Raging white

As an ANG guy who spent most of his flying time active duty, Rickair is correct. It might be a bit more challenging finding that slot with the entire USAF drawing down upwards of 40% in the next 10 years, but have the attitude, and the unit will hire you. Hope it works out.

Jetsnake

Rickair is correct. That in my opinon is a excellent flight path to take.
The other thing to consider, when I went through UPT with the ANG
if you washed out, you weren't obligated to years of service doing
something you totally hated. I started my military career in the USMC
as a grunt. Almost every officer I served under, had washed out and were
some of the most disgruntled individuals I've ever encountered(Not All).
A few actually were very good drinkers...

The military is by no means of a time builder. There are exceptions.
The big advantage is since 9/11 ANG units have been allocated much
more monies. There flying more man hours then ever. The other thing
to think about is this. Even if you get into a unit that has 135's/130's
when you go through UPT, you still get fighter qualified. With that said.
That could open the door for you to transfer into a unit that has
fighters if that is what you desire.

Regardless of the choice you make. Enjoy the ride. You'll meet friends that will stay with you for life...And you will have done something noble...

Serving your country...

I wish you well...

You can PM myself and I'll let you know what units are hiring that I know
of.

Slice

What? I don't know when/where you went to UPT but you're statement is as wrong as can be! If you don't track fighter/bomber (which you won't as a non-fighter guard trainee), you're not even close to fighter qualified when you pin on your wings because you never fly the T-38. So, when you try and rush a fighter unit, not only must they send you to RTU(=$$$) you first need to complete a T-38 transition course AND IFF. It's not impossible, but the odds are on par with winning the lottery at best.

Moses37106

My honest advice for someone who is looking to get to the airlines via the military is to try to get hired by a guard/reserve unit. Then, after you are mission ready in your military aircraft and have enough hours, get hired flying corporate or with a regional carrier.

I'm not speaking out of bias, I'm an active duty guy...but there were a couple of guys in my pilot training class that did that and they logged time a lot faster than I have been able to. (I would think that having both kinds of flying experience looks good on a resume with the airlines. They log time faster because when you are active duty you have additional duties besides just flying. For example, I was only able to log about 500 hours in the last 2 years because I was unfortunately chained to a desk with my "real job". Unless you are full-time, you won't have nearly as much in the way of ground garbage to deal with in the guard/reserve. (Being a full-time reservist is a whole different conversation...

The reason I went active duty is that I had a family to support. That is the one key advantage of being active duty--the security of pretty good pay and benefits are a whole lot better than what you'll get with a part-time reserve job and a regional airline gig.

Moses37106

Slice is correct. I have spent a lot of time teaching pilot training and you are definitely NOT qualified to go fly fighters if you track heavies after the first six months of pilot training.

By the way, I just sat through a briefing about how the AF is going to give a big face-lift to UPT. There is going to be a lot more to the T-6 program and less (but more tailored) training in the T-1 or T-38.

Jetsnake

I went through UPT at Willy in 1980. That was then, this is now. You could P*$$ and moan with me like my last wife. We both lost. My point was to offer another pilot some advice to his future endeavors. It was just my opinion;
If you beg to differ with me. PM me and we could meet... Do You Understand.
One of the reasons I've stayed off these MSG. boards is because of thread's like yours...
I was just trying to give advice to someone that wanted to serve their country. And you had to P*$$ all over it..
I hope you feel proud....

Once a Marine, Always a Marine...

Mustanger/CPL/Lt. COL.

Slice

You gave outdated (by 27 years!) info which is no longer true and stated it as fact. Did you know Willy is no longer a pilot base? Just trying to set the facts straight. Telling a dude he can get fighters after tracking heavies(when TODAY it is nearly impossible) is a pretty big deal if his decision becomes based on that statement. We've had several heavy drivers rush our squadron, so I've seen and heard the rationale from the brass as to why they didn't get selected. As a former Marine and fighter pilot, as are you, your skin should be a little thicker, no? Like the debrief, rank plays no role on APC. Glad you guys are back from ORBD...

Semper Fi

HuronIP

I completely agree. After coming off of a sea tour where I spent 15 out of 36 month’s deployed I was "fortunate" enough to get volunteered for an IA billet 10 month’s into my shore tour. My IA was only 6 month's, but I just had a buddy in my squadron get one for over 400 day's in Iraq. At the same time the Air Force is paying guys anywhere from 90-95K to get out early because they’re overmanned. I have definitely enjoyed my time in the Navy and even after the IA billet I have no regrets, but times are changing and they're not getting better. Just my $.02.

CAFB 04-12

It all depends on what you want in life. I enjoy an excellent quality of life in the Air Force but have to do a lot of stupid stuff at a desk as well as fly. In the Marines you have to be, well, a Marine I guess and if that's not your thing I wouldn't go that route you know?. In my experience, almost everyone in my graduating AFROTC class that wanted a pilot slot (and was physically and academically qualified) got one. But I went to a pretty good school (if I say so myself). The Air Force and flying in it has been good to me and my family, and that's what's important to me at least.

dbtownley

***That said, even if you get helo's, you'll fly a T-34 first (about 120 hrs), and can go back as an IP after your sea tour or go fly C-12's (King Airs) and get your airline prep time that way. I've never heard of anyone having a problem getting hired after instructing or going C-12's. IP'ing is more turbine PIC, but you're on your own for ME/ATP. In the C-12 you'll get less PIC, but it's MEL and they usually have a deal set up to get your ATP on your annual check ride.***

SpongeBob,

You are correct. The ATP checkride in the TC-12 had gone away for about two years, but I am now proud to say that it is back. The main prob was finding a DPE to do the check from the back seat (uncle sam aint gonna let them sit up front). As long as the FSDO that governs that region buys off on it, you are set. You can average about 1300-1500 in your 33 month tour instructing, 95% of that is PIC time.

DT