galaxy flyer

After you, that might not be a fact anymore! It might depend on the state, I signed the commitment as AD, dons ago, in the ANG.

GF

rickair7777

There is an absolute statutory minimum of eight years for any federal branch, AC or RC. That can be, and often is, finished out in the IRR.

Guard could be up to the state.

ps2sunvalley

While you're correct that PIC in a heavy unit will not come for a while, in this guy's case, he will likely go back to his regional as a captain and will start logging TPIC. And if you bust your butt flying missions for your heavy unit (honestly a C-17 unit will probably garner the most hour opportunities, with preference at one of the super bases KTCM, KCHS because picking up flying with or from active duty is easier there) you could upgrade to Aircraft Commander under 2 years.

If you go fighter (which might be a dream job for some) you will get PIC time as soon as you start cutting your teeth in your B-course, but the quantity of hours will not be as much and you will probably be on some long-er term orders when you arrive trained at your unit for seasoning. Heavy units will put you on seasoning orders for about 6 months, fighter, from what I've heard puts you on a lot longer because there is a lot more training experience required to make a full mission-ready wingman. And this would make the time to go back to the regional more delayed, and thus making accumulating hours slower, and possibly moving the legacy airline hiring date further to the right.

goinaround

When I transferred out of my unit at 9 years from my UPT grad date.....I had to write a formal request to our TAG for a release from my contractual 10 year commitment. It's absolutely a thing....at least in this century.

To the original poster.....don't pursue becoming a military pilot because some people say you should. You need to be willing to sell your mother to pirates for the chance at a Mil cockpit to make it worth it.

crewdawg

I can assure you I most certainly did sign a form before going to pilot training (as part of my officer/UPT packet) that acknowledged I would be entering a 10 year commitment post UPT. Then after pilot training there was a signing of a 10 year service commitment. My flight records indicated this same commitment.

Just because you were able to get out doesn't mean there wasn't a signed commitment. One of the unique things about the Guard is the power of TAG. I have seen on more than one occasion Guard pilots leaving flying (staying in another capacity) or leaving the military all together, before their 10 years were up. In the few times I've seen it, leadership was more than happy to be getting rid of the individual, and TAG signed off on their early release.

galaxy flyer

And why would you say that offensive statement?

GF

jpncrjdriver

Do it only if you want to serve... Otherwise you will likely only be into it at less than 100%... The Guard/Reserve is a great way to have a dual career civilian and military... You will meet great people and develop life long friends... You will be putting in more work too so consider that many of you days off from the Airline will be taken by Unit commitments... Having a Reserve slot is also a GREAT protection when the industry turns down and furloughs come... Being a Guard bum can put beans and rice on the table and keep the lights on while you wait recall... And at age 60 retirement checks start, course not sure how the new BRS works for the Reserves... Bottom line if you want to serve GO for it... If only adding to the CV take a pass...

Cheers