jcollins

On a more serious note this is the only way you're going to overcome your decision.

AFIs are not US Code and you can get a ETP. The question is who is willing to go to bat for you and can they.

UTC is a very military friendly company, for example they will allow you to double dip during your annual training periods. As far as moving around goes, if you work at the main headquarters in Connecticut, there are plenty of opportunities in state (meaning you won't have to move) since the majority of UTC's business units are located there.

I think SuperWSO's comments are spot on. Going into the Guard/Reserves is a smart decision and IMHO the best unemployment insurance you can have - plus the fact that it gives you access to Tricare Reserve Select medical if need be. Going into old OPRs is a good idea too - a lot of these companies are looking looking for project managers, and anyone whose been in the Air Force for some time has managed projects, so you can support that with your documentation.

It's going to happen, that is how the Guard is doing it now...

In my experience hardly anyone in the Guard does SOS in residence, unless they are a guard bum and need the two months of pay. In the Guard it's just checking a box.

It's been a while since I wore stripes but I thought Command Chiefs were supposed to look out for the well-being of their enlisted folks. This guy seems intent on sucking up to his boss instead. Don't worry there are plenty of people in the civilian world who will MF their people and their peers to get ahead as well. This guy will fit in just fine when he retires.

I don't understand. What is the different between a pilot and a maintainer in this context? If they pull the aircraft, both loose their jobs. I call BS. Rainman is correct, the USAF owns the iron. But we (the Guard) have a lot of political pull, something I would not discount. Plus the fact that we are substantially cheaper than AD.

Slilock, if you were to actually spend some time around the USMC (instead of coming on here and running your mouth about things you know nothing about), you would know that NCOs in that service police their own, just like Rainman is saying. There should be no need for officers to get involved.

My experience with a USAA mortgage, while not a bad as badgerPilot, was still terrible. My mortgage processor never answered the phone, and only sporadically answered voicemail messages. I did not miss my closing, but came close. I ended up getting so frustrated with USAA that when I had to get homeowner's insurance, I went with a local agent who got me a much better rates for both home and car (I canceled my USAA auto policy). I recently did a VA IRRL refinance since rates dropped significantly in the last couple years since I bought the house. I ended up shopping for rates on Zillow and went with the National Bank of Kansas City. Little no-name bank, but they actually wanted my business, process was very smooth and the processor was professional and easy to get a hold of. Plus the rate was much better than what USAA was offering. I have an NCO that recently closed on a house with USAA and their experience was similar to mine. Processor never answered the phone, never called back. Making the closing came down to the last minute. They will never use USAA again after that experience. It appears USAA is trying to expand their market share and play with the big boys. I see their ads all the time on TV now. It's unfortunate that it seems they've lost their customer service as a result.

The option for buyback is for retirement credit. You get the choice to do this, within 5 years I think. If you decide to do so you have to pay a certain percentage. The credit for seniority/vacation time earning rate is automatic, when you in-process you bring in your DD214s, etc and they artificially backdate your start date for this purpose.

Get out the laser. You want to fly for the ANG, there are plenty of people who want to fly for the ANG. Plenty of people that don't have humongous tattoos running the length of their forearm, something that would be blatantly visible, in short sleeve blues.

The max enlistment age for Air Guard non-prior service is 34.

I'll caveat that I am speaking from the Guard side of the house. The above is true if you are a technician or traditional Guardsman (really the same militarily). If you are an AGR you need a control grade to get that next rank even if you an O-4 in an O-5 slot and eligible for position vacancy (which cuts 3 years off TIG, from 7 to 4 years).

The other wicket you have to contend with is Maj, LtCol, Col are all "Controlled Grades" in the AGR program, there are limited amount of each as you go up. So you could be in an O-5 slot, meet the TIG and not be promotable because you are an AGR. It's easier to get promoted militarily as a technician or a TR.

