nashalboxer Posted March 19, 2015 Posted March 19, 2015 I was recently notified that I have been selected for both an active duty pilot slot as well as a slot at my local ANG unit in my home town. I'm having problems deciding which slot to accept. The local ANG squadron flies C130s which seems like a very cool platform to fly, and it would be amazing to be local my entire career around family because it is where I grew up. I also plan to fly for the airlines one day and most of the pilots in the unit fly for the airlines so I would have a lot of connections to the majors. However it is tempting to go active duty for the outstanding benefits and the chance at fighters which has been a dream of mine. However after looking at recent T38/fighter drops on the forums and talking with current Instructor Pilots at UPT now, it doesn't look like the odds are in my favor to gamble for fighters. Any advice would be appreciated as I'm trying to make this tough decision.
LookieRookie Posted March 19, 2015 Posted March 19, 2015 You may not track a 38 if you go AD. You definitely won't track a 38 if you go guard. (Unless you are the small percentage of heavy guard guys who have orders to 38s because the guard bureau ran out of T-1 slots.)
brabus Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 However after looking at recent T38/fighter drops on the forums and talking with current Instructor Pilots at UPT now, it doesn't look like the odds are in my favor to gamble for fighters. Completely disregard drops on this forum and anything people say, including UPT instructors or a random fighter pilot you know...completely serious. You are so far from track select, let alone getting a post-UPT assignment, there's no telling what will happen. If you go AD, you could be in a class where everyone gets a Viper on assignment night (apparently just happened), or you could get to track select and there's one T-38 and you're not the guy. Point is, NOBODY has an clue what it'll be like for you in 1.5-2 years. Every class is different, assignments go in waves, etc. If you go Guard there's a lot of great things, but you can pretty much count on never flying a fighter - if you're OK with that then take the guard job and never look back. If you'll always be wondering, "what if?" then in my opinion it's worth taking the chance, and even if in the end you don't end up in a fighter, there's still a lot great flying to be had in something else, doing great missions, and hell, you could still end up flying Hercs anyways and get a job at your hometown unit in 8-10 years. 1
SurelySerious Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 Looking at the historical data should show that drops are unpredictable, and, like Brabus said, figure out what you want to do and go for it.
Kenny Powers Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 ENJJPT 15-04. Not exactly all Vipers, there were 2 X C-130 and 1 Raptor. But 12 AD Vipers did drop.
carminsandiego Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 kind of off topic but seems like Columbus drops highest number of fighters. Did anyone else notice that?
hispeed7721 Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 (edited) kind of off topic but seems like Columbus drops highest number of fighters. Did anyone else notice that? 100% anecdotal...that may be true for 6-9 drops but it can/will change Plus I'm pretty sure that (in total) ENJJPT has dropped the most Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited March 22, 2015 by hispeed7721
dvlax40 Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 I was in the same boat of being on the fence. dont know the 130 unit but honestly to me, it came down to what puts me up in the air the most and the reality from the guard side was not a fighter. now AD may be (is) different so YMMV
carminsandiego Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 100% anecdotal...that may be true for 6-9 drops but it can/will change Plus I'm pretty sure that (in total) ENJJPT has dropped the most Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Sorry, should have clarified. Obviously ENJJPT drops most fighters- I meant out of the 3 other SUPT bases
matmacwc Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 Sorry, should have clarified. Obviously ENJJPT drops most fighters- I meant out of the 3 other SUPT bases And 2 years ago it wasn't, it's cyclical and you can't game it.
SurelySerious Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Sorry, should have clarified. Obviously ENJJPT drops most fighters- I meant out of the 3 other SUPT bases Looking at the historical data should show that drops are unpredictable, and, like Brabus said, figure out what you want to do and go for it. Allow myself to quote...myself. 1
BullDawg Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 I am in the same boat with the AFROTC pilot slot but the guard unit that has been talking with me is a Viper unit so I appreciate all the advice as well. Ever since the unit talked about the possibility of me coming on board I've been trying to amass as much information about the guard as I can because AFROTC tells us absolutely nothing about the guard. So any wisdom y'all can share with me would be greatly appreciated. To the original post... I am trying not to stress out or get my hopes up or feel like I have to make a decision right away because as far as I know there hasn't been any direction from AFROTC HQ allowing cadets to get out of their FY16 contracts to go guard/reserve, unless these guard units that we have been in contact with know more than our Det commanders (which I don't doubt). I know that they rolled out that program allowing FY15 graduates to get out and go guard last summer and from what I hear around my Det is that it probably will be offered for FY16 but hasn't been made official yet. Then again, it may not be an option for the rated folks even if it is offered for FY16. All that to say, obviously you shouldn't go and give up your AD slot without some sort of "guarantee" from that guard unit. Also, how are they framing this UPT "offer" to you? Are they planning on you commissioning through AFROTC and then going guard post-commission or are you getting out of AFROTC all together, graduating and then having them send you to OTS? Because I have yet to discuss that with the unit I am in contact with and I'm interested in what you have been told because that is a big question. I was just thinking that it will probably be buried in the details of the program if/when it is released but if you have heard/been told otherwise, I'd love to know.
nashalboxer Posted March 25, 2015 Author Posted March 25, 2015 I was actually offered the active duty pilot slot though OTS. I'm a civilian that applied and the board selected me; I'm not in ROTC.
nashalboxer Posted March 25, 2015 Author Posted March 25, 2015 Just to update everyone on my decision; after going back and forth I have decided to go Guard. It just seems like it would work out better for me and my family in the long run giving me more control and flexibility over my life. I can get my foot in door at the airlines earlier where seniority is everything. Living in the Dallas Fort Worth area provides a lot of opportunity at the majors; especially at American and South West. I'll definitely have to fly for the regionals to help build my time faster to qualify for the majors. My guard unit is located here in the metroplex so my commute to both jobs would be minimal. I'm very grateful for the opportunity and thanks again for everyone's advice.
dvlax40 Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 Dude. read up on the airlines before you start saying things like fly for the regionals. You should be able to get your atp and get on at a major if you do it right
12xu2a3x3 Posted March 26, 2015 Posted March 26, 2015 Just to update everyone on my decision; after going back and forth I have decided to go Guard. It just seems like it would work out better for me and my family in the long run giving me more control and flexibility over my life. I can get my foot in door at the airlines earlier where seniority is everything. Living in the Dallas Fort Worth area provides a lot of opportunity at the majors; especially at American and South West. I'll definitely have to fly for the regionals to help build my time faster to qualify for the majors. My guard unit is located here in the metroplex so my commute to both jobs would be minimal. I'm very grateful for the opportunity and thanks again for everyone's advice. it's probably worth noting that, if somthing doesn't work with this unit, whatever it is, if you turn down an offer for OTS, that's it, you can't apply again.
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