Has anyone ever...
04-13-2012, 07:45 PM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2012
Position: CRJ FO
Posts: 4,601
Has anyone ever...
...gone into the military after getting their commercial flight ratings? I've been toying around with the idea and I have a lot of friends who are ex-military that think it would be a good idea. I don't have any ambition to fly fighter jets (I'm built big... 6'3" and shoulders like a linebacker) but something multi-turbine would be cool and it would afford me the ability to further my education down the line. I'm thinking of waiting until after the election to see what happens and I know that the military is cutting flight slots across the board... just seeing if anyone has gone this route or has any advice? Thanks in advance.
04-13-2012, 10:56 PM
#4
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2012
Position: CRJ FO
Posts: 4,601
Would you mind expounding a little bit on your experience? What education did you have at the time you enlisted? I believe the Air Force may be out of the question for me because of the regulations on dress uniforms and visible tattoos... but USN, USMC, Army Fixed Wing, or perhaps Coast Guard would all be okay from what I've read. I tried to join the ANG after I finished my PPL only to find out that you can't have tattoos visible below the elbow regardless of education/flight experience etc because of AF regulations regarding their dress uniforms. I have always wanted to serve (I come from a very big military family USN/US Army) but wanted to do it in the right way and with the best possible shot at doing what I want to do (pilot/aviation). I am about to be 25, and I don't want to wait too much longer to join if I decide to go that route. Would my skill set basically guarantee me a flying position or are there no guarantees once I sign that paper? What is the process for someone in my position as far as training and initial rank are concerned? Do I still go through basic training/flight school? Once again, thank you for any advice.
04-14-2012, 03:56 AM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: ATL717A
Posts: 890
I have always wanted to serve (I come from a very big military family USN/US Army) but wanted to do it in the right way and with the best possible shot at doing what I want to do (pilot/aviation). I am about to be 25, and I don't want to wait too much longer to join if I decide to go that route. Would my skill set basically guarantee me a flying position or are there no guarantees once I sign that paper? What is the process for someone in my position as far as training and initial rank are concerned? Do I still go through basic training/flight school? Once again, thank you for any advice.
Not judging you, but a bunch of arm tattoos aren't going to be your best asset. I don't have any idea what you can do about that now, but I've never flown with anyone in the AF or airlines that had tats (that I could see).
To answer your original question, I had 3000+ hrs and an ATP when I went to UPT...made for a good year.
04-14-2012, 04:20 AM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,839
Would you mind expounding a little bit on your experience? What education did you have at the time you enlisted? I believe the Air Force may be out of the question for me because of the regulations on dress uniforms and visible tattoos... but USN, USMC, Army Fixed Wing, or perhaps Coast Guard would all be okay from what I've read. I tried to join the ANG after I finished my PPL only to find out that you can't have tattoos visible below the elbow regardless of education/flight experience etc because of AF regulations regarding their dress uniforms. I have always wanted to serve (I come from a very big military family USN/US Army) but wanted to do it in the right way and with the best possible shot at doing what I want to do (pilot/aviation). I am about to be 25, and I don't want to wait too much longer to join if I decide to go that route. Would my skill set basically guarantee me a flying position or are there no guarantees once I sign that paper? What is the process for someone in my position as far as training and initial rank are concerned? Do I still go through basic training/flight school? Once again, thank you for any advice.
Marine Corps Tatoo (Body Art) Policy
Current Tattoo Policy
The Marine Corps takes a conservative approach to personal appearance. Uniform regulations stress that personal appearance is to be conservative and commensurate with the high standards traditionally associated with the Marine Corps. No eccentricities in dress or appearance are permitted because they detract from uniformity and team identity.
