Active Duty or ANG?
02-12-2013, 02:32 PM
#31
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,116
More details on that? Can you only fly/deploy with your unit? Is this transport aircraft only, or fighter wings too?
02-12-2013, 04:19 PM
#32
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,170
You can very likely deploy with other guard/reserve units of like airframe, if they have availability (not normally a problem) and you're not hosing your own unit by doing so. You can also volunteer to deploy with an active duty unit in some cases. This might all be coming to an end with the budget cuts, though.
02-18-2013, 08:02 AM
#33
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2012
Position: Babysitter
Posts: 975
If the airlines are your goal, I would definitely do the Guard/Reserve route. That AD commitment will cause you too miss some "hopefully" good hiring in the next decade and that seniority number is everything.
Being a "Guard/Reserve Baby" isn't bad, typically you find yourself "Bumming" and taking any flying that is open which can lead to lots of hours. When I bummed I actually would go fly with a sister squadron, if they needed a pilot for a trip, which translated into them calling me when they had some flying.
And it's true, I don't think I've ever heard a guard/reserve guy say that they wished they went active duty.......
Best thing to do is the shot gun route with the Guard/Reserves......call every unit in the country, keep track of who you talked to and when and walk the fine line of being annoying and showing interest. Try to talk to the Chief Pilot and if you don't talk to him ask whoever you talk to the names. Took me 2 yrs of doing this to get a slot........no regrets.....and visit as many units as you can.....it's good to go on a UTA weekend.....you'll be able to talk to the most number of people.......also, it wouldn't hurt that when you're talking to the Chief Pilot in his office to notice what his favorite bottle is.......
Being a "Guard/Reserve Baby" isn't bad, typically you find yourself "Bumming" and taking any flying that is open which can lead to lots of hours. When I bummed I actually would go fly with a sister squadron, if they needed a pilot for a trip, which translated into them calling me when they had some flying.
And it's true, I don't think I've ever heard a guard/reserve guy say that they wished they went active duty.......
Best thing to do is the shot gun route with the Guard/Reserves......call every unit in the country, keep track of who you talked to and when and walk the fine line of being annoying and showing interest. Try to talk to the Chief Pilot and if you don't talk to him ask whoever you talk to the names. Took me 2 yrs of doing this to get a slot........no regrets.....and visit as many units as you can.....it's good to go on a UTA weekend.....you'll be able to talk to the most number of people.......also, it wouldn't hurt that when you're talking to the Chief Pilot in his office to notice what his favorite bottle is.......
02-19-2013, 06:34 AM
#34
Line Holder
Joined APC: May 2012
Posts: 32
Keep applying to Gaurd/Reserve units where ever you can. Call units around you and talk to the chief pilot or hiring guy. Tell him you would like to come out and visit the unit on a UTA weekend that he thinks will be the best for you to talk to pilots and get to spend time with them. Hell they may even ask you to go out one night with them to see how you are socially. Use your best drinking manners, we had a guy in our interview group that got wasted at a squadron party. Needless to say he didnt get selected.
The main thing with Guard/Reserve is to get your face in front of them and let them know youre serious about joining. Try and show up as much as you can without getting annoying or getting in the way.
Dont limit yourself to local bases. My ANG unit is 4hours drivetime away but I would have moved to Alaska if I was selected by them. I put out around 30+ packets to places (Guard and Reserve) and made HUNDREDS of calls to units. I interviewed at about 6 places and on my last interview I got selected. I even got called by a few places that I had interviewed with that wanted me to come back and interview for their next board. Thats the worst phone call I ever had to make was declining an interview after working so hard to even get one.
Another thing, success is being prepared and TIMING. Call bases and ask when their boards are meeting. Send you packet in and make sure its COMPLETE with what they are asking for. Most bases have the same bread and butter items but some will ask for additional things. Like I said before go out and visit a month or so before the interview. Try and get your face in front of every pilot there and be HUMBLE. These guys have to decide if they want to spend over 8 hours in a tube at 25,000 ft with you on trips.
Feel free to pm me if you have any other questions. There are alot of guys on here with good information. I just spent 2 1/2 years trying to get in from start to finish (Tests, physicals, LOR's , interviews etc. ) and I can tell you one thing, do not give up. Persistance pays.
The main thing with Guard/Reserve is to get your face in front of them and let them know youre serious about joining. Try and show up as much as you can without getting annoying or getting in the way.
Dont limit yourself to local bases. My ANG unit is 4hours drivetime away but I would have moved to Alaska if I was selected by them. I put out around 30+ packets to places (Guard and Reserve) and made HUNDREDS of calls to units. I interviewed at about 6 places and on my last interview I got selected. I even got called by a few places that I had interviewed with that wanted me to come back and interview for their next board. Thats the worst phone call I ever had to make was declining an interview after working so hard to even get one.
Another thing, success is being prepared and TIMING. Call bases and ask when their boards are meeting. Send you packet in and make sure its COMPLETE with what they are asking for. Most bases have the same bread and butter items but some will ask for additional things. Like I said before go out and visit a month or so before the interview. Try and get your face in front of every pilot there and be HUMBLE. These guys have to decide if they want to spend over 8 hours in a tube at 25,000 ft with you on trips.
Feel free to pm me if you have any other questions. There are alot of guys on here with good information. I just spent 2 1/2 years trying to get in from start to finish (Tests, physicals, LOR's , interviews etc. ) and I can tell you one thing, do not give up. Persistance pays.
