CFI or military
08-30-2013, 10:33 AM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Aug 2013
Posts: 7
CFI or military
Hey everybody, I am a senior in school right now, currently in my 182 training for my commercial. I have had plans to get my multi-comm next then my CFI, I would love to teach, I am actually really good at teaching people everyday things and tasks. (I know an airplane is different but still! haha) I guess since I am graduating I have been in this mindset that I have so far to go, I will get stuck and have to work at a place I don't want to work at, I don't know. Just possibilities that I have thought because I let my mind wander too much. I am so in love with aviation is unreal, since I was a little boy flying to different states I just knew. Then coming to college 3 years ago and actually flying for the first time, whew let me tell you! I just knew.
Now the question is, I know that I want to be part of a team, I want to be a captain of a jet, teach kids to fly, do aerobatics, almost anything you could think of I want to do. BUT I have been told the military is starting to be in dire need of pilots because the airlines are taking all of the pilots. Just what I have heard, not sure if its true. But I am starting to do my research and being a pilot in the military is by all means a great idea, but difficult. I just am wondering if any of you veterans out there could give me some advice on what my best option would be. I am literally 50/50 on what I should do, military or CFI and instruct at an airport build up 1500 hrs, and probably go regional. Well, sorry for the novel ha. But I hope I can get some good advice. thanks for reading!
Now the question is, I know that I want to be part of a team, I want to be a captain of a jet, teach kids to fly, do aerobatics, almost anything you could think of I want to do. BUT I have been told the military is starting to be in dire need of pilots because the airlines are taking all of the pilots. Just what I have heard, not sure if its true. But I am starting to do my research and being a pilot in the military is by all means a great idea, but difficult. I just am wondering if any of you veterans out there could give me some advice on what my best option would be. I am literally 50/50 on what I should do, military or CFI and instruct at an airport build up 1500 hrs, and probably go regional. Well, sorry for the novel ha. But I hope I can get some good advice. thanks for reading!
08-30-2013, 11:04 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,192
The "shortage" of pilots in the military has been discussed in another thread in the military section. Suggested reading.
That said, if you want to be a pilot, you're going to need to get a four year college degree first.
That said, if you want to be a pilot, you're going to need to get a four year college degree first.
08-30-2013, 11:33 AM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2012
Posts: 109
Continue pursuing aviation on the private side. Start making plans for college. Regardless of the choice, you need to set having a college degree with a GPA greater than 3.0 as a must have item 4 years from now. (5 years from now if you just started your senior year)
Again, regardless - you need to set having a college degree as your priority.
Next, both the military and the airlines hire in big cycles. Right now the Marine Corps is paying jet pilots large sums of money to leave. 8 years ago, the Marine Corps was in crisis because they needed jet pilots, and came up with a program to send Navy pilots through Training Basic School, and mix some yellow into the blue to make green. Right now the Air Force is short on pilots, and offering very large bonuses for them to stay in.
Non of what is going on now will apply to you 5 years from now. It will be a different set of circumstances. Just understand everything moves in 5-10 year cycles. Find an ex military pilot about to retire from a legacy airline - they will tell you about the same crap that went on in the 70's or 80's.
If you think you want to serve, I would recommend setting it as a goal. There are too many commissioning programs to name, but every service has a lot of routes. Every service has a lot of options to pay for college.
Some of my peers went to the regionals instead of the military. They've subsequently made it to a legacy with several years of seniority under their belt (way ahead of me). Versus the guys/gals that went to the regionals 5 years after them, they've been stuck at the regional for a very long time.
Here is what I will say. I made the choice to leave active duty because it is not for me anymore. I have no regrets about serving, and would pick the same course if I had it to do over again. I've had some of the best times of my life, and made some great friends. 15 years from now when you are sitting around the camp fire with an adult rootbeer next to your buds, you will be proud of your choice. You will have great stories, that you simply can't get through civilian life.
Now that I am out and in the Reserves, there are a lot of options available to me, that wouldn't be there otherwise. If I find a flying reserve/guard unit that is hiring, and likes me, I can transfer between services, and move anywhere in the country. Without my current reserve job, and the healthcare insurance that comes with it, making this transition from the military would be next to impossible. Once I find an airline that likes me - if I am furloughed, I've got a fallback plan. The reserves have saved a lot of peoples bacon.
Again, regardless - you need to set having a college degree as your priority.
Next, both the military and the airlines hire in big cycles. Right now the Marine Corps is paying jet pilots large sums of money to leave. 8 years ago, the Marine Corps was in crisis because they needed jet pilots, and came up with a program to send Navy pilots through Training Basic School, and mix some yellow into the blue to make green. Right now the Air Force is short on pilots, and offering very large bonuses for them to stay in.
Non of what is going on now will apply to you 5 years from now. It will be a different set of circumstances. Just understand everything moves in 5-10 year cycles. Find an ex military pilot about to retire from a legacy airline - they will tell you about the same crap that went on in the 70's or 80's.
If you think you want to serve, I would recommend setting it as a goal. There are too many commissioning programs to name, but every service has a lot of routes. Every service has a lot of options to pay for college.
