I have a question that no one has addressed yet. I see alot of people talking about instructing in T-6s or T-1s, but very little about instructing in the RTUs. Are those tours desired in the AF? Generally speaking, the jet guys in the USN/USMC did not want to go to the primary training squadrons in the past and fly the T-34 or T-6s in the future. A lot of helo guys who wanted fixed wing time prior to getting out, or multi-engine guys who didn't instruct in the multi-engine training squadrons, taught in the primary squadrons. One of my best friends in taking command of a Primary Training squadron in a few months and I know that he is recruiting jet guys into his squadron - partly in an attempt to set up his squadron to become the first T-6 flight training squadron. Btw - jet guys did like to get into the NFO training squadron. It was jet time, all front seat time, they flew low levels and some basic BFM and were based in Pensacola, FL!
In another thread there was discussion about life experiences, flying experiences, etc.... when a civilian goes to ATP and goes from no flying to CFII/MEI in 90 days and then is instructing. The point was that this person has never flown outside of the training environment from their home base, have possibly never flown in really bad weather or shot other instrument approaches than the local ones to home field, etc...... This person doesn't bring any of the "real life" experience to the table with them to pass on to the students.
When I finished my ratings in college and could have stayed around for another semester to get my CFII/MEI I didn't want to because I didn't feel that I had enough experience to teach - although I know that instructing is the basic way to build time and experience in the civilian side of aviation. Once I got into the military and learned of the SERGRAD/FAIP program I understood that it seemed to work well - but that same thought process stayed with me - I'd rather have that instructor who has been out in the "fleet" and has some real world experiences to bring to the brief/flight.
Having brought this up to quite a few SERGRADs in the past I understand that they are put through a good IUT syllabus and start off instructing in the basic stages initially and having just gone through the process themselves they have a good idea of what to instruct. Hummmmmmm.......
I still question it; I mean that SERGRAD teaching TacForm has all of a few flights himself even doing TacForm before he is teaching it. The experience question raises its head again in my mind.
Plus - I didn't initially join the military to instruct - I joined the military to get out into the operational fleet - to get into the fight now days. Looking at the responses in this thread it would seem that I am in the minority.
In the end - I know that the programs work. I've seen lots of SERGRADs/FAIPs go on to successful careers and I know that my former civilian instructors are flying professionally - so it must all work out in the end.
Just one person views from the outside looking in.
USMCFLYR