CFI wanting to go into the Military
 

Hey guys,

I wanted to ask what my chances would be if i wanted to go into the military and be a pilot? I'm currently a Flight Instructor but i only have 400 hours. I'm a senior in college. I'm not looking for a fighter jet job but a cargo job, lie flying the c-130's, c-5's, etc. i highly appreciate your feedback. I really don't know where to start.

Thank You

I joined the Military after being a CFI and now I fly A-10's. It's definitely doable but it will take you a while to get in. It took me 1.5 years after seeing a recruiter for the first time until I went to officer school. I'd suggest going to the Guard or Reserve. That way you will know excatly where you'll live, what you'll fly and you can have an airline job too. You need to see a recruiter for officers and let them know you are intrested in a pilot slot or start looking into guard units. Good luck.

Swing by your local ROTC detachment and ask questions. You're probably past the point of joining unless you want to go to grad school, but it's a place to start asking questions face to face. Then look for the nearest OFFICER recruiter (vs standard recruiter, you're not looking to enlist, you're looking for a commission). And never forget the powers of google Officer Training - Opportunities in the U.S. Air Force - AirForce.com.

You can start by proofreading, you're supposedly a senior in college.

I guess they don't teach those guys how to use an apostrophe anymore.

Yes, I know several people who have done this. All else being equal your flying background might provide you with a leg up, most applicants have no flight experience. Check out baseops.net, but read before posting...

Hi Pima,
I'm a regional captain that went through the process recently - got hired by a C-130 unit (was an FO when hired) and am now in the process of fighting a medical disqualification. First you need to decide if you want to go active duty or Air National Guard/Air Force Reserves. If you decide on the latter, there was a similar thread some months ago where I wrote a detailed post:
http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/mi...e-reserve.html
I don't think it really matters how many hours you have as long as you can convey your passion and motivation. Obviously if you have zero hours and you're talking about how passionate you are about flying that makes no sense but that's not your case. Every unit may have different criteria they are looking for. My unit made it clear that the most important thing they were looking for is the person as a whole. That being said, I was the most experienced candidate they hired but that may just have been coincidence, I don't know. (others were CFIs or not actively flying.. I'm sure the latter would not look as competitive though.)
You're obviously young so at least you have many years to achieve this (UPT by age 30 to be exact). I, too, started the process in my last semester of college and here I am 4.5 years later I've still not even begun training. :rolleyes:
For many people though if they stay persistent the process can be a lot shorter so don't be discouraged by my example.
Read the other thread, and please PM me if you have additional questions about where to start.

That thread was full of valuable information. You should definitely take a look at it. Also, make sure you're joining the Military because of a desire to serve your country.

About 1 in a million.

YouTube - Dumb and Dumber 'There's a Chance'

Thank's for your help guys

It all depends on your personality.

If you are a good dude that is laid back, gets along with others, has a good personality and sense of humor, likes to have a good time, but is willing to work hard to get the job done, then you should join the Guard.

On the other hand, if you are a toolbag and think you are the greatest thing since sliced bread, then you should fly lawn darts in the active duty.

Spoken like a true Herbivore. Sour grapes?

No regrets or jealousy here. Just one man's observation after 20+ years in the Guard. (heavy driver and proud of it)

Nothing to Prove
 

One would think with 20+ years in the Guard, you'd have more of a clue. How many fighter guys have you ever heard running around saying, "On the other hand, if you are a toolbag and think you are the greatest thing since sliced bread, then you should fly heavies in the guard." Now tell me who's the toolbag. The kid isn't even interested in a fighter job, so why bring it up in the first place? I know...just another shot at starting another fighter vs heavy thread. Just another man's observation. I wish I hadn't posted #12. I'm almost ashamed to admit I bit.

I was trying to be humorous, but I feel there is some truth to my statement.

Generally, the "fighter mafia" is a lot different than the heavy world.

Hopefully the original poster will find a good fit.

If I hurt your feelings, then I apologize.

