Originally Posted by
BeatNavy
If your hiring unit is willing to wait it out and pursue a waiver, I’d go the civ route and try to get as far as you can as fast as you can while you wait on that. If you can get a seniority number at a wholly owned regional with a flow, great...you will continue to accrue seniority on mil leave and will flow at some point. If the waiver never comes, you’re well on your way anyway, and can always try a different branch later if you wanted. I would avoid active duty if I could help it. My $.02...everyone’s situation and priorities are different though.
Agreed & I’d add that even if you go to UPT before you get to a regional I still see value in the training you will have done….i.e. it’ll make UPT a bit easier. Along the same lines, if you do end up going active duty…the civilian ratings / additional flying experience will give you a bit of a competitive edge.
Also if you don’t get this waiver and look to pursue other avenues into military aviation – I would think, although not sure – continuing to progress with civilian ratings would weigh favorably on your military applications.