial sector (great money, but I don't wake up excited to go to work) and over the past 4 years I have burned a lot of time dreaming about a military flying career. I applied to OTS in 1998, zero flight time, didn't get picked up - no wonder. I have planned another approach in 2001 (knowing I'm bumping the age limit) by starting my private pilot work and accumulating little over 100hrs in about 10 months. While dealing with the AFOQT (my second time I scored 90 on pilot and 87 nav) and the BAT (initially I scored 19! but with the better AFOQT and some flight time the score was adjusted to 90) I begun working on my instrument rating. Hectic ha? Well, in May I sent off my first packet to one of many ANG units around the country. My plan was to try ANG first and if all fails, re-try active AF. By June I was already interviewing and in early August I was offered an ANG heavy slot. This was a lot of work and even more multi-tasking, but don't let anyone tell you that it can't be done. The Guard wants you in UPT by 30, the AF wants to have you before their OTS board by 28 1/2. If you really want this, you have to get moving fast...

You should read what others are saying on this board about the different life styles the services offer. If I was single, I would definitely go after the Navy. If you are used to having some flexibility in your life, the Guard is probably the best option - during peace time. The moment we go kick butt, all bets are off, although I think that's kind of fun.

I have found a lot of very helpful info on this board - people here are more knowledgeable than many recruiters and most important, many of them have gone through the process themselves.

 

[pilotyip]

Army

Don't forget the Army they also fly and you may have a chance there also. Persue every opportunity. You can always turn them donw. Ex Army helo drivers have turned out to be some of our best candidates, they go to the head of the line when scheduling interviews.