Want to fly military. Advice please!

[Please Hire Me]

I would like to know the process of getting into military aviation for all branches. What is the selection process like?? What is the lifestyle like? I have a wife and son, so I would also like to know how often you must move.

Please include as much information as you can about your experiences both in pilot selection and lifestyle.

If it helps give you an idea of my situation, I have done 6 years USMC, am 24 yrs old, will have a Commercial Aviation Degree in May with MEI-I and 300+hrs.

Thanks in advance!

 

[morph]

Military Pilot

First I’ll tell you that I'm a college student and haven't flown in the military. Secondly I have some good advice for you about the military and what you can do in advance for preparation into that career. You're already in perfect position for becoming a military pilot. Degree 1st of all, experience, and most importantly IN MY OPINION ONLY of course, you've got prior service which looks good. What I will ask you is why haven't you contacted some officer recruiters before now? Their are alot of programs for college students (usually soph. and higher) that will guarantee a flight slot and pay you monthly while doing college. i.e. the marines have an officer program that gets you a slot and also pays you. Anyways I think it all depends on you now! Whatever you want you'll probably get it. You should really think about which service would fit what you want in life. Obviously you and everybody else are aware of the economy. I'll give you a quick run down of all the branches. Air Force- Don't know to much but here you'll find the biggest selection of aircraft and on the other hand probably the most competitive to get a slot... Navy- BAD ASS MOTHER@@@@ERS! That’s all I can say. Land on ships, fly good aircraft but.... the biggest factor for you is most naval aviators go on water trips eventually. That means time away from family and we aren't talking 1 month here either. But if I were in your position right now that would be my choice but don't have a family to think about either. Marines- You really don't hear from much marine pilots around on this forum but I think the marine aviation is interesting with harrier and all but differently not my favorite as a choice. There are better deals out there offered by other services. Don't go this route again unless you're really ok with the core. Finally the most dangerous (My opinion only). ARMY- considering your position with a family and all I wouldn't go this route. Potentially hazardous and not as much flight time can really be a turn off for the woft program. Don't get me wrong, I'm actually in the middle of the woft process but that's because of my current position. You on the other hand have what you need for other branches. I think the army route would be hella fun but very dangerous if you're in the right place at the wrong time! HeHe. Think about this all branches of aviation is hazardous but hovering at 200 ft with enemy fire and a mission to complete with the thought of your family on your mind constantly would be a big enough clue for why you shouldn't go that route. And the fact that I don’t need competition like you in the woft board lol. Seriously though let the crazy ass young guys do the woft and you go be an f-18 fighter pilot covering my ass. I hope I helped. Whatever happens GOOD LUCK AND GOD BE WITH YOU!

 

[MercuryPilot]

Which Service.

Read the thread called:

Any Navy pilots on here? Got some ?s

As you probably know, USMC pilots will go on a 6 month float sooner or later. You'll also have to spend time at USMC OCS (~10 to 12 weeks) followed by TBS(~a 6 months process) prior to flight school. If you didn't already know, the Marines, Coasties, Navy, and some Air Force student pilots all go thru the same Navy flight school program. If you go Navy you'll end up being forward deployed on a ship or landbased for ~180 days a year regardless of platform. I can't speak for the Air Force but they're gone plenty as well. With that said, don't choose a service just based on deployment cycle. Look into the a/c, bases, and missions to make your choice.

I highly encourage you to sign up. Your previous Military experience will be helpful.-Plus, all you need is 14 more years of Active duty and you'll be eligible for retirement. You'd only be 38-39 years old depending on when you get a Commission which is very young. Get your PILOT slot guaranteed in writing before starting any OCS/OTS program. Also, DO NOT fall into the trap of accepting a Navigator slot w/the pipe dream of becoming a pilot later on. It is a VERY difficult road.-So hold out for the Pilot spot!

Hope you get lot's of responses to help you make a good decision.

 

[CCDiscoB]

Oh Brother

Morph, you’ve got to be kidding me. The Navy, "bad asses" I laugh.

Ah, the magic Hollywood can create. Still an excellent recruiting tool obviously. The Navy is good at one thing and one thing only, and that is power projection.

