Burnout
#21
Better to have fewer guys who really know what they're doing. The world is full of half-assed military forces with civil-service schedules, and we've rolled over more than a few.
GF
#22
Don't believe everything you hear from a heavy guy, and don't believe anything you hear from a FAIP.
#23
Line Holder
Joined APC: Dec 2013
Position: A320 Right Seat
Posts: 37
Military Flying
I spent 8 years flying after pilot training. 3 years as a T-38 instructor and 5 years in the A-10. I was burned out the entire time, until my last year in. Once I had realized I was getting out, I only did my primary job of teaching and scheduling and chaffed the rest of it. You'll soon find out that 75% of your job is "make work" to keep up with the careerists.
AF
#24
I'll bet those IPs NEVER flew a fighter. Sour Grapes and all that.
I spent 25 years in the AF flying two fantastic fighters. A drag?? NEVER! Lots of work? YES! But if flying isn't your passion, don't volunteer for fighters. It is definitely NOT just another flying job.
I spent 25 years in the AF flying two fantastic fighters. A drag?? NEVER! Lots of work? YES! But if flying isn't your passion, don't volunteer for fighters. It is definitely NOT just another flying job.
#27
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Posts: 606
It all depends on your duty station and what additional duties you're tasked with at your unit. It's hard to gauge, but I'd argue most days it would be easy to work 12 hours if you're doing your job right. I work at a very high operation tempo unit and I'd say I do 10-12 hours most days. Every now and then there's a random day or series of days that are 14+ hours. Occasionally I'll work only 6-8 hours (Fridays most often), but there's PLENTY to be doing at your own job, let alone performing random taskings from higher and helping coworkers.
#28
I think so. I also think things are less demanding in a non-fighter unit than a fighter unit, but there are non-economic valuations that drive that difference, which isn't inherently a bad thing. A to each their own kinda thing. In general I think most folks would agree the majority of full time Reservists have a higher QOL vice their mirror on Active Duty.
#29
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,169
I spent 8 years flying after pilot training. 3 years as a T-38 instructor and 5 years in the A-10. I was burned out the entire time, until my last year in. Once I had realized I was getting out, I only did my primary job of teaching and scheduling and chaffed the rest of it. You'll soon find out that 75% of your job is "make work" to keep up with the careerists.
I would go back and do it all again though.
#30
What he said. I was in the Reserves, flying heavies (gues which one) and flew fighters before those years. I worked 23-25 days a month for 18 years. Five days a week plus two weekends for full timers like I was. But, like the fighters, no AF in the world has the military power--it doesn't come without work.
GF
GF
It's still great, but times are changing...some good, some bad. Today's Guard is not the one I entered over a decade ago. The biggest complaint I'm hearing is leadership that have never been part timers (total foul in a community of part timers) or leadership that have never dealt with part timers, and apparently have chosen not to...
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post