A lot of good points here. My two cents... I've accomplished some pretty cool things in my life that I could take pride in, but nothing compares to having served my country. It's not an "I've got nothing better to do" type of commitment. Having said that, you don't know where the ride will take you. You might join thinking "fighters or bust" and discover you want something else come selection time. Or, you might not get your choice. It's about your work ethic, aptitude, and a healthy dose of luck. Some who join thinking it's just a route to the airlines stay for a long career, and some who join for a career leave at the first chance. You'll be associated with the finest people you'll ever be around. The military is a large bureaucracy that will probably break your heart... repeatedly. Flying is not your primary job once you hit "the fleet". One last thing about training. I'm not the most gifted aviator around by any stretch, but most of the guys going through training when I did found it difficult. Attrition in the sea services probably runs around 20% and I've heard it's even higher in the AF. However, once you've got your wings, checkrides in the USN/USMC tend to be pretty laid back.

Just my experience.

Mmmm... not so much.
... and it's one word: "somewhat".

This is the one thing that I was not prepared for as a doe-eyed, fired-up, Captain-America-type new O-1.

It's no wonder by the time guys are wearing oak leaves, they're usually salty, cynical, crachety bastards.

Two cents from an old fart. I was in the Navy probably during the lowest morale point (Carter years, post Viet Nam) in recent history. Would I do it again, even after 20000 hours of civilian flying? In a heartbeat, even remembering those years on active duty. Perhaps have forgotten some of the not so great times, as we all tend to do, but overall.....the best experience of my 58 years. I envy the guys that were on active duty post Carter. Even post Tailhook years. Man, even in the reserves (non flying) we got hit with the post Tailhook inquisitions. Being part of something bigger than oneself has lasting meaning.

Love it, but don't like it..
 

This sounds counterintuitive, but it's true. You may notice from my name that I've been lucky enough to fly the mighty Hog and rain hate from the skies against our nation's enemies. From a senior-captain (O-3) active duty perspective I love my job and being in the military... proud to serve, God and Country, all the rah-rah stuff. I'm living my childhood dream. Pay is comfortable, medical care is awesome, wife, kid, dog, house, nice cars.

That being said, I'm exploring my options outside of the military, as are a lot of my peers. Deployment cycles suck. I missed two out of three Halloweens, Christmas, and New Years in a row. I could also get non-volunteered to go live in the middle of Kerplakistan in tent or plywood shack for a year. When I'm home, I work 12 hrs a day and have to go to the squadron on Sunday to prepare for the week. The paperwork to flying ratio is out of control. If flying the jet wasn't so fun, I'd have been out long ago. And here's the kicker.. at any given time, I could get assigned to a UAV, never to return to the cockpit. Scary stuff, man. That would put a damper on my lifetime flying plan.

Additionally, the Air Force is looking to kick people out. Not necessarily pilots, but lots of other career fields are getting the ax. Retiree pay / healthcare is a huge expense, and big blue is looking for ways to get you to not stay in. Reference the earlier comment about being prepared for the military to break your heart several times.

So, love it.. yes. Like it... no.

I'm missing my 5th Halloween in a row and will most likely miss my 4th Turkey day, Xmas and New Years in a row this year. That part may not be much better on the outside(depending on seniority), FWIW.

Othat than that, I hear you on the 1 year unaccompanied, the deployments, the long hours, paperwork and possible UAVs. Thanks for your service.

thank you
 

Thanks for your support!

I know I'm getting a lot more message traffic from my buddies on active duty. All of them are sick of 5/twelves and being considered "not a team player" if they would rather spend time with their families than spend their weekends at work! A now that the A.F. has bumped up the deployments to 6 months...they are ready for a change.

Lots of families being torn apart with the current Ops tempo. Remember who is going to be there at the end of your 20. Take care of your family first, because the A.F. has no problem dropping you at any given time!

Well put.

Very true.

Allot of good info here guys its much appreciated. Its exactly what I wanted to know.