Marines are prohibited from:
a. Tattoos or brands on the head and neck.
b. Sleeve Tatoos. A sleeve tattoo is a very large tattoo, or a collection of smaller tattoos, that covers or almost covers a person's entire arm or leg.
c. Half-sleeve or quarter sleeve tattoos that are visible to the eye when wearing standard PT Gear (T-shirt and shorts). A half-sleeve or quarter-sleeve tattoo is defined as a very large tattoo or collection of smaller tattoos that covers, or almost covers the entire portion of an arm or leg above or below the elbow or knee.
d. Tattoos or brands that are prejudicial to good order, discipline and morale, or are of a nature to bring discredit upon the Marine Corps. These may include, but are not limited to, any tattoo that is sexist, racist, vulgar, anti-american, anti-social, gang related, or extremest group or organization related.
Marines who currently have a sleeve tattoo(s) prior to 1 April 2007, will be grandfathered. The Marine's command will insert a photograph(s) of the respective (tattoo(s) along with a measurement(s) of the size in inches and of the location(s) on the body and the date the tattoo(s) was documented, on the Page 11 of the Marine's SRB. The Marine will sign the Page 11 entry verifying the information is correct.
The Marine Corps takes a conservative approach to personal appearance. Uniform regulations stress that personal appearance is to be conservative and commensurate with the high standards traditionally associated with the Marine Corps. No eccentricities in dress or appearance are permitted because they detract from uniformity and team identity.
Marines are prohibited from:
a. Tattoos or brands on the head and neck.
b. Sleeve Tatoos. A sleeve tattoo is a very large tattoo, or a collection of smaller tattoos, that covers or almost covers a person's entire arm or leg.
c. Half-sleeve or quarter sleeve tattoos that are visible to the eye when wearing standard PT Gear (T-shirt and shorts). A half-sleeve or quarter-sleeve tattoo is defined as a very large tattoo or collection of smaller tattoos that covers, or almost covers the entire portion of an arm or leg above or below the elbow or knee.
d. Tattoos or brands that are prejudicial to good order, discipline and morale, or are of a nature to bring discredit upon the Marine Corps. These may include, but are not limited to, any tattoo that is sexist, racist, vulgar, anti-american, anti-social, gang related, or extremest group or organization related.
Marines who currently have a sleeve tattoo(s) prior to 1 April 2007, will be grandfathered. The Marine's command will insert a photograph(s) of the respective (tattoo(s) along with a measurement(s) of the size in inches and of the location(s) on the body and the date the tattoo(s) was documented, on the Page 11 of the Marine's SRB. The Marine will sign the Page 11 entry verifying the information is correct.
You can probably Google 'tattoos and the _____' (insert service branch) and find the latest regulations pertaining to the tattoo policies of each branch.
USMCFLYR
04-14-2012, 05:06 AM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2012
Position: A-10
Posts: 142
I was a flight instructor through college and then flew corporate after. On 9-12-2001 I went to see a recruiter and joined because I was passionate about serving for my country. You need to ask yourself what you want to do with your career. Do you want to serve your country or fly airplanes. I can tell you that the Air Force doesn't care if you want to fly. You are an officer first and if they see the need for you to sit behind a desk, then that is what you will do. BL is you are not just a pilot in any service.
My flight experience helped me a lot through primary UPT. Towards the end of flight training all of us were on a more level playing field. You will get the best flight training in the world from the military regardless your experience level as a civilian. You will get to do things in military jets that you can only dream of.
We have many guys your size in the fighter/attack community so don't worry about that. It's a long commitment but in 12+ years down the road when you decide to go to any other job, your resume will be much more impressive than your civilian counter parts.
My flight experience helped me a lot through primary UPT. Towards the end of flight training all of us were on a more level playing field. You will get the best flight training in the world from the military regardless your experience level as a civilian. You will get to do things in military jets that you can only dream of.
We have many guys your size in the fighter/attack community so don't worry about that. It's a long commitment but in 12+ years down the road when you decide to go to any other job, your resume will be much more impressive than your civilian counter parts.
04-14-2012, 06:24 AM
#8
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2012
Position: CRJ FO
Posts: 4,601
Ya, I grew up in a bit of a different world. Tattoos were more the norm for me and my environment than for most. When I started getting tattoos, it was almost like it wasn't a big deal in the least bit. Everyone I surrounded myself with had them so it didn't seem like a big deal when I turned 18 to go get some. That said, the experiences I've gained from those days in my life have made me stronger than most. And I'm a better person for them. I know for a fact that US Army and USN aren't as worried about it as the USAF or USMC. And I know of officers in the USN that have full sleeves etc. Now, will that hurt me with promotions? I believe that is a possibility. But then again I'm not trying to be an Admiral or anything.
