That sounds about right without looking at the current pay charts. I always told people that you won't get rich by serving, but it isn't bad pay. I'm making quite a bit less now than I was on active duty and will for awhile.

Personally I don't mind a guy coming into the military at all for a minimum commitment, gaining a skill (aviation or otherwise), and getting out at his first chance. I still believe that person has done a lot more of his/her country than many others will. If I didn't fly - I was only going to spend 4 years in (hopefully in law enforcement or intelligence) and then get out and try to get on with some branch of Federal Law Enforcement.

I believe, both for training and opportunity, that the military is a great place for what we are calling on here a entry level job. Of course I also believe that you aren't in the military to be a pilot but a professional officer at arms. Maybe it is some of that 'Every Marine is a rifleman first' mentality at play, but some people called me a professional pilot when I was still active duty and I always disagreed with that. I was paid for being a Marine. The airplane was my weapons system.

I was heading the route of the civilian pilot when I eventually got picked up. I was fresh out of college with the standard Multi-comm with Inst. rating and about 230 hrs and 10 hrs of multi and ready to tame the world. I wanted to be a bush pilot. I sent out over 150 resumes to addresses I got out of an ad in the back of Flying magazine (probably). More than half came back undeliverable. Many more I never received an answer from. The nearest I came was from a Seaplane outfit in Seattle that wanted like 500 tt min if I remember correctly (it has been way to long now). I wonder if it was Kenmore? Anyway - I was chosen for a different path. But I often think back to those times and wonder how it would have gone for me otherwise. Would I have kept the path. As much as I loved flying would I have stuck it out as many on here have. I wasn't willing to pack up everything I owned and move to Alaska like one CP suggested I do if I really wanted a job flying up in the great white north - spend every dime I had doing odd jobs or washing airplanes - until my money ran out. He said "if you have a job by then - welcome to aviation in Alaska, if not, go home" (or something just as insightful )

I commend the spirit some have shown that I have followed on this forum.
Some are hardy men and women. Some might be fools Many seem to hold true to the adage - love aviation, hate the job. I consider myself one of the very lucky - past, present, and hopefully into the future.

USMCFLYR

WOW! Really spilled it out there didn't I - AND WAY OFF TARGET!
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