peauxdunk

I love flying and want a career out of it regardless of pay/glamor/lifestyle. I have almost completed my 4 yr degree and have been giving strong consideration into going into the Military service for a good many years.

My degree is not in an aviation field, but specialized in Network Telecommunications. One concern I have is I'm worried that with this degree specialization, I will stuck in a flight engineer position and will not be able to fly. I am also curious however of how the military handles any already licenses/ratings. Does it make a considerable difference to get as much as you can done before you go in, or should I invest the time in the military and earn it all through them?

I've read tons of articles and listened to recruiters but have never reached out to a forum before. I know there will be some overlap in what I have already read, but getting advice/opinions from real people is more appealing than an article. Thank you ahead of time.

Flying Boxes

DON'T TRUST A RECRUITERS! If you want to fly (airplanes) you must be an officer..... meaning four year degree and commisioning. Not signing up at the local strip mall recruiter!

Having PPL prior makes you a little more competitive, mainly because it shows interest in flying. Any benefit after that is really small, there are other areas you should concentrate on to be the most competitive. Being accepted into ROTC/OTS means a commision, not pilot training. Obviously it is very competitive! The military doesn't care what your degree is in, just that you have it. I know pilots that majored in polynesian studies to aero engineer.......they are all officers and pilots. Get the idea?!

WalkOfShame

If you don't get the pilot slot right away, go in as a flight engineer or load master. That way your still "flying" and its a lot easier to get the commission and slot once your on the "inside".

rickair7777

You will want to get a commission with a guaranteed pilot slot...if you have that you will not be reassigned to another specialty unless you fail to complete flight training for some reason.

Your major will only be relevant in the sense that it was a technical, which should give you a slight edge. If you wanted to, you could probably leverage that degree to do one of your non-flying tours in the growing cyber-warfare community.

peauxdunk

I was not clear on the ability to around once you are on the inside, or if it was even vaguely possible. I have looked into those 2 positions briefly and they do sound like a good hold over until I earn my way to the left seat.

It is a relief to know that degree can still some have influence over a career path. Does age play a huge factor in pilot as well (will be 25 upon committing) ?

rickair7777

Age has no affect on your career, but it can have a huge affect on your getting a pilot slot in the first place. The age cutoff is usually 28, and you must be in UPT the day you turn 28. they sometimes extend this to 30 or so when they need folks, and sometimes you can get a waiver. Also the different services may have different age cutoffs on any given day (I think the army is low thirties right now). The correct answer varies depending on service and what day of the week it is. Only a an officer recruiter (not the guy in the strip mall) can give you a straight answer.

For this reason, nobody should suggest you go nav, flight engineer, or loadmaster without asking your age first. By the time you complete training for one of those specialties, you would be pushing age 28. For that reason I would suggest focusing on getting a pilot slot. You MIGHT consider joining your local ANG unit as a non-rated (non-flying) officer. This would allow you get commissioned and complete OCS (or whatever the AF calls it). This would get you quickly into the system so you could meet some people, plus you would have the background screening and OCS out of the way.

If you want fixed-wing consider USAF, USAFR, and ANG and maybe Navy/USMC. If you are OK with helicopters, look into Navy/USMC and Army (active, reserve, and army guard).

Standard disclaimer: Make sure you are highly motivated to serve your country as an officer. In my book it's OK to go into the military to get training for a civilian career, but be prepared to live up to the standards while you are there.

Check out baseops.net

FlyBoyd

and www.airwarriors.com

Rawhide16

Unless it has changed since I went through the process about 4 years ago, the Air Force age cutoff is 30 by UPT start date.

Giggity

I wouldn't throw this sentence around the majors board if I were you. Food for thought.

Cheers

crewdawg

This is correct. I also know of three guys with waivers to start at 31....rare, but they do happen. You must start UPT prior to your 30th b-day (unless you get a waiver).

Aviator77, nice avatar.

To the OP....pilot or bust! If you want to be a pilot go for it, don't let anyone talk you into being a loadmaster/FE/Nav. Apply to them all Active/Guard/Reserve....cough....GUARD! I can tell you that I have yet to hear a guard guy say, I wish I would have gone active duty. But I can't count how many times I have heard an active guy say, I wish I would have joined the guard.....food for thought!

Goodluck, it's an awesome job!