hindsight2020

Sorry long post, I think the answer is because if you accept a commission as an officer in the unit (a non-pilot officer position that is) that's it for you, since pilot is an officer position itself. If you're enlisted you can "upgrade" so to speak. I may be wayyy off but I think that's the reason a bunch of people who have no business or incentive joining as enlisted do so even with a degree under their belts! (which automatically enables you to apply for an officer spot). Folks feel free to correct my info on that one since I do not know that for sure...what I've perceived from the numbers of people for sure is that there is a non-incentive in becoming a non-flying officer and then seeking the slot as opposed to be enlisted and seeking the slot...I just don't know the exact reason :D I believe the reason Nate is wanting to enlist is because he's painfully aware, just like the rest of us ANG pilot wannabe's, that to get a pilot slot in the Guard you gotta be connected,um connected or..er,um... connected. If your dad is not the commander, or you don't know the governor of your state, or the adjuntant general for the Guard of your state for that matter, then being a crew chief is as close to being connected as it gets. For the purposes of full disclosure I got ONE interview (as an out-of state non prior...aka fu***d) and it went great, the guys loved me and it came down to 'well if you were a little older, and were from the unit we would give ya the job right now). They may pull some force for me in the recommendation and I may have good news in a month but I'm not sleeping on it, I'm 98% confident I won't get the job, 1% confident I MAY get a 4th alternate or something and 1% confident I'll be the 1% that gets an UPT slot as out-of-state non prior civilian ...and I understand their reasons. Personally I would never enlist with a degree and a pilot's license under my belt but I'm aware of the incentives and why people do it and take no bitter feel when they give it to the crew guy over a dispossesed outsider like myself since it is righteously yours putting in your time (I'm just bitter about not being advantaged and everybody deciding to become Johnny Maverick at the same freggin time ) Bear in mind being a crew chief still doesn't guarantee you being picked up by the unit so you gotta be careful what you wish for...real nice to get deployed to the sandbox between college semesters and get passed down a couple of years and then coming to the end of your enlistment and still jack for a pilot slot and having to think about re-enlisting. That's my .02 pesos, happy flying folks :cool: P.S. sorry about the jacked intel on the first paragraph I have no factual proof of the reasons only hearsay.