bouncedlolsweg

Hey all,

Just finishing my first year of 121 and I’ve been giving a lot of thought to serving lately. I’d really like to join the guard to do the warrant officer flight training program and feel that flying rotary would be something I’d enjoy while also being able to serve. I have a few questions though.

My main concern is, when the time comes in the future, a major might see me mixing a rotary guard career with my airline career as a negative transfer of learning. It seems to me the two kinds of operations are vastly different and it’s very clear I’d have to be attentive to both.

Also, should I be worried about the opportunity cost of losing a years worth of 121 time to do the WOFT program?

Additionally, I’ve talked to a few Army helicopter pilots about the idea and they all seem to have a negative opinion of the idea after getting out. Mostly from the perspective of the Army being highly bureaucratic.

I’m trying to look at this decision from all angles. I’m really only interested in the Army due to age requirements (turning 30) and I really would want to do rotary. I greatly appreciate the input!

Gundriver64

You should ask this question on the Military forum.

rickair7777

If you want to do it, then do it. It's not a permanent, or full time, career so it's not like you're stuck for life.

Mil wings is a good box to check on major apps, even RW. Also if you take leave as an FO, your seniority will still accrue so you'll probably be a CA when you get back, so all you'll lose career-wise is a little SIC.

BeatNavy

The Air Force age limit is 33 now fwiw. I don’t think airlines will give you negative points for being a guard helo guy though. As to whether or not I recommend it, just depends what you want to do. The time away from 121 world could hurt your timeline to a major, and that has cumulative career long pay and QOL disadvantages. By being a military pilot you might get a few points towards a major app depending on the airline, so maybe that couple years away would be offset by that fact. And being in the guard can have QOL advantages with airline scheduling.

The army has its pros and cons. I know a lot of army guys who have gone to the air guard/reserve. I don’t know any Air Force Pilots who have gone to the army...so that should say something. Army flying was fun, but the army finds a way to take the fun out of things and has been driving people out. But so does the Air Force. Both are fun and both suck in their own ways. The army just tends to suck more.

If helos are your thing, and you really want to fly a certain mission set that they do, that’s cool. Do it. If you’re just looking to fly in the military, the air guard is probably a better choice.

From a “fun” standpoint flying-wise in the guard (army and AF), disregarding all other considerations, I’d rank it:
Fighters
Attack helos (ARNG, but AD took most of them back so I’m not even sure if that’s viable)
Assault helos
Rescue helos
Tac airlift

But factors like the bro network, location, assistance getting on with a major, deployments/TDYs, family situation, career goals, all matter as well.

Good luck

2old2fly

One other thing to consider is that while airlines are doing great and looking for pilots now that might not be the case in 10 or 15 years. Having a backup career isn't a bad idea. Also if you stick it out with the reserves a military retirement is a wonderful thing.

emersonbiguns

You know what they say, "You have to build a thousand bridges to be called a bridge builder, but you fly one helicopter and you're rotor head for the rest of your life."

Taco280AI

The flying can be very fun, that part I do miss.