Salty as a "3rd year FAIP", I love it.

I think you may have a slightly incorrect expectation level with respect to what life as a USAF pilot was going to entail if you're all ready concerned about this kind of stuff after your single tour in AETC.

You're probably hearing other instructors you fly with ***** about this kind of stuff, and it's understandable that you'd be joining in the chorus....but really, you haven't even experienced the tip of the iceberg with respect to what being a USAF pilot is all about. You have to be mindful of the reasons why those IPs you work with might have those attitudes.

Go get qualified to fly a real MWS and do an operational tour, and THEN you can develop some opinions about what sucks and does not suck about your (relatively cushy and well paid) career as a USAF pilot. The grass is NOT greener, I'm afraid.

 

+1 billion. USAF or Navy, the training command is not the fleet/operational. If there was one thing I realized, even as a student, the training commands can really be havens for the bitter and it only takes a few to really poison the climate. While they are far between, the moments that make it all worth it, really are there. Is that enough to keep guys in? That's a personal choice. Enjoy what you're doing now, be the best instructor you can be (because you WILL see your students in the future, and you're forming your rep now) and the rest will take care of itself.

 

My thoughts EXACTLY!!! +100

 

Appreciate the slams, comments, and advice. And I mean that in the most sincere un-sarcastic way possible. No offense taken. I may have come across as sounding bitter and unhappy, but I am very happy with my job as a pilot in the Air force and am very grateful for it. I'm just a guy who wishes he would have known about the Guard/Reserve before signing on the dotted line and if the opportunity ever arises whether it be early or at the end of my ADSC then I'm going to do my best to make the switch. And for the record there's much more to my reasons than just wanting to being a part timer, but a forum is not the place to discuss the family reasons and my family will always come first.

 

The most fun I've had was when I was the instructor on the MWS and a former FAIP in my UPT class came through the training program. He was one of those know it alls and azzholier. I kept it fair, but I did point out all of his mistakes just to make sure he knew he wasn't as perfect as he thought he was. And documenting it in his training folder was well worth the hours it took to write the training report.