"easier" route: ANG vs. USAF reserve? - Page 3 - Airline Pilot Central Forums

#21

Slice , 03-19-2008 07:34 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by nwaf16dude

The best way to get a pilot slot from a guard or reserve unit is to join the unit as an enlisted troop and then work the pilot slot from the inside. Takes time, (a few years) but guard units have a great deal going and they know it, so they very rarely hire any one off the street into a pilot slot. They are hiring you for life, so they are very careful about who they hire. Same applies to reserve squadrons.

They might, on a very rare occasion, hire "off the street," but if you aren't able to "hang out" with the unit on several drill weekends, you don't have a chance.

My experience is strictly in the fighter business, so I can't speak for the heavys, but I'd imagine it's about the same.

Maybe we're an anomaly in DC but only one guy selected for UPT in the last 10-12 years has been from the unit. The rest were off the street with no direct connections on the inside.

#22

FlyHappy , 03-19-2008 07:47 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Slice

Maybe we're an anomaly in DC but only one guy selected for UPT in the last 10-12 years has been from the unit. The rest were off the street with no direct connections on the inside.

One note to the OP, guys who really aren't cocky and don't feel they deserve a job rarely feel the need to continuously point out that they aren't cocky and don't think they deserve a job. Don't get upset -- just a word to the wise as you go through your job search. As was mentioned, if you're thinking of getting into military flying, you'd better have a thick skin and be ready to be the "humble" new guy -- especially in the guard or reserve where you will be flying with guys who have TONS more experience than we mere mortals can ever hope to attain.

It also bears repeating to be careful about who you p-ss off today as that person may be the one you need to talk with about a job tomorrow. Sometime the best course of action in life is to bite your tongue.

#23

nwaf16dude , 03-19-2008 07:47 AM

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How many guys are you able to send to pilot training per year?

#24

Slice , 03-19-2008 07:57 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by nwaf16dude

How many guys are you able to send to pilot training per year?

1 or 2 varies by the year.

#25

Slice , 03-19-2008 07:59 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyHappy

Just curious, did your unit not have internal apps or were they from people who the unit didn't want to send to pilot training? I haven't ever heard of a unit hiring more off-the-street folks for UPT than taking internal apps, so was just wondering about the situation there. Maybe the OP needs to apply to DC.

One note to the OP, guys who really aren't cocky and don't feel they deserve a job rarely feel the need to continuously point out that they aren't cocky and don't think they deserve a job. Don't get upset -- just a word to the wise as you go through your job search. As was mentioned, if you're thinking of getting into military flying, you'd better have a thick skin and be ready to be the "humble" new guy -- especially in the guard or reserve where you will be flying with guys who have TONS more experience than we mere mortals can ever hope to attain. It also bears repeating to be careful about who you p-ss off today as that person may be the one you need to talk with about a job tomorrow. Sometime the best course of action in life is to bite your tongue.

You are guaranteed to get an interview if you are in the unit and meet the basic qualifications. Some years, no one applies from the inside. A few have and didn't get an offer. We have one in UPT right now who was an enlisted troop.