Would You Do It Again?

[NookyBooky]

This question is for all active and retired military aviators, more specifically USMC and Navy guys who spent a bunch of time on the boat: knowing what you know now, would you sign on the dotted line again? Would there even be any hesitation? If so, why?

 

[Fox-Tree]

Probably not if your avatar ask them to stay. Wow!

 

[pilotyip]

Would sign up again for the Navy in a heartbeat as I did in 1965. It was the most fantastic adventure of my life. I did things I could have never done had I not joined. It was not all about flying airplanes, althought that is why I joined, it was about the people, the mission and the responsibility given to you. The QOL on a boat sucks, but being in the service is not about QOL. Just my thoughts, though reading this board things have changed a lot since I joined.

 

[Purpledog]

In a heartbeat!!!! Although I'd stay in 20 for the retirement and get a masters in business on the side so I wouldn't have to depend on this industry. Should-a, could-s, would-a. Aaaah the good 'ole days when flying was actually fun!

 

[Gorilla]

My AF career was a mixed bag for sure. The adventure and friends will provide a lifetime of memories. But it was disappointing watching good pilots and good officers get bypassed for weasels and political types. At the General officer level, there seemed to be two breeds - true warrior types, like the Robin Olds of this world, and the "other" type. The warriors made it worthwhile, the others destroyed much of my naive faith in how the military worked.

Plus, I screwed around too much. I foolishly thought my performance would be measured by my flying ability, bomb scores, air to air skills, when in fact I was rated by my ability to manage the sq. ground training empire, mo-bag readiness factor, etc. It was my fault.

If I were to pursue it again, I'd go guard or reserve. But nothing can take away the awesome experience of flying some incredible aircraft at 22 or 23 years old, and bonding with the boys through some harrowing adventures.

 

[Purpledog]

Plus, I screwed around too much. I foolishly thought my performance would be measured by my flying ability, bomb scores, air to air skills, when in fact I was rated by my ability to manage the sq. ground training empire, mo-bag readiness factor, etc. It was my fault.

Too funny! I guess it's the same on the AF side too! Ditto for me.

 

[Maj]

I would sign up again in a hearbeat. Even as a young LT in the Nav, you are given an immense amount of responsibility and leadership positions. The flying was challenging, exhilarating, rewarding, and fun. I've yet to forge friendships in the civ world that even come close to my Navy buds. I also find that the conversations in my civ circle are boring and they don't seem to respond well to the fighter pilot bar act. Maybe it's me.
Don't get me wrong, there was some BS, tyrant bosses, and diffucult times. As I get older, I seem to only remember the good times and the great experiences.
I could go on and on about why I'd do it again.

 

[NorthShore]

US Army here. Probably, but who knows. As a Warrant Officer, at the time I was in, I had a great time with very litle of the attendant "officer" BS the my commissioned brethren had to put up with. Just fly the plane and be an all around cool guy.

Yeah, now that I think about it, sure. But I had a really singular career. Who knows if I would get that lucky again.

 

[bssthound]

Absolutely. The previous posts have pretty much covered it. Most of all it is the topnotch buds I've served with. You just won't find any better people.


A quote I feel sums it all up is "if you don't know the feeling words can't explain it but if you do know the feeling words aren't necessary."

 

[AlbieF15]

Went 14 years active and now 4 ANG with zero regrets.

Met a captain who was hired at 24 the other day--he's wickedly senior. He discussed how he's been here all this time while his bros who went Navy are 8-10 years behind him. If airline is 100% your goal, then a good regional followed by a major will likely get you here 5 years sooner. If you goal is service, adventure, and a few more options, then military works pretty darn well.

I don't make a case for either route--that is a soul searching decision. For me, however, the OV-10/F-15 adventure has seasoned me, made me some great friends, and exposed me to corners of the globe I would have never otherwise seen. I loved it and am proud to have served and continue to serve part time...

