Cirrus4ZP

Hello all,

I am currently a student pilot at Western Michigan. I hold my private pilots license with instrument rating and will have my commercial multi by the end of this year(graduation.) I am looking at all options to further my career and have become increasingly interested in the Air Guard. Can someone please go into the process by which a civilian can get this ball rolling?(Finding a base with openings, training, time comittment, etc.) My biggest fear is getting into, the Guard and being told I will fly, and then that not happening.

Thanks in advance.

galaxy flyer

Here's a link thru Baseops.net Flight Planning, Aviation Weather & Military Discounts

ANG AFRC flying jobs

There are notices, sometimes, of unit UPT boards. BUT, the real way is to contact every flying unit you might be interested in or a location that is acceptable to you. While the recruiter is the official start point, sending a resume and cover letter to the flying squadron commander or operations officer is best procedure. You will have pass the AFOQT exams with high scores, have at least a PPL and pass the physical. You must have a 4-year degree and be something less than 30, IIRC.

The option is to join the unit as an enlisted member, perhaps enlisted flight crew, and be selected thru the unit. Higher probability of selection this way, most of the time.

Lastly, while it is a great path to success in aviation, you MUST be first ready and enthusiastic to serve in the military. Without a strong desire, making it thru the hoops and hurdles is remote.

GF

Cirrus4ZP

When you say selected through the unit, does this mean that I will first be in the Guard for an amount of time before having the oppurtunity to be selected for flight training. Or, if I were to join as enlisted flight crew, does this mean I have already been selected and will begin the flight training when I enter the Guard?


Thank you for the insight. Big help.

galaxy flyer

I entered UPT thru an ANG unit, right off the street. Lots do, but some come up thru the particular unit from enlisted positions, rated or not. I sent enough loadmasters to UPT and Engineer's training to crew a C-5 entirely with present and former loads. But, I also selected, or rather took part in selecting, UPT students off the street from a recent college grad to a B747 F/O at Atlas. It's up to the unit to how they want to run selections. Right now, competition is fierce (it mostly always is), so "in-unit" guys have an advantage, if not an absolute one.

Enlisted crew is a field of its own, not necessarily a stepping stone, but it might be. Almost no one becomes a load or boomer guaranteed to go to UPT.

If you join as a enlisted, no guarantees, usually. You come in and get trained. If you are selected directly for UPT, it's graduate or leave the service, usually unless you want to pursue something else.

GF

tahoejace

This.

Just like in any other interview, Guard units don't want to hear you're just using them as a stepping stone to get what you want later on. They want you to want to be there. They want you to be excited to be a part of the family, not just tolerating them until you get hired at a major.

You can interview as an off the street guy, and you might get hired. Many do. If you don't though, and you want it bad enough, consider enlisting as a way to get your foot in the door and keep putting a package in for the board. Think of it from the unit's perspective: an off the street guy is an unknown quantity, an enlisted troop from within the unit is much less so. Just a thought.

Cirrus4ZP

I understand that completely. Its a decision that would reach far beyond flying for me. I am just trying to be as blunt as possible in the forums so I dont sound like a bumbling fool when I talk to a recruiter.

tahoejace

Good plan. Be as informed as you possibly can before taking a job anywhere, not just military.