Take it easy on him, he's young, and is still feeling things out. He will have the sit down with an officer and get directed towards the big picture and decide if that's what he still wants.

Everyone knows that Guard/Reserve UPT studs want to fly in the Airlines, otherwise they would go Active Duty. Yes, primarily we want to serve, but its no secret that we want civilian jobs, what else are we going to do when the money dries up at the Squadron to keep guys on orders? In fact, I was asked when I interviewed if I was going to get an Airline job, I said "not sure yet, I'll see how I feel down the road"...to which the OG Commander said "Well, we don't have money to keep guys on orders forever, so I would look into that, we don't want to worry about you not paying bills if we can't fly you enough."

Our T-1 ground instructor opened the first day of T-1 Academics by saying, "For the 8 of you who are Guard/Reserve...Welcome to your initial airline training." I think this day in age, with 2 wars and another Cold War on the horizon, people know what they're getting into and know that they'll spend some time mixing it up in the desert before they do anything else...I don't think you need to question their commitment just because their career goal is to have an Airline job and not be a 2-Star at the Pentagon acting as the Exec for a 3-Star.

I think we probably scare away some guys who have the potential to be a real asset to their country because some guys look down on them for not wanting to be career military...trust me, Uncle Sam will get his money's worth...and a lot of those guys who went in thinking they were career and only want to blow up the enemy end up Palace Chasing a few years later.

 

Shane123 and everyone else.... As an 18 year old paying for his flying, education, Car insurance, rent and ect, it isnt every easy to pay for much. By adding this thread, I didn't mean to offend anybody. I have great respect for anyone who has served this country. My goal in life is to fly the skies as an airline pilot. For me, money is an issue, I cant afford ATP, Flight Safety, or Embry Riddle. So whats an 18 year old kid suppose to do besides turn to his government? I though that maybe I can accomplish my goals by enlisting, but I guess I was offensive and wrong. Thanks for your time, and sorry I bothered everyone.

AJ

 

Voting for Obama? You could work and save your money before going to flight school or college. There have been plenty of broke people who made it by working hard and applying for grants, scholarships, or student loans. While the military is an option it isn't the only one. You do need to make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. You also need to know what you're getting yourself into. If you don't, you will be miserable. It's definitely not the fast track. You may save money but you sacrifice personal time and freedoms. Rarely is there a free lunch to be had out there. I'd recommend marrying a trust fund baby or cougar hunting for a sugar mama.

 

We've all been there bro. Enlisting in the guard was the best thing I have ever done. If you want to be a pilot in the guard this is a great route and along the way you can get your college paid for and get to do alot of cool things. I was able to get my degree and up through my CFII with only a 5k loan, which was paid off within 2 years of graduating. It wasn't easy but with the guard benefits and working while in college, you can make it so.

Just know that if you do enlist, that you are there to do a job, not just get by until you can get a pilot slot. I have seen many people with that attitude and it will show. Being in the unit can be a great help but it can also kill you if you are a dirt bag. Surprisingly it's not that hard to look good, show up to work on time, do your job, get your PME done, don't whine and don't be the guy that never goes on a trip/deployment. You wouldn't believe how many dudes do a 6 year enlistment and never go on a trip, but I digress. You will not regret it if you do enlist. It was a great experience, got to see a few other countries and alot of the U.S. Not to mention I was lucky enough to get sent to pilot training by my unit.

Now I understand where you are going with the Airline thing. I was somewhat in the same position as you some years ago. Trust me your views will change 100 times before you get back to your unit. If that is your goal, great, just make sure you know what you are getting into. UPT was the hardest thing I have ever done and there is no way I would go through that just to help me get to an airline. I went through college wanting to be and airline pilot, now I'm considering going back to college and getting an MBA and doing something outside of aviation.

Goodluck with whatever you decide. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

 

I understand where you are coming from Zayghami.

Perhaps I should have just said that maybe you should not mention it out loud that your sole purpose is to get to an airline. Be a team player and work hard and you will be good wherever you go.

I did not mean to come across the wrong way, I just wanted to give you some insight that you may offend some people by expressing that attitude, didnt mean to jump your case.

Best of luck to you.

 

There are easier non-military ways to get you to airline pilot. If you go ANG you have to want to be an Air Force Pilot. They will be able to tell in your interview/application screening process if you're game. Just think about it carefully because for it to work you seriously have to want to be an Officer. Military flight school is no picnic and people are sent home constantly.

 

Several pilots have told me they wanted to go Air Force, but don't think they should have to go through Pilot Training since they already have a Commercial

 

If you've graduated HS and already have your Private then first of all contratulations. Now, it's time to move on to bigger accomplishments in both education as well as your profession. But my first point would be to know WHY you're pursuing aviation.......is it for a job or do you LOVE flying? Once you know that then you can make more informed decisions on which way to go.

I commend you for having lofty goals at 18 since so many of your peers seem to flounder until their late 20's. Basically the only thing that matters are your dreams in life. Get the information you need to make informed decisions, ask lots of questions from credible sources and then go for it.

It sounds like most these other guys have good insight and good direction for you. But unlike them I went Army, fixed then flew helicopters and LOVED it and have no regrets even though these other guys are way ahead of me in fixed wing time. But since I LOVE flying, I don't care how far behind I am. My point is to encourage you to do what you love.

Nevertheless, I agree with the other comments that enlistment, appointment, or commissioning is nothing to take lightly and all military aviators are professionals no matter what equipment we fly.

Best of luck to ya whichever way you go.