Pretty similar to the USAF, except I believe they went to a 10 year commitment at some point. It may have gone back down to 8 years. A search of threads in the mil section on APC will give you the answer for those who want to know.

The old adage is don't think you're going to fight the next war like the last one was fought. I'd say the same logic could apply to going to the airlines. The reason I say that is because when I was a 2Lt in the AF I saw pilots getting out and going to the airlines in '90 and in the end things appear to have worked out pretty well for them. Flash forward to '99/'00 and the guys who got out didn't fare quite so well. So if you ask guys like me and Chinabug we'll say our experience was that staying in for 20 was well worth it: we have a guaranteed retirement check coming in every month and tricare. Both make the transition to the airlines much easier, and if a furlough comes down the pike we're better prepared to deal with it. However, if payrates go up and the military situation changes (much can happen in 10 to 20 years) then this model may no longer hold true. So take in the info, but realize the only certainty is change. My $0.02.

 

She may have well been straight with you; why push you to not stay in, right? Back when I was in ROTC I didn't sign the line which is dotted until 1 week before graduation. My circumstances were not standard, however. But what did stand out was they told USAF ROTC students what they were going to get before the signed up whereas ARMY ROTC students found out after commissioning what they were getting (Transportation Corps, Armour, Air Cav, Chemical Corps, Infantry, etc.). That made Army a no-go for me.

 

NCR:

If I read this right, you already have a Bachelor's Degree. If so, ROTC is not an option. Neither is the Academy.

The only option for those pursuing the USAF as an officer, post-college, is OTS. If you want to go Air Guard or Reserve, they have a similar OTS system.

Pilot slots are primary given to the Academy and ROTC; usually, OTS fills the missing spaces (guys who can't pass the medical, change their minds about flying, etc). Sometimes OTS has lots of slots; other times, not so much.

Active-duty flying training commitments are, I believe, universal for the Air Force, Navy, and Marines, at 10 years. I do not know about the Army and helicopters.

For the Guard and Reserves, they can't tie you down as securely to 10 years (since the members are usually part-timers), but they make it so if you try to leave early, you will never get another military flying job....nor a positive recommendation for a civil flying job.

Since you have your heart set on flying a tanker, I would pursue a Guard or Reserve unit that flies them. Keep in mind, saying "I only want to join to fly, nothing else" will not weigh favorably. They are looking for people to support the mission, not an obvious attempt to get some heavy time then bail for something else.

Last thought: when I joined, I wanted to fly 4-engine heavies and do minimum time to go to an airline job. A funny thing happened along the way: I found out I loved yanking and banking and flying upside-down. I felt pride in my uniform and serving my country. I still got an airline job.

And I'm back in the Air Force, yanking and banking, because it is still more fun (and a better-paying job) than the airlines.

Good luck.

 

Thanks UAL..... maybe I've talked to you in person in the past.

 

"Toys"? What!?

The only way you can get any notion of being slightly guaranteed an airframe is to go apply for a Guard/Reserve hiring board. I say slightly, because until you're actually siting in the aircraft, nothing is "guaranteed" and many things can happen in between (i.e. Brac, you, etc). Like UPTme said... you either want to serve or you don't.

ROTC - they have a Master's program at (some) schools... depending on your age, etc.

All of the post ROTC paths (OTS/Guard/Reserve) get extremely competitive as time goes on. It gets so competitive that if a recruiter is trying to talk you into be a pilot... for some reason he/she likes you and wants to help you.

 

I took the AFOQT at Arizona State University's ROTC Det. so that I may apply to guard units. The ROTC commander, after seeing my scores, made a brief attempt at getting me to go for my masters so that I could be in ROTC at ASU. I politely said 'thanks, but no thanks', but I guess that shows that ASU is at least one school where you could do ROTC while working on a masters degree. Food for thought.

 

Thanks for all the information. I just want one thing known (due to a previous post made that looks like it was deleted by the mods).

I want to serve but I want to do so in a flying roll. This is not meant as a bash to anyone currently in uniform serving in other branches/rolls.

*** EDIT ***
Looks like it popped up again, see below.

 

How has this thread gone on for so long? We have a guy posting that he "ONLY WANTS TO FLY TANKERS LOL" and that he cannot stand the thought of serving through anything other than flying. He is simultaneously insulting every non-rated Officer in the USAF (and come to think of it, also insulting all navigators and ABM's) while giving pilots a bad name. You have the "Officer first, pilot second" mentality so horribly screwed up, but what makes it worse is that people are actually looking past that and giving you ADVICE.

 

Not me... PLEASE do not join the military. If you are not committed to being a military officer FIRST.. and then a pilot... even if you get there you are not going to be very happy. Even in Guard units but certainly in AD units you are going to have additional duties.. and in 10 years post "winging" probably going to get popped for a non-flying tour. That and the fact that many of todays UPT grads are getting UAV's....

My brother was AD Navy Pilot for 20 years... in that time he had 3 non flying tours... and one of those was before he hit 10 years... so dont think it cant happen. I did nearly 8 on active duty ( less commitment back then ) and did a wing staff job during that time that curtailed my flying for a year.....its not all about being in the cockpit.
If your ONLY reason for flying is to fly and then move on to "greener" pastures..please go another route.

 

As far as AD,listen to what Herc says! If you just want to fly, then join the Guard! Become a part-timer and enjoy "just being a pilot," for the military...it's a great gig. Your additional duty will be your civilian job!

Do you have something against Tankers? Seems like a good gig! This is a pilot forum...most of the pilots that I knew, just wanted to fly for the Air Force.

Who cares...

I have nothing for people who get offended by such trivial things! Really you're insulted because a guy says he wants to only be a pilot. He didn't say that you suck because you're a mx officer, that was just your chosen path. I have great respect for all jobs in the military, except ammo...they suck! . But, if you have some underlying sense of inadequacy because you're not a pilot, that's your problem! (not necessarily directed at you d3c0y...just shoe clerks that have it out for pilots)

note: ammo joke is from my enlisted day...don't get your panties in a wad!

As do most of us when we joined the military to be pilots. I know, all I wanted to do is fly...still feel the same way. But as with most of us, we figure it out and change our thinking. But as a punk, it's his job to fly his a$$ off, learn, and be the best pilot he can. All the other stuff will fall into place later in his career.