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ANG vs AF reserves

Old 11-14-2014, 02:36 PM
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Default ANG vs AF reserves

Trying to understand a couple of things about the AF reserves so as to advise my son if his interests lead this way. Understand you need to be commissioned as an officer, but is it possible to get a pilot slot in the reserves with no prior service? Is it possible if you have been enlisted in the reserves or ANG? Is it/would it be unit specific?
I'm aware of the options, re: ANG, but less so of the AF reserves. Thanks for any info regarding this career path toward mil flying.
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Old 11-14-2014, 02:54 PM
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Go to your local (or not so local) USAF Reserves unit and he or she might get a UPT together with a commissioning. The basics are the unit selects a candidate the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) has a board and approves/ disapproves the unit's candidate. A bit like the ANG with a HQ review. No, no prior service needed, might be an advantage depending on unit. My old unit sent enough loadmasters to UPT to schedule crew of them--pilots, upgraded engineers and current loads. Plus plenty of off the street guys.

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Old 11-14-2014, 03:05 PM
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Thanks for the prompt reply! We live close to McGuire AFB and it has both ANG and reserves on base. I know colleges that are former guard at the ANG squadron but have not been briefed by some of our reserve/regular AF guys about that option. Again, thanks for the reply
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Old 11-14-2014, 04:27 PM
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Thanks for the prompt reply! We live close to McGuire AFB and it has both ANG and reserves on base. I know colleges that are former guard at the ANG squadron but have not been briefed by some of our reserve/regular AF guys about that option. Again, thanks for the reply
Yes I walked in off the street to the 514 AMW (Reserves) and was recruited by c17s and kc10s. The 108th ANG wanted nothing to do with me as I wasn't prior enlisted...I was a regional pilot. I think I am better off with the reserves there at McGuire! Pm me with any questions. We hire often but must have some flight experience (private etc). Local people are a plus!!!
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Old 11-14-2014, 06:04 PM
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The conventional wisdom is that all else being equal, go guard. But sounds like paok may have some mcguire-specific insight.
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Old 11-14-2014, 06:53 PM
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The Guard and the Reserves were wider apart, but the AF takeover of the reserve forces over the last decade has reduced that somewhat. Also, it varies greatly, unit-to-unit. Associate units like the 514th are closest to AD, but as reported, that might not mean much. Guard units place greater weight to state residents, unit enlisted, political ties. Reserves less so, in my experience. I sent probably 13-15 UPT students that had zero prior connection to the unit. In fact, prior enlisted in unit was only 3 LMs is all I can remember.

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Old 11-15-2014, 02:34 PM
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Default ANG vs AF reserves

a couple things to consider, first you have to figure out the end goal. if it's airlines I would not go 130s (short sorties) or a unit that could potentially go RPAs. I know that sounds generic but units will know a yr or two out. also probably want to rush a unit you can get to easy or want to live close by in case you want to pick up extra trips. also read up on baseops.net, guys have tons of gouge on there on which units are hiring and some good interview tips. there is no better phone number to tell people is your new number than 1800 GO-GUARD!
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Old 11-15-2014, 03:06 PM
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Good points, kc10, but figuring out which unit will go RPA or even out of business is tricky. The heavies should stay at this point; fighters are chancy, but most attrition may have occurred; but the budget wars aren't over. Flying time anywhere won't be what it has been. Guys and gals in my old unit racked up thousands of hours of command time. That won't be happening in the next 5 years.

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Old 11-15-2014, 04:57 PM
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Default ANG vs AF reserves

I agree, and now we are moving away from deployments and starting to go back to stages. I guess I should have said just make sure you do your research. But some guys at Niagra didn't know that. Word on the street Montana might not make it thru their conversion, Memphis just cut 8 pilot positions. March c-17s just lost their cash cow trip making it a lot harder to make money. It's two way communication, make sure you are talking to some capts who have been there a while and know the direction the unit is headed, missions they are going to pick up in the future or lose and modernization plans (of course everything is subject to change)
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Old 11-16-2014, 05:54 PM
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Thanks all for the insight on ANG vs AF reserve. I wish I has a 10th of the knowledge when I was in my 20's about the potential options of the guard or reserves. Not even sure if my son is onboard at this point but want to know the options if he should decide that what dad does is something he's interested in doing also.
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