Would You Do It Again?

[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?