Are you serious? For all you cadets, here is a sound piece of advice: AFROTC is not real. AFROTC is a game. Don't sweat the small stuff. Focus on the big stuff. College grades are big stuff. College grades will get you dis-enrolled. Failing the PFT is big stuff. Failing the PFT will get you dis-enrolled. AFROTC positions are small stuff. AFROTC positions are handed out to everyone to give them a chance at "leadership". The people who did the best at these are the ones who did not try to be heroes. Why do you think you have to re-invent the wheel? Trust me. When I did AFROTC, I used to sit back with my cadre (yeah, I was prior-enlisted) and laugh at some of these cadets who would go nuts with this stuff. They all got a rude shock when they entered the real Air Force and figured out that as 2nd Lts they did not know anything. The best cadets were the ones who were humble, had their priorities right and tracked the big stuff.

You guys bring up valid points about the Portal, the email, the Comm Focal Point, CSAs, etc. All I can say is things are being addressed. I know you have old iron you fly, well we have the same issues in Comm. Rainman makes a great point that commercial providers are profit-driven to have the best service they can get. We get the best we can get on a shoestring budget. The CITS project is making great strides to fix our outdated infrastructure. Email sizes are going up as things centralize to the NOSC. The lack of information on the Portal is an issue, but that is unit-driven (the individual units/bases maintain their pages, not Comm) and is being address in our cultural ERM change to the Portal and the COPs. CSAs, what can I say, the Air Force is cutting our funding just like the FSS folks and your lack of Orderly Rooms. So then the CSAF has the decision to make, do we hand out additional duties CSA or do we not buy F-35s? What do you think is the better choice? Also, to agree again with Rainman, there should be no tactical discussion here on this board. If you want to know the real world rationale on some of the lockdowns on our network, get on the SIPR or JWICS. Going along with this logic we should buy no more F-22s, F-35s but just C-17s and KC-Xs. After we have 10,000 tankers then maybe we should buy a fighter. Does this make sense to you?

We don't care. We could care less about wings. We only care about what we bring to the fight and if you want to know what that is then get on the SIPR.

The position you are referring to is what is called a Dual Status Technician. We technicians are members of the Guard who are also employed in full-time support roles as Federal Employees. We wear the uniform and play the military game but get paid as Fed GS/WG during the week. On the weekend and during AT/Deployments we get additional pay from the military. To get a job like this you need to be in drilling Reserve status with the unit. So yes you do have to go to AMS and become a military officer to do it. You can go through AMS just fine without military experience, there were people in my class who did it. Once you get commissioned through AMS, you can start your job. Technicians only work 40 hours a week (we get comp time if we need it), we get all the regular Fed Employee benefits. You will do whatever is called out in your job description...look up GS 0810 series if you are interested...you will probably oversee construction projects as a COR...do a Google search for SRM, MILCON, etc. You will also perform work as needed to support the part timers of your squadron (ie. plan UTA training, Silver Flag, etc).

A crew chief is a jack of all trades when it comes to aircraft maintenance. You will launch and recover aircraft (read: help pilot pre-flight, do systems check, marshall to EOR, marshall from EOR, debrief pilot when aircraft breaks...). You will perform basic maintenance tasks. Unless you work Phase get ready for working outside all the time on the flightline. The more indepth work on aircraft will either by done by specialists (such as avionics of which I was) or in Phase which is a scheduled inspection/maintenance in hanger (crew chiefs do this as well, but they are assigned to the phase shop). The bad: the weather can suck. The jets break. The hours vary. You get dirty. Dealing with pilots (listen to Dos Gringos "I'm a Pilot") The good: you get to work jets. Tip of the spear compared to most. It's nice to work outside (when its not really hot or cold or raining). You have a great mission. Most pilots are awesome dudes and if that is where you want to go you have an in (lotta zipper-suited sun gods from my Guard unit were former crew chiefs).

The age limit for commissioning is 39 with prior service.

There is a locked closet in the first floor of the dorm that you can store your luggage in if you don't have a car there (plenty of people will not have cars).

Look up USERRA. Basically, you are covered for up to five years cumulative military leave from an employer (and there are many exceptions that don't count toward that 5 year limit).

GRAP pays you a $2k bonus for referring someone to a unit. The recruit will get their own bonus for enlisting. This year I believe for a NPS it is $20k, depending on career field.