jgdeleon09

I don't know if I am in the right forum but here it goes. I'm a pilot civilian side working on my cfi, but I used to be in the marine corp reserve ( 0311 ) and then Army National Guard ( 11b ) and most of my time I been in the sand box.

I'm just wondering how many pilots are there that are enlisted military that have achived their goals thru the civilian side ( gi bill )? lol

My best friend is a Delta guy and well he told me that a few years back delta only hired military pilots only. Is just amazing how everything changes.

And for those military guys that made it to 121 world, how would you feel when you're flying with an FO who maybe was a E-3 and then got his rating thru part 61?


This is more of a poll kind of question. Just wondering how things are now.

Kilgore Trout

What are you asking? Please clarify.

jgdeleon09

a simple way without all the explanation. I want to know how many people r out there like me. Enlisted military who becames pilots and achive their goals.

Kilgore Trout

jg,
As far as how many prior service enlisted people that have become civilian or military aviators- I don't know. I'm one. I was in the Navy from 17 to 21 years old, active duty, then in the USNR while in college, then 14 year break in service, joined the Army National Guard, and currently an old timer SGT 11B.
Do have a college degree, but did not look too heavily into a commission because I just wanted to deploy. Which I did. Spent a year watching sandstorms, camels, and bedouins from an 1151. Not too exciting, which in retrospect was a good thing.
Anyway- thanks for your service my friend, sounds like you've been around a bit. USMC and Army Guard, bad ***. Thank you for doing the Guard thing. My unit has some prior service Marines in it and I'm very glad they are there. You guys know your stuff.
As far as the GI bill- I used that to help pay for college, and also worked at an FBO fueling airplanes. It worked out pretty well because I went to a college that was pretty cheap, in a town with a low cost of living. Middle Tennessee State University in their flight program. That was back in the 90's so I don't know much about what's up with the new GI bill stuff and college costs.
Have used the flight training I recieved in Alaska. If you want to know more about Alaska stuff let me know. There's plenty of info on here about Alaska 135 if you search it out. Don't know anything about the 121 world, besides what friends have experienced and what I've read on here.
I'm not sure what else to tell you except that I know there's plenty of former enlisted people from all branches out there flying on the civilian side.
Good luck in your endeavours.

SaltyDog

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KC135guy

I am enlisted, 7 days away from reaching my 20 year mark. I am planning on using my GI Bill to continue my flight training. My flight school is VA qualified so it should be an easy process to transition over to the VA benefits.

block30

I am enlisted, still serving as a traditional guardsman. I plan on doing the full 20 years to get a least a guardsman's pension. I used the tuition reimbursement, GI Bill, and loan repayment to help pay for college and flight training.

Still CFI-ing waiting for the sun to shine again. A handful of students at the flight school are also prior active or currently serving guardsman as well. So there are a lot of potential enlisted guys waiting in the wings for a 121 or 135 gig.

Best,

rickair7777

Ex-military (non-winged) who get into commercial aviation are mostly treated just like any other civilian. You might get a leg up at the entry level because airlines know that you can probably show up on time, well-groomed, and are generally responsible (which cannot be said for all the latest aviation university grads).

At the major airline level it should not hurt, and might help a little.

liftr92

I know a couple, one was at ATA, not sure what he is doing now, the other is a RJ captain somewhere in the midwest. Both E-7 types in reserves

Big Duke 6

Im ex-mil. I was a E-4 when I got out. I used the GI bill for my flying training and got all my ratings. I know of four other enlisted guys from my SQ that are flying as well. I got my ratings and then was out of flying for 12 years before I got back into it. I have flown at regionals with Props and Jets. If it is something you want to do go for it and stick with it. If I had I would be a senior Capt with a major instead of a Capt with a regional.