Flying on to a boat is nothing special. All it takes is training. Heck, if they can qualify, any AF pilot can certainly do it. Hey Morph, all you have to do to land on a boat is fly final “on speed” (on AOA) and control your glide slope with power. Hit the deck, push power to mil and you stop great, if not try again. Guess what else, when the weather goes down they hit the auto land button. If being on a boat for 6-10 months is “bad ass” then you’ll love the Navy. We in the AF know, we see their act in SWA and when we train with them. Were not laughing out loud, but we’re laughing.

Morph you are right about the Army. One word, expendable. Army Aviation is an Oxymoron. It should be called Army Combat Support, which is what it is. They are good at Close Air Support, but they are simply a tool of the infantry. That’s why the AF left in 1947 and took everything but the Helicopters.

Please Hire Me, as a former Marine, you may want to go back, seeing as how you’re familiar. But then again, Wife and Son. You know how the Navy and Marines feel about family. It they weren’t “issued” it’s not their problem. As far a how often you’ll be moving, in the AF you’ll move every 3 years guaranteed.

The choice is simple, you want to fly airplanes, choose the service with the word AIR. You want to go sailing, Navy. You want to be an Infantry Officer whose secondary title is pilot then the Corp is for you. You want to be a number, go Army.

 

[Michael Knight]

Please Hire Me,

There are pros and cons to each service and this subject has been talked about many times in the past. You would do yourself some good to try a few searches on this site to find more information.

Mercury has given some good, objective advice... hopefully you will find more of that. One thread I saw that appears useful is: http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7444

Good luck!

 

[Skyrunner]

Some general advice for AF

Please Hire Me,

You've asked a pretty general question. There are many ways to get where you want. It all depends how you want ot do it.

As for AF, you can:

1. Go to OTS with a UPT slot

2. Go to OTS w/o a UPT slot and compete for it while on AD

3. Go guard/res with a UPT slot

4. Go guard/res w/o UPT slot and compete for it later.

I think the best strategy for you is to research each option and select the one that is right for you. Personally, I like all the guard/res options. PM me if you want more info.

Good luck,

SR

 

[CODs4ever]

Flying on to a boat is nothing special. All it takes is training. Heck, if they can qualify, any AF pilot can certainly do it. Hey Morph, all you have to do to land on a boat is fly final “on speed” (on AOA) and control your glide slope with power. Hit the deck, push power to mil and you stop great, if not try again. Guess what else, when the weather goes down they hit the auto land button. If being on a boat for 6-10 months is “bad ass” then you’ll love the Navy. We in the AF know, we see their act in SWA and when we train with them. Were not laughing out loud, but we’re laughing.

CCDiscoB:

1. Obviously, you've never landed on a ship. Sure, day-traps during good weather and calm sea-state can be pretty routine. However, until you have landed on the boat at night, no moon, with weather at mins, and the deck pitching up and down 10 feet (sometimes more), then you have no idea what you are talking about. Throw in the fact that while the F/A-18 can in-flight refuel and auto-land, many other carrier-based aircraft do not have auto-land capability (E-2, C-2, S-3, EA-6B). I have landed in poor weather at the boat and at the field. Let me be very clear: landing on a 10,000 foot runway in no way compares to landing on a ship.

2. "Heck, if they can qualify, any AF pilot can certainly do it." If this statement were true, then there wouldn't be guys who make it all the way through flight school with no problem, only to disqualify at the boat. There are also guys who get their wings, only later to have them pulled because of their lack of ability to land safely on the boat. So while the majority of AF pilots (given the proper training) probably could carrier qualify, the statement "any AF pilot" - I just don't think so.

3. You're right, there is nothing "bad ass" about being on a boat for 6 months or more. I'll agree with you there. However, at least when it comes to the "pain factor," Navy and Marine pilots who have done at-sea deployments hold the all the cards. I have seen the tents where you guys live in Oman and other places over there, and it's no picnic either. But I think the boat is worse.

Just a few words from a Navy pilot who's been there/done that.

 

[Skyrunner]

Put this baby back on track

Please Hire Me,

As you can see, many mil pers are very defensive of their branch of service and weapon system. If you decide to fly in the military, learn from this. This type of rivalry can only hurt in the long run.

As for me, I have enjoyed my time in the military flying C-130s. I am not the fighter pilot type even though I thought flying T-38s was probably a highlight in my career.

I spent 11 years on active duty and now am in the guard flying C-130s. Flying the Herk is really a good time. I get to enjoy flying a large aircraft that performs a lot like a small aircraft ie, C-152. I get to travel with great crewmembers and enjoy great places with them. And finally, I get to perform many different types of missions that can be challenging and sometimes hairraising ie, NVG assault landings to short dirt strips and low levels through mountainous terrain in an underpowered aircraft.

