Civillian vs. Military Pilot (or both?)
#11
As a recent college grad (bachelor’s degree in business) I am looking to become a pilot. I’ve been looking at both civilian and military routes, and am considering the option of “combining” both options. My issue with the civilian route is mainly the high cost. My issue with commissioning in the military as an officer and trying to get a pilot spot is that there is high competition and other difficult hurdles along the way. am considering the option of “combining” both options. This way, I could still shoot for a pilot spot in the guard, and if that doesn’t work out I would still be working towards a degree in aviation. I’ve heard that tuition assistance can only be used for furthering education, and since it would be my second bachelor’s I may not be able to use it. Any insight into this route, strictly civilian route or strictly military route would be greatly appreciated.
1. "My issue with the civilian route is mainly the high cost." About a 100K and 2 to 2.5 years in present market.
Fortunately, their are solutions. regional airlines are now attracted to training programs that will result in a known quantity after reaching qualification and pay dollars to help.
2. "My issue with commissioning in the military as an officer and trying to get a pilot spot is that there is high competition and other difficult hurdles along the way. "
Factually, being a military or commercial airline pilt is high competition and difficult hurdles. Each lane has its own challenges, but essentially same mindset is required to be successful in both fields of flying. Be "to stupid to quit"
3. "am considering the option of “combining” both options."
The best combination is by folks posts above, but the two are Air National Guard and USAF Reserve. Practically, the fastest route to a airline flying job is civilian. Your option is to go military Guard/USAFR first, go to military Pilot Training, train on your airframe at your unit, then work towards building flight time for a few years flying on the side at the local general aviation airport, while continuing to flying military as much as possible in your unit. At some point will be at the regionals, no costs to get ratings. Time to airlines is disadvantage taking the Guard./USAFR route in today's market.
4. working on "degree in aviation" DON"T waste of time..already have a bachelors degree. Overkill with almost zero return. Focus on mil/civilian track if want military benefit dollars, use on civilian flight training.
5. Motivation: None of us reading can determine your heart and passion for flying of any sort. It is competitive, flying professionally, civilian or military, is exhilarating, dreadfully dull and every thing between.
*Military flying is more than simply flying, you are a military officer first and a pilot second, so will have to participate accordingly. If not certain on military route (USAFR or Air National Guard) try to reach out and see if any friends are in the service and get opinions of folks you know. Reflect on what being in the military means. You are a warrior for fighting.
* Civilian flying track: You are own advocate, It is a for profit venture by everyone before it is a profit venture for you. Research your place to train to make sure others are happy with their experience. Not as restricted in mobility as military.
Recommend you determine what is priority.
Get to airline cockpit as quickly as feasible? (perhaps as little as 2 years civilian)
Desire to fly in military? OK with a combination military first and delay a few years to achieve regional employment.(perhaps 4 years from today?
Punchline: Great opportunities exist for young men and women in flying today.
Good fortunes and Best in your journeys!
#12
You’re making no sense. Why on earth would you join the military (non flying) to get a second bachelors degree using the GI bill to fly? Now is a pretty dang good time to get picked up to be a pilot in the reserves or guard. If you don’t care what you fly or where you live, and can speak somewhat intelligently, have a decent GPA, no criminal record worse than a misdemeanor and speeding tickets, you should be able to get a flying job in the AF. Let Uncle Sam teach you to fly and get you some hours.
Don’t go into more debt for this and don’t join a non flying position and get a second freaking degree...waste of time.
Don’t go into more debt for this and don’t join a non flying position and get a second freaking degree...waste of time.
#14
On Reserve
Joined APC: Sep 2019
Posts: 13
With the major reduction in flying and hiring at both the regionals and majors, I have been considering ANG as an option to build time/experience while the industry recovers. Ideally, I would come in AD and try to fly as much as possible. I am currently 1 year away from having a bachelors degree and I have my commercial AMEL with instrument rating. I also plan on getting CFI CFII MEI during my remaining time at school. Any thoughts/advice on taking this route? Am I thinking too far down the road? Thanks in advance!
#15
Civillian vs. Military Pilot (or both?)
With the major reduction in flying and hiring at both the regionals and majors, I have been considering ANG as an option to build time/experience while the industry recovers. Ideally, I would come in AD and try to fly as much as possible. I am currently 1 year away from having a bachelors degree and I have my commercial AMEL with instrument rating. I also plan on getting CFI CFII MEI during my remaining time at school. Any thoughts/advice on taking this route? Am I thinking too far down the road? Thanks in advance!
Good plans. Boards are highly competitive, so be prepared. I wouldn’t get any more ratings unless you’re wealthy, you already have enough to prove you can fly a little. Be prepared for how long this takes, from application to being a mission ready copilot takes a couple years. And remember this is still the military, not a flying club. It’s better than active duty or the regionals, but they can still send your butt to Djibouti or wherever whenever. Good luck.
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#16
With the major reduction in flying and hiring at both the regionals and majors, I have been considering ANG as an option to build time/experience while the industry recovers. Ideally, I would come in AD and try to fly as much as possible. I am currently 1 year away from having a bachelors degree and I have my commercial AMEL with instrument rating. I also plan on getting CFI CFII MEI during my remaining time at school. Any thoughts/advice on taking this route? Am I thinking too far down the road? Thanks in advance!
