Why fly Guard? Why fly AD?
04-10-2008 | 08:04 PM
#21
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 13,843
Likes: 1
From: FAA 'Flight Check'
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 don't know what SIE is - but I think I get your drift. She wanted to fly in the military - but didn't think she would ever have to DO anything and then when she found that she would (actually do her job) - she changed her mind right quick >G<
Second part - ABSOLUTELY! Like one of my XO's in the fleet said to a guy getting out after his first tour (everyone thought he would rip this guy apart) - he said "thank you for your service. You have done more for your country than most people will in a lifetime"
I agree with him 100%. I am proud of anyone's service. Believe me - if I had even known about the ANG or reserve - I may have looked at that option A LOT closer
USMCFLYR
04-10-2008 | 08:06 PM
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 13,843
Likes: 1
From: FAA 'Flight Check'
It will be very tough getting a Guard/Reserve job in the current environment, at least for fighters. With BRAC, the airlines on their azzes, and the current opstempo, fighter units are being flooded with applications from current and qualified pilots. You should realize "go and get a Guard or Reserve job" is much, much easier said than done.
I flew AD for 9+years and have been Guard for almost 4. Three F-16 tours on AD and then punched. Great commanders, great flying, great friends, great assignments. I have zero complaints about it. Sure, there's politics, but there's politics in EVERY job, including the Guard / Reserve. My unit has the sq/cc succession line planned for the next 10 years.
If you can get an AD slot, I say go that route. You may not fly what you THINK you want to fly, but what you THINK you want to fly right now may not be what you really wanted to fly all along. That makes perfect sense to me, but it might sound like crap to you. AD will give you a solid background, a good flying base, a good paycheck, and more options in the long run than being a Guard baby. Just my opinion. Good luck.
I flew AD for 9+years and have been Guard for almost 4. Three F-16 tours on AD and then punched. Great commanders, great flying, great friends, great assignments. I have zero complaints about it. Sure, there's politics, but there's politics in EVERY job, including the Guard / Reserve. My unit has the sq/cc succession line planned for the next 10 years.
If you can get an AD slot, I say go that route. You may not fly what you THINK you want to fly, but what you THINK you want to fly right now may not be what you really wanted to fly all along. That makes perfect sense to me, but it might sound like crap to you. AD will give you a solid background, a good flying base, a good paycheck, and more options in the long run than being a Guard baby. Just my opinion. Good luck.
USMCFLYR
04-10-2008 | 08:48 PM
#23
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 0
From: I pilot
www.wantscheck.com is also a good source about guard/reserve hiring. Also, start hitting up individual units, contact someone in officer hiring and ask to get on a mailing list when a pilot hiring board opens up because sometimes they dont post them on baseops/wantscheck. Ask a unit if you can shadow them, get your name in the door and get some face time and most importantly, don't be a tool (not that you sound like one or anything like that). Good luck with whatever you decide
04-10-2008 | 09:05 PM
#24
Thread Starter
Custom User Title
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,274
Likes: 0
Here is a Guard related question....
Have Guard pilots ever shown a greater tendency to have a more difficult time maintaining the required physical fitness levels for the job? I'm *assuming* that Guard guys/gals don't get to fly as often as AD folks. And on a related note, I imagine that keeping your body acclimated to the extreme forces may be tougher as well.
Perhaps there would be a greater need (generally speaking) for a pretty regular fitness routine for the Guard folks to follow between flying work days.
And man...as good as the Guard job sounds from the way its being sold in here...It sounds equally as hard to get picked for. Especially me being a civi with low flight time.
Have Guard pilots ever shown a greater tendency to have a more difficult time maintaining the required physical fitness levels for the job? I'm *assuming* that Guard guys/gals don't get to fly as often as AD folks. And on a related note, I imagine that keeping your body acclimated to the extreme forces may be tougher as well.
Perhaps there would be a greater need (generally speaking) for a pretty regular fitness routine for the Guard folks to follow between flying work days.
And man...as good as the Guard job sounds from the way its being sold in here...It sounds equally as hard to get picked for. Especially me being a civi with low flight time.