There are many air national guard units in the US that fly Herks and are looking for pilot candidates. I recommend going to baseops.net and look for ANG units that fly Herks. Give them a call a see what your chances are with them. With your prior service and certificates, I think you will have a great chance to go to UPT.

Take care, good luck and fly safe,

SR

 

[Steeler Fan]

Useful phone #

I already put some info out there (or "aht there", as we say in the 'Burgh)...1-800-423-USAF (prompts are a little painful to follow)...www.airforce.com is better

Follow the links to "find a recruiter", then you can call them.

I'm not going to slam Navy/Army, but I was Active AF, now AF Reserve, so I speak to what I know.

Both Active AF and Guard/Reserve are great options...if interested in Guard/Reserve, visibility/persistence/friend in the unit all help you get hired...things are busy most of the time, so they want pilots who will participate alot (especially when world events call for us to be more active).

Once again, you're smart about asking questions early, but this is YOUR DECISION. Good luck and happy hunting!

 

[Craven Morehead]

I would rather break out at minimums, at night, in the rain with a stiff crosswind above a runway than land on a boat on a clear, moonlit night in calm seas (and nice nights at the boat are pretty rare). Night traps are almost as fun as chewing on tin foil. Even inside a mile, at night a carrier looks like a poorly lit 7-eleven parking lot in an earthquake.

Watch the countless highlight videos of what happens when you're a couple of feet low or off centerline if you question the required skill and focus of carrier pilots. I recommend land-based flying, either Navy or Air Force. Air Force pilots have cool ascots, too.

Some CIA pilots got carrier-qualified in the U-2 in the sixties. Those guys, and I hope they're still around, win any o'club argument about who has the biggest 'nads.

Craven

 

[cajun lurch]

Guard and reserve

My background is that I got sent to pilot training by the Reserves about 2 1/2 years ago and was a Guard navigator/enlisted before that.

Your prior service time will give you an edge over non-prior guys (I was enlisted in the same Guard unit for 6+ years before they sent me to nav school). They don't have to worry about you not being "militarily adaptable." However, the thing that hurt me at several places is that the guard/reserve like to hire local boys. I wouldn't limit myself to only nearby units, but you will have an advantage there.

Getting a guard/reserve job is like rushing a frat. It's all about face time. If they recognize your face/name because you call a couple times a months and showed up for a couple drill weekends, then you're ahead of the game. Go in and hang out for a few hours. Ask some questions and show interest.

Most units hold a board once a year, sometimes twice. Some of the important things they are looking for are:

1) Somebody that is going to stick around for 10 or 20 years. They have to pay a lot to get you trained so if they hire you and then you split 3 or 4 years later they have to start over again and that gets expensive. They'll understand if there is a reason, but "I like Willow Grove better than Whiteman," won't cut it.

2) Somebody they can stand for the next 10 or 20 years. Nobody wants to hire a guy/girl that they think is a jerk. Just be yourself and see if you fit in. Trying to be what you think they want you to be is just going to make you look stupid.

3) Be honest in your interview. I was asked why I wanted to fly the A-10 instead of a LGPOS. Several of the guys on the board had flown f-16s previously and i knew this, but I still told them what I thought of the f-16, which wasn't very much. I still got hired. Nobody likes a kissass.

4) Get your private liscence. If you haven't spent any of your own money to prove that you really want to fly then it looks like your a kid that watched Top Gun one too many times and just thought it would be cool to be a pilot. It's not a requirement to be selected, but most units I've talked to won't seriously consider you without it. If you are at least working on it it will show good faith.

Try these websites to get info on the different units in the Guard and Reserve: http://www.ang.af.mil/units/angsites.asp http://www.afrc.af.mil/Units.htm

Send your resume to everybody and don't take no for an answer. The last thing to think of is, usually units that are converting from one airframe to another are more likely to be hiring than normal units because they are inevitably going to have older guys that don't want to go through the transition. Jackson, MS, is getting C-17s soon. Memphis, TN, is getting C-5s. So if you want to fly heavies that will help your chances, too.

good luck!

lurch

 

[JimNtexas]

I would like to know the process of getting into military aviation for all branches. What is the selection process like?? What is the lifestyle like? I have a wife and son, so I would also like to know how often you must move.

....!

