Keeping OPSEC in mind I'm seeking advice/input from others that may have been in a similar situation as me. Long story short, I have been at the regional level since 2007. Of that 8 years, six of those years have been on mil leave from various deployments and military flight school. My dilemma is that I was just asked to deploy again for another year. Does this mean if and when I start putting in apps with the majors down the road will they could potentially hold the amount of Mil leave I've been on, against me?
I'm aware of USERRA but do they generally frown on those that have been on 4+deployments? These deployments were all longer than a year. Any input is appreciated...

 

Unfortunately...

The word I'm getting lately from highly reputable jungle drummers is that certain majors *may* consider (illegally) one's reserve status in their decision making. Perhaps not systematically but more likely at the level of the individual interviewers.

The way it was described to me, they like the military background but would prefer that it remain in the background. 100% out is best (retired even better, since they don't know for sure that a ten-year guy won't sign on with the local guard unit after he gets hired). If you're still participating then a traditional drill schedule would still be better than a history of years and years on orders.

Now I'm not saying the sky is falling, just that it's a factor to consider. If you have that sort of history you probably need to alleviate their unspoken concerns at the interview if you get my drift.

 

Thanks Rickair for validating my thoughts on this. Your advice is always helpful, much appreciated.

 

I was employed by a regional for 24 months and I was on mil leave for the last 17 of those months. Last year I was hired by two legacies. They may be looking at it but it didn't seem to be an issue for me or any other of the other regional/guard guys in my classes. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, just sharing my experience.

 

Oh how the tides turn. In 2001 we were all heroes, MPA flowed for all who wanted and civilian employers even price matched the difference out the goodness of their heart. In 2014+ we're just a bunch of opportunists and paraiahs.... What a croc.

"We support our guard/reserve servicemen and women in their service to the Country....outside the hours of Monday thru Friday, 8 to 5". That's a paraphrase of the last civilian job interview I did before giving up on the whole dual job thing. That was 2008. Based on this thread I surmise it's gotten worse. Smh.

 

I disagree with the negatives above. I spent most of my time at a regional on military leave. In four years racked up a whole 729 hours. If you can explain your absences it's almost a moot point. In my case I was trying to upgrade to AC and then after upgrade gain seasoning. I just got hired at a legacy with 2300ish hrs. The question honestly didn't even come up in the interview.

It probably has more to do with how you interview and how well-rounded you are. They need all the well qualified pilots they can get quickly. I don't think it'll hurt you.

 

In an age where people work hard to get out of multiple deployments, thanks for your service.

 

I don't have any regrets for the deployments and Mil flight school. Yes, deploying are horrible but looking back the experience and all of the close friendships I made, were worth it. The last impression that I want to make at a future interview is that I am not dependable and will be one of 'those guys' always on mil leave. With the deployments drawing down the in the future it probably wont be an issue anyways. Again, thanks for the tips.

 

They are drawing down? Not in Army fixed wing.

 

It's a matter of scale.
How much Army fixed-wing is there in theatre?