heericane13

got 11yrs in the army right now (E6) (infantry). Got about a year left till i can leave and go do somthing else on the civilian side of the house (would like to fly). Or do I stay for the full 20 then proceed onto a career in aviation.


About 10hrs away from PPL


Thanks

HuggyU2

I recommend you get a 4-year degree if you don't have one.
Other than that, there is so little we know about you that it is really impossible to answer this.

heericane13

A little more info.....
Currently iam deployed to Afghan... ( #3 deployment to this place). I don't have much experience in the aviation field other than going for my PPL. I am going to school and working towards a degree. Like I said earlier I've been infantry my whole career and changing career fields in the army this late in your career can be difficult.
Iam 30yrs old married no kids. Stationed out of FT Hood tx..

Thanks for the replies

Ekupilot

As an 11B myself and an ATP, stay in and get the 20. Keep banging away at getting flight time. Plan to have your CMEL and CFI by the time you get out. Then you can instruct for a bit to build time before hitting the airlines and you'll have retirement to supplement any low paying flying gig you need to take to get time built. Also after PPL gi-bill will start to help pay for certificates.

JamesNoBrakes

Green to gold. Don't even question it, this is the best thing you could do. Being able to have that income when retired and getting out into the market would be invaluable IMO, also that you can slowly work on your ratings while you are in the military. Don't believe anyone who keeps talking about how you "have to get into the industry now", that kind of BS is constant from when airplanes first took to the sky.

I'd assume finishing your PPL would look very good to the board that considers candidates for green-to-gold. If you are at all qualified or this is at all possible, I'd highly recommend it.

mexipilot84

I think at 30 you can still even apply for WOFT. Easy way to get flying without all the CO BS on the side. Get your RW ratings then get the fw add ons as you go. Obviously finding a fw slot in the army is almost nill, but good way to get your commercial ticket via Uncle Sam without the 4 yr degree. Some airlines count RW time as well.

Kuma

I have slightly different advice. The advice given to me 15 years ago was "If you want to get a job being a FW pilot...start flying FW and start gaining time". My background was USMC Attack helos. I ended up staying in the military (interservice transfer USMC to USAF) for many other reasons, flying extremely rewarding and challenging airplanes and earning my retirement from the USAF.

That being said...

1. Plan to use Post 9-11 GI bill to have all your ratings as soon as possible.
2. Any airline who counts RW time is not an airline you want to grow old with; it is a stepping stone. Any airline who does not require a Bachelor's degree is a stepping stone (seriously no offense YIP...I'm talking to a 30year old new to the profession).
3. Military retirement is a VERY small consolation prize for missing out on all the seniority you could have achieved if you got to your airline of choice early enough.
4. You definitely do NOT need to get into the "industry" now. BUT, and this is a huge qualifying statement, you need to get to your retirement airline as soon as humanly possible. Your seniority dictates every aspect of your life at the airlines. Sometimes, even one number is the difference between multiple furloughs and never missing a paycheck. SENIORITY IS BEYOND HUGE.

Right now, I am an FO at a major airline. With my military retirement plus my FO pay, I have WAY less than half of the income that the captains I fly with earn. Some of the Captains I fly with were young enlisted Marines when I left the Marine Corps. I transfered to the AF and stayed in the USAF until retirement, they followed their dream and they are 10 years senior to me on the seniority list and make lots more money, get vacations when they want and get overtime when they want. It is all about seniority in your last company...

Good luck.

~Kuma

heericane13

thanks for all your feedback. Really appreciate it

BOGSAT

As a non rated aviator in the service, I can say without a doubt - get your 20 first! Being in for 11 yrs you have no idea how difficult and more expensive it is in the early stages of the aviation game (health care, etc). No offense, I was the same way.

Can you go flying Warrant? My point is that being poor is no fun - let's say 150K for flight training (cost plus lost retirement, health care, and wages earned), to then build time as an instructor earning very little (still think lost wages, retirement, and health care). Then to go to a regional, an environment where you will work extremely hard, but you will not even begin to get ahead or even close to the salary you have now (with benefits).

Regional Captain - salary is livable, but 401K, health, care, and other out of pocket expenses are still keeping you from catching up financially. Think - most regional benefit packages are poor (especially compared to what you have now).

My point - think about the costs including the sum of lost wages, pension, and other benefits you will lose once you get out. Plus all the other misc (as in a lot) out of pocket expenses you will have to incur! Plus the ratings and degree costs... The cost of a life long pension/medical lost... Note: an awesome and very valuable security blanket!

Think hard as this industry is difficult and risky. Lost medical after putting yourself 150K in debt... it happens. Too many failed check-rides.... DUI.... Something else on your record... Speeding tickets....

Degree? As of now, you will not make it to the big show without it! Again -stay in and use your TA!

Get your twenty, all your ratings, and degree while your still in - in 9 yrs things will still be moving and you will have an awesome security blanket, savings, and a nice house to live in at base (think - most bases are in higher cost of living areas).

Again, go Warrant! If you can't, maybe save large blocks of leave to get your ratings (one at a time) at an accelerated school? Also, get that degree while your in - doesn't matter as long as it is a Bach!

PS - if you do decide to jump go Guard or Reserve for sure!!! I rec Air Guard! Lots of ex Army, better QOL, and you will get to know a lot of airline pilots. PM me if you want to chat further.

Good luck!

BlackhawkIP

I am currently an active Army CW4 so have a bit of a bias. You have 12 years in and will get nothing if you get out now (other than veteran status). You don't stay for the huge paycheck you'll get at a 20 year retirement, it's the insurance and benefits you'll have for life. You can stand on your head for 8 more years or use it to REALLY set yourself up for life.
I had almost 8 years enlisted before I applied to go to flight school, so you are right in there. Apply to WO school until you get accepted. You'll spend 18 month training and the army is now putting WO1 right into fixed-wing as a primary track starting this next year.
Once you get to your first duty station, knock out your school. You'll get about 50 semester hours from flight school alone so getting your degree will be relatively easy using your $4500 a year Tuition Assistance (TA). Once you have 90 hours; apply to the WO degree completion program.
Save you're Post 911 GI Bill for all of your FAA ratings. I am getting about 400 hours per years flying OSA VIP missions CONUS. Try and go to Korea right out of flight school. There you will get 600-700 hours a year flying the King Air. In fact, I'd stay there until you retire. I have a friend who got nearly 1000 hours last year flying the VIP mission there.
In eight years, you'll have everything you need; your degree, you're retirement check, your insurance for life, and all your ratings. You'll also be YOUNG and have retired military pilot on your resume.
My .02 worth; but STAY!!! Use the Army and it's benefits to benefit YOU.