Question for civilian pilots
#11
Line Holder
Joined APC: Aug 2016
Posts: 34
That said, I do occasionally regret not joining up. I don't think I would've been a super great for in the military, but I couldn't adjusted to it. I sometimes wish I would've served my country, and I could be retired by now.
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Position: I pilot
Posts: 2,049
I tried to fly in the military. I didn’t make it past the medical. I ended up doing a desk job for four years in the Air Force.
I’m proud of my time in the service, but it was a tough time for me for various reasons. In retrospect, I should have gone reserve or guard, regardless if I had been able to fly or not in the military.
They also say timing is everything and going active duty for four years was a set back to my civilian flying career. Had I flown in the military, it would have been a different story. There were some highlights from my four years, but I would have done things differently.
I’m proud of my time in the service, but it was a tough time for me for various reasons. In retrospect, I should have gone reserve or guard, regardless if I had been able to fly or not in the military.
They also say timing is everything and going active duty for four years was a set back to my civilian flying career. Had I flown in the military, it would have been a different story. There were some highlights from my four years, but I would have done things differently.
#13
Layover Master
Joined APC: Jan 2013
Position: Seated
Posts: 4,309
No regrets as I have no idea what a military career would or or wouldn't have done for me.
And has been said, plenty of pilots would have liked to fly in the service, however medical issues prevented them from doing so. And let's also not forget that it's uber-competitive, at times more than others, and some times they simply aren't filling pilot slots at all.
#14
Layover Master
Joined APC: Jan 2013
Position: Seated
Posts: 4,309
Please, enlighten us all to what you consider "military material".
#15
Fitness culture. Willing to shave off the manbun, stache, beard, or other grooming affection which is central to your identity. Little to no history of drug use. ASVAB scores (just because everyone automatically gets an "A" in HS, doesn't mean the ASVAB got any easier). Willingness to automatically comply with authority in dynamic situations. Not too concerned about their own comfort and well being in the short-term.
Now that said, most of the millennials who actually enter the military are better prepared than my generation. They have access to a lot more information and they make good use of it. The only thing I had going for me was enthusiasm and natural athleticism... my generation (or at least me) had to flail around and figure it out the hard way. No complaints from me about the young people currently serving. But it's gotten hard for the services to find people like that, and they can't get enough of them... even though the military is far smaller than when I joined during the cold war.
Now that said, most of the millennials who actually enter the military are better prepared than my generation. They have access to a lot more information and they make good use of it. The only thing I had going for me was enthusiasm and natural athleticism... my generation (or at least me) had to flail around and figure it out the hard way. No complaints from me about the young people currently serving. But it's gotten hard for the services to find people like that, and they can't get enough of them... even though the military is far smaller than when I joined during the cold war.
#16
In 30 years in 2 Reserve forces units with vastly different missions (A-10 and C-5), I saw good and bad pilots, just like anywhere in civil aviation. BUT, because of the mission, we had guys that were airline pilots, but we’d never give them the “keys to the jet”. They may have been poor leaders at getting the mission done, their flying skills were just okay. When the mission success requires “getting the gas” off the tanker in the dark IMC or land in high threat Mogadishu, there were guys who commanders trusted. Those pilots were good anywhere in aviation.
GF
GF
#17
Layover Master
Joined APC: Jan 2013
Position: Seated
Posts: 4,309
Fitness culture. Willing to shave off the manbun, stache, beard, or other grooming affection which is central to your identity. Little to no history of drug use. ASVAB scores (just because everyone automatically gets an "A" in HS, doesn't mean the ASVAB got any easier). Willingness to automatically comply with authority in dynamic situations. Not too concerned about their own comfort and well being in the short-term.
Now that said, most of the millennials who actually enter the military are better prepared than my generation. They have access to a lot more information and they make good use of it. The only thing I had going for me was enthusiasm and natural athleticism... my generation (or at least me) had to flail around and figure it out the hard way. No complaints from me about the young people currently serving. But it's gotten hard for the services to find people like that, and they can't get enough of them... even though the military is far smaller than when I joined during the cold war.
Now that said, most of the millennials who actually enter the military are better prepared than my generation. They have access to a lot more information and they make good use of it. The only thing I had going for me was enthusiasm and natural athleticism... my generation (or at least me) had to flail around and figure it out the hard way. No complaints from me about the young people currently serving. But it's gotten hard for the services to find people like that, and they can't get enough of them... even though the military is far smaller than when I joined during the cold war.
1960's. I guess none of them were fit, either. ALL of them had long hair did drugs.
1970's. I've seen That 70's Show. And that generation smoked A LOT of pot. Oh, and they were anti-estabilishement and didn't trust the government, because, you know, Vietnam.
1980's. Well they all had big hair, dressed like women, and did cocaine like there was no tomorrow.
1990's. Bunch of losers. No ambition Gen Xers. Hate em.
2000's. Selfish brats. All raised to be special.
But you're right. It's only today's kids that aren't fit. And let's just lump them all together.
And please, what HS are referring to where everyone automatically gets "A's"??
#18
The Pentagon reported a few years ago, 71% of 17-24 year-olds were unfit for military accession. Over half for health or physical fitness disqualifies—obesity is number one problem. 25% for lack of HS-level education and 10% for criminal backgrounds or drug use. It’s NOT because of mere appearance. The current generation is, by a strong majority, unfit for military service.
https://www.heritage.org/sites/defau...-02/BG3282.pdf
GF
https://www.heritage.org/sites/defau...-02/BG3282.pdf
GF
#19
Layover Master
Joined APC: Jan 2013
Position: Seated
Posts: 4,309
The Pentagon reported a few years ago, 71% of 17-24 year-olds were unfit for military accession. Over half for health or physical fitness disqualifies—obesity is number one problem. 25% for lack of HS-level education and 10% for criminal backgrounds or drug use. It’s NOT because of mere appearance. The current generation is, by a strong majority, unfit for military service.
https://www.heritage.org/sites/defau...-02/BG3282.pdf
GF
https://www.heritage.org/sites/defau...-02/BG3282.pdf
GF
Weird. Statistics and all...
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2014
Posts: 137
The Pentagon reported a few years ago, 71% of 17-24 year-olds were unfit for military accession. Over half for health or physical fitness disqualifies—obesity is number one problem. 25% for lack of HS-level education and 10% for criminal backgrounds or drug use. It’s NOT because of mere appearance. The current generation is, by a strong majority, unfit for military service.
https://www.heritage.org/sites/defau...-02/BG3282.pdf
GF
https://www.heritage.org/sites/defau...-02/BG3282.pdf
GF
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