#17
On Reserve
Joined APC: Oct 2019
Position: Big Red Fire Truck
Posts: 13
With the major reduction in flying and hiring at both the regionals and majors, I have been considering ANG as an option to build time/experience while the industry recovers. Ideally, I would come in AD and try to fly as much as possible. I am currently 1 year away from having a bachelors degree and I have my commercial AMEL with instrument rating. I also plan on getting CFI CFII MEI during my remaining time at school. Any thoughts/advice on taking this route? Am I thinking too far down the road? Thanks in advance!
As they stated above, it'll take a few years to go from now to getting done with the other end, so get started sooner rather than later. It’s probably not worth getting any more licenses, unless you just wanna keep flying.
Oh, last piece: sounds like they are starting to offer T1-only track to those that have licenses and know they want to fly heavies.
#18
New Hire
Joined APC: Apr 2017
Posts: 2
Since you have already graduated college, you really how two options. The first would be OTS but that is competitive. However I think if you go through OTS, you will be active duty. The great thing about OTS is that you apply for a pilot position so you know going in you will be a pilot going in if you are accepted.
However if you want to be part time military pilot and commerical pilot, then National Guard and or Air Force Reserve is the way to go. Think of them as fraternities except each unit flies a specific plane. So for example, you live in California (makes no difference) and you want to fly the F-16 fighter. Turns out there are two Guard Bases in Calfornia and 1 in Arizona that fy the F-16. You would then apply to any or all three of them. Just to let you know, you can apply to any F-16 Guard base in the US. You would rush the unit like you would rush a fraternity. You send in an application, meet the pilots and the rest at social gatherings, and make youself look like someone people will want to be with for the next 20 or so years. If they accept you after a whole procedure and you pass all your medical and backgroud tests, you wil be send to UPT for a year to train. However, you could be sitting arouind for a year or more before the classes actually start. Once UPT is done, you will train for another year and after all that is done, will you be able to be part time National Guard and work for a civlian airline. The same holds for more or less for AF Reseve. Difference is the Guard has full time and part time Jobs.
However if you want to be part time military pilot and commerical pilot, then National Guard and or Air Force Reserve is the way to go. Think of them as fraternities except each unit flies a specific plane. So for example, you live in California (makes no difference) and you want to fly the F-16 fighter. Turns out there are two Guard Bases in Calfornia and 1 in Arizona that fy the F-16. You would then apply to any or all three of them. Just to let you know, you can apply to any F-16 Guard base in the US. You would rush the unit like you would rush a fraternity. You send in an application, meet the pilots and the rest at social gatherings, and make youself look like someone people will want to be with for the next 20 or so years. If they accept you after a whole procedure and you pass all your medical and backgroud tests, you wil be send to UPT for a year to train. However, you could be sitting arouind for a year or more before the classes actually start. Once UPT is done, you will train for another year and after all that is done, will you be able to be part time National Guard and work for a civlian airline. The same holds for more or less for AF Reseve. Difference is the Guard has full time and part time Jobs.
#19
Since you have already graduated college, you really how two options. The first would be OTS but that is competitive. However I think if you go through OTS, you will be active duty. The great thing about OTS is that you apply for a pilot position so you know going in you will be a pilot going in if you are accepted.
However if you want to be part time military pilot and commerical pilot, then National Guard and or Air Force Reserve is the way to go. Think of them as fraternities except each unit flies a specific plane. So for example, you live in California (makes no difference) and you want to fly the F-16 fighter. Turns out there are two Guard Bases in Calfornia and 1 in Arizona that fy the F-16. You would then apply to any or all three of them. Just to let you know, you can apply to any F-16 Guard base in the US. You would rush the unit like you would rush a fraternity. You send in an application, meet the pilots and the rest at social gatherings, and make youself look like someone people will want to be with for the next 20 or so years. If they accept you after a whole procedure and you pass all your medical and backgroud tests, you wil be send to UPT for a year to train. However, you could be sitting arouind for a year or more before the classes actually start. Once UPT is done, you will train for another year and after all that is done, will you be able to be part time National Guard and work for a civlian airline. The same holds for more or less for AF Reseve. Difference is the Guard has full time and part time Jobs.
However if you want to be part time military pilot and commerical pilot, then National Guard and or Air Force Reserve is the way to go. Think of them as fraternities except each unit flies a specific plane. So for example, you live in California (makes no difference) and you want to fly the F-16 fighter. Turns out there are two Guard Bases in Calfornia and 1 in Arizona that fy the F-16. You would then apply to any or all three of them. Just to let you know, you can apply to any F-16 Guard base in the US. You would rush the unit like you would rush a fraternity. You send in an application, meet the pilots and the rest at social gatherings, and make youself look like someone people will want to be with for the next 20 or so years. If they accept you after a whole procedure and you pass all your medical and backgroud tests, you wil be send to UPT for a year to train. However, you could be sitting arouind for a year or more before the classes actually start. Once UPT is done, you will train for another year and after all that is done, will you be able to be part time National Guard and work for a civlian airline. The same holds for more or less for AF Reseve. Difference is the Guard has full time and part time Jobs.
#20
So, you drive uber full time?
Naw, gonna go fly my F-15 tomorrow.
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