Hilltopper89,

I agree with your sentiment, but with the 8 yr commitment after wings, pilots are effectively locked in for ten years of service. Other communities have no such commitment (grad school being an exception).

Pilot7576

I would submit that there are a great number of pilots who are only officers because it's required to be a pilot (most services). How many times have you guys heard people wish there was a way to just stay a pilot their whole career and bring up Warrant officers. Many of whom desire to go to the airlines or other flying jobs when they get out. As long as they serve faithfully then I have nothing wrong with people who enter the military with an end goal of the airlines.

The same IPs that are all now asking for recs to the airlines as they wait for VSP or Palace Chase? Or for ARC guys, asking if your squadron is hiring (after a debrief in UPT...)?

Now this i'm in total agreement with you. I guess I've just never equated an end goal of the airlines = not really wanting to serve.

It always makes me laugh when we're TDY to an AD base (or some Guard bases that act like they're AD) and after work is over, one of us brings up the airlines in conversation. You see the young guys basically stop talking and the leadership get angry. Leadership is naive if they think ALL of their LTs and Capts want to be the next patch, the next planner of the Christmas party or the next WG/CC. It amazes me to see that my AD friends are having to secretly go get their ATPs. I guess i've just never understood the dynamic.

Although we wear the same uniforms and fly the same equipment, the guard/reserves and active duty are two entirely different animals. The competition is so tough these days on AD, that a guy "thinking" about getting out or the appearance of that, may be the difference between your #1 and #2 on a FITREP. To go one step further, if a guy on his first set of orders makes it known that their plan is to get out, you can kiss competitive orders goodbye. Why waste, a patch or a good set of competitive orders on a dude with one foot out the door?

There are plenty of guys who join the guard/reserves with the intent of going to the airlines and it's just more accepted on that side. Makes sense considering half the pilots are in the airlines already. That's the way it's been for a long time and the way it will be for quite a while. Not that I agree with it, just the way it is.

I would submit that you are correct. I just had a happy tour stopping in Hawaii, Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangkok.

Airlines really don't care what you flew in the military as long as it was a fixed wing aircraft. In the old days (before our time), it might have been but not so anymore. Turbine PIC is what's key as many have said before, so shoot for what you want to fly (mission, aircraft type, life style, etc.).
I don't see anything wrong with wanting to go to the airlines after your time in the military. Everyone is in the same boat for the next 8-20 years, whether you think you are a lifer or not. Only the losers (usually hamfist pilots who can't make it on the outside stick around for 20 on active duty-not always but way more often than not). I always laugh at the hypocrites who act like they bleed red, white and blue and yet they are the first ones to stab you in the back with a smile when you are not looking.
Best advise it to just enjoy your time in the military and don't burn any bridges. Set yourself up so that if/when that time comes, you will have the ability to make the best choice at that time. Best of luck!

Hey dawg..... I loved flying rubber dog $hit out of Hong Kong!:D

Only the losers stick around for 20. Wow. Doesn't even garner a response.

2loud,

Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I know I'm not a "ham-fisted loser" for having a career in the Navy before I started with the airlines. Maybe you saw the "writing on the wall" and left before being hammered by the promotion boards. Or maybe you just don't care about the health of our military long-term. In either case, don't disparage the conduct of those who made a career (or tried) by denigrating their flying skills.

JTF

Pilot7576

Uh oh... I re-read my posting and I apologize for my posting. I meant to say "many on active duty" and "not only the losers". I typed it before having my morning coffee. I totally went against my personal motto of "don't open your pie hole before thinking" only in this case, I should have proof read before hitting the submit button.
I did 20 myself; half of time on active duty and the other half in the reserves. And NO, I did not have to see the writing on the wall as I was a golden child, thank you!

2loud,

No harm, no foul.

Pilot7576