12-11-2022Quote:
I am currently an active Army CW4 so have a bit of a bias. You have 12 years in and will get nothing if you get out now (other than veteran status). You don't stay for the huge paycheck you'll get at a 20 year retirement, it's the insurance and benefits you'll have for life. You can stand on your head for 8 more years or use it to REALLY set yourself up for life.
I had almost 8 years enlisted before I applied to go to flight school, so you are right in there. Apply to WO school until you get accepted. You'll spend 18 month training and the army is now putting WO1 right into fixed-wing as a primary track starting this next year.
Once you get to your first duty station, knock out your school. You'll get about 50 semester hours from flight school alone so getting your degree will be relatively easy using your $4500 a year Tuition Assistance (TA). Once you have 90 hours; apply to the WO degree completion program.
Save you're Post 911 GI Bill for all of your FAA ratings. I am getting about 400 hours per years flying OSA VIP missions CONUS. Try and go to Korea right out of flight school. There you will get 600-700 hours a year flying the King Air. In fact, I'd stay there until you retire. I have a friend who got nearly 1000 hours last year flying the VIP mission there.
In eight years, you'll have everything you need; your degree, you're retirement check, your insurance for life, and all your ratings. You'll also be YOUNG and have retired military pilot on your resume.
My .02 worth; but STAY!!! Use the Army and it's benefits to benefit YOU.
Excellent advice!I am currently an active Army CW4 so have a bit of a bias. You have 12 years in and will get nothing if you get out now (other than veteran status). You don't stay for the huge paycheck you'll get at a 20 year retirement, it's the insurance and benefits you'll have for life. You can stand on your head for 8 more years or use it to REALLY set yourself up for life.
I had almost 8 years enlisted before I applied to go to flight school, so you are right in there. Apply to WO school until you get accepted. You'll spend 18 month training and the army is now putting WO1 right into fixed-wing as a primary track starting this next year.
Once you get to your first duty station, knock out your school. You'll get about 50 semester hours from flight school alone so getting your degree will be relatively easy using your $4500 a year Tuition Assistance (TA). Once you have 90 hours; apply to the WO degree completion program.
Save you're Post 911 GI Bill for all of your FAA ratings. I am getting about 400 hours per years flying OSA VIP missions CONUS. Try and go to Korea right out of flight school. There you will get 600-700 hours a year flying the King Air. In fact, I'd stay there until you retire. I have a friend who got nearly 1000 hours last year flying the VIP mission there.
In eight years, you'll have everything you need; your degree, you're retirement check, your insurance for life, and all your ratings. You'll also be YOUNG and have retired military pilot on your resume.
My .02 worth; but STAY!!! Use the Army and it's benefits to benefit YOU.
. If you think you want to go flight warrant do it now. You're getting close to needing waivers. It's not impossible to do with waivers, just don't give them a reason to say no. If you stay enlisted you are likey to make SFC in the next year or two and probably MSG before you retire, which will make the deal even sweeter. 