Laxrox43

Folks,

I apologize for my posts seeming a little laid back. I didn't mean to offend anyone if I did. I am serious about the AF. I guess my personality-type might rub some of y'all the wrong way - oh well...

I will be finishing my 4-year degree before I even think about applying for Officer School. I do not want to go in as an enlisted person. Not that there is anything wrong with that...it's just, I want to fly.

And when/if I would get my 'slot' I would not treat it as a joke or like a 'flying club.' It is a job/tool utilized to serve my country - that is all. I mean, flying is the best job there is, and it is fun (to me) - and there are no if's, ands, or buts about it.

If I got the chance, I would most certainly NOT go in there as a 'know it all'...because to be frank, even as a civilian Instructor...I don't! (Shh...don't tell anyone...) I would go in there with my mind wide open, ready to learn. I mean, flying is flying...but I have heard Military flying is a whole 'nother ball game. Going 215 kts in a King Air VS. Mach 2.0 in a Military jet...its a little different. But anyway, I am getting off track here.

I guess the moral of the story is, that I am not joking on the matter. I take my flying very seriously. (to a point...ya gotta squeeze fun in there) Sorry if I offended anyone in the service or who has served in the past.

Lax

rickair7777

Your CFI experience will help you...but if nobody at UPT ever remembers you have that background, that would be good. It will be in your record of course, but don't flaunt it, or some IP might decide to adjust your attitude...


I don't think you have a bad attitude however...and OCS should fix any residual cockiness you may have...lol

Laxrox43

Hahahaha, thanks Rick

TankerDriver

Some of us military types get our undies in a wad when someone with civilian time comes across thinking it may help him/her in UPT, even though it most likely will, you just can't act like it will.

I agree with what rickair7777 says above. When and if you get to UPT, just don't talk about your prior flight time much. You don't have to lie, but just avoid it like the plague. It will definitely help you as long as you're willing to learn more (much more). Whether the Air Force (your AF IP's at UPT that is) give a crap or not about your prior time and they probably won't, I garauntee it'll help you stick and rudder wise, instrument wise, overall airmanship wise, SA wise, etc... than the guy/gal coming in with their 40 hours of IFT/PPL that never flew a day in their life before hand. There were 4 guys in my class with about 4000 civilian hours combined (all CFII/MEI's) and were ranked 1, 2, 3 and 4 upon track select. Not a coincidence and all the other prior time students I knew at the time all did well also.

I would advise against active duty also. As someone said above, it's not just a flying job and depending on what airframe you end up getting, you may only fly a few times a month. Go Guard if you like to fly. It'll allow you to seek commercial flying opportunities also.

DaveP2

Tanker Driver pretty much hit it on the head.

Another thing to consider is if you want to just fly or get into the "well rounded" officer mentality that ususally means a staff tour, deployment and other non-flying duties that will get in the way of being a pilot. The Guard and Reserves are a much better way to go if you want to get more flying experience and less "leadership opportunities" in that you usually have more control over your life, unless your unit gets activated.

I'm getting ready to retire after 24 years of combined enlisted, academy cadet and officer life and can tell you that if you do go active duty, your promotion will depend on many factors other than how good a pilot you are. If you just want to do a "touch and go" with the AF and get training and flying experience while in pursuit of a civilian job, I think you should stay away from the active duty ranks and go Guard/Reserve, you'll have a much better chance of being a "line swine" pilot (like I wish I was ).

Either way though, it's not a bad way to go, just make sure you go in with your eyes open and ask a LOT of questions before you sign on the dotted line.

Good Luck to you.

Laxrox43

DaveP2,

What about being an instructor? I know a retired AF instructor - he said it was the time of his life. I believe he was an instructor for 10+ years. What do you think?

IPAMD11FO

There are numerous opportunities for instructor assignments. Depending on your class rank, you could instruct at a UPT base right after pilot training. You could also instruct on a major weapons system after gaining experience on the aircraft. This could be at your operational squadron or the weapons system training unit. You most likely will have at least one instructor tour during your career.

P-3Bubba

No offense taken. TankerDriver is right when he says that we can get our undies in a bunch with such light civilian talk, and he offers good advice about keeping things on the down low about your experience. You'll do fine at OCS and UPT and going Guard is what I should have done. HA!

DaveP2

The instructor gig is pretty good in that your home life is usually much better; the schoolhouse IP's (which I am currently) don't fly overseas missions frequently if at all.

BUT... if you want to get promoted, you still have to do the non-flying BS that shows your interest in advancement (Professional Military Education, or PME; staff/office tours, etc).

I have no doubt that your friend had a good time, but ask him about promotion opportunities versus being just a line pilot and doing nothing else.

Again, as long as you know what you're getting into, the life can be pretty good in the military.

Golden Flyer

In the USAF, how long do you guys have to serve before actually taking a flight? Do reserves get to fly as well?