Regrets? My regrets aren't losing seniority at an airline, but rather not doing what I thought I'd do when I started--buy a house every time I moved and then keep it. The guys I know who did that don't really sweat the industry's ups and downs as much. The only other regret (a very small one) is perhaps a technical degree might have allowed me to sneak one day into Test Pilot School, which I think for an airplane nut like me would have been a very interesting opportunity. But those years I gave up 22-36 to serve? No--I think I got a lot more than I gave back from the AF, and although there were some tough days it was a heck of an adventure.

 

[Huggyu2]

Very similiar words from AlbieF15. He's more articulate than I am, but I have a simliar sentiments. I'm not Navy/USMC (I'm USAF). I'm very disappointed and frustrated with a lot about about the USAF,..... however,..... yes, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
In 75 years, it won't matter much anyways, so go where you think you should for the reasons that matter.

 

[pilotyip]

Golly there is something we all agree on, lets go have a beer. Oh! I have heard that is now polically incorrect in the military now days. We can all go have a diet coke.

 

[SIG600]

Golly there is something we all agree on, lets go have a beer. Oh! I have heard that is now polically incorrect in the military now days. We can all go have a diet coke.

Not around our O-club, though it's less of a party spot than it should be it seems. But there's always someone there that'll throw the dice with you.

 

[scarface]

I would absolutely go in the Marine Corps again and again; I would also kiss whose ever butt I needed to kiss to get into the Osprey program.

 

[T2Pilot]

I am about to retire after 20. I'd definitely do it again. I agree with the others ... don't join "for the training" or to set up for the airlines. If you want airlines just go that track. If you want to serve something greater than yourself while doing some great flying go military. You may have some interesting adventures and the benefits are significant especially if you stay until retirement. There can be hardships along the way so it takes some introspection beforehand. For me it was easy. I wanted to be a USAF pilot since I was a wee lad.

 

[Weasel Keeper]

I know this was asked of pilots so pardon my intrusion sirs.

I enlisted in 86 as a Tac Fighter Maintenance Specialist in the USAF. I spent 4 years AD as an F-4E/G crew chief, then joined the Air National Guard for 4 more years as an F-4E and later an F-16C/D crew chief.

I'd been thinking the past year or so that had I stayed in I could have retired with 20 on 3 Feb 06.

On 12 Oct 05 I reenlisted in the Air Guard after being out for 11 years and am currently being refreshed as a crew chief on the F-16C+. I'll do my remaining 12 years for retirement since I was kicking myself before for not sticking around.

Do it again? Yup, I am...and it feels good.

 

[skiddriver]

22 years of AD service:

Pros: met wife on a blind date to the Marine Corps Ball, 5 deployments, combat tour, squadron maintenance officer, test pilot school, war college, command tour, good friends, good flying, challenging work, good chunk of change coming in through retirement, qualifications got me a 6 figure job after retirement, and most importantly, the chance to work with some of the finest people I've ever met.

Cons: daughter born while on combat tour, gone during a good portion of the kids' childhood, and in general spent more time away from the family than I would have liked. Turned down promotion to O-6 to retire and spend some time with my children before they left home.

If I had a chance, I'd change some of the details - played more and made more time for my family; but I wouldn't hesitate to do a full career again.

 

[retired guy]

Do it again? Hell yes...greatest adventure of my life. Young, bullet proof, greatest fighter pilot ever made(so I thought).USMC, cruise on a 27 Charlie (ask a squid what that means). Fastest plane in the Navy/Marine Corps (Crusader)....Bad parts..stayed too long, should have resigned sooner...started my airline career at age 29...should have gotten in the reserves...all in all, I`d just hit the "reset" button and do it all again....

 

[Benhuntn]

I managed to get through 28 yrs w/o exhibiting any type of leadership qualities. I had awesome responsibility though with unmatched comradre. I would go back to day one and do it all again but this time I would try to have even more fun than I did the first time if that's possible. (am I the first 28 yr 2nd Lt)?

