Pilot7576

hindsight2020...

As FTS this will be his "full time job"...

Pilot7576

hindsight2020

Roj, I'm aware of what FTS means. I'm in the AF equivalent of such a job (AGR). I will caution him to exercise temperance when considering these jobs "permanent" though. Bunch of us getting pink slips outta said "full time jobs" these days. I was handed mine not two weeks ago. I thought it was gonna be a career job. Not so. Times they have changed. I'm even getting my ATP ducks in a row, things have got so unstable in the military side, and I was the last guy looking for an airline job. We're not in Kansas anymore I'm afraid.

But that's neither here nor there; my original post was actually aimed at discussing the relative merits of navy TR individual involuntary mobilizations wrt the QOL index, whereas AF TR jobs do not require such exigencies as part of the "buy-in". But I can take that jab to the "mob while swimming" thread, did not mean to hijack this one.

Now back to your regular programming.

Toonces

These jobs are by nature not permanent. As a FTS naval aviator, you have rotation and career progression and rotation dates. Additionally, you really can't even designate until your initial contract is up (~10 years from commissioning). As a first tour VR pilot on FTS orders, he will likely spend 24-48 months at the squadron. After that, Big Navy will probably have other plans. SELRES is another animal...

herkdawg

Could you expand on this point a little bit about TRs being tied to individual invols? I'm an AF guy strongly considering pursuing a SELRES gig at a VR squadron. Thanks.

rickair7777

Navy FTS is a different animal than AGR .

FTS essentially just like active duty with a different label and different career path...you are on permanent AD, and are not subject to being "de-MOBed". Your AD status is not tied to your billet. It would be possible to get RIFed during a major force reduction if the RIF mechanisms are implemented, but that's also the same as regular AD.

You cannot jump in and out of FTS...the only way in is a board process at the O-3 (amybe junior O-4) level. Senior folks cannot get into FTS status. The expectation is that you'll have enough time promote and get a regular AD retirement.

Just like AD, you MIGHT possibly get a series of good deals and stay in the cockpit longer than most but the normal track involves regular rotations to desk jobs.


Most FTS enter the program straight from active duty, and never actually serve as a traditional reservist (this is a bad thing...). There are also opportunities for reservists with prior regular AD experience to join the FTS.

BDGERJMN

Herk,

About 3 yrs ago big Navy reserve ponied up to fulfill 85-90% of all Individual Augments(read: Involuntary Recall to Active Duty). When the Navy started supporting the Army/Air Force with MOBs, for many years the AC/RC shared the burden. When the reserves took on the majority of those IAs it forced the RC to reach down a bit deeper into the flying squadrons that employ SELRES(your TR). Typically there was a yearly RMP (reserve mob pool) published with SELRES names. This would be the list that MOBs were pulled from. The RMP went away last year and manning for MOBs has been pushed down to the Wing level to support MOBs.

What does all this mean? It means yes you may be mobilized as a SELRES. The Navy should honor your AD time and give you a 2 yr deferment if you're coming off active duty. See previous MOB threads. The numbers are dwindling but there are still plenty of MOBs to be had. PM me if you have any more specific questions.

Hope this helps

Pilot7576

Toonces,

Are his future jobs as FTS all going to be flying jobs? I can't imagine where he would be sent to something big and grey in his future. 4 yrs there should be around the right timing for flt time and airline retirements...the rest is up to him?

Pilot7576

Toonces

No, his other FTS jobs might be flying jobs. There will also be staff jobs, XO or CO jobs, etc. Big and grey are not in the scopes of FTS officers. Deployments or overseas assignments are still a possibility. Four years in FTS would probably also put him close to military retirement. At that point, it's a pretty critical decision as to whether you stay AD, go reserves, or jump ship altogether (sticking with Navy lingo...).

Hueypilot

I was an ART, but left that world not long ago when things started getting too unstable. We had a bunch of full-timers in my unit that all swore they had no interest in the airline industry. Now some of them are reconsidering.

Pilot7576

Huey...

Forgive my ignorance, but what is an ART? How does it relate to navy FTS?

TIA

Pilot7576