And to answer hawgdriver: I want to serve my country and fly airplanes. If doing so means I have to fly a desk for some period of time then that is fine with me. You have to pay to play. My main reasonings for wanting to join other than to serve my country, are to further my education down the road and to gain some one-of-a-kind experience doing it.
If my tattoos mean I can't fly in the military, then I will just stay civvie and work on my career like I've been doing. I wear long sleeves and pants every day of my life so it isn't that big of a deal to most employers. I have an impressive job history for someone my age so that helps too. Thanks for the responses guys! I'm gong to search UPT on here and start reading.
And to answer hawgdriver: I want to serve my country and fly airplanes. If doing so means I have to fly a desk for some period of time then that is fine with me. You have to pay to play. My main reasonings for wanting to join other than to serve my country, are to further my education down the road and to gain some one-of-a-kind experience doing it.
If my tattoos mean I can't fly in the military, then I will just stay civvie and work on my career like I've been doing. I wear long sleeves and pants every day of my life so it isn't that big of a deal to most employers. I have an impressive job history for someone my age so that helps too. Thanks for the responses guys! I'm gong to search UPT on here and start reading.
04-14-2012, 10:25 AM
#9
On Reserve
Joined APC: May 2011
Position: 767 FO, CH-47 PI
Posts: 23
Would you mind expounding a little bit on your experience? What education did you have at the time you enlisted? I believe the Air Force may be out of the question for me because of the regulations on dress uniforms and visible tattoos... but USN, USMC, Army Fixed Wing, or perhaps Coast Guard would all be okay from what I've read. I tried to join the ANG after I finished my PPL only to find out that you can't have tattoos visible below the elbow regardless of education/flight experience etc because of AF regulations regarding their dress uniforms. I have always wanted to serve (I come from a very big military family USN/US Army) but wanted to do it in the right way and with the best possible shot at doing what I want to do (pilot/aviation). I am about to be 25, and I don't want to wait too much longer to join if I decide to go that route. Would my skill set basically guarantee me a flying position or are there no guarantees once I sign that paper? What is the process for someone in my position as far as training and initial rank are concerned? Do I still go through basic training/flight school? Once again, thank you for any advice.
Good luck with your choice.
04-14-2012, 01:25 PM
#10
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2011
Posts: 44
My flight school experience is >15 years old (USMC), but I had commercial SEL, MEL and instrument, ~1300 hours and did well. I suspect the same principles apply now (for both USN and USAF flight schools). Basically, if you can land a T6 on your first flight, you will be ahead of your peers from a stick and rudder standpoint. The same goes for instrument skills, etc.
However, your best strategy is to not rely on your civilian experience to carry you through flight school. The military is only interested in you learning to fly their way. You should study hard and be at least as well prepared for your flights as the students without civilian experience. Not being prepared for a brief stinks of laziness, and your reputation as a student will be formed and will spread quickly. The instructors will not tolerate laziness. One guy in the class ahead of me was a >1000 hour CFI and flunked out of T34s. The word was he didn't learn his emergency procedures verbatim; thought he didn't have to because he knew what to do generally during emergencies.
As far as the tatoos, why not apply to all services and see what happens? They'll tell you if its a problem.
However, your best strategy is to not rely on your civilian experience to carry you through flight school. The military is only interested in you learning to fly their way. You should study hard and be at least as well prepared for your flights as the students without civilian experience. Not being prepared for a brief stinks of laziness, and your reputation as a student will be formed and will spread quickly. The instructors will not tolerate laziness. One guy in the class ahead of me was a >1000 hour CFI and flunked out of T34s. The word was he didn't learn his emergency procedures verbatim; thought he didn't have to because he knew what to do generally during emergencies.
As far as the tatoos, why not apply to all services and see what happens? They'll tell you if its a problem.
