Need to be talked into it now

[Michael Knight]

Pilotontherise,

Don't apologize for being honest and asking some serious questions about your future. I can guarantee you that everyone that joins the military does not do so without some reservations. I can also guarantee that not all pilots that leave the military go without reservation, even those offered jobs with Southwest.

There have been things I have pursued and later made an about face because it wasn't right for me. Still, when I joined the military I did not have reservations about serving but I knew many guys that did. Funny thing, my friends that were the most motivated and dedicated for military careers are all out now working in corporate America. Many of the one's that were clearly not 100% sold nor that motivated have changed course and are careerists. I do have my own thesis on why this happens so often but I'll spare you.

What I mean to explain is you really don't know until you try it out. So, without having that opportunity the next best thing is to ask others who have done it... keep asking the questions. With that said, motivation will definately help you achieve any objective... especially completion of military training.

Good luck,
Mike

 

[bssthound]

Pilotontherise,
Let me, too, commend you on your honesty. There's nothing wrong with asking people who've been there/done that.

I know some of the more derogatory posts didn't bother you for I, too, am a Saints fan and am used to dissapointment much worse than a few gruff words on a message board. If you can carry the weight of another dismal season you can certainly find your niche in the aviation world.

Just .02 from another soul in the Drinking City with a Football Problem!

 

[AlbieF15]

Yeah...what Michael Knight says...

I'll ask....how come a bunch of laid back dudes like me who "tolerated" ROTC lasted so long in the AF, while so many of the fired up Nazis ended up washing out of UPT...or barely finishing...and so many ended up getting passed over (especially the non-pilots) or getting out in the mid 90s...? My observation as well...but I have no major theories....MK--what do you think?

 

[RichO]

I'm not sure how you were thinking of getting your commision if you decided to become a mil pilot, but it probably is better you don't fly in the military if your not in it 100%. There is so much BS to put up with and unless your in it 100% you'll illiminate yourself quickly. Don't get me wrong, mil flying is by far the greatest flying you'll ever do. The places you'll go, the things you'll do, it will amaze you... Yeah, there is a lot of boring flying too, but overall I'm glad I chose this path. If you decide you want to REALLY do this, by all means go for it, but you have to put 100% into it to make it through training. It's alot of team work, studying, and well, letting loose a little too on the weekends. But, you know, when Sept 11th happened, it suddenly made apparent what my position in the military was all about. And the chance to be a part of it will far surpase anything I do in the civilian world.

 

[PilotOnTheRise]

I appreciate all of the nice comments now coming from some of you guys! I think you understand what I am trying to ask.

Well, lets hope the Saints do good this year. They were fine 2 years ago and I don't know what happened to them last year. I think they will do fine however.

 

[YODA]

PilotOnTheRise, per your previous post, no one should hold this against you! You are learning and that is what flying and most importantly, what life is all about, so hang in there! Obtain a goal and go after it, the only person that can tell you you are a quitter is YOURSELF, so go after what you want. If you feel you have what it takes than give it a shot, find out for yourself, but at least try. You obviously have some urge to become a militatry aviator since you asked the initial question -YODA

 

[BeerNear]

Albie, please translate for a Herc dude

Albie,

I think I missed something. What are you trying to say? ROTC vs Nazis? Tolerating ROTC? I wasn't in ROTC, but was there really that much to tolerate in ROTC? Passed over?

BN

 

[BeerNear]

If you want the real skinny....

PilotOnTheRise,

Here is my best advice. If you are not fully committed, stay away from active duty. Join the Air National Guard or reserves. I wish would have known about this tidbit of info when I graduated from high school. Looking back, I would have enlisted while I was in college and competed for a pilot slot when I graduated. It seems as though the guardsmen had the best of both worlds. They got to fly mil jets and seek a civilian flying job at the same time.

I have finally joined a guard unit but it has been a long strange trip for me. This is the best advice I can give to someone in your situation.

