WWYD??
 

Hypothetically speaking, if you had a choice....would you take an assignment to fly C-37's (G-5) at MacDill (Tampa) or C-40's (BBJ) at Ramstein, Germany??

If anyone on here has/is assigned to either of these, would you be willing to share some pro's/con's? Amount of flying, lifestyle, family considerations, etc..etc...

Thanks.

Personally, I'd go for Ramstein, but a lot depends on your situation. Are you married? Kids? What rank? Career goals?

I was stationed at Ramstein for 3 1/2 years and loved it. Traveled all over Europe with my wife. Lots of good flying to unusual places. However, some won't like it if they have small kids -- plenty of folks do it and adapt, but a lot of folks find it easier stateside with small kids.

Macdill has CENTCOM, so if you are more senior and want to go the joint staff route there may be some options there for you. If you don't have those aspirations, there may also be some (involuntary) options there for you.

Good luck with the decision.

Remember MacDill is home to Central Command, Central Command is running ops in Afghanistan,,,thats where you'll be going to!

I'm a 2000 yr grp'er, currently on the Staff...so not too worried about going to CentCom.

Yeah...married w/ 3 kids. 8, 6, 2.

I've heard that Germany could b difficult w/ kids also. I know MD would be great, but the opportunity to live OS, as a C17 guy, doesn't happen often.

Thanks guys.

Long range thought--G5 time and rating is a guaranteed job in retirement. Then again, if SW ever hires the 737 rating is good. BBJ jobs, not so much.

GF

I would take Ramstein in a heartbeat. I'm currently at MacDill and I'd rather be in Germany. I grew up as a Brat overseas, and the opportunity for you and your family to travel is awesome. Your kids are young enough that if you place them in a local school they will be fluent in German before you leave. Even if you place them in a DODDS School you will still be able to take them to actually see the history that all kids have to study in school (Normandy, Castles, Paris, Italy...)

If you support CENTCOM, you'll be on the road a lot, maybe a lot more than you think. There's more than meets the eye here, nuff said.

As to the future...if you'd like to fly corporate, as others have said the G time is golden. But I'd start networking the day you arrive.

If you're airline bound and would be happy as a career FO at SWA, then 73 time and type would certainly help.

Probably best to do some research if you haven't already and try to decide whether you'd lean towards airlines or corporate, and use that to inform your decision.

I would say do what you want to do, not what you think you should do.

If it were me, I'd take the kids to Germany and give them the experience.

Anfd Jill Kelly's parties :)

I wish I could have the dilema to choose between those two assignments....




I'd take the C-37