Non aviation career outside of Reserves?

[thee12nv]

Looked through the archives and couldn't find anything. If I am lucky enough to get a reserve or guard pilot slot what is required after the first 2 years (ots, upt, etc)? Could you still have a career that is not aviation related? How many days per month are required and are they flexable? How do companies view this time?

Thanks in advance and sorry for such a newbie question.

 

[riceowl63]

It is my understanding that after finishing training you have to come back to your unit and serve full time for 6 months to 2 years. This is called a seasoning period where you learn more about your mission and the wing makes sure you are ready to go to war. Each individual unit determines how long the seasoning period will last. After your seasoning period is up you can either become a part-time flyer or if a spot is available then you can continue to fly full time. If you become a part-time flyer then there is not a problem with having a non-aviation job on the side. I've met a couple of guys who do that. Companies are not legally allowed to discriminate against you because of your commitment to the Guard. They can't fire you or demote you because you have to devote time to flying for the Guard. Your time that you have to spend with your unit will obviously depend on the unit, the unit's mission, and the unit's airframe. I know that F-16 pilots have to average 6 flights per month over a three month period to stay qualified. This is usually done on weekdays and often includes two flights in a day to lower the total time spent on base. This is the minimum and can be more depending on what you sign up for and for what you fly on drill weekends or alerts (and of course, the needs of the unit). Also, if you're activated then you could have to spend considerable time away. Your company is required to keep your spot for you while you are deployed and give it back to you when you return.

Anyone more senior have anything else to add?

 

[bogeydope]

That's true about the seasoning training. But, it does depend on the weapon system. KC-135 seasoning training is only 45 days. We have traditional flyers that fly two or three times a month and are able to maintain currency and get all of their training requirements out of the way.

 

[RichO]

Sometimes you are welcomed back from training with a bum standing...with no seasoning..............but not all units are the same......

 

[Slim]

You can have a non-aviation career outside the Guard/Reserve. It's easier on the non-rated types (like me) who don't have to be away from home much for manadatory training in addition to being away from home for the airline job.

When I retired from the Guard, my wife was thrilled. Not only did she have me home for an extra two days, but she didn't have to "share" me with the Guard. When I was a company commander, it did take a lot of time away from her. Fortunately, I gave up command before my first child was born.

A friend of mine (airline pilot) flew C-130s in the WVANG. He had a hard time scheduling his mandatory flying with the unit because he was on reserve. On his hard days off, the only thing available was a "parts run(his words...not mine!) between Dover and Martinsburg. The airline line-holders in his unit were easier to schedule, as were the non-airline types, who were reliable for extra weekends.

If you are a government employee...watch out! Federal, state and local government agencies were the worst when it came to get time off for mandatory military training. As a commander, I had to deal with various government agencies when they gave my soldiers a hard time about military leave. They didn't take kindly to my telling them they were subject to the same leave rules the private sector had to deal with concerning military leave.

Good luck...fly safe!