Since everyone is throwing their two cents in, here I go...

I am a slightly bitter and disgrunteled AF dude who has had the unfortunate pleasure of flying for two crappy commanders. That aside, I love AD flying. Everyone is right when they say "do it for the right reasons." I was a product of the "Top Gun" generation, wanted to fly Navy since I was 7, but it didn't work out. Went through AFROTC and got my pilot slot, and have flown the C-21 (Lear 35) and the C-5 since pilot training.

Despite how much I love AD flying, I HATE the politics that goes into active duty. I would say that in my circle of friends 90% cant stand the politics and want to get out. On the other hand, my friends in the reserves LOVE the reserves!

The AD money is a big factor. If I took my pay (per diem, tdy pay, housing, etc) and jumped to the reserves or guard, I'd take somewhere around a $70k pay cut, per year!

If you want to work commercial, then I would say that guard/reserve is a good choice. If you want to hang for 10 years and see where it takes you, make tons of great friends, put up with some BS, and fly a ton (heavies vs fighters), then AD is for you.

If fighters is your dream, shoot the moon, dude! Don't let ANYTHING stop you from your dream. I wanted fighters, didn't get them, and love my job flying FRED.

Good luck with your choice

 

Go with the Guard or Reserve. That is all.

 

Like I said, I agree with you and definitely there are members of the "me first" generation out there trying to get pilot slots. My unit had someone SIE in UPT about 5 years ago when she figured out that Tankers actually go to war. This guy sounds like he's putting a lot of thought into it, and is going to people who have good advice. I make a point to push the benefits of Guard/Reserve because I know the Air Force is missing out on a lot of great talent because most kids think AD is the only option. You don't have to want to be career military to be a military pilot and get the mission done.

 

I'm AD Navy right now and have been lucky, still in the cockpit for a fourth straight tour. How has it affected my career (I really never wanted one anyway)....well, not good. I'm 99% sure I'm an O-4 till 20, have 5 years left and almost 2 years left on these flying orders. Staying flying now days is not a ticket to O-5 though I'm sure some folks can get it done. I have a strong chance of flying at least 2 of my last 3 years in the Navy. Never wanted to stay to 20 but here I am and so far, so good. Not always happy either with the politics and I'm quite bull headed so that hasn't helped but if I can stay flying for most of my career, I'll be happy. Nothings impossible, just improbable at times.

 

AMEN! Left AD is Sep, reserve now, can not be happier.

 

I Agree. And if you just want to fly, then it's not even a close decision. First and Foremost, as USMCFLYR stated, you need to be ready to serve... that means over seas, combat flying, and yes, there is the risk you can lose your life. Take this seriously before deciding if the military is for you.

If you've decided that it is for you, then figure out what your aspirations are. If you just want to fly, then as mentioned go guard or reserves. It's really not even a close decision, if all you want to do is fly.

If you go the AD route, you don't necessarily get to choose your aircraft, unless you do really well in training; it's merit based. And depending on what you get, there is a huge standard deviation in the amount of flying you will actually do. Remember, you're an officer first; and as such you'll be given another job in addition to flying. Also, with the current downsizing that active duty is doing now, you'll serve as your own MPF, finance office, orderly room, as well as have to handle whatever job your squadron hands down to you, i.e. exec, tactics, training, scheduling, etc. I can't speak for other communities, but I can tell you what the AD herc community is like... Bottom line, you deploy to build hours. When you're home, you're stuck in your additional duty, fighting to get out of the office. Then you deploy again for another 4 months to rack up more hours, etc.

The benefits to AD are job stability, solid mil benefits, good/ stable pay , great people, and the opportunity to build a solid career as an "officer"; if that's what you want. Once again, you're an officer first if you go this route. And as you progress in your career, you'll typically fly less and less. Your flying will peak at about the 8-10 year mark as a senior Capt IP, EP. But then if you stay longer and decide to go career, you can expect non-flying staff work. Again, it depends on what you want to do.

I believe the committment is still 10 years for pilots too. I got lucky, and got in while it was still 8. Keep in mind that the 10 years starts when you "complete" pilot training; not when you enter active duty. So in reality, you'll be looking at closer to 11 or 12 years before you're even eligible to get out. That's a huge chunk of time and something to seriously consider.

Also keep in mind that if you're on AD and don't make it through flight training for whatever reason, the USAF owns you for the next 4 years. That means that if you join AD, you have to be prepared to accept a non-flying job (worse case scenario), i.e. as an LRO (logistics readiness officer) supervising convoys in Iraq (to augment the Army); or as a cop, or maintainer, etc.

Don't get me wrong, I've had a great time on AD and would recommend it to anyone that is considering joining (assuming it's for the right reasons). However on this forum, as the motivating factor for most here is flying (go figure), I would tend to steer folks away from AD, and towards the guard and reserves, where all you'll be doing is flying. Just keep in mind that the Guard/ Reserves are part time (unless you go ART, AGR), so depending on your situation, you may need another job on the side.

If I had a do over, I would have gone Guard or Reserves right out of college. It was the best kept secret at that time. Not much of a secret anymore these days.

Go Guard (or Reserves).

 

Good point. To the OP, I'd highly recommend doing some research to find out what units are hiring. Baseops.net lists guard/ reserve openings.

 

Well let's keep in mind, he's not talking about joining the military, he's talking about joining the Air Force. It's like the military....

 

That is a very good point. For the longest time, including right now, the Hornet has been the ride that I always get excited thinking about. But however the cards fall, I'd accept.

Hah! Noooo. Navy all the way, brother!

At any rate, I live in the PHX area, and off the top of my head, there is a KC-135 unit at PHX, and an F-16 unit down in Tucson at Monthan. Would it be a taboo thing to send an app/resume (whatever is needed) to a unit that is not currently publicly hiring? I wouldn't be doing this anywhere near the immediate future, just curious.

Well everyone, thank you for the great and well thought out replies. It is all appreciated. I imagine I'll come back sometime in the near future for some more 'been there, done that' type of advice.

 

GO GUARD!!!!

Currently in pilot training and wouldn't trade spots with my active duty friends for anything. I can't count how many times I have heard the phrase "I should have joined the guard!" I hear it more and more now that the NSA and U-28's being dropped like crazy!