03-01-2013, 06:52 PM
#36
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2013
Position: 737/FO
Posts: 195
I appreciate your maturity to make an informed decision. So, when I graduated college and wanted to fly I was already enlisted Mx in the ANG. I applied both AD and ANG. Bottom line...AD offer came first. I have enjoyed AD and will retire in 3-4 yrs with a nice pension. I'll also be young enough to do at least 20 yrs in airlines if I want (and of course if they are hiring). Over 20 yrs on AD you'll make lots of friends in airlines and that will be waiting for you 10-20 yrs from now. Don't be affraid of AD...tell me of a job without some BS. AD does offer more stability in some respects and a diversity of opportunities.
For hours alone (not the model career officer path), here's the AD path I'd shoot for knowing what I do now. Be a FAIP (first assignment IP) in T-1s then go C-130s or KC-135s because you can then find a guard or reserve unit to suppliment your pay the first few yrs w/ a Major. Take a pass on in residence schools and then go to the FTUs and instruct new C-130/KC-135 students. That will = over 10 yrs of flying and you'll have >3K+ hrs. Regardless, thank you for your willingness to serve and remember you are an officer before a pilot. Clear Skies and Tailwinds!
For hours alone (not the model career officer path), here's the AD path I'd shoot for knowing what I do now. Be a FAIP (first assignment IP) in T-1s then go C-130s or KC-135s because you can then find a guard or reserve unit to suppliment your pay the first few yrs w/ a Major. Take a pass on in residence schools and then go to the FTUs and instruct new C-130/KC-135 students. That will = over 10 yrs of flying and you'll have >3K+ hrs. Regardless, thank you for your willingness to serve and remember you are an officer before a pilot. Clear Skies and Tailwinds!
04-10-2013, 04:32 PM
#37
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jun 2011
Posts: 522
I'd like to thank everyone again for all of their help throughout this topic. I figured I would come back and update on what route I ultimately chose.
Due to a variety of reasons I chose the Active Duty route. I know a lot of you will think I am an idiot for that but after lots of thought Active Duty seemed to fit more with what I was looking for. I am extremely excited about the opportunity to head to OTS and UPT. This has truly been a dream of mine since I was 5.
I have my flight physical next week, which I hope goes well. I'm on the edge of needing a Refractive Error Waiver I think, but I've heard those are relatively straight forward. Fingers crossed.
Due to a variety of reasons I chose the Active Duty route. I know a lot of you will think I am an idiot for that but after lots of thought Active Duty seemed to fit more with what I was looking for. I am extremely excited about the opportunity to head to OTS and UPT. This has truly been a dream of mine since I was 5.
I have my flight physical next week, which I hope goes well. I'm on the edge of needing a Refractive Error Waiver I think, but I've heard those are relatively straight forward. Fingers crossed.
06-17-2013, 07:46 PM
#39
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: 737 Right
Posts: 1,385
Congrats. There's no bad choices.
I did active duty, then active duty Guard/Reserve, then Traditional Reservist and managed to chase down an active duty retirement and am now flying with Southwest. No door is really closed to you.
Everything I've seen from the USAF is that they have cleverly planned themselves into a manned aircraft shortage that has already his the fighter side hard. Almost all fighter dudes are currently getting ops-ops assignments and if the USAF ends up buying all the F35's it has planned, they cannot physically train enough guys to fill all the cockpits.
Active Duty is hard work but it has it's own set of rewards. The pay isn't bad either. Tough on a family was my biggest complaint. I don't regret any of it.
I did active duty, then active duty Guard/Reserve, then Traditional Reservist and managed to chase down an active duty retirement and am now flying with Southwest. No door is really closed to you.
Everything I've seen from the USAF is that they have cleverly planned themselves into a manned aircraft shortage that has already his the fighter side hard. Almost all fighter dudes are currently getting ops-ops assignments and if the USAF ends up buying all the F35's it has planned, they cannot physically train enough guys to fill all the cockpits.
Active Duty is hard work but it has it's own set of rewards. The pay isn't bad either. Tough on a family was my biggest complaint. I don't regret any of it.
06-18-2013, 05:52 AM
#40
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2012
Posts: 85
Congrats. There's no bad choices.
I did active duty, then active duty Guard/Reserve, then Traditional Reservist and managed to chase down an active duty retirement and am now flying with Southwest. No door is really closed to you.
Everything I've seen from the USAF is that they have cleverly planned themselves into a manned aircraft shortage that has already his the fighter side hard. Almost all fighter dudes are currently getting ops-ops assignments and if the USAF ends up buying all the F35's it has planned, they cannot physically train enough guys to fill all the cockpits.
Active Duty is hard work but it has it's own set of rewards. The pay isn't bad either. Tough on a family was my biggest complaint. I don't regret any of it.
I did active duty, then active duty Guard/Reserve, then Traditional Reservist and managed to chase down an active duty retirement and am now flying with Southwest. No door is really closed to you.
Everything I've seen from the USAF is that they have cleverly planned themselves into a manned aircraft shortage that has already his the fighter side hard. Almost all fighter dudes are currently getting ops-ops assignments and if the USAF ends up buying all the F35's it has planned, they cannot physically train enough guys to fill all the cockpits.
Active Duty is hard work but it has it's own set of rewards. The pay isn't bad either. Tough on a family was my biggest complaint. I don't regret any of it.
Cleverly planned? Sarcasm? If not, please explain, I have not heard/thought of this angle.
Sorry for thread derail.....
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