Originally Posted by
Hueypilot
but ultimately in the Army, aviation is an afterthought. If you do want to fly helos, go the warrant officer route and then try to swing a C-12 gig later to get that fixed-wing ME ticket.
If I had it to do all over again, I'd be sorely tempted to go the WO route in the Army. Of course, a dream job would be AH6, but the WO program really is a pretty well kept secret if you just want to fly. The down side is, aviation IS an afterthought in the Army...
Originally Posted by
Hueypilot
If you love to fly, avoid the AD Air Force and go Guard or Reserve. Much less pressure to climb the corporate/leadership ladder.
This would be the other choice I'd have considered if I knew then what I know now.
Originally Posted by
Hueypilot
Whether you choose heavies or fighters, there's plusses and minuses to each, and the minuses can be overcome. If you fly heavies, expect it to be more of an airline atmosphere (with a few exceptions like C-130s).
While I've never been assigned to any other squadrons other than C-130s, I have been immersed in various other squadrons for various reasons. And while that's not the same as being assigned to a squadron, I can tell you confidently that the C-130 squadrons are generally more relaxed than others. They're NOT airline style squadrons (although a few do have some of that flavor), they are mission focused (although with very few exceptions, the majority are doing far more high-level trash haul than they ever have in the past), you're expected to know how to think (and not just the books), there is good deal of 'fun' in the flying, particularly the low-level, and you always hear, "except for you C-130 guys" from both sides; the heavies and the fighters - always in what us 130 guys consider a positive way.
Arguably the most versatile aircraft in the world, it's tough to beat the four fans of freedom...but I'm biased.
I'm still flying them in the 'after life' of retirement too!
