Originally Posted by ANG4Me

Hello everyone, I've been lurking around the forum for a while and finally got an email acceptable to join the forum so at last I can ask questions myself!
I am 21 looking to pursue a career as an airline pilot as well as a military career flying F-16s for the ANG. I have about two years left towards my BS in Aviation and am just starting flight school.
First off, I am aware of the much supported route of getting a job with a regional, then joining so the 2-3 years spent training are working for you back home as well. However because I am paying for my ratings on my own I thought of a possible different route, and wanted some feed back (Pros, cons, and comparisons). I thought to Start applying after achieving my PPL. So finally here come the questions.(THESE ALL PERTAIN TO THE ANG)

1- would my BS and PPL be even close to enough qualifications in order to be competitive. The Recruiters say yes, but I still don't see how. If no, what else to i need to work on (community service, networking ect)?

2- If we assume I DID get a slot, how much of my training in UPT advance me towards getting my instrument rating and commercial license? would i still need to pay for more training or certifications afterwards?

After graduating UPT we took a short test (I think it was called military equivalency test) and got commercial/inst/multi-engine(centerline thrust) rating. The local airport had a quickie deal to add on single engine rating.

3- How do I find out when and where slots become available? also related, where can i find info as to which bases in Cali. have a Fighter Pilot unit?

I think Guard and Reserve units do their own recruiting/interviewing etc. so you'll end up having to visit individual units. There may be a national website that could point you towards who's hiring.(baseops.net maybe?) I consider Guard/Reserve a better deal than active duty, but it's much harder to get a slot. May be easier to get hired by a unit in a less desirable location, or go active duty AF or Navy.

4- Is there somewhere I can go to see the packets of those who were selected in the past few years?

5- When enlisting, is it a sure thing where you will be stationed and what job you will performing perfore hand? As in, its on paper before i commit? ( I am also thinking of joining now, and finishing schooling as soon as i come back from training, i.e. I would NEED to be stationed at the local base to do so)

If you enlist in a Guard/Res unit, generally yes.

6- Lastly, In the ANG do pilots ever get re assigned, like moved involentarily to a different base during their period of service.

Possibly yes, if the unit closes, changes mission etc. then it depends on how much commitment you have left and needs of the AF.


Thank you! And I apologize if any of these questions have already been answering. I surely looked for the answers first, and direction to any previous threads answering like questions would also be appreciated!!