Is Air National Guard worth looking at?
 

I’m know there’s a handful of threads on this, just trying to get insight on my current situation. I am currently in my first year as a regional FO and also a recent college graduate. Have had a lot of people suggest that I look into the ANG. My goal has been to upgrade and get my PIC time so I can hopefully move to a major. Trying to get some insight on whether the ANG is a good idea. I see it as a great opportunity but am a little relunctant knowing that the training would take me away from 121 flying for 2 years which by time I would already be captain presumably.

Two years in training and a 10 year commitment.

Unless things changed in last couple years there is no commitment for pilot slots in the Guard. Some units make you sign some paper saying you’ll stay but per regulation there is no commitment. You can leave if you want.


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While on military leave for training you will continue to accrue seniority at your regional, and would likely return from mil leave to Captain school. Depending on your unit, you may get to fly some really cool aircraft.

You may also have some ability to moderate the more abusive airline scheduling practices.

I would only suggest that you take this step if you mentally commit to a twenty year career, which would entitle you to a military retirement at age 60.

Joe

Do you want to serve your country in the military? If no, STOP. If yes, start the process as soon as possible, it can take a year or two. Some luck out, but assume it’ll be a year before you start UPT. .Yes, I believe there’s still a commitment of some term including seasoning back at your unit. Yes, you can change units, if life moves you elsewhere.

Successful completion will, very nearly, guarantee a legacy career, however. It will hugely influence your life—contacts, friends, introductions and eventual retirement. I regularly have lunch with friends from 40 years ago. I hosted a dinner for my first squadron commander last year, hale and hearty in his 80s.

Another friend used to say, 6 houses, 3 airlines, 2 wives, 1 Reserve unit.

GF

The commitment is 10 years upon graduation of pilot training, so for most it's a total of around 12. Pilot boards are keenly aware of what motivates now, so don't be surprised if you get grilled on your true intentions. That being said, the whole premise of the guard is that you come back, get seasoned, and are then a part time asset.

Also consider which unit and type of A/C you are applying for. Heavy unit, PIC won't come for a while. Fighter unit, PIC will start in the FTU for TPIC. Fighter you will also get a lot less hours.

Flying fighters is great, ANG/RES is the way to go.

Whether you remember it or not, you signed a 10 year commitment (or 8, depending on when you went through) when you graduated pilot training. I believe we also signed something before even leaving for UPT that said we knew we would incur a 10 year commitment upon successful completion of UPT. We still have the same service commitment as our AD counterparts, we can just choose to do it in a part time status. No whether your state leadership allows people to leave early from a commitment is another story.

As a Guard fighter guy I couldn't agree more. Just keep in mind us fighter guys get A LOT less flying hours than all the other communities.

When an afterburner burns fuel faster than the totalizer can meter it, that should surprise no one.

;)

Is Air National Guard worth looking at?
 

No we didn’t. There is no commitment. I got out after 7 years from pilot graduation date which was in 2005. There is a commitment per regulation docs in the reserve but not in the guard. Trust me. I had to prove it to get out. There is no commitment for the GUARD. FACT!!!


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