Great post
Originally Posted by
MalteseX
It's not "easy" to get stuck in non-flying assignments in the AF. It will happen if you stay in at about the 12 year point as part of "normal" career progression--but it doesn't happen earlier unless you are not a good stick or have a bad attitude---this is not an absolute; it CAN happen, but it's not "easy" to get stuck non-flying. Toll on family life---was not a probem at all for me. It is for some. I guess that's a personal experience. You will be deployed and will be gone from home some (depending on what you do and what aircraft you fly--from very little to a lot). I was home a lot.
But this is where I got to say, "results not typical."
Sadly I've seen very little in my career to indicate flying skills--to include a complete lack--really has much impact in the assignment process. Though in my FAIP days it was clear that a number of bases had dumped their unable to upgrade guys on us.
More to the point though, I've really seen very few folks make it to 20 and stay in flying the entire time outside of school. So I seriously congratulate you for that one, it's inspiring. The folks I do know that stayed in a cockpit all ended as 20 year majors.
If I had to guess I'd say you hit the 12 year point somewhere in mid to late 90s, when the pilot shortage was at it's worst and the assignment Gods consequently were willing to leave staffs empty, and more unusually, send guys from school straight back to flying. Everyone I know at ACSC has walked in trying to get a cockpit on the backside, don't know anyone who's pulled it off yet. It ain't called air command and STAFF college for nothing.
Best of all, it appears that CONUS staffs are going to 4 years long unless you get picked up for command. And if you don't get picked up for command....I think it's getting back to the historical norm where they don't keep a half dozen O5's hanging round the squadron anymore. And therefore your reward for the staff is...more staff.
Anyway, that's the way my thinking went. I really didn't want to do a staff and didn't. We'll see what it does to my career later.
I wasn't being sarcastic up there, it really is pretty inspiring that you were able to fly so much, and have that kind of career. Not to mention 7.5K hours is pretty crazy. I don't know anyone up that high, and I'm a heavy guy. It's rare to see anyone over 5K on active duty.