redrumracer

I have about 2 years left before I graduate college and ill be 27 when I do. I was wondering if this age is to late to start a military career or not? Unfortunately my school doesn't have and ROTC program nor do they have an agreement for me to be able to go to a college near by that does have a program. Also how hard would it be for me to get a flight spot? Thank you in advance for any answers.

ugleeual

Usually the maximum age for flight training is 29 (double check with recruiter)... other option is going to the Air National Guard... they normally allow above 29. I would talk to an Officer Training School or Air National Guard recruiter for specifics.

redrumracer

I thought about ANG but I really wanna go full time and possibly retire or go on to achieve my ultimate goal of being an astronaut. If that doesn't happen then I would be more than happy to retire and be an airline pilot. As long as I'm flying I'll be happy.

chignutsak

Look at the big picture. If you mean a traditional 20 year career with all the current day bennies, you might want to think twice. This nation's current fiscal situation all but guarantees BIG future cuts from the pie, including the military's portion. Those who currently serve are probably okay, but those who join say a couple of years down the road may have quite the different retirement package.

FlyBoyd

1- Thank you for wanting to serve.

2- You may be a little late in life to achieve all the goals you have listed above. Call an officer recruiter and get things started. The odds are long, but don't let that deter you.

3- If it doesn't work out, there are plenty of places to refocus your desire to serve and make the world a better place.

USMCFLYR

I'll agree with FlyBoyd - thank you for wanting to serve.

As far as being an astronaut - you do have a few hurdles in front of you with your timing in getting into military aviation and your ultimate goal. With the cancellation of the shuttle program, NASA has turned from manned space travel for the near future (and that means *near* in gov't/space terms).

Good luck in the future though.

USMCFLYR

rickair7777

The guard/reserves has traditionally not been the best route to NASA since military pilots invariably have to qualify as test pilots before NASA will look at them and I don't think that's available to many (if any) reservists.

But with shuttle gone, they will might open up to hiring more people without TPS background since pure aviation skills will not be as crucial on a space capsule.

But I have heard another side of that debate too...orbital maneuvering certainly requires stick-and-rudder skills of a different sort and pilots have a good foundation on which to build those skills. Since the shuttle replacement will have 3 (maybe 4) astronauts vice 7 on shuttle the end result might be hiring MORE, not fewer, TPS grads since if they decide they need TPS grads they will probably want two on each mission. This would mean that 66% would have to be military TPS types. This would result in fewer science types which is probably not a direction NASA would want to go.

As a guard guy (especially fighters) you might be able to take advantage of this by pursuing a civilian career in academia or R&D while building quality pilot time. If they find themselves in the position of needing more pilots at the expense of the academics they want, it might fall right in your lap.

This assumes you can pass the exhaustive physical exams when the time comes.

flyn2001

Get a pilot slot
Graduate top 1-2 in T-6's (track 38's)
Graduate top 1-2 in T-38's (for fighter)
Graduate top 1-2 in IFF
Kick a$$ in your fighter unit
- think 4-ship flight lead
- as many hours as possible
Do civilian higher education early
- science (engineering?)
Do PME early (online & residence)
Max your PFTs...always
Volunteer for everything (mil & civ)
Apply for TPS every chance you get
DON'T step on the backs of your bro's to do any of this....or you will only succeed in becoming "that guy"!

If you can do all that...and grad from TPS...you will be one step closer to your astronaut goal....but in the meantime, you will have created a very successful military career and made a lifetime's worth of friends and connections!

Being a military aviator is an awesome opportunity dude! To strap one of the AF's machines to your body and complete an aerial mission for our country is something many aspire to do, but never get the chance!

Me...i'm just a C-17/T-6 dude, but I love what I've done, seen and accomplished...and i've got the coolest buds in the world!

ANG/Res are a great way to go....I wish I would have known about them from the start....but might make the TPS part more challenging to obtain.

UAL T38 Phlyer

All have offered great advice; this sums it nicely...a lot of hoops to line-up for TPS/astronaut.

Only things I would say different: you have to start UPT before you turn 30. As long as you are in class Day 1 at age 29, you are OK. Had a student a few years back who started at 29, got cancer(), was out for a year, and re-instated. He was 31 by then.

Age waivers for the Guard and Reserve were never easy, but are very difficult these days, from what I have seen/heard.

Finally, as far as the future military and budget cuts, I think you would be safer from overall cuts active-duty than in the Reserves/Guard. If you start as an Active guy, it is generally easier to try and find a Guard/Reserve unit, than go from a Guard/Reserve unit that closes to Active Duty.

redrumracer

I appreciate all the advise that was given. Also by full time I meant active duty. I didn't mean to confuse some by what I meant. As far as the money goes that's not really a motivating factor for me in my decision to want and go into the military. Its more based on my family has been in the military for several generations now. I actually liked the lifestyle; aside from my dad being gone for at least 6 months at a time. In case your wondering he was ATC for 20 years.