If you had the choice - Manned Reserve VS Active Duty RPA

[bb17]

14 minutes ago, highflyer said:

For you, why did you decide reserve over active duty?

Lots of reasons. I got to pick a location, squadron, and air frame that I liked. I like that as a Reservist active duty can't just decide to give me an RPA or a desk job. Also, schedule flexibility. I am an entrepreneur and rely on my civilian work to pay the bills. I only want to be a pilot for the experience and to be a part of the mission, not to make money, have a full time job, or get benefits, so by going Reserve I can avoid a lot of the things I don't want to deal with. It also lets me stay put and not have to move every few years. 

Edited August 29, 2016 by bb17

[hispeed7721]

I actually don't believe that recruiters will lie to you

They may not knowingly lie, but one thing I've seen multiple recruiters do is tell a potential candidate something they "know" is true when in fact the truth is the complete opposite, just out of sheer ignorance and laziness to actually verify what they're telling the candidate.

[Jaded]

Why don't you think a recruiter would lie to you? They are incentivized to mislead you into signing up and there are no consequences for their dishonesty. The military is not some honor filled, chivalrous organization. 

[highflyer]

15 hours ago, bb17 said:

Lots of reasons. I got to pick a location, squadron, and air frame that I liked. I like that as a Reservist active duty can't just decide to give me an RPA or a desk job. Also, schedule flexibility. I am an entrepreneur and rely on my civilian work to pay the bills. I only want to be a pilot for the experience and to be a part of the mission, not to make money, have a full time job, or get benefits, so by going Reserve I can avoid a lot of the things I don't want to deal with. It also lets me stay put and not have to move every few years. 

Have you heard about the new 6 year ART Commitment the Reserves is now mandating for Pilots? Would that have changed your decision to go Reserves if you were currently trying to get in? Also, do you mind if I PM you? I've seen a couple of your posts, and you seem to know what you are talking about, and have a bit of experience on the subject.

[bb17]

22 minutes ago, highflyer said:

Have you heard about the new 6 year ART Commitment the Reserves is now mandating for Pilots? Would that have changed your decision to go Reserves if you were currently trying to get in? Also, do you mind if I PM you? I've seen a couple of your posts, and you seem to know what you are talking about, and have a bit of experience on the subject.

Yes feel free to PM me! I had almost forgotten about the ART deal - the 6 year ART was probably going to be a deal breaker for me. Fortunately I got confirmation from multiple levels that it won't apply to me as a June 2016 board selectee, but it seems that it will become mandatory starting in November. So if that is a problem for you then Guard may be a better way to go.