Originally Posted by Albief15

Lots to consider, so I will throw add my two cents...probably worth less than that.

I joined the military because I wanted to serve my country. I also really wanted to be an airline pilot one day, and I saw AFROTC and UPT as a way to make both things happen. My plan was 7 years, (6 after UPT) then get out and try to get to Delta.

UPT turned out to be an incredibly enjoyable year. Made great friends, flew jets--sometimes upside down and sometimes in very close formation. Got my wings and a Miss Mississippi finalist for a wife. It was a great year.

Went to my first assignment...slept through the AFROTC briefing about how some Air Force pilots go out on the ground with the Army. When my training RIP for the OV-10 showed me going to learn to drive HUMVs, qualify in the M-16 (in addition to the M-9), and go on a REFORGER exercise in Germany during the winter, I realized some of that "officer first, pilot second..." crap they were spewing wasn't'...well....crap after all. Got to practice what I learned in Desert Storm..then got my dream assignment (F-15 Alaska) as a follow on.

Now--the F-15 came with a price, because the Air Force changed the rules (who would have thunk it, right?) that a Basic Course obligated you for 5 years instead of the previous 3. That meant I was committing to most like 2 more tours, not one, if I stayed in. Air Force said anyone who wanted out could go in the post cold war drawdown. With about 1500 TT and maybe 700 PIC turbine in 1992, nobody was going to kick in my door for an airline gig. I actually flirted with idea of pursuing the WC-130s down in Keesler in the reserves but figured not many get a chance to fly an Eagle so I stayed active duty.

Three F-15 assignments meant a lot of time and work upgrading, deploying, and taking on some leadership roles. Won't go into a long list of them but any of the guys on here with military planes as avatars or in their profiles can attest to the personal challenges and growth that came with the job. I eventually did leave for the airlines--at 14 years--but did 20 in the ANG. I got about 2 ranks and 14 years more than I ever planned on giving. Ironically, many of the "career aspirants" from my AFROTC group and first squadron were RIF'd or ended up leaving along the way. I found that I liked the job, the people, and the mission--and felt it was important enough to stay around and serve.

Not trying to make this an "all about me" post--its about you--but I wanted to give you some context. Here's my big take-away:

Being a military aviator made me more than a pilot--it helped make me the person that I am. I think every young man wonders how he will do in high stress situations. The military gave me plenty of those to develop my character--combat, ethical challenges, mentoring opportunities, and a bunch of things in life beyond flight time and hours. Did I enjoy all of it? Hell no. Would I take anything for it? Of course not...

When I look at the boy-wonders who were hired at 2x at FedEx or a legacy, I see a guy who ended up with great seniority and income. Some get bigger homes, or go on better vacations, or have nicer GA airplanes. But I often wonder "Do they KNOW what they are like when the chips are down?" I didn't always want to be there, but helping blow up Iraqi tanks in 1991, refueling in the weather over the Pacific, the Atlantic, at night and in the weather...getting scrambled off alert for a 5 minute practice scramble....and even being asked to be ready to escort Air Force One on 9/11 (that job went instead to some F-16s on alert) and countless other experiences have taught me that I know what I will do during those times. That piece of mind, and the confidence it has instilled, go way beyond the value of just hours in a logbook.

Do not join the military to get a head start to the airline gig. Join because of what it will allow you to provide to your country, and ultimately to yourself.

If you want to chat...send a PM.