Air National Guard?
 

Hi
I am a Freshman at a part 141 school in MN. I just got my PPL and im currently about 1/3 of the way through my instrument training. I fly just about every day which allows me to progress through ratings very quickly. I'm expected to have my commercial, multi engine, MEI, CFI, and CFII by about this time next year. I have good grades 3.6GPA and don't intend on failing any check rides. I have always been interested in flying for the USAF as I was in Civil Air Patrol in high school. I'm trying to decide if I should enlist in the Air National Guard in the next couple months and go to BMT next summer (2019) and try to fly to the reserve or if I should stay as an enlisted airman and fly for an airline. Airlines are hiring every one of the pilots coming from my school so I'm not worried about that at all. My concern is that 1) I won't be able to fly C-130's (133rd squadron MSP) 2) I won't be able to maintain a career as an airline pilot while in the reserves. Is enlisting a smart idea right now? If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated!
Thanks

See the MSP recruiter now about being selected for UPT upon graduation from college. You’ll be pipelined into the Herk, then a legacy.

GF

As posted I would talk to the Air Guard about getting a pilot training slot(Officer position) right off the bat. Yes, it may be down the road a bit, depending where you are in college.

To the other question, yes, one is in a better position applying for a pilot slot if already an enlisted Guard member. Some steps may require faith at times, ‘no guts, no glory’.

Even if one is setting themselves up for an airline job, in most instances I’d reccomend military flying if it’s an option for the individual. It’s not for everyone. A Guard or Reserve flying slot would hardly hinder(only help) a track towards an airline job. It would just require a bit of juggling.

Of course when one dabbles with the idea of the military, be ready for the ‘commitment’ part of the deal.

Get hired by an American Airlines wholly owned (WO) regional airline. It's a guaranteed slot towards AA.

Start rushing the ANG units before that. There's a lead time of a year, or longer, from the first interview to SUPT. I'd wait until I've got less than a year to 1500 hrs. That way you can ensure you'll be at an AA WO before you leave for SUPT.

Don't enlist. It's not required.

While you're on active duty (AD) for training your seniority is advancing at the AA WO. You'll come back as a senior FO, or junior CA(need 1000 hrs 121 to upgrade), and will be well on to your way to being qualified for all the majors once you reach 2500-3000 TT.

If you're not flying a lot in college (500 hrs+) I'd recommend quitting college full time once you get 1500 hrs and get a regional job. Finish up the degree part time. If you get on with an AA WO sooner you'll flow to AA sooner. And if getting your degree is delayed 6, 12, or 18 months it won't impact your getting a major airline job. It might delay, slightly, you're going to SUPT. But the difference in going to SUPT at 23, 24, or 25 isn't a factor.

Don't enlist, the process for Commissioning is much more difficult than if you're an outside applicant.