Air National Guard and Regionals
 

I’m interested in the Air National Guard, and I’m starting with SkyWest in The fall. When is a good time to start applying to units? I’m 22, so I have years before I age out for a pilot slot in the ANG. Should I wait until I’m a captain? Maybe put a few years in as a FO? Will it look bad if I just complete IOE and then start applying to units?

Any insight from current airline/ANG pilots is greatly appreciated

Edit** should I look for units within driving distance? Or use flight benefits to commute to/from units during drill weekends

One thing a captain I flew with did that he was very happy about. Once he hit the line as an FO he went on extended orders. When he came back he had moved up enough in seniority to avoid reserve. He also lived within equal driving distance of his domicile and ANG base. Personally I’d try and avoid having to rely on using flight benefits to go to drill, because what if flights are full and you can’t get there.

I didn’t do ANG but have the pleasure with flying with a lot of guys who are still in the guard.

ANG units wont care too much that you're a captain at a regional. They're going to train you as if you know nothing anyway. Start your application process now. If you're going for fighters, its very competitive. You can get into heavy units a lot easier... either way, you want to start as soon as possible.

Start applying yesterday... it’s a long process...

Where to apply... apply to units that have stuff you want to fly or are located where you want to live, or commute to. Hopefully Skywest isn’t your final destination on the 121 side so I’d be open to any and every unit of interest in your case.

Yeah that’s the plan. I need to wait for March 2019 because that’s when my LASIK clears, since theirs a 12 month wait from when you get the surgery to when you can be medically cleared.

Not all units. Just put your app in. Don’t wait

Echo the previous comments, start getting your application together. Now is a great time. PM me for help with the application/process if you'd like.

If at all possible, don't commute to your ANG unit (and really, really don't commute to both jobs if you want any semblance of QOL).

THIS! Start rushing/applying ASAP! It's a long process and most squadrons only hold one board a year. You won't take a medical for quite some time so you should have plenty of time to get that taken care of. Get out and visit the squadrons, call the base ask for a number in OPS and ask for a pilot. Make it clear you want to come visit the squadron and meet the guys. I've sat on numerous boards/helped pick the final guys to be interviewed and often times we've seen great apps but they never come to visit. We'll always take a look, but often times if they haven't visited, the app goes in the trash.

Best of luck!

Also this! I've commuted to the airline but home based for the Guard and it still sucked. Now I live in base for both gigs and my QOL is insanely mo betta!

The wait is 6 months, but you can interview in that 6 month period. You can’t take your MEPS physical until the 6 month period is up.