ANG vs Air Force Reserve
11-28-2010, 05:28 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Position: Working 5 to 9
Posts: 522
I don't think WPAFB ever had Eagles....
11-28-2010, 08:22 PM
#12
On Reserve
Joined APC: Nov 2010
Posts: 16
I meant F-16's, I took this from goang.com
"The 178th Fighter Wing is one of three ANG F-16 Formal Training Units (FTU) in the United States. The mission of the 178th Fighter Wing is to provide world-class formal F-16 training for both US and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) student pilots while maintaining combat capability and resources in support of our nation, state, and community. (Note: the 178th FW is currently transitioning to a MQ-1 Predator Mission.)"
"The 178th Fighter Wing is one of three ANG F-16 Formal Training Units (FTU) in the United States. The mission of the 178th Fighter Wing is to provide world-class formal F-16 training for both US and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) student pilots while maintaining combat capability and resources in support of our nation, state, and community. (Note: the 178th FW is currently transitioning to a MQ-1 Predator Mission.)"
11-29-2010, 07:25 PM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Position: USAF
Posts: 1,398
I still need to finish my education first, so I haven't applied to either yet. I'm definitely interested in pursuing one of them after graduation though and I want to make a good decision.
The guard seems like a great choice. The only thing I don't like is that if you secure a flying contract it seems like you need to be committed to it for a decent amount of time. I can be commited to serving for 6 years, 8 years, or whatever it is. However, I don't know if I can be committed to living in one state for that long... Do the reserves provide more flexibility with where you can live? Or do you have to live where they tell you?
The guard seems like a great choice. The only thing I don't like is that if you secure a flying contract it seems like you need to be committed to it for a decent amount of time. I can be commited to serving for 6 years, 8 years, or whatever it is. However, I don't know if I can be committed to living in one state for that long... Do the reserves provide more flexibility with where you can live? Or do you have to live where they tell you?
I'm pretty new into the program - but so far, couldn't imagine a cooler unit - awesome people.
11-30-2010, 02:39 PM
#14
On Reserve
Joined APC: Nov 2010
Posts: 16
Spoke to a Air National Guard recruiter today in Ohio and there is like a 2 year waiting list! Then I spoke to ans Air Force Reserve recruiter and they did not have any of the jobs I was interested in
Does anyone know if this is a common theme amongst all the Air Guard units in the US?
Does anyone know if this is a common theme amongst all the Air Guard units in the US?
11-30-2010, 05:33 PM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Posts: 168
My 30 years' of enlisted service included 22 years divided between the Air National Guard/Air Force Reserve/Army Reserve. Having retired 10 years ago my experience may not be 100% relevant today but here are a couple of observations that you may find useful.
As for the actual military 'experience' the ANG is not quite as anal as the reserve types. There was more familiarity between the enlisted/officer ranks than I was comfortable with (I'm sort of a traditionalist in that area). Later in my career I took a civilian job that required that I move every 3-5 years. Since most vacancies are by career field and grade in can be tough to find a new home, especially as you move up the food chain.
As someone pointed out earlier the guard can be called up by the governor. The chances of this happening to you can vary greatly depending on where you are at and what type of unit you're in. If a natural disaster hit your area the odds are much greater that the governor will call up a CH-47 company than a AH-64 battalion. Frequent call-ups can be real hard on the personal cash-flow situation.
As for the commuting thing, I always lived within driving distance of my units but I used to belong to an AF Reserve unit at McChord AFB in the 80's (446th MAW) which sent a C-141 on a round-robin route through Washington and Idaho (and maybe a couple of other places) on the Friday before a drill to pick up members. The process was reversed on Sunday. Worked pretty well but I don't know if they still do it.
Good luck in whatever you choose. I worked out well for me - especially when I start receiving my retirement check this August.
