Originally Posted by
Hueypilot
I think a lot of civilians don't understand that you can't simply "fly airplanes" for life in the military. They have an "up or out" philosophy, where you could get booted out even if you wanted to stay. And it's damn near impossible to stay flying beyond the 15 year mark...it's at that point many have to make the decision...stay and accept that you're now a military bureaucrat working in an office, or get out and pursue your love of aviation.
In my community they tell you that they're only obligated to give you 3 flying tours in your career. Your first tour in the community, your department head tour (if you make it) and your CO tour (if you make that)
I know at least one gentleman who had 1 flying tour after flight training over the course of his career, and many others who walked away because they weren't being billeted to fly. For a lot of communities, the Navy intentionally sends you to a non-flying tour before your commitment is up to decrease the chance to leave at your MSR because they know you'll be out of currency for the airlines. That's part of why you're starting to see so many non-tail hookers starting out at the regionals/ ISR gigs these days.