Originally Posted by
AZFlyer
Thanks to my awful eyesight, I have to give up on the possibility of being a pilot in the military, but I told myself that if it came to that outcome, that I would pursue another job in the military.
My local guard unit has posted an opening for boom operator and I'm going to give them a call, but before I do I thought I'd ask a few questions of you guys.
What other duties/responsibilities does the boomer have besides his main job function? The ANG website gives a very dry and tedious description.
And while I'm at it, let me throw an officer vs. enlisted question/thought at you guys....
I have a 4 year degree (aviation management degree, I know, don't say it...), but I've had several guys currently in the military (enlisted) on separate occasions express a general resentment/ball busting towards guys who enlist with a college degree....in other words, I get the 'why would you enlist if you could be an officer?' rap. Is there any merit to that? I don't know, I want to be in an airplane and do a service for my country. That *should* be enough.
Are you a candidate for PRK surgery? Would that solve your problem?
There are officer jobs besides pilots that are rated and have wings: navigators, battlespace managers, etc.). So you can still fly and be an officer too.
Here's the question you need to ask yourself. What are your long term goals? Are you willing to give up 20-30% income potential by joining the enlisted ranks just so you can be on an airplane?
To be honest and fair, if I had to enlist, KC-10 Boomer would be my first choice. In my opinion, it's the best job out there. But if your eyes are a problem, you may have issues getting into the boom operator career field.