Is the IP cadre still 90% (or so) civilian CFIs? I went through IFS before FLY6584, probably the first year of the program. There were a handful of mil IPs and a mil O-5 Det CC... that was it. The rest all civilians, 50/50 mix of prior-mil guys and young civilian-only CFIs trying to build hours. Needless to say, the instruction was... mixed. You could tell the two "sides" didn't agree a lot on what the program should be, how to teach "military style" flying, etc. Lots of bickering amongst the cadre in front of the students. Certainly didn't inspire a lot of confidence.

Hopefully they got that part figured out. I can't imagine many folks want to move to Pueblo, CO to teach an intro to flying course in a DA-20.

Guys I knew were all ex mil, but considering I'm a mil guy I guess that's to be expected. If I remember correctly starting pay was 75, went up to low 80s if you forgo the medical (as a retired guy probably would). Knew a lot of folks living in the Springs who did it, quite happily. To me, seemed like a really fun transition job, but couldn't see making a career of it. From what I could tell, they have no trouble getting well qualified people, there was always a line when I was looking

Current starting pay is $85-$90, benefits, and 401K.

Might be a wonderful job for a retired airline/former military pilot with the right picture. "The right picture" meaning someone who wants to see good folks go serve their country, and not someone who needs to feel "powerful" or "important" at 67 years old.

We need some GA mentors out there.

Reading this thread brings back both joyful and painful memories. As they say, it's all timing! The airlines are hiring like crazy these days, so Uncle Sam will lose out, that is, until the next airline/economic down turn.
As for "to go fighters or not", I alway used to tell my students to choose what they truly desire instead listening to the "disgruntled" IPs. If you are able and want it bad enough, go fly fighters. Let's face it, not everyone can cut the mustard and be FAR'd (I know, old term) and this is coming from a heavy dude. I would have loved to flown a fighter but I did not want the entire package, if you know what I mean. If flying was the only thing we did, I would have chosen fighters and stayed until age 65...I would have picketed at the Wing king's office for the military's version of the Age 65 rule :-)
I've been reading up a lot about the Air Force since my son is interested in joining after college and to my surprise, a good majority of the kids these days do not choose to go to UPT. I remember busting my butt to get a UPT slot and now, only about 10-20% want it. Cyber Space is one of the top choices! Those damn computers, I tell ya!

Had to laugh at that last bit. It's only funny because it's true.

Amen! I was amazed on active duty, how few of the officers in all the squadrons i was assigned to had GA experience and even when i offered.....were not interested in that side of aviation!?!?!? I never remembered the block of instruction in UPT where they taught you to dis GA.....but somehow that mindset is instilled.....its even prevalent in the reserve component......but to a lesser degree since we get more off the street applicants(who are basically req'd at least attain a private cert)

Here's to hoping more guys get GA exposure as it gives you a better perspective and makes you a more informed aviator!

Go get a tail wheel endorsement, it'll make you a better pilot.

You mean $85-90,000/year I assume, not $85/hr? Based off 2000 hours per year?

If people simply have no interest is that automatically a "dis" on GA?

I think you're drawing conclusions based on a particularly unique portion of society that may not necessarily be accurate. Military pilots spend a lot of time with job related duties, some flying, some non-flying. Maybe when they have time off, they just want to spend time with their family or do something unrelated to their job. I think that goes to personal preference rather than some "mindset" instilled at UPT.

You think there might be some auto mechanics out there that don't feel like going out to the garage on a Saturday and working on a '57 Chevy just for the fun of it?

When I was active duty and in the ANG flying F-15s, I had no interest in flying around in a light airplane on my time off. For one, I didn't (and still don't) have a PPL. I guess if I could have found a Skymaster, I could have exercised my commercial/center-line thrust privileges.
Additionally, since my time in light aircraft is somewhere around 35 hours, I gave GA a healthy respect due to my inexperience. So, I would have needed to spend some extensive time and money to get where I was comfortable. Even at the aero club it was expensive. Out on the economy when I was ANG, forget it. I had access on a very regular basis to a seriously high performance aircraft. It's not a "dis" - just reality - GA flying was nowhere near a fun or challenging, so why would I do it?

Even now, as a professional airline pilot, I feel zero draw to GA. I enjoy flying at work, I just don't feel the need to spend a lot of time or money on a regular basis to do it lower, slower and simpler.

I get that some pilots really enjoy all that goes into GA. I think you need to realize that some pilots just don't (and make that choice with no disrespect meant).