If you go on active duty in the Air Force you can expect to move every three to five years after you arrive at your first operational unit.

I was never in a heavy unit, but fighter units live a real intense life, with lots of long days, pressure and competition. I liked it, but it's not for everyone.

If you want family stability, then the Guard or Reserve is a great way to go.

I know that the Air Force really likes to get former Marines, because the Air Force places great value on the personal discipline and military bearing that are second nature to most Marines.

Lastly, please ignore the ridiculous post by CCDiscoB. Professional military pilots of all services respect their comrades in different aircraft and branches of the service.

 

[CODs4ever]

Night traps are almost as fun as chewing on tin foil. Even inside a mile, at night a carrier looks like a poorly lit 7-eleven parking lot in an earthquake.

Some CIA pilots got carrier-qualified in the U-2 in the sixties. Those guys, and I hope they're still around, win any o'club argument about who has the biggest 'nads.

Craven:

I love the 7-Eleven analogy. That is so true. And I totally agree about landing at the field. I much prefer it as well, now that I am on shore duty flying the mighty King Air. Not too excited about going back to the boat, but in this economy...may not have a choice.

I heard about those CIA guys getting traps on the boat. That is pure insanity. Not much room for error when you get that "right for lineup" call crossing the ramp.

Please Hire Me:

As you have heard, the regular USAF guys do move quite a bit. Navy guys can get stationed in one place for many years at a time. It's even possible to do an entire career in a place like San Diego or Norfolk. However, to do that, you sometimes have to take a desk job vice flying.

I would have to agree that the biggest scam going is the Air Guard. Those guys fly as much (if not more) hours per month than I have in my Navy career. And they probably have about 50% less crap to deal with since they are part-time. I myself plan on trying to get an Air Guard slot if I ever leave the Navy.

Overall, I think you will have a great experience wherever you go. Just remember that unlike the civilian world, in the military, you are always expected to be an officer/manager/leader first and flying is a secondary duty. That reality can be a bit frustrating during those months where you only fly 10-15 hours and spend the other 150+ hours flying your desk.

Good luck!

 

[CCDiscoB]

I love it

I myself plan on trying to get an Air Guard slot if I ever leave the Navy.

Should have thought of that a few years ago. Good luck.

the biggest scam going is the Air Guard

I wouldn't say that. The ANG has a very important mission. Like you said we fly as much if not more than our counterparts. But we don't get the same flight pay. You'll see.

 

[Skyrunner]

Scam

Oh, it's a scam alright. Not the magnitude of Enron, but it's a scam. We still get flight pay, but it is proportional to the amount of fying we do for the month. This may change in the near future. Either way, a double AFTP day is unbelieveable. Also, I get to say no once in awhile.

Take care and fly safe,

SR

 

[CCDiscoB]

Flight Pay

This may change in the near future.

Nope, it was shot down. When the Navs and enlisted jumped on board it became too expensive. Too bad.

 

[Steeler Fan]

Guard/Reserve vs Active Pay

I was active duty for almost 10 yrs and have been AFRES for 3+

I like both, got off Active Duty because my familily wanted to settle down near Grandparents.

Active Duty earn pay every day of the month, whether they're home on the 4th of July mowing their lawn, or flying a mission.
Sometimes/Often you are deployed during holidays, but you will get 30 days of paid leave each year.

Active Duty retirement is a MAJOR advantage...I think AFRES/GUARD should get retirement immediately as well, but obviously at a lesser amount than active based on our level of participation (if I work 180 days each year, my retirement should be 1/2 of my mirror image who served on active duty w/ same rank, time in service, etc). I strongly support eliminating us waiting til we're 60 in the hopes some of us our dead.

Big difference is Traditional Guardsman/Reservists only gey paid only when they show up to work (yes double AFTPs are a good deal, but we definitely earn them). We also don't have health coverage for you and your family(unless on continuous orders >30 consec days)...if I get hurt while on orders, AF will cover me. If I'm not on orders, I need to use my company(or buy out of pocket coverage)...

Both have advantages...being in the Guard is not the scam everyone thinks it is...Just ask the KC-135 pilots who are deployed...I like knowing that I'll be working with the same group of professionals for a long time...the biggest advantage is not having to mess with AFPC and worrying about a Non-Volunteer UAV assignment that "You really need because it's good for your career"...

I have tremendous appreciation for those who serve, both Active and ANG/AFRES...THANK YOU!