04-10-2008 | 09:19 PM
#25
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,534
Likes: 1
From: A320 CA
Here is a Guard related question....
Have Guard pilots ever shown a greater tendency to have a more difficult time maintaining the required physical fitness levels for the job? I'm *assuming* that Guard guys/gals don't get to fly as often as AD folks. And on a related note, I imagine that keeping your body acclimated to the extreme forces may be tougher as well.
Perhaps there would be a greater need (generally speaking) for a pretty regular fitness routine for the Guard folks to follow between flying work days.
Have Guard pilots ever shown a greater tendency to have a more difficult time maintaining the required physical fitness levels for the job? I'm *assuming* that Guard guys/gals don't get to fly as often as AD folks. And on a related note, I imagine that keeping your body acclimated to the extreme forces may be tougher as well.
Perhaps there would be a greater need (generally speaking) for a pretty regular fitness routine for the Guard folks to follow between flying work days.
Although...my first test off of Active Duty was last year and it was the first time I have ever puked after running (Although I was pushing it since my Group Commander was beating me, but he runs every day).
04-10-2008 | 09:33 PM
#26
Thread Starter
Custom User Title
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,274
Likes: 0
Anybody can pass the fit test provided they stay close to their recommended BMI and do regular sets of push-ups, sit-ups, and 1.5 mile run for about a month leading up to the test.
Although...my first test off of Active Duty was last year and it was the first time I have ever puked after running (Although I was pushing it since my Group Commander was beating me, but he runs every day).
Although...my first test off of Active Duty was last year and it was the first time I have ever puked after running (Although I was pushing it since my Group Commander was beating me, but he runs every day).
A lot of the time out of the cockpit would make it harder to keep your g-tolerance and motion tolerance high, no?
Thanks again!
04-10-2008 | 09:56 PM
#27
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,534
Likes: 1
From: A320 CA
Well, you need a fighter guy to answer this, but from my own personal observation its seems that fighter guys are either completely skinny (runner types) or somewhat chubby, with not many in-between.
04-10-2008 | 10:47 PM
#29
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,534
Likes: 1
From: A320 CA
04-11-2008 | 05:33 AM
#30
Line Holder
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 638
Likes: 3
From: A330 FO
[quote=AZFlyer;360689]Here is a Guard related question....
I'm *assuming* that Guard guys/gals don't get to fly as often as AD folks. quote]
Apparently you didn't read my earlier post. In the Guard/ Reserves, your sole function is flying; unless you get a full time spot, and then you have other duties (ART/ AGR).
On AD, you will get a myriad of other duties in addition to flying. Plus as others mentioned, you might not even get an aircraft. You could end up in a UAV, or do one tour in a fighter and end up in a non-flying ALO billet for 2 years, talking bombs onto target with the Army.
AD is all about grooming you to be a career "officer", not a career military pilot. If you don't mind the other duties, then go AD. It's fun; great people, great benefits etc. But if you just want to fly, then go Guard or Reserves (if you can get a slot).
But seriously... don't join AD "assuming" that you are going to fly more than the Guard or Reserves. That's simply not the case. You know what they say about "assumptions"...
I'm *assuming* that Guard guys/gals don't get to fly as often as AD folks. quote]
Apparently you didn't read my earlier post. In the Guard/ Reserves, your sole function is flying; unless you get a full time spot, and then you have other duties (ART/ AGR).
On AD, you will get a myriad of other duties in addition to flying. Plus as others mentioned, you might not even get an aircraft. You could end up in a UAV, or do one tour in a fighter and end up in a non-flying ALO billet for 2 years, talking bombs onto target with the Army.
AD is all about grooming you to be a career "officer", not a career military pilot. If you don't mind the other duties, then go AD. It's fun; great people, great benefits etc. But if you just want to fly, then go Guard or Reserves (if you can get a slot).
But seriously... don't join AD "assuming" that you are going to fly more than the Guard or Reserves. That's simply not the case. You know what they say about "assumptions"...
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
captain_drew
Flight Schools and Training
39
12-05-2012 08:29 AM