Some of my peers went to the regionals instead of the military. They've subsequently made it to a legacy with several years of seniority under their belt (way ahead of me). Versus the guys/gals that went to the regionals 5 years after them, they've been stuck at the regional for a very long time.
Here is what I will say. I made the choice to leave active duty because it is not for me anymore. I have no regrets about serving, and would pick the same course if I had it to do over again. I've had some of the best times of my life, and made some great friends. 15 years from now when you are sitting around the camp fire with an adult rootbeer next to your buds, you will be proud of your choice. You will have great stories, that you simply can't get through civilian life.
Now that I am out and in the Reserves, there are a lot of options available to me, that wouldn't be there otherwise. If I find a flying reserve/guard unit that is hiring, and likes me, I can transfer between services, and move anywhere in the country. Without my current reserve job, and the healthcare insurance that comes with it, making this transition from the military would be next to impossible. Once I find an airline that likes me - if I am furloughed, I've got a fallback plan. The reserves have saved a lot of peoples bacon.
08-30-2013, 01:17 PM
#4
Banned
Joined APC: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,822
No reason you can't build time, go to school (it's free), and be o. AD at the same time. Hell I did it. It was tough, but for me, worth it! Turned wrenches on Strikes for 9 years, taught the airplane for the last 4, while getting my degree, and flying pipeline.
Nothing like having a guaranteed job and roof over your head and a free education.
Good luck...
Nothing like having a guaranteed job and roof over your head and a free education.
Good luck...
08-30-2013, 01:48 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2008
Posts: 290
U.S. Army offers "High School to Flight School" with the Warrant Officer program. Awesome deal. Fly helos first and then put in for FW. When your 6 yr service commitment is up you can transfer to the CG, AF, or Navy (your wings transfer too). For example, even if you did all helo in the Army you can transfer AF FW Guard, Reserve, or Active duty. Same with the other services except CG (no reserve flying that I know of). Good luck!
09-02-2013, 08:59 AM
#9
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Aug 2013
Posts: 7
Haha, yea I am a senior in college, this is all great info everyone. Thank you for all giving me some advice on the military topic. And by the way I have a 2.9 gpa, hopefully this last year I can get to 3.0, kind of low. But it is what it is, I have been raising it every year now. Um but about the military, I have heard stories about pilots going to officer training and then never even flying. How does that work? Seems like such a gamble, but an awesome gamble. ha.
09-02-2013, 09:50 AM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2012
Posts: 109
If you are asking those questions, you have a lot of work ahead of you.
Go to: Baseops Military Aviation Forums for info about the AF + Guard
Go to: www.airwarriors.com for info about Navy/USMC/USCG
Please do yourself a favor, and spend a week or two reading and lurking before you ask any questions - they've all been asked before, and with a little research, you can find the answers.
But to answer your question specifically, each service has several commissioning programs. Once you pick one, you will have to sign a contract with the recruiter. The answer lies in the details of that specific contract.
I had an aviation contract with the USMC. Which meant that as long as I didn't poke my eye out going through OCS, and then through 6 months of TBS - they would send me to flight school. But I wasn't guaranteed anything except the opportunity to train. After primary training, everybody branches off to either helicopters, jets, or props - and it is based on performance + needs of the service, with a heavy emphasis on the needs of the service.
Some people go into a service with an open contract, which means they have to compete for their job. For example, when Navy ROTC students graduate, they will select pilot, surface warefare officer, submarine, etc...
As far as I know, the only way to be guaranteed a specific airframe is through the Air National Guard. You could walk in, get hired, and go to flight school with a guaranteed spot for the aircraft you want to fly. However; chances are high that some other college kids with a 3.1 are applying, and want the same deal. Right now you need to focus on the grades, and then do some research on the side.
Go to: Baseops Military Aviation Forums for info about the AF + Guard
Go to: www.airwarriors.com for info about Navy/USMC/USCG
Please do yourself a favor, and spend a week or two reading and lurking before you ask any questions - they've all been asked before, and with a little research, you can find the answers.
But to answer your question specifically, each service has several commissioning programs. Once you pick one, you will have to sign a contract with the recruiter. The answer lies in the details of that specific contract.
I had an aviation contract with the USMC. Which meant that as long as I didn't poke my eye out going through OCS, and then through 6 months of TBS - they would send me to flight school. But I wasn't guaranteed anything except the opportunity to train. After primary training, everybody branches off to either helicopters, jets, or props - and it is based on performance + needs of the service, with a heavy emphasis on the needs of the service.
Some people go into a service with an open contract, which means they have to compete for their job. For example, when Navy ROTC students graduate, they will select pilot, surface warefare officer, submarine, etc...
As far as I know, the only way to be guaranteed a specific airframe is through the Air National Guard. You could walk in, get hired, and go to flight school with a guaranteed spot for the aircraft you want to fly. However; chances are high that some other college kids with a 3.1 are applying, and want the same deal. Right now you need to focus on the grades, and then do some research on the side.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MoHoney
Flight Schools and Training
19
05-09-2006 03:50 AM
