ToiletDuck

As some of you know currently I'm a flight instructor training AirForce initials. I only have about 800hrs right now. I have everything through my commercial multi to CFI/CFII. No MEI. When this gig of training these guys is up, and it will eventually end, I will obviously be going out there and finding myself a job. However when this job ends I'll be hit with a moment of unemployment. I was thinking that would be a good time to join the reserves. I don't know anyone that has done it and don't know what is required. I was reading on the afreserve.com website but it seemed all positive and didn't point out any of the negatives.

I graduated from Baylor University with a bachelor's in Aviation Sciences. I know they require a 4yr degree so I've got that. What do I do now? I live in Del Rio, Texas by Laughland AF base. I know there is a wing of heavy's in San Antonio and I heard there was a F-16 wing in Houston. How do I get the ball rolling to get more information? Also would I be making a mistake by joining the reserves? I know they require time of you which isn't that big of a deal but I'm wondering if any reservist have had issues getting civil jobs because the hiring employeer knew they would be gone from time to time.

Any info would help.

Thanks guys,
Duck

rickair7777

Presumably you have some contact with USAF officers...get as many recomendation letters as you can. Also try to get in touch wiith someone who flys at a Guard squadron.

The monthly/yearly time comittment is something you have to consider and make a decision on. Many airline pilots are guard/reserve also, so it is doable.

Reserve participation is not going to be a negative hiring factor at any airline or 135 opeerator that has more than a few airplanes. In fact, the military training will make you more marketable at a major. It is very common, and they can just slot in another pilot to cover your absence. A smaller operator might have issues with it, which is why I am staying out of corporate until I retire from the reserves.

Bigflya

A great place to start is baseops.net. Go to the aviation jobs listings. BTW everyone I know in the military flight plans with this site. Tons of gouge and useful links. The job listings are by state and many reserve/guard units advertise on this site for pilots. What you are looking for are squadrons advertising their boards for UPT (undergrad pilot training). Apply to these boards and send those LOR's from as high a ranking officer as you can. Also, canvass your students, one of them may be a squadron member and an internal rec from them means alot. If you are selected I believe that this will be your program (I am Navy but this is what I saw when I went through AF Advanced Flight training). Come on orders and go to about a six week indoc school. Basically how to wear your uniform, AF formalities etc. Then report for the flight program that you are currently teaching. Then go to one of four UPT bases for about a year, six months of either T-6's or Tweets, then 6 months of T1's or T-38's. If you go to a C-130 unit then you will go to Corpus Christie to train with the Navy flying C-12's (BE-200's). Then you will go to your actual aircraft training either in Altus AFB, OK for heavies, Little Rock AFB for C-130's, Luke AFB, AZ for F-16's, or Eglin AFB, FL for F-15's. This whole process is 18-24 months plus your unit may opt to keep you on AD in your squadron until you get some line flight experience under your belt. All active duty time. Not a bad paycheck plus bennies and multi-engine flying. As a bonus, many guard/reserve units have plenty of work to make it a almost full-time gig. This will build your multi-time fast and you will not have to fly an RJ making 20k a yr. The mil pay is good but there are sacrafices for it. Remember, networking is everything and everyday some of the guys yu fly with have done this. Talk to them and start putting together your pkg.

jdt30

I'm a Baylor grad and reservist pm me.

dtfl

Couple corrections...if you fly the C130 you will go to Little Rock for the E/H3/J upgrade. Dobbins ARB in Atlanta for the H2. Tyndall is the F15 RTU.

ToiletDuck

Will letters of USAF capatians help me in the ANG or AFR? What should they say and how many should I get? My uncle was a L. Colonel. Should I just get him to write me something?

That's great info guys. Baseops looks good. I called teh 19th and told em I was running low on IFS students.... They sent me 35 yesterday lol. I dunno if i'll ever get away from instructing at this rate hehe. I'm looking for another instructor FYI.

Bigflya

TD, Have them say things like you are a great instructorand teacher, easy to get along with, a leader in the air and on the ground, has a strong desire to become an AF officer, strong moral character, the AF needs leaders like him, I give him my strongest personal recommendation, etc. They should know the catch phrases the boards are looking. A letter from your uncle never hurts but being an LTC he has been around and should know some people that may be able to open doors. Good luck.