Originally Posted by
Crazy Canuck
I'm wondering if someone can weigh in for me on this question as well. I've got 2500 TT, 1000 pic and am considering doing the majors for a few years after I spend the next 2 years as an FO on the Dash 8 (I just signed a training bond, so forget about it before then..).
My end goal is the majors, but being just 22 I want to get out and experience a few things life has to offer. Would it be worth it to go do some time in the military, not just to get a check mark on my resume for the majors (And on that note, can anyone explain to me why military time is so valued? I realize this may seem obvious, but to an American who grew up in another country that has almost 0 military, it's not...) but also for the experience and possibly to retire there?
I would likely have to go through ROTC or ROTP (Can't remember which is Canadian and which is American...) to get my degree which is not complete, but that's another factor.
Anyone who can enlighten me with some good insight/information, I'd appreciate it. It's purely something I'm trying to research. I've always gotten good advice from a number of posters on this board and I thank them for that. Feel free to PM or reply.
*edit* I see the poster above's post. From that post, I gather there is a 10 year commitment, and I understand his opinion. If anyone has any others feel free to weigh in
Canuck,
Wow, 2500 TT & 1K PIC at 22 years of age? Impressive.
If you're committed for two years with your training bond, you may have another problem--age. For US armed forces, you need to have your college degree prior to being commissioned (via ROTC if you're in college, or via an Officer Training/Candidate School if you already have your degree). If you would need to spend four years getting your college degree, you'd be too old for Navy/Marine Corps (26) and pretty close to the USAF limit (30 to start, 28.5 to meet the selection board). Don't know what Canadian rules are, but definitely something to consider if you don't already have a degree.
I've enjoyed my military career immensely, though it hasn't been without challenges & disappointments. I've been very fortunate to be retiring at a time when the airlines are beginning a massive hiring wave. No one can predict with certainty where the airline industry is going to be a decade or more down the line, so if that's your priority, you may want to rethink the military option. However, Slam is right when he says the airlines do like military experience due to it being a known quantity.