Originally Posted by
MikeF16
Just remember, every post in here is probably correct for the time frame that we've experienced. Today is a very different environment that any military or civilian pilot has experienced over the last 20 years. Even though we mean well, none of us can predict the future and IMO you should do what your gut tells you. If you want to be in the military, join the military. If you want to be an airline pilot then IMO you are going to be unhappy in the military and you should focus on civilian flying.
Mike, I agree with everything you (and pretty much everyone else here) say except for this last sentence... maybe. Many, if not most of us joined with the intent of doing our minimum obligated service with the intent of going on to something else. I've seen many who began with the intent of making AD a career jump to the airlines and many who joined with the intent of being an airline pilot stay for a career. I think what you might be saying is you must be fully committed to the military when you join, no matter what your long term goals are, in which case I agree.