My Mistake
 

My mistake then. Just didn't see the humor in it as written. Next time try a little smiley face, wink, etc to show intent. I'm always up for a little "intra-service" rivalry. You didn't hurt my feelings at all. I have a pretty thick skin. It just struck me as another typical whiny heavy driver bi@tching about the cocky smart @ss sky god fighter jocks.:D Proud fighter jock with 20+ years active duty (including a stint at numbered AF IG inspecting Guard and Reserve units). Yea...I know..."We're here to help"....and "We're glad you're here!" I almost ended up as a Guard Adviser before retiring.

I have taken an oath never to use an emoticon.

Too bad you did not do the Guard Adviser job. I have a few friends that did it and they all said it was a great experience.

"So you're telling me there's a chance. YEAH!!!!!!"

I Know
 

I loved working with the Guard and Reserves. Between my NAF/IG tour and the other job I did at the NAF, all I did was work with gained units. It was a tough choice not to, but I ended up going a different path to retirement. Turned out to be the best move for me. I think I would have liked the Adviser job more except for the fact that it would have meant ANOTHER deployment to the sandbox. At that point in my career, I just wanted to fly, be current and retire (without going remote or to the sandbox again).

The flying experience is a small part of the package for the AD side. Sure it may give you a very slight edge - but it's not exactly a grandslam in the 9th to win the game.

The Guard seems to put a little more on the prior flight experience than say AD Navy, but in the AD AF it is actually factored into a test score (I think the max hours are 200 or something). Of course, there is also a certain Guard unit that doesn't like to hire guys with more than 60hrs - they say they've learned bad habits...but others say they like to see guys that have a flying job already - guess it just depends.

Either way like someone said, baseops.net is a good place to start for the AD AF, Guard, AF Reserve and airwarriors.com is a good place for AD Navy and USMC.

Good luck either way.

I've been working with an AD recruiter for a few weeks now and she says the chances are a little better than that. Of the non-prior applicants there was a selection rate of just over 30% last year.

In my case she said there was a selection rate of over 70%. I am prior a prior service crew chief with flight ratings. I think the biggest factor in who gets picked up is how personable you are and how persistent.

Hope this helps a little. Your chances of getting picked up are a little better with AD I would think.

The only thing you can do is your best. Don't take no for an answer. If you run into a medical glitch, ask and get a second opinion. Keep your nose clean. No alcohol or drug hits. Get in the best shape you can, not only for yourself, but for your job. Do some community service. Work on your resume and get some quality references. Get the best grades you can in your senior year. Keep bugging the hell out of the local recruiter. Remember, most local recruiters ENLIST people not COMMISSION them as officers. If he is promising that you'll attend pilot training, run, run as fast as you can. Nobody can do that. Go see your local R.O.T.C. recruiter anyways. You never know what stupid program the chair force has running these days. Keep flying but don't put yourself in debt. Even is R.O.T.C. can't help you, they know who can and perhaps might recommend you. Don't be afraid to ask for something. Debt is bad anyways and it also can hurt your security clearance. CFI is good, but remember, the chair force doesn't hire pilots, it hires leaders. Oh yeah, DON'T join if you can't handle not being sent to UPT and end up flying a desk as a cop, maintenance officer, or even worse a paper pusher in finance. It doesn't care about your desire to fly. The needs of the chair force come first -- even if you are the best candidate at the right place and right time. Never forget, assuming you do get in, the officer corps and senior enlisted corps is all about politics. Watch your back, fly like someone is always recording your every move, and maybe someday you'll have a clean record and you can fly the friendly skies.

Anything just message me. :)

You have no clue dude.

A wise commander once told me to be 1. humble 2. approachable 3. credible.

You have none of the above. And yes, I loved flying the Viper. And yes, I was in the guard. And no, I didn't think I was the greatest thing since sliced bread, but I loved the mission and loved what I did. And my active duty brethren are just as talented and sharp a group of pilots.

Very well said.

I'm more than a bit familiar with the current USAF pilot training act, and conversant with regards to the flight screening program. Shoot me a note if you've got questions.

And having flown big airplanes, fighters, and trainers, I'll say there's all kinds in all communities. A smattering of jerks and a preponderance of good ones throughout. Sort of like the rest of life, but better.

A little sensitive today Scrap?