I go to Broward College and am enrolled in the Professional Pilot part 141 course; just finishing up my fixed wing instrument rating. I am in the Fort. Laudedale, Florida area and I am just about finished getting my WOFT packet together.

I am prior service USAF but I have a few questions regarding the Army Guard and Reserve while pursuing a future with the major airlines.

My recruiters are putting me in contact with C Co 5-159th Avn. UH-60, out of Clearwater Florida. With out getting the "recruiter" answer, I am wondering what is the difference between the Army Guard and Reserves as far as AVIATION goes.

Money/Resources
Op Tempo
Flight Hours
Training
Flying Commercial Airlines

What would you do if in my situation? Or does it matter?

 

I can't answer much but guard is more likely to be activated on short notice for civil issues (like hurricanes). Reserves may be more likely to get deployed for on-going war efforts, but with plenty of advance notice.

As far civilian employers and USERRA, guard & reserve are the same. If you wanted to do a lot of voluntary AD, the RC duty is more likely to be related to war efforts and thus exempt from the five-year limit.

Guard culture and some rules are variable per state...best thing would be to talk to someone with experience in both FL guard and AC or RC army.

IIRC in FL guard it is possible to qualify for a regular AC retirement if you put in enough AD time...other organizations (like navy reserve) will try their best to PREVENT you from getting to that, ie after you hit 16 years cumulative AD they will not let you go on extended orders if they can help it.

 

Do you have any specific questions? Guard = Title 32 (you are at the mercy of the state). Reserve = Title 10 (you are at the mercy of Uncle Sam). The Reserves (for the foreseeable future) is well funded and each unit is very active. With the Guard it is hit or miss (each state has different priorities and varying budgets). I know the question is probably brewing: Reserve fixed-wing aviation is 200-300% strength on Reserve aviators. That's not going to be a viable option for awhile.

Cheers,
G

 

In your particular questions, there will be more variance unit to unit than an across the board Guard or Reserve answer. I'm in their sister unit, and my experience has been that the budget is good for flying. You will fly the same minimums where ever you go, guard reserve or active. In fact several of my active duty classmates have lower time than me. If you 1)make yourself available, 2)put in extra work besides just coming in to fly, and 3) are a pleasant person in and out of the cockpit, you will probably get to fly quite a bit.

OP please understand however being an aviator in the guard or reserves is much more than a 1 weekend a month, 2 weeks in the summer gig. We have what are called additional flight training periods (AFTP's) in addition to the standard drill schedule. Just a quick look at my year:
12 Drill weekends
2 weeks annual training
2 weeks in a ground course at fort rucker
1 1/2 week in a flying course
several 3-4 day ferry flights
72 AFTP's
I was also slotted for a full month of being on active duty orders, but the logistics fell through last minute.

My point is that you will be an Army aviator first, any other career you may have will come second. You graduate flight school, but you will return to Fort Rucker several times for additional training. And any employer you have will cooperate, or risk being penalized. Typically airlines know the rules, and are happy to comply.

 

[MENTION=67012]paulpedals[/MENTION] I appreciate the response. This was exactly the info I was looking for. I'm a little familiar with the federal rules regarding Reserve employment and penalties etc. The airlines have a lot of guard and reserve members and usually HAPPILY work around those schedules unlike some companies.

I only wish I could volunteer to help out with natural disasters like the guard does. I got hit a little hard here in Pompano Beach Florida( I'm on Ocean Blvd) but not nearly as bad as the Keys or Puerto Rico and wish I could do more, but as of now I cant get the time off from my regular job.

With the above said. I'm far into processing with the reserves and getting ready for the next board.

Btw who/where is their sister unit. Are there any Reserve units in Fort Lauderdale or SE Florida?

 

Got an email from my recruiter. Flight surgeon is out of office til Oct....
My MEPS and other paper work are done. Can I be scheduled for the battalion board while I wait on the flight med? Or does that have to be done first. Just don't want to miss the next board. Wanted to ask yall before I call the recruiter back.
Thanks