Oh no doubt I couldn't agree more, but it's a fact that the Air Force loves FAIPs and they need to fill the positions with someone so why not use someone that would enjoy the position and do a great job at it. I'm not trying to take any good deal's away from the guys who have been deployed for the past 4 years. I would give up my FAIP tour to an ops guy in a heart beat if it was up to me.

 

You think you're not going to see that in an operational squadron?

 

Haha. I know I'll probably see it more in an ops squardon, but at least by that time the aircraft I'll be flying will have already been decided. Unfortunately then you'll have to "play the game" to avoid UAV or ALO assignments.

 

I was a "Super FAIP"... 4 years at UPT followed by 1.5 years at PIT teaching new IPs... then off to F-15Es for 2.5 tours... would not change a thing. Enjoyed every minute.

 

Except that E after F-15 (had to be said)

 

"but I've seen what active duty is all about and I have absolutely no desire to do anything, but fly"

Fly6784 -

I have to disagree with the above sentence. If all you have done is UPT - you have not seen the "fleet" the AD force or anything else that you want to call it. Even if you are prior enlisted - you have not seen AD from the view that you are about to see it!

FAIPing is not my favorite thing either - the whole concept of it but I understand the need and it seems to be a pretty good program in the military; but I have to say - I wanted to get out to a "fleet" squadron as son as possible. That is what I joined for.

I feel for the not wanting to be a "company man" and only wanting to fly - and no one should complain about your dedication to the service or your country if you are wiling to give up 10+ years of your life in service - so if it is your plan to leave after 10 years and pursue a professional flying career then more power to you.

Good luck in your decision.

USMCFLYR

 

One thing to consider...as a faip you are going to do great at your faip base, but once you move on to something else, you'll still be a faip. You'll be competing for promotion and good deals with other guys that have been in your new weapons system for a while. I don't know how it is in the mobility business, but it can be pretty tough on the fighter side. You'll be at the point in your career when you need to be a flight commander, but won't even be qualified to be a flight lead yet. It can obviously be overcome, and has been by a lot of great guys, but it is an obstacle you'll have to deal with.

But, like you said, it's probably a great way to avoid UAV's.

 

Couple things to consider.

No matter how well you do in your FAIP tour, you go thru another selection process driven by the needs of the Air Force in 3 years. Saw a few guys at END that did well as FAIPs only to get the Dreaded AWACS. That C-17 or -10 may not be there in 3 years. However, no matter what you fly you will be doing something worthwhile, its what you make of it.

In three years no one knows what will happening nor where.

Some prior Faips would probably have a better idea what you face when you finally get operational. My personal opinion is that T-6 IP would be a blast, but flying around the flag pole would get old. Plus the UPT formal show and relese crap is in full effect on that side.

T-1 IP is pretty dull (I was one), but it has its moments, and the CT XC cannot be beat. You also get to fly when the 38s an 37s are stop launch. And you have a great AC. And not so much of the UPT crap.

 

Second what everyone has said about not knowing where you will be 10 years down the road. I can tell you that nearly no one in my UPT class has had a career that mirrored what they expected upon graduation.

My first bit of advice to all UPT students is to do your absolute best and let the chips fall where they may. If, for some reason, you ended up in an assigment you didn't want - it would be better to know that you did your best and the needs of the service prevailed rather than knowing that you got a less than desirable assignment because you didn't work as hard as you should have.

My last bit of advice to new guys is that every MWS plays a larger role in the overall effort than you can imagine. I flew strategic airlift/tankers before I flew fighters (there is one big sign that you can't predict a career path). While I played a significant tactical role in the fighter, I played a global role in the heavy. For a while, if it was on the national news, I was there. I also did the AETC thing after all of that, playing a role in the next generation of military pilots. With all of those missions, the only one where I was able to realistically predict what things were going to be like was the AETC tour.

 

You keep mentioning 'playing the game'. I understand that. I didn't 'play the game' and let every one know that I didn't 'play the game'. After about 6yrs that while I was a front line IP, one of the stick-and-rudder guys, I realized that my chances of going beyond Major or at best, Lt.Col were severely limited.

Some guys were blatant suck-ups and they never saw anything wrong with anything. At some point, they usually crossed someone or hitched their ride to the wrong guy and their star fell.

Then there were the screw-ups who were constantly in someone's office explaining something that happened. Their star never rose.

Then there was the group I was in.. I didn't 'play the game' and I was on the edge. I knew where the limits were and stayed just in bounds. When my commitment was up, I got out... everyone was happy with that decision.

Then there was a fourth group that had the respect of the others in the squadron, could fly the airplane and were problem solvers. Those were the ones that made 'full bull and on.

So, if nothing else, don't push it that you are not going to 'play the game'. Someone is going to cut you off at the knees if given the chance. It happens not only in a Squadron or in the USAF but in any flying community.