Hey Guys,

I have been considering going Military for the longest time. I was actually definitely going to do so before I sustained a major injury playing Rugby. That was two years ago, and since then I have being working the civilian route to the airlines. I have been making a slow recovery, but I am hopeful that I will soon be back in good physical condition. It is with this hope, and the fact that: both my parents, both grandfathers, several aunts, uncles, and cousins, and three of my four older siblings are Military, that I am once again looking at the Military.

At first, I was afraid that I could not couple a civilian life as a pilot, to a life as a Military pilot; but then I started reading about you guys who are ANG pilots. Right now, I am, more o'er less, just in the "gathering information" stage.

Firstly, what are the chances of a civilian pilot getting a flying slot in the ANG? I know that civilian ratings do not count for anything in the Military, but I have heard that flying time does count towards something (what exactly, I am not sure.) Is there a specialized type of UPT for civilian rated fliers, or should one expect to spend the full fourteen months? Upon completion, does the ANG require you to serve a certain amount of duty full time, or just part time, the same as their other MOs? How does flying for an airline work with flying for the guard? Does time spent flying Military count towards my 1,000 hours?

If you can think of any other pertinent information, I will be grateful!

Thanks in advance.

I was reading through this sub-forum, and found a lot of great info. So, no need on repeating yourselves. If there is any information specific to the ANG, or something else you think of, please oblige. Lastly, what would be the benefits, if any, of going to the Air Force Reserve, over the ANG?

Being ANG I am not an authority on the Reserve, but the only difference I know of is that the Reserve is Federal while ANG is State. Basically my check is from the state of NJ and I follow the orders of the Governor, while the Reserve is direct from the Pres. Other than that were both about the same... Thats all I have gathered in the last 2 years of hanging with AD and Res guys.

The ANG tends to favor people who have prior flight experience because most of the time it will help you through UPT. No, there is not a specialized UPT for people with civilian flight time. For the most part, you do not want to "flaunt" your civilian experience during UPT. Just keep it to yourself and let it help you (and be willing to learn the AF way of doing things). Depending on what kind of guard unit you go to, they will put you on "seasoning" orders, which means you'll be on Title 32 (State funded) active duty for X amount of time. In the KC-135, this is about 3 months. After that, you'll most likely be a part timer unless you're able to land yourself a technician or AGR position, which is HIGHLY unlikely as the new guy. Keep in mind that you can be a busy person juggling two jobs (airline and the guard). You'll have to put in a good 8-10 days a month as a new guy in a tanker unit, even if you're part time. Combine that with working at an airline 15-18 days a month and you will see that you don't get much time off.

You won't be protected for an ART. You may for an AGR. It can also depend on your employer. USERRA is meant for guys getting activated not taking permanent employment.

Just curious, how many hours do you have?
What ratings/endorsements do you hold?
What types of airplanes have you flown?
What type of airspace have you flown in?

Check your W-2. I'm pretty sure your pay comes from the US Government (Federal). True, the ANG has a dual level of control, and in peacetime, that means the State (Governor/Adjuctant General.) Any overseas Guard duty is Title 10 USC, which is Federal Active Duty. If you fly a strategic aircraft (AMC), you will not likely do many state missions. Aside from training missions, your duty will likely be National Guard Bureau missions or Higher Headquarter's missions (AMC). Guard Bureau missions are done on Title 32 (State Active Duty), so you could consider them state duty, but you are under Guard Bureau operational control.

Good Luck!

Actually, AGR tours are protected under USERRA. They are treated no differently that any other military duty. Keep in mind that limits may apply (normally 5 years, plus exceptions.)

On a separate note, I know of pilots who applied for a personal leave of absence from their airlines, and were granted it, in order to take an ART job for 4 years.

Good Luck!

AGR yes, but beyond the 5 years depending on why activated could make a difference. Most guys I know that took an ART job were required to resign. It's a bonus if your employer lets you take a personal LOA.