AZFlyer

As times get worse and worse, the more and more I am feeling that a military career is a great idea. I've hemmed and hawed over the thought for a long time, but I feel pretty strongly about it now. I fly, and that's the goal here, so bear that in mind, I guess.

Q. I'm curious to know if it is ever, under normal circumstances, possible to make a visit (scheduled or not) to an ANG unit to speak with someone and learn more about the job and expectations, etc.

A co-worker just finished a stint in the Army, having just arrived home from Iraq earlier this year, and he suggested that it may be entirely possible to just walk up to the gate and begin my inquiries there. I haven't ever thought that such a thing would be possible, but he is an ex-mil guy and I'm not, so what do I know?

I work at KPHX, which has a -135 unit and I'm an easy drive away from Davis Monthan AFB, which has a large Viper installation.

I'm a senior at ASU, and am close to finishing a *gasp* aviation mgt degree (oh well), and I've got a small amount of flight time under my belt.

Any ideas, guys?

DustoffVT

Sure. But its not going to help much unless you know where to go on post and who to talk to. And even then, they'd probably like to know ahead of time. A contact who can escort you and give you a tour is highly recommended.

Davis Monthan has a great museum, you might be able to hang out and talk up some peeps there.

18Wheeler

Contact the nearest Air Force recruiter.
They should be able to help.
I am sure you already know you will need to get a 4 year degree to be considered.
Just be aware of the fact that most recruiters are enlisted and are trying to fill slots for enlisted openings. He may try to get you to go do something other than pilot. Stand firm.
All of the other services have pilots including the Coast Guard.
Good luck.

UAL T38 Phlyer

If you want a tour of any base, call the base operator (the Air Force still has these; the Navy mostly does not). Ask for the Public Affairs Office, and explain you are interested in a tour of the base.

They are happy to oblige, as that is their primary function. They may ask for what purpose--tell them you are interested in a career in the military.

If you want to be a pilot, do not talk to a "recruiter." Traditional recruiters are signing up enlisted troops. I never found a recruiter who would willingly steer me in the direction it took to find out how to become a USAF pilot.

If you visit either Phoenix's Guard Unit, or Tuscon's F-16s, ask for a tour that includes talking to pilots--a Guard unit will probably find some time with the full-timers, such as the Commander or Operations Officer. They can help with more details. A Guard unit may not have an phone operator; try Operations if it is in the phonebook.

By the way, Davis-Monthan has A-10s, active-duty. The F-16s are stationed at the Tuscon civilian airport, at least, they were for as long as I have known.

If you are thinking active-duty, there are three ways to be a pilot, but only one option for you (since you have finished college, the Air Force Academy and ROTC are out). You are in a good position to go to Officer Training School, but right now, pilot slots in OTS are very limited. Look up Air Force OTS on-line and you could probably find some contact info.

Good luck!! Being an Air Force pilot was the smartest thing I ever did.

zondaracer

I think you meant to say you are close to Luke which has a Viper wing (both Active Duty and Reserve). Davis Monthan isn't that far anyway, I drive up to Phoenix all the time. DM also has a rescue squadron (that has Helicopters and C130's) and EC-130's in addition to the A-10's.

The base operator at DM is 520-228-0096 or 520-228-1226. Unfortunately, you missed the Air Show back in March. Last year it was free to the public and you would have gotten the chance to see planes up close and talk with Pilots/Navs/ and other air force folks. That being said, you could still get a tour of the base.

AZFlyer

Thanks for the replies so far, guys. I didn't realize that the ANG Vipers were not at DM AFB. I presume that they are next door at TUS?

I'll definitely call ahead and work something out for the PHX unit and TUS unit.

Related Air Guard question: Is being a full time Guardsman not the same as being AD?

By the way, how do the AD USAF guys view their ANG counterparts? (as in, ANG guys being chided as "weekend warriors"?, etc). Just curious.

Other thing is, I just turned 25 and would quite possibly be 26 before jumping in...thats gotta be awfully close to the max ages for pilot training, no?

Zonda, thanks for the #'s. Would I just tell whoever picks up at DM my shpeel and ask for a tour and a chance to possibly speak with some jocks?

Thanks again.

AZFlyer

UAL, when/where did you serve? Were you an F-4 driver as your avatar might suggest?

I just finished reading a great book called Bury Us Upside Down, by Rick Newman and Don Shepperd, about Operation Commando Sabre during Vietnam and the 'Misty' Fast FAC ops. Starting with the F-100's out of Phu Cat, and then transitioning to the Phantom a few years in, as the Hun was getting pretty long in the tooth. Super great read for folks interested in military aviation history, and highly recommended if you haven't already read it.

VQ2 Spanky

AZflyer,

Baseops.net Flight Planning and Aviation Weather, go to aviation jobs. You will find mostly USAF reserve job positings to include UPT slots. You will see email addresses and phone contacts. Good Luck.


Spanky

zondaracer

Also some listings are placed on this website...
Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Hiring

I also know that some units don't advertise on either website. I got an email once from New York ANG for the C130's that fly down to antarctica just because I asked to be on a mailing list. After I got the email, I checked both Wantscheck and Baseops and neither had the announcement posted.

zondaracer

Being Fulltime guardsman is a pretty sweet deal, you get the same pay and same benefits as being on Active Duty (with the same retirement) but you don't have to move!

As an active duty guy, before I actually got started in the Air Force, I viewed traditional guard and reservists as weekend warriors, but when I got to Intel school, most of my class was guard and reserve and they are just as professional and as much of an officer as any active duty guy. I eventually became jealous and realized I made the wrong decision and should have gone Guard/reserve.

As far as your age, you have a few years left, you have to enter UPT by your 30th Birthday. Start applying now.

Lastly, the AZGuard F16's are based out of Tucson International Airport, but they have their own ramp at DM which they use when they need extra space or when the runway at TUS is being repaved (like it was last fall). They are a training unit and train foreign F-16 units.

Davis Monthan AFB: 520-228-3900
Luke AFB: 623-856-7411
161st ARW (Sky Harbor): 602-302-9000 (KC-135 unit)
162nd FW (Tucson): 520-295-6000 (F-16)

Use that number up there for DM if the first ones I give you don't work.