Originally Posted by
Kasserine06
I have been very nervous about applying for another aviation or flying job since I got my slot because it is such small community. I didn’t want to shoot myself in the foot by getting a job for 6 months and then leave for the AF. I know you and most other people understand that going into the military is an acceptable reason for leaving a job, but the bosses at some entry level flying jobs are not that accepting. My last boss, when I was a CFI, was a nice guy but he wasn’t very happy about me leaving for what was supposed to be OTS after only working for 8 months. I don’t want to get another short term flying job, leave after a few months, and then get a bad reputation. Other pilots understand, but my short experience indicates that the bosses and management don’t. I am at the point now where I don't really care about that anymore, I just need a job again.
If you go to OTS, get used to waiting, especially for anything from medical. Since you're not in the AF yet, your medical probably keeps getting put at the bottom of the pile. Waivers or other physicals to return pilots to the cockpit are going to take priority. This sucks but is true. I'm in a similar situation waiting to get back in the cockpit after a break in service.
However, why are you worried about getting a bad rep at some CFI gig? If you go to OTS and UPT you'll never look back. Do you think after your 10 years you'll have to start over as a CFI? Even if you're going into the guard/reserve after 8 weeks OTS, over 1 year in UPT, 2-4 months of FTU, and 6-12 months of getting mission ready you will see that CFI gig as a huge step backwards.
Originally Posted by
rickair7777
Tough call. This is typical of military medicine, and has been forever. They are very good at some things (ie trauma) but often dysfunctional in routine matters.
You are not going to change anything. If you annoy the wrong person, your file might conceivably get lost, misplaced, etc. Not the norm, but as a recruit you have very little recourse or visibility on military administrative matters so if someone were so inclined they could probably get away with it.
In your present position, I would not push the issue too hard on matters of principle or due to the inconvenience with your current employment situation. If you are going to miss your age cutoff, then use any means necessary to get the ball rolling, you don't have anything to lose in that case.
As far as your employer...wait until you have orders in hand before you give any notice at all. Hopefully you will have at least two weeks notice, but if not...oh well, it's the military nothing you can do about it. No future employer would hold that against you if the military called you on short notice. If you need another job, go get one. The fact the you have APPLIED to the military is totally irrelevant, and none of their business. Since getting accepted is by no means a sure thing, you should not hedge your civilian bets in any way until you know for certain that you are in.
Agree with all of the above except for "They are very good at some things..."