Adlerdriver

I thought it was great and I count my decision (and lucky timing) to become a USAF pilot as one of the best life decisions I made.

Yes, I flew F-15Cs and of course I would recommend fighters if someone ends up having the option. There are great things about most of the aircraft and their missions in the USAF. But few things can compare to a fighter for the experience, challenge, camaraderie, ...... I could go on. Active duty allowed me to experience combat operations in Desert Storm and follow on contingencies with the various no-fly zones. I got to do and see things that are truly once in a lifetime experiences. As you can see from the news every day, over the years, the military has encountered lots of politically correct BS which has the potential to diminish the experience. Even taking that into account, I think I can still recommend it as a starting point in aviation. The first 10 years still have great promise and it's a great way to spend your young adult life.

The first 10 years or so for most USAF pilots revolves around flying, which is a good thing. If you stay beyond the first 10, that typically going to involve follow-on training or maybe internal AF schooling that will come with additional time commitment. There will be non-flying tours for many pilots and entry into the higher ranks with it's associated politics isn't for everyone. That really doesn't need to be in anyone's cross-check at your stage. Just figure out if pursuing a commission in the USAF as an officer and attending UPT is something you want to do for now. Choosing to continue after the initial commitment is is going to involve many factors that differ from family to family and can usually include factors like available assignments and the state of the airline industry (if that's an option under consideration at that time).

I had a 7 year commitment after my wings. I became an instructor in the F-15 and that training and a move to a new base extended my commitment to about the 10 year point. I lined up a job with an Air National Guard unit flying F-15s and left AD with about 11 years. I served another 11.5 with the ANG and retired from there as a LtCol. Since I wasn't on AD the whole time, I won't see any retirement pay until I turn 60.

Luckily at the same time I left for the ANG, the airlines were hiring. It took almost 2 years from when I put in my application until I was hired, so I won't say it was "easy". Not having a full time job with medical coverage for about 18 months with a wife and two little ones was a bit stressful, but I did manage to land a job with a major airline. That lasted 4.5 years and the effects of 9-11 on the industry got to me and I had no job. Since I was still military in the ANG, the option to work extra in the Guard or to return to active duty was there and a very nice safety net. Luckily, I found a job at another airline which gave some valuable experience that eventually helped me land a job at FedEx (along with some help from fellow F-15 pilots already working there).

Aviation, military or a combination of both can be hard on relationships. Deployments in the military in any career field (not just flying) can involve extended separations. There are year long "remote" tours to locations that don't allow family members to move there with you. Ops tempo for flying units is high in general and many aircraft types are in such demand that those pilots spend extra time gone, sometime for months at a time. Whoever your significant other is needs to be ready to deal with that and understand what they're getting into. It's not always about combat or contingency deployments. Many fighter and bomber units deploy frequently for weeks at a time to train. Cargo and tanker units are constantly flying missions for days or even weeks at a time.

A career at an airline can also be tough on relationships. If your family has come from the military, it's likely they'll be able to handle it. If you end up at an airline, most have trips measured in days, but they add up. Some cargo carriers work two weeks at a time. Either way, they end up working almost half the month. So, whether it's in small pieces or one big chunk, if you make the move to the civilian aviation industry, you'll probably spend close to half your life on the road. Now there are niches in the industry that won't require that like sitting on call at home "on reserve" in case someone calls in sick or flying day trips that allow you to be home every night. It's workable for most folks or they wouldn't pursue it. But having a SO who can take care of things while you're gone and is okay with that lifestyle is a requirement or things will probably get rough.

Hope that helps, good luck.

Jingles

Adlerdriver, I want to thank you for taking the time to write out such an in depth response. Definitely very helpful for me and hopefully others.