Originally Posted by porkchopexpress

What makes this an even more effective path financially is that housing and medical expenses/insurance are covered for you (active duty). Definitely makes that paycheck go a lot further. IF one wants to join the military with this goal I wouldn't do enlisted USMC though, go army WOFT. They would have a lot more money to spend on those FW ratings after hours (assuming they got stuck in helicopters), and would still be building time towards that ATP while at work. FW in flight school is a possibility with a little luck, and then they'd be set. Military flight training counts towards significant college credits (60-75 ish credit hours depending on the school). The downside is that it'll be about an 8 year commitment start to finish. Upside is that it's a guaranteed flight slot for those without a degree or who don't want to roll the dice with OCS.

Originally Posted by SonicFlyer

Exactly... 15 years ago. And for someone who isn't in the service this isn't really possible today. And in fact if I remember the GI Bill doesn't pay for ratings anymore if I remember correctly?

It's a different world now than it was when you did it.

Originally Posted by SonicFlyer

Ok, question... how did you pay for it?

Originally Posted by OscarRomeo

I saved money and paid out of pocket. Would you pay $105k for a Chevy pickup just because you didn’t have $50k and they would finance it if you paid $105k (not including interest)?

Originally Posted by usmc-sgt

2005 timeframe
I was 23
my training likely cost somewhere around $45,000
My job was a Staff Sergeant in the Marine Corps (they are hiring) and my salary was around $3000 a month +- and more if I was deployed.
Took me around 2 years flying 3 nights a week after work (when I was around) and 1 weekend day.

GI bill paid 60% after my private and I paid cash for the rest. No debt and drove a $1200 ford ranger. Post 9/11 gi bill paid for degree in its entirety. Actually, they paid me to go to school around $1000 a month tax free.

I wasn’t special, I was no different than you. I just found solutions instead of loans.

Originally Posted by SonicFlyer

If the Chevy pickup was likely going to bring me millions of dollars over my lifetime then yes, I absolutely would. Granted it would be best to pay in cash, but that's not an option for most.

Originally Posted by Chipjumper

This is insanity. Even $60k makes me cringe. You could buy a mid time PA-28 for $25, spend $13.5 for an Aspen E5 and TruTrak installed price, pay a CFI-I $40/hr cash money to pull you through your PPL, IFR, and COM. $45/hr fuel plus $10/hr reserve plus $23/hr fixed costs x 250 hours = $19,500 plus 60hrs of instruction = $21,900 plus acquisition and upgrade cost of the plane.

If you don’t have the $25-30k to buy PA-28 and the $13.5k to upgrade the panel then you could finance it. Note that your plane will have excellent resale value with your Aspen panel with TruTrak.