As for the actual military 'experience' the ANG is not quite as anal as the reserve types. There was more familiarity between the enlisted/officer ranks than I was comfortable with (I'm sort of a traditionalist in that area). Later in my career I took a civilian job that required that I move every 3-5 years. Since most vacancies are by career field and grade in can be tough to find a new home, especially as you move up the food chain.
As someone pointed out earlier the guard can be called up by the governor. The chances of this happening to you can vary greatly depending on where you are at and what type of unit you're in. If a natural disaster hit your area the odds are much greater that the governor will call up a CH-47 company than a AH-64 battalion. Frequent call-ups can be real hard on the personal cash-flow situation.
As for the commuting thing, I always lived within driving distance of my units but I used to belong to an AF Reserve unit at McChord AFB in the 80's (446th MAW) which sent a C-141 on a round-robin route through Washington and Idaho (and maybe a couple of other places) on the Friday before a drill to pick up members. The process was reversed on Sunday. Worked pretty well but I don't know if they still do it.
Good luck in whatever you choose. I worked out well for me - especially when I start receiving my retirement check this August.
12-01-2010, 04:50 AM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Position: B-737 Right
Posts: 243
My advice is to NOT wait until you are done with your education ... find a unit soon and join up before you need to ask for a pilot slot.
Once you join, don't do the minimum -- be an asset to the unit, volunteer to do stuff, talk to EVERYBODY, don't be a pest to the commander but make sure he knows who you are and that you are highly motivated to become a pilot.
When the time comes, you will have a huge advantage over those who are not already in the unit. In addition, if it turns out that you cannot get a pilot slot from your unit, but they really like you ... then they will very likely bend over backwards to help you get a slot in a different unit.
Others may disagree with this advice, so you should get as many points of view as you can. Still, the competition is incredibly high for these coveted slots. If they know you, and you have already proven yourself to be inteligent, dedicated, reliable, and likeable, then you will be truly amazed at how much help you will get.
Once you join, don't do the minimum -- be an asset to the unit, volunteer to do stuff, talk to EVERYBODY, don't be a pest to the commander but make sure he knows who you are and that you are highly motivated to become a pilot.
When the time comes, you will have a huge advantage over those who are not already in the unit. In addition, if it turns out that you cannot get a pilot slot from your unit, but they really like you ... then they will very likely bend over backwards to help you get a slot in a different unit.
Others may disagree with this advice, so you should get as many points of view as you can. Still, the competition is incredibly high for these coveted slots. If they know you, and you have already proven yourself to be inteligent, dedicated, reliable, and likeable, then you will be truly amazed at how much help you will get.
12-06-2010, 01:12 PM
#17
trip trading freak
Joined APC: Oct 2010
Position: MD-11
Posts: 673
The Ohio Air Guard has traditionally been manned at over 100%. It offers Full Tuition re-embursement at a state school. As far as enlisting or finishing school, it kind of depends. Different views but if you have less than 2 years of school left, You will be probably eligible to apply for a pilot slot sooner by just finishing college. A waiting list is normal in Ohio but not necessarily the case in other states. Don't just sign up for something a recruiter wants you to take. I have been on many hiring boards and we definitely liked someone from the unit but we would always hire the most qualified!! Some units won't consider you unless you are in the unit or in A unit. Hope this helps but every Guard unit has a different personality and does what suits them best.
12-06-2010, 09:33 PM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Position: USAF
Posts: 1,398
"Gaming it"? Did that come from your experience with the Guard?
12-09-2010, 07:50 PM
#19
Line Holder
Joined APC: Dec 2010
Position: 2172
Posts: 44
Arabian,
Yep, that is pretty true. It is very competitive for pilot slots in both Guard and Reserve units. Like the guys say, if you have a Guard unit in mind, make yourself known and probly will need to go ahead and join it for a few years before they are confident in your professionalism and give you a pilot slot.
The Reserves are more oriented toward having already-trained pilots, mostly leaving the AD after their ten years is up. So it is also very difficult to walk in off the street and get a flying Reserve job.
