Originally Posted by
BravoBackup
Basically it will fall on your personality that will make or break you in the real world (Non-AETC). I'm sure the FAIP gig is fun and has it's perks and I'll take some flak for my next comment. But, I see that as a high school kid who still lives with his parents after graduation. Sure, sticking with what you know is easy and flying the same plane after graduation with the same mission day in and day out has it's benefits, but until you actually execute the missions which the AF is designed around, it doesn't seem very gratifying. Stop trying to predict the future. If you stay as a FAIP or go to another aircraft - at the end of 10 years you should have more than enough hours to have a good resume for any airline job should you decide to go that route. Whatever you do, do not burn bridges, and don't be a Dick. The students you have a as a FAIP will be your aircraft commanders/instructors/examiners in your next life. You may make it to IP in your next jet in just 6 months, but credibility in the jet is a whole different issue--enlisted personnel will can make or break you regardless of your level of effort as a pilot. Staying at a UPT base for 4 years you will have a lot of students and they will remember YOU if you give them reason to.
You have some good points there. What will make you a good MWS pilot isn't being a FAIP, it's being a good pilot. If you're an A-hole/moron FAIP, odds are you be the same kind of MWS guy. That I've definately seen.
You have an excellent point about lack of enlisted in AETC. Personally, I've never seen a problem with it but I'm sure it's happened.
True statement that your students will follow, and remember you. I had a bud run into a FAIP he had bad memories of. FAIP was inprocessing, bud ran training. I've no idea how, but he managed to get this guy back through chem defense training...the one where you take your mask off in a tent full of CS. Seven years after I left AETC I walk into new squadron DOV to drop off my FEF, the two EPs in there were two guys I gave Tweet checkrides to. I didn't remember them, you can believe they remembered me. I asked them if I'd been a d!ck to fly with. Then said nevermind, guess I'll find out on my checkride.
As for the living with folks after high school comment...ouch. Probably a good thing you didn't FAIP, definately a good thing that not everyone thinks the same way you do. Personally I don't think anyone goes off to UPT to satisfy a lifetime desire to stay and teach UPT, I know I didn't. At the same time, I always enjoyed teaching. I didn't have a 20 year plan like the thread starter, but I was willing to do it. In my case, it came with a guarenteed follow on, one that I wanted. That was enough for me.