Air National Guard-UPT Slots
I have been weighing my options as far as civilian vs military route to the airlines, and after considering the huge debt and iffy job market as a beginning instructor/commercial pilot, I have decided to pursue a pilot slot in a Guard unit. I wanted to apply for the unit in Memphis, where I live, but they decided to open their board only to current unit members. So, I'm looking for other units nationwide that I can apply to. I don't have much of a preference on location (with some exceptions).
I took the AFOQT and TBAS this past spring, have a college degree, and have my PPL (working on instrument now).
Does anyone have any recommendations as far as units I should look at? I constantly keep an eye on guardreservejobs.net. I would like to fly heavy aircraft, but would look at fighters, too.
Would anyone recommend maybe signing on for a 1- or 3-year enlistment at the local unit as a loadmaster, and still applying for pilot slots? Would that give me a leg up/be worth it?
Any and all advice is appreciated.