Don't go to embry riddle btw. WAY too expensive they're are lots of good schools that aren't as expensive.

 

If I had it to do over again.... I would have gone into the Air National Guard into avionics technician/mechanic type field at a fighter unit (maybe 125th???? at Jax) went to school for Aerospace Engineering at somewhere other than ERAU (I did that there, waste of money) the ANG covers 100% tuition!
Worked a small business doing avionics refurb or mags or something like that - those guys can make some baller cash. Then, flown out of a good FBO part 61 that wasn't that expensive gotten all the ratings there.... After that degree... try to get a fighter slot with an ANG unit.

 

I was supposed to be going to the dominican republic today for a 2 week trip but I couldn't go at the last min. It was a trip with my church and I am really close friends with everyone that went. Well anyway it was a connecting flight through San Juan Puerto Rico. American flight 769. They had engine problems and had to land right after takeoff. Im just taking that as a sign that I should in fact be a pilot haha

 

Ive been giving it some thought and talking to people and I think I will consider going in to the air national guard. Anyone have any experience with this? And how could I become a pilot in the national guard? Thanks

 

I have found that most people ask for advice never really take it, they just want to see if everyone agrees with what they are already planning to do.

Look kid, if you spend 5 minutes reading on this subject you see everyone telling you the same thing. There's no magic ticket, some people get lucky but you can't plan on that happening, no matter how much you really really want it.

Listen to what they are saying: Spend as little money as you can on your flight training, don't get yourself into too much debt for this, it may never pay off. Have a back up plan, and aviation science is interesting to study, but it will not help you get another job if you can't find one flying, or you get laid off like so many are right now.

The air national guard isn't something you just snap your fingers and do either.. you need to figure out what you want and do a lot of research to avoid big disappointments down the road.

 

Ive been doing some research. I think I should go for a degree in engineering. I am thinking about serving in the air national guard as an enlisted while in college getting my degree. The enlisted job I would want most is flight engineer which my local base lists as a "hot job". I will be talking to a recruiter tomorrow to find out more. I could get my ratings on the side while at school then when done with school apply for a pilot position at the guard.

 

You still need a 4 year Degree to be a pilot in the Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve. All pilots are officers...and all officers are 4 year college graduates.

Also, know the difference between the Air National Guard (Component of the Air Force) and the National Guard (Component of the Army).

There are quite a few threads on the Military forum on becoming an Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard pilot.

I am a pilot in the Air Force Reserve, which has a similar (but not the same) way of doing things as the Air Guard. You can enlist out of high school and have a non-pilot job (possibly enlisted aircrew such as Boom Operator, Load Master, Flight Engineer, etc...) in the Guard/Reserve while you go to school, then go through your Unit's pilot hiring process, where you might have a leg up on people who aren't from your unit. Otherwise, you can simply go to college and when you graduate, try to get hired at a Guard/Reserve unit. Remember, unlike the active duty Air Force where once you are recruited you have know idea where you are going and how long you are staying there, in the Guard or Reserve, you are hired by specific units you interview for individually; and once you are hired, you are there until you chose to move (and your commander allows it) or the Unit closes.