 

[pilotyip]

golly, retired guy you are older than I am, you flew the F-11 in Advanced Training out of BeeVille? Reserve retirement has made it a lot easier to make it into retirement in this business.

 

[135Drvr]

I can't say I regret a day of it. It was my ticket out of a small coal mining town in PA and a chance to do something I always wanted to do but couldn't afford. By 28 I'd been around the world, was an aircraft commander, and had seen and done things my civilian friends couldn't even imagine. I also made friendships that will last a lifetime.
It's not all gravy. Long deployments, failed marriages from being gone, anthrax shots and other things but in the long run, it was worth it.

If I had it to do over again, I'd have tried the guard or reserve 1st. You'll know what aircraft you're going to get and you'll be home alot more. Most units have a new-hire interview board once or twice a year. Get to know the unit, their mission, and press some flesh. If you get in, the prize is a million dollar flight education and memories to last a lifetime.

Aim High - Air Force

 

[bssthound]

Weasel Keeper said I know this was asked of pilots so pardon my intrusion sirs.

What intrusion?? I've always said that without you and your brethren turning wrenches every acft in the military would be a great static display and nothing more. Thanks for your input, it's always welcome.

 

[Draginass]

Absolutely.

 

[Birdstrike]

I probably would not have joined the Army seeking to fly, but in the post Vietnam era of 1976, the Air Force somehow thought they could make it without me so I went green and flew helos. The Army's mentality that just making annual flight minimums was perfectly acceptable standards or that an airplane or helicopter was just an 'aerial weapons platform' was a source of constant frustration. But every time I had the privilege climbing into an aircraft with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA painted on the side, the negative thoughts all tended to evaporate. Fortunately, I made the decision to stay in even after I picked up my fixed-wing ticket and thought I wanted the airlines more than anything. In light of what's happening there, for me it turned out to be the right choice.

 

[NorthShore]

I probably would not have joined the Army seeking to fly, but in the post Vietnam era of 1976, the Air Force somehow thought they could make it without me so I went green and flew helos. The Army's mentality that just making annual flight minimums was perfectly acceptable standards or that an airplane or helicopter was just an 'aerial weapons platform' was a source of constant frustration. But every time I had the privilege climbing into an aircraft with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA painted on the side, the negative thoughts all tended to evaporate. Fortunately, I made the decision to stay in even after I picked up my fixed-wing ticket and thought I wanted the airlines more than anything. In light of what's happening there, for me it turned out to be the right choice.

Should have gone fixed wing!!

 

[TankerDriver]

Knowing what I know now about active duty AF, I'd be hard pressed to sign on the line again (AD at least, ANG maybe). Too much bureaucracy and not enough flying (I've flown 3 times in the past 6 weeks - about 15-20 hours). The AF doesn't take flying as seriously as they should. There's too much focus on career progression as an officer than as a pilot. We've got too many pilots lacking proficiency because they're preoccupied with staff jobs and/or are not serious about flying (this is how accidents happen). Too many broken systems that have been broken for the past 50 years and will always be broken because we seem to strive for inefficiency with the way we operate. That said, I have met some great people and have had some fun, but if I were to go back 3 years, I would have probably stayed a CFI making $25k a year w/benefits. The grass is always greener.

 

[retired guy]

Pilotyip...yep, F11F in Beeville. Got my wings in May of `60. F11`s ...gone, Beeville...Gone, Airline job...gone (retired), Pension.....???(we`ll see)

 

[Pistlpetet]

Should have gone fixed wing!!

And fly with YOU? No Thanks! The cockpit is probably already full with you in it.

 

[NorthShore]

And fly with YOU? No Thanks! The cockpit is probably already full with you in it.

You can be my wingman anytime!!!!

 

[frog_flyer]

I would absolutely go in the Marine Corps again and again; I would also kiss whose ever butt I needed to kiss to get into the Osprey program.

how does one log time in the osprey?