Originally Posted by
choxy
Good Morning Gentlemen,
I am an active flight instructor currently, and I have been working on my AF officer application for almost a year, and now I am finally finished, (Got the TBAS, MEPS, AFOQT, and officer interview under my belt), and now I am going up for a board in October. I hope to hear back in early December in the positive to get to pack my bags and go to OTS as soon as possible.
I would just like to see if anybody has any input in this situation, and I would just like opinions on these options.
Job security as a flight instructor, as we know is almost non-existent, and I always want to have a few options on my plate if things go to crap before I hopefully get good news from the military. I have some friends that want me to work with them for a charter company as a pilot, and since job outlooks are not too good, I am willing to work with them, but I would try to make a Guard or Reserve commission if I ended up taking that job. Right now, I am planning on going Active duty for sure, but if I lose my job as an instructor soon, and that charter job calls me, I would need to keep employment.
Do any of you guys have any information about ease (or not) of switching gears to go to Guard or Reserve and get a commission that way after all of this work is already done to try to recieve an AD slot at OTS? I want to serve, do not get me wrong, but I need to stay employed until that time comes, and I don't know when exactly that could be.
Thanks again guys, any help, advice or opinions would be appreciated.
Choxy
I agree with MEM. You are unsure about your military obligation. You can't just switch from Guard/Reserves on a moments notice.
I tried like crazy to leave my active duty job for a job in the reserves or guard. The reserves and guard wasn't the problem; it was getting the active duty air force to release me -- something they were unwilling to do. I had to serve my entire military commitment.
If you aren't willing to serve in the military for the duration of your active duty service commitment, then DO NOT JOIN ACTIVE DUTY.
If you are for real and aren't going to waste anyone's time and truly want to serve, go see your local guard or reserve recruiter. But with that being said, if you ditch Active Duty at this point, you may get some stink on you that you can't get rid of.
Good luck.