Army FW O-3 - Need advice
 

Hey ladies & gentlemen -

I'd like to solicit your advice and opinions on my situation. I'm in Army FW ISR land and I'm looking to possibly make the jump into civilian land in two years. At the time that my ADSO expires, I will have about 12.5 years active time in the Army and 4 years Reserve. By my calculations, I'd only need to do 4 years in the USAR as a TPU guy to get my retirement.

My experience is:

1000 hours (currently), 800 Fixed wing multi-engine time, 300 PIC in FW multi engine. Currently have Commercial Instrument / B350 / B200 / S-70 type and Single engine ratings with the FAA. I anticipate having 1400-1500 hours and at hopefully 500 PIC hours in RC/MC-12s by the time I'm eligible to get out. I hope to get my CTP/ATP done but that's not a guarantee depending on unit climate.

Question 1: Assuming I can get 400-500 hours in the next two years, am I competitive for anything or am I going to need to go to the regionals?

Question 2: Is a regional schedule doable while also being a TPU reservist in a USAR FW C-12 unit? Any advice on this?
I'd preferably like to actually get some type of retirement after serving nearly 17 years in the Army.

Any other general information would be appreciated. At this point, I'd just like to A) get out and have a predicable life for myself and my family and B) capitalize on all the years of service I've already put in. I'll be in my mid-30s by the time I can make this decision.

Thanks!

Mod Note:

I don't have the answers to your questions, but you, my friend, are our 77,777th member. Congratulations!

Our usual panel of experts will be along soon to give you all the information you need to make the best decision for your career.

You will be competitive FOR the regionals. It is unlikely you would be competitive for most of the major airlines with less than a thousand hours of TPIC or any 121 time at all.

Absolutely.

Yes, it's going to be regionals for sure. You'd have to be some kind of extra special fighter pilot to get a major job with 1500 hours these days.

You can easily do guard/reserve at the regionals. Problems are rare.

Thanks man! I'd only need to do 4 years to coast into retirement. Not looking to be the next USAR/NG hero, just help the unit until I can cash in my years.

I see regionals or overseas contractor in your future to build time. Getting in with the reserves is pretty much mandatory as you're so close to retirement eligibility. Don't throw those benefits away (retirement/tricare).
Part time army will help alot with your finances and to a smaller degree your schedule while at a regional. I'd expect to spend two years at a regional.
Good luck.

Unless they’ve changed the law in order to qualify for a Reserve retirement the last 6 years of the 20 must be as an active Reservist. So you should plan on doing 6 years instead of 4

They changed it, not required unless you achieved 20 years prior to 2005 (to avoid having to retroactively grant retirement to folks who chose not to meet the old requirement). That's Navy, assume other services are the same, should be title 10.

You'll likely have to do some time at a regional. BUT, don't let that keep you from applying to the Major/Legacy Air Lines. Stranger things have happened.

Some other thoughts...revert to WO and fly more, grab an IP/IE/SP/MP slot as those courses put check marks in high value areas on applications. Finish your time in the Guard/Reserves. I'd not "score" a regional seniority # only to return to full-time military service. Rather, "score" the seniority # at a major/legacy then return to full-time service if an AD retirement is a priority. Live either where you work or where you drill; don't commute to both, or even either if that is at all possible. Good luck!!