djrogs03

Hey guys,

I'm 24 years old and have been flying now for almost 9 years. I'm curently flying an RJ900 for a Delta Connection carrier. Furlough is legitamately on the horizon for me and I'm not sure how long it's going to last...my guess is at least enough time to run out of unemployment bennies. I've thought about joining the military for sometime now as a Pilot. I meet all the qualifications but have yet to take the AFOQT. I have taken the ASVAB several times and have scored very well. I have been surrounded with a few guys in the cockpit that fly for the reserves or were one time active duty. They seem to highly tout the military and their training programs. All say, I would do very well. I have family that are pilots in the military and love it. One of my best friends is going through UPT right now and is very informative about whats going on...

My biggest thing right now is I need a challenge. While I know this is a huge commitment (10 years). I'm tired of being stuck at my employer making subpar wages, and no upgrade in sight. I've always been one to push myself and be thourghly involved. The rank structure the military offers I think would provide the challenge. My love for flying could be also met.

There are however a few things that worry me:

One, Physically I'm in good shape 6'0" weighing about 160...
The only bad thing is I've had both knees disloacted (8 years ago) but havent had problems since...I have had left shoulder problems with it popping in and out of place from time to time...I've heard a few stories of friends from college that accepted money to dequal later and have to go the enlisted route to pay it off

Idealy I would like to fly transport category aircraft C-17 would be right up my ally...but I know how the selection process works with UPT.

Currently I'm sitting at 1450 hours. With a CMEL CFII

10 years is a little worrysome, I've heard it doesn't start until training is over...but my main concern is having some sort of retirement down the road.

For those out there that have any advice I'm definately all ears.

Slice

Search the board, lots of info here. Guard/reserves is the way to go if you're already flying for a living. 10 years from wings + 1 year of UPT + AMS/OTS and breaks in between. You're looking at 11.5-12 years total. First thing you need to do is get the AFOQT and BAT(or whatever they call it now) done. Without it, you can't get very far.

rickair7777

If this stuff doesn't really bother you or would keep you from doing an obstacle course then it should not matter. However...it would be best if none of it ever happened, if you take my meaning. If you have scars, then you can't get around it of course and may get DQed. But if you can get the job done, the military doesn't REALLY care about the details as long as they are not documented....wink, wink, nod, nod. But they will make the medical determination up front before you commit, so you might as well try.


I'm 100% certain that this cannot happen for honest training failures. This would ONLY apply to academy/rotc scholarship students who get 3-4 years of education and then either decline their commission of flunk out of college...in that case they have an enlisted commitment to repay their scholarship.

If you join as an officer, you will stay an officer. In most cases if you have a flight slot you can get out immediately if you wash out of flight training (read the fine print)

Wheels up

Go for it. I think you'll find that military flying is way more interesting and rewarding than a RJ for a lowpay commuter outfit.

Washout rates for already experienced pilots is extremely low, and when it does, has almost everything to do with attitude rather than aptitude. In pilot training, they will respect your basic skills, but one thing YOU will have to do is relax your civilian bias and learn to fly the military way. You'll find it more regimented, but also much more challenging skill-wise.

I'd recommend going active duty rather than ANG or Reserve. You can always go to them later.

Slice

Why would you recommend AD? Is it to throw away a seniority number at an airline that can be used to enhance the shot at a major later? Because you don't know what you're flying until you graduate? So you can get an ALFA tour somewhere along your 10 year hitch? So you chance getting a UAV out of UPT which will kill your airline career aspirations? Horrible advice in my opinion for someone already flying Part 121. You can always go AD later, the other way around isn't nearly as easy!

BravoBackup

at McChord AFB (C-17s) did the exact same thing. He was Chitaqua (sp?) and got furloughed. He decided to join the AF and went through all the hoops and ended up in a C-17. He's doing very well. Though he had a lot of experience prior to entering the C-17 he was never arrogant about it and went about learning the C-17. His experience has helped him get ahead in terms of situational awareness, radios overseas and general flying ability but there are still some politics to the job when it comes to upgrades (as with any job in the AF). He seems to enjoy it and is definitely liking the job security factor. I say go for it. 10 years seems like a long time, but if you're looking for retirement then that's only half way. The 10 years starts after UPT. There are a number of folks coming back on active duty rom the reserves and from the airlines for the security factor.

rickair7777

I agree that guard is the way to go, but you do not give up your airline seniority if you go regular AD.

You can be absent from any single employer for up to five years of voluntary military duty.

However, there are numerous exceptions to the five year clock and one of them is an initial active duty contract, plus the time required to complete initial training, plus any incurred training obligation. Two years of training, plus ten years commitment gets you to 12 years for sure...then I believe you get another five years of voluntary absence on top of that. So you can go to 17 years without losing your airline number...by then you should know what you really want to do when you grow up.

Slice

You sure about all that Rick? I don't know if anything beyond 5 years after RTU would work...good question for the ESGR

blastoff

Ya, I don't buy it either.

If he could Palace Chase before 5 years, then that would be pretty slick...and lucky.

El Guapo

You'd be insane to go AD vs ANG/Res. You can decide which airframe in which city. Go AD and you might find yourself at a desk with a joystick.