Joining national guard and regional airlines

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05-27-2019, 07:57 AM

#11

JabroniJohn

Line Holder

Thread Starter

Joined APC: Apr 2017

Posts: 29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peacock

Infantry is a young man’s game. Just getting started in your 30’s sounds terrible.

It sounded that way to me too and perhaps that would be the case if I was going active duty in the current peacetime army. But the guard is a little different as you have most of the same training opportunities as active duty while only being part time. The above poster pointed out WOFT for an example. You can also try out for special forces. Both of those programs are a huge step up from being an ordinary grunt. Even as a grunt, you have all sorts of extra training like mountain warfare school, airborne school, sniper school, underwater demolition school, etc. Just seems like you can do a lot of cool stuff that you can't do as a civilian while getting to serve.

Worst case scenario would be that it's not what I thought and then it's only the 1 weekend/month and 2 week/year requirement for 4 years.

05-27-2019, 08:01 AM

#12

tnkrdrvr

Occasional box hauler

Joined APC: Jan 2018

Posts: 1,673

Quote:

Originally Posted by JabroniJohn

Massachusetts.

Thanks for the suggestion with the ANG. I am actually familiar with that as I applied for UPT for years and years. I wasn't able to get selected and once I hit 30 years old I moved on.

The Army guard offers all sorts of opportunities. I am excited about the various schools and training you can attend and also find it appealing to have diversified experiences in things outside of just aviation. Of course, if a UPT slot presented itself today I would go but after some thought I am pretty excited about the infantry route as well. Just the way I am I guess.

The bolded part is somewhat concerning. If I understand you correctly, it seems like it is mitigated by sticking around until consolidation? I wasn't even aware of the consolidation milestone, so I will certainly aim to stick around at least until then.

We need more people willing to serve. That said go in with realistic expectations. An infantry officer will be expected to attend a lot of schools (airborne, air assault, Ranger, etc) that all will slow your civilian flying career progression dramatically. Additionally, while fun, there is a reason most older infantrymen move like old men. It’s hard on your body. Every field grade infantry officer I worked with had a list of surgeries a mile long. Unsurprisingly, running around with 50-100 lbs of gear on your back does a number on your knees, hips, back, etc. I think it’s probably worth doing, just understand you will absolutely be making a sacrifice for your country.

05-27-2019, 09:12 AM

#13

BeatNavy

Covfefe

Joined APC: Jun 2015

Posts: 3,001

Air Force UPT age limit is now 33 fwiw.

05-27-2019, 04:02 PM

#14

SaltyDog

Gets Weekends Off

Joined APC: Dec 2005

Position: Leftof longitudinal

Posts: 1,899

Quote:

Originally Posted by JabroniJohn

I am currently time building. I estimate I'll be around 1500 hours sometime in Fall 2020.

I've always wanted to serve in the military. My intentions are to work for the regionals and simultaneously serve in the infantry in the national guard. My state offers many advanced training opportunities for infantrymen and each opportunity would see me sent away for months at a time.

How should I approach this with the regional job? Should I mention during my interview what my intentions are? Should I join before hitting 1500 hours so they already know I'm in the guard and can expect I'll be gone a lot?

I don't want to start my career off on the wrong foot and it seems like I'd put a target on my back if I got hired and then dropped military leave right away as a surprise.

JJ,
Sound check: Not Guard, Not regional. May 2019.
Expectation: Guard--- Regional Fall 2020.

If desire Guard, why wait? (perhaps building hours is goal 1?)
FACT: USERRA protects your job if have an employer, unless your self employed, you can be protected now under USERRA to start military career.

Mix both now if able.
When you do start at Regional, they will see on your resume your Guard participation. Companies (Regional's) see enough military folks and hire enough military so not likely to sway one way or another if they want to hire you.

AFTER start Regional: Get completely qualified and released to line and consolidate before long term Military service if at all possible.
Why?
Best USERRA protection to return to your job as a fully qualified XX pilot. Minimizes loop holes for employer.
Best journeys