I chuckled when I read someone's "whoever lays out the best offer" comment. It is totally the other way around. The units look at their pool of interested folks and look at what can that person offer. If you have good college grades, prior military or work experience, flight hours in complex aircraft, strong letters of recommendation, etc., then the unit will start to look at you seriously.
Yep, that is pretty true. It is very competitive for pilot slots in both Guard and Reserve units. Like the guys say, if you have a Guard unit in mind, make yourself known and probly will need to go ahead and join it for a few years before they are confident in your professionalism and give you a pilot slot.
The Reserves are more oriented toward having already-trained pilots, mostly leaving the AD after their ten years is up. So it is also very difficult to walk in off the street and get a flying Reserve job.
I chuckled when I read someone's "whoever lays out the best offer" comment. It is totally the other way around. The units look at their pool of interested folks and look at what can that person offer. If you have good college grades, prior military or work experience, flight hours in complex aircraft, strong letters of recommendation, etc., then the unit will start to look at you seriously.
12-11-2010, 01:06 PM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Center seat, doing loops to music
Posts: 843
Arabian,
Yep, that is pretty true. It is very competitive for pilot slots in both Guard and Reserve units. Like the guys say, if you have a Guard unit in mind, make yourself known and probly will need to go ahead and join it for a few years before they are confident in your professionalism and give you a pilot slot.
The Reserves are more oriented toward having already-trained pilots, mostly leaving the AD after their ten years is up. So it is also very difficult to walk in off the street and get a flying Reserve job.
I chuckled when I read someone's "whoever lays out the best offer" comment. It is totally the other way around. The units look at their pool of interested folks and look at what can that person offer. If you have good college grades, prior military or work experience, flight hours in complex aircraft, strong letters of recommendation, etc., then the unit will start to look at you seriously.
Yep, that is pretty true. It is very competitive for pilot slots in both Guard and Reserve units. Like the guys say, if you have a Guard unit in mind, make yourself known and probly will need to go ahead and join it for a few years before they are confident in your professionalism and give you a pilot slot.
The Reserves are more oriented toward having already-trained pilots, mostly leaving the AD after their ten years is up. So it is also very difficult to walk in off the street and get a flying Reserve job.
I chuckled when I read someone's "whoever lays out the best offer" comment. It is totally the other way around. The units look at their pool of interested folks and look at what can that person offer. If you have good college grades, prior military or work experience, flight hours in complex aircraft, strong letters of recommendation, etc., then the unit will start to look at you seriously.
All this is immaterial as hindsight is 2020
, but if I knew then what I know now, I would have gone Active duty and separated at the 10yr point (Jesus, blasphemy, I plead for forgiveness for such utterance...my hunger and lack of a civilian or mil career clouds my judgment...
). Slide into the Reserves with 10 years of great income behind me (as opposed to college barista money year in and out) and points toward a reserve retirement, and a better marketable position to get the aforementioned ART/AGR, without all the double yelling from civilian and military employers, for 60% of AD money. And ironically, getting an OTS pilot slot would have been a much easier proposition than getting a Guard slot, period dot. But that's water under the bridge. If you're independently wealthy, sure, go Reserves, but if you have higher expectations than making crap money and struggling to stay above water while raising a houseful of a family, I would choose carefully as to how you're going to go about your aspirations of military flying. Yeah the threat of UAV is about the only thing that keeps me from throwing my arms up and seeking a conditional release to get into Active Duty, but if that's palatable to you and/or you have a high level of confidence on your civilian career choices and their compatibility with military service, I would punt on the Guard Reserves altogether. I'm not saying I'm ruined, but my gamble did not pan out and now I'm way behind my AD peers in terms of career and financial stability. And the civilian job market that's supposed to "support our troops" aren't doing jack squat to alleviate our sacrifice.Only people who can afford this job are senior airline dudes, frankly.
Good luck.
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