130drvr

Live near your guard/reserve unit, because you are more likely to change airline jobs in your lifetime than you are guard jobs. Plain and simple.

Gunpig

I saw this for the first time the other day... this is only for non-reimbursed expenses right? I can't imagine uncle sam allowing you to get mileage & perdiem and then letting you write it off!

Herkdrv

If you are activated and live outside of the commuting distance your unit will pick up the hotel tab.

bearcat

Well here is a little different view - I am an airline pilot and A-10 pilot. I was BRAC'd shortly after buying a house in a state that I didn't like and my wife couldn't get a job as a school teacher. After going through BRAC, I decided that I would fit the military into my life and not vice versa. I live 150 miles from my reserve unit and I commute from PHX to IAH. I have been doing this for over 1.5 years. My wife and I love where we live, we are not moving and I drive a piece of Jetta back and forth all the time. The airline commute isn't bad because there are 3 airlines to get me to my job, one is on the company that I work for.

How do I do it? That is simple. You either do it or you do not.

Advice - you need to live near your unit (sts) until you really know your job and the military - that takes years especially if you are in a fighter. Being part time is tough and will require dedication even away from the fight.

1Seat 1Engine

Some people seem to make it work no matter what...but...

As a fighter guy in the reserve I would always recommend living within driving distance of the military job.

Remember that your military job will sometimes require you to be at it when you're not flying. For example exercises or for required training of for just plain drill.

Also, depending on how flexible your guard or reserve job is, living close to it gives you the flexibility to pick up work days on short notice.

For example: today's sunday, I'm sitting at home, but I could run into the squadron (15 min drive) and knock out an OPR and an MSM that've been sitting in my in-box and log a UTA or GTP. At Lt Col's pay that's about $250 after tax for a 1/2 day's work.

Why add more nights in a hotel than you have too.

I'm lucky enough to have both in the same city. I commuted for a short time when I was junior in the airline and I HATED it.

XHooker

I've never seen a fighter guy pull off a double commute for any length of time. Driving to both makes life a whole lot easier. All true what you say about staying close to your reserve base. The caveat I'd add is that it's usually not as big a deal if you can't make it to a scheduled military event as it is not making it to your airline job.