Want to join the military - round 2.

I have a question...When did i ever say being in the Guard or Reserves was half assking it? I simply stated try and be the best you can be. Dont half ass it. Regardless where you go in the military its a good way to start your life. I think we would all agree on that.

 

Graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science and now working towards a masters. ATP rated pilot with over 4000 hours of time, mostly in jets.

E-7 and proud!!!

 

Aft Stop.........left is Winchester.

 

BUT I am glad you are off your soap box. good dismount

 

OP, did you look at the KC-135 unit at Phoenix Airport? Our AF Reserve unit (helo's and an ass load of fun) hires off the street...

There is an ANG unit in Tucson but they training F-16 pilots so most hired are rated and IP's. There is a Reserve F-16 unit at Luke but same same.

Now...this is a long shot but...there is a ANG Predator unit in Tucson that might be looking for "pilots". Some will laugh but the UAV community offers some serious contract jobs that can make you some serious money. I know a lot of dudes doing it and they make some coin. They are the wave of the future and now is a great time to be getting in on it...just a thought.

Apache and Blackhawk units in the state as well of rotors are your thing.

 

If what I said offended anyone in the National Guard or Reserves, I appologise, that was not my intention.

 

I would also like to add, and I am sure that the others will agree, that in the last two or so years, the quality of new recruits both in the Officer core and Enlisted core have taken a hit. You could ask ten people and get ten answers as to why, but I think one thing is clear, there is a major underestimate of the commitment and the major sacrifices that you might have to make. If you go active duty, you might not get the job you want, you might not get the location you want, you will probably miss holidays, kids birthdays.. etc, and there are many many more examples.

I totally loved and still love the life style of the military but I didn't have a family or any other obligations. I have seen a lot of members and their families have a really hard time with the "choice" taken away.

My uncle (O-6 NAVY) told me back when I was thinking about joining, to make a list of all the reasons for and against serving and then sleep on it for a month, and never join for financial reasons or other superficial reasons because you will end up hating it.

I don't know your reasons or why you are interested but perhaps his advise could help you or others enjoy service that much more.

 

ouch man that hits alot of the people in the military that maintain everything. FYI no pilot takes off unless ATC (all enlisted folks)says so. I have a degree but my job is only enlisted, not that i was not educated.

please be careful how you word your statements.

WOOT keep up the work!



Thank You Airmen/Soldiers/Sailors, for all your work and dedication to keep this Country as it should be Free.

 

Maybe he meant that if you are educated, do not enlist in the Navy!!!

 

HAHA!!! I second that

 

Thanks for the continuous feedback guys.

 

As a matter of fact, I called the unit at Sky Harbor and talked with the "head" recruiter there which is where i got the info that they typically hire from within.....

I have been doing some research on the F-16 unit in Tucson. A buddy of mine is a crew chief who just got a call to get his medical in TX to fly with that unit, so i have some insight from him.... however, he already worked with the unit so he had an easier time getting in there than i will have simply because i dont know anybody.

As for the predators, that is a viable option too because as you said, that IS the future. My brother in law was a crew chief in Tucson and separated 2 years ago. Shortly after that he interviewed with Boeing and got hired and trained to fly UAV's. He was on a short 4 month deployment with a unit in afganistan and made some serious coin. He is currently teaching students at the Academy in CO.

I will never say anyone is lucky to be where they are in life simply because its not a luck thing, its all how they payed the cards and made their choices. But he is my age (24) and is set up quite nicely.

 

Go around the recruiter and talk to the DO (director of operations) or Squadron commander. The recruiter is there for paperwork purposes when it comes to flying squadrons.

 

I would say ask your father his opinion and use his contacts to your benefit. Also the Air National Guard may be the best way to achieve what your goals are. Are you a member on Jetcareers.com? There is some great info over there as on baseops. I have recently read on Jetcareers that there are fewer commissions due to most branches being over capacity. You don't want to fly a desk or some remote controlled aircraft. I would rather be a military surgeon in country and helping in that facet rather than flying a remote controlled aircraft or desk. That is a whole other topic though.

Both my parents traveled the world with the AF reserves and Air Guard. Whenever our country is involved in a war/conflict the reserves/guard are tasked heavily. Never look at it as being half assed. It allows people to do two things in life, serve their country/community and also be a civilian. Research all your options and then decide. I would hope you do attain your commission. Good luck and thanks for being part of USAA.

 

I would go talk about enlisting in the Navy for EOD. Assuming you like the water. The reason I say enlisting and not officer even though you have a degree is simply because your working career in EOD as an officer is very limited. After a couple platoons you'll be done playing with the boys. As an Enlisted dude, you'll be rockin out until you're a senior chief. Plus for the first 2 or 3 years, you'll make more than fresh O's. Once O's hit LT games over, they win the paycheck, but it's fun for that short time to harass them about it.

 

If you enlist in any service for active duty, you'll be selling yourself short since you already have a degree.

 

Why is that?

 

• He spent his time getting a degree already why not get paid for it now, most enlisted personnel strive to get one and the benefits that come from getting a degree are usually not seen in the first years of an enlistment (think of this as his investment not paying out)
• The pay disparity is huge, an O1 gets $2745 vs a E1 getting $1447, given that he has a degree, he might eek out E4 which is $1889/month (that's just basic pay)
• Responsibility is greater with an Officer
• The paths to an enlisted commission aren't as easy as it's being conveyed

I've seen quite a few people in the different services who have degrees and aren't officers that are very unhappy with their decision to enlist vs apply for a commission. I worked psych for 16 years and I get my experience from the patients, not strictly from them though. I have seen a few who were happy with the decision, but they are far outnumbered by those who aren't.

I have one friend, he came into the Navy as an enlisted member with a degree. He applied for a comission after a few years and got selected. It wasn't easy for him to get selected, he had to advance one paygrade, from E4 to E5 which took him awhile and then apply and get selected. It is doable, but not the easiest and far from guaranteed.

 

it all depends on the type of job whether it's worth going enlisted or not