Take care and good luck,

BN

 

[AlbieF15]

BN,

It was late--after a roll call--when I wrote my post. In Saturday morning clear vision...here is what I meant to say.

I thought ROTC was a pain in the @ss. So did several of my buddies. We did our best to tolerate it, but never really enjoyed the BS. Several of that crowd went on to fly fighters and do quite well. One of my crowd is a 2 x below the zone guy....

Others in AFROTC ate it up! They wanted to be involved in every facet...and at age 20 were talking about "their" 20-25 year careers that they knew were going to happen. One of these fine specimen told me I'd never make it through UPT, as I wasn't dedicated enough...of course I ended up in fighters and he washed out, but that is a different story....

Anyway...roll the tape 15 years, and I have found--like MK--that many of the fired up guys have long since gotten out--disillusioned or simply steamrolled by the military. On the other hand, the more laid back guys went on to have (generally speaking) pretty good careers. MK said he had a theory as to why...and I'd love to hear it.

 

[CCDiscoB]

I get what you're saying Albie. I agree, and in fact many "laid back dudes" decided to join the military after college selecting the OTS route. They too have great flying careers. The difference is we still had the desire to fly for the military from before we went to school. I selected my school because it had ROTC. Yes, I too suffered through it, and watched the “over achievers” wash out.

The question is, has the Saint’s fan always wanted to fly or is he just bored now and thinking about a change of scenery. Last fall I was speaking to one of our young, civilian, gate guards when he started asking me about flying. He said, “Yeah man, I thinking about flying for the unit if this doesn’t work out.” I wished him luck. Is flying for the military PilotOnTheRise's fall back plan?

 

[Michael Knight]

Albie,

My theory, for what it is worth:

The 110% gung-ho, oh-rah, there is nothing better than living in this mud hole with my K-bar types get disappointed when they realize the military career is not full of the stuff they dreamed or expected. This leads to disappointment because the reality of a military career does not live up to their lofty expectations. Some of these types do chill out and their expectations are changed.

Meanwhile, others come in thinking this would be a great experience, I can serve my country and see the world. Their expectations are not as high and therefore they fit in much better with the real military. I believe those that find themselves in the middle, the not so crazy gung ho nor the figured I'd join before they drafted me types, do best in today's military.

Anyway, it's just my theory.

I think I worked hard in flight school - but definitely not as hard as others... I was too busy working on my water-skiing form and basketball game, amongst other things.

BTW... I really wanted to be a pro basketball player but I took my second choice as a military pilot. Not everyone can be like Mike . I know other pilots that really wanted to be porn stars... they also settled.

 

[Draginass]

If you're going to be in the military, then you must WANT to be a warrior whose "horse" is an airplane and whose weapon is a bomb, cannon, or missile -- not just an airplane operator. There's plenty of those guys around. Military flying isn't the crap you see on TV or in the movies with that idiot Cruise. It's mostly mundane and deadly serious.

I would advise you to do everyone a favor and steer clear of the military unless you are serious about wanting to be a soldier, not just an airplane pilot.

 

[NavyGuy]

As I continue to beat this dead horse into glue, I have to say YOU do have to WANT "it". Being a military aviator and officer for that matter is not for the faint of heart or those who don't have the desire and commitment.
But I also must say to those who poo-poo this young man on the content of his question is that he hasn't even gone to college yet. This guy is probably still in high school! He has concerns and is curious.
Granted most of the military types on this board have probably wanted to fly since our first airshow attendance at the age of 6 but that pull to be military fliers doesn't apply to everyone at the same time.
I commend PilotontheRise for trying to figure out his course in life. Keep asking the questions, make educated decisions and do what's best for you.

 

[av8instyle]

I'll second that...

I grew up in Iowa, knew nothing about aviation, and took my first airplane ride (a NWA B757) at the fresh age of 18. Ten years later and I am with a Major and fly Vipers for the guard.

Not everyone knows they want to fly at a childhood age. I certainly didn't.