Any pilots in here?

[Ral]

Hallen, did you ever swing through Corpus Christi? I just got down here for Primary flight training and there's a pretty big Army contingent on base.

For you guys trying to get into the airlines/civilian pilot jobs, consider ROTC and OCS (routes to get a commission and become a pilot). OCS guys know they'll be pilots before they ever start the program, it's 13 weeks, and from the stories I've heard over and over and over about OCS, wasn't really that bad all things considered. In any case, it's only 13 weeks long. And, you'll be flying much higher-powered aircraft much earlier than you'd ever get to in the civilian world. (Our basic trainer, the T-34C, has 550 HP, limited to 425. It's being replaced by an aircraft with 1100 HP. It goes up from there.)

Jordan, sorry to stay off topic.

[Money$hit]

Navy, do you know anything about the marine officer program, and their "guaranteed aviation" if you choose to go that route?

[Ral]

I went a different route, but you would apply for Marine OCS (officer candidate school). make sure you get an air contract before you go in. Once through OCS, you'll go through TBS (The Basic School) and learn how to blow stuff up and be an infantry officer. All Marine officers go through this regardless of their MOS (specialty, i.e. pilot, air traffic controller, tanks, etc.) After that, they'll finally send you to flight training. Marine Corps is technically part of the Navy, so you'll be training in Navy squadrons until you get to the aircraft you'll be flying. This s a pretty rough overview, but if you're serious about it, let me know and I'll ask some of my marine friends that did it, and get you some contact info on where to start. (anyone else interested, let me know as well.)

[Hallen]

Hallen, did you ever swing through Corpus Christi? I just got down here for Primary flight training and there's a pretty big Army contingent on base.

For you guys trying to get into the airlines/civilian pilot jobs, consider ROTC and OCS (routes to get a commission and become a pilot). OCS guys know they'll be pilots before they ever start the program, it's 13 weeks, and from the stories I've heard over and over and over about OCS, wasn't really that bad all things considered. In any case, it's only 13 weeks long. And, you'll be flying much higher-powered aircraft much earlier than you'd ever get to in the civilian world. (Our basic trainer, the T-34C, has 550 HP, limited to 425. It's being replaced by an aircraft with 1100 HP. It goes up from there.)

Jordan, sorry to stay off topic.

I was at Coprus once, but just transient. I was trained out of Ft. Rucker AL, which is the main Army flight training center. That is where I got my fixed wing training too.

If you are considering Military Aviation, consider them in this order:
1) Air Force
2) Navy
3) Marine
4) Army

Air Force first because their primary mission is Aviation. You don't have to be a infantry first, aviation second like you do in the Army and Marine Corps.

Navy next because they have an aviation mission, even if it is mostly in protection of the fleet. However, you will be deployed a lot both in peace time and war time. Carrier landings have got to be the biggest rush in military aviation... which also means it is one of the most dangerous things.

Marine next because it has a wider selection of operational aircraft to fly and it does obviously have fighters. But, you are a Marine ground pounder first and always. Don't expect promotions into the higher ranks unless you get out of aviation (in most cases).

Army is like the Marines in that you have to be an infantryman first and an aviator second. You often get treated like a second class officer if you are aviation. There is a lot of jealousy and disrespect. Only go Army if 1) you can land the high school to flight school warrant officer training route or 2) You really, really want to fly helicopters. The Army is the best with helicopter training and fighting. Oh, and don't ever count on #1. Recruiters always use that as bait to get you in. Don't do it unless it is guaranteed.

Oh, and Coast Guard. It is a great option, but they get a lot of their pilots from other branches. They have one of the only real-world missions all the time so you get to do good stuff even in peace time. They do have fixed wing along with helicopters, but obviously no fighters. If you have a maritime or ocean love and want to be a part of some of the best rescue crews in the world, then the Coast Guard is a great option.

All of that is my opinion and if you are a Marine pilot, no, I am not saying you are not as good as Air Force or Navy. I am just saying that if aviation is your interest, then the order I typed would be the way to go.

One other thing: Fighters are cool, fighters are glamorous, fighters are fast and bad-assed. But fighters can also be boring and repetitive with many people flying their whole careers with never having actually done their job in the real thing. I can tell you that flying attack helicopters in the Army is a damn boring mission most of the time. Most fighter pilots are major typ A personalities, extremely competitive and pretty much prima donna's. They have to be. It is the elite. If you are going to be good, extreme confidence in yourself and the belief that you are the best is very important.

Many people find a lot more satisfaction and fun in flying the cargo and transport airplanes like the C-17 or C-130 (as long as it ain't refueling). With this type of mission, you are doing your job all the time. Moving troops and equipment where it is needed for the military to do its job. You get to travel the world and see things very few people get to see. Plus, if you want to be a civilian airline pilot, this is better training.

One last thing. Never, ever expect a good pilot to look like Tom Cruise. My first instructor pilot looked like a frog with big glasses and goofy long legs. He was one of the very best pilots I ever flew with. Don't equate the movies with real life. :D:D

[Pinepig]

I'd disagree on the order above at least right now, the Airforce is sending quite a few to Predator squadrons right now , unless you want to sit in a trailer and fly a sim for your career go Navy.

[Money$hit]

I was at Coprus once, but just transient. I was trained out of Ft. Rucker AL, which is the main Army flight training center. That is where I got my fixed wing training too.

If you are considering Military Aviation, consider them in this order:
1) Air Force
2) Navy
3) Marine
4) Army

Air Force first because their primary mission is Aviation. You don't have to be a infantry first, aviation second like you do in the Army and Marine Corps.

Navy next because they have an aviation mission, even if it is mostly in protection of the fleet. However, you will be deployed a lot both in peace time and war time. Carrier landings have got to be the biggest rush in military aviation... which also means it is one of the most dangerous things.

Marine next because it has a wider selection of operational aircraft to fly and it does obviously have fighters. But, you are a Marine ground pounder first and always. Don't expect promotions into the higher ranks unless you get out of aviation (in most cases).

Army is like the Marines in that you have to be an infantryman first and an aviator second. You often get treated like a second class officer if you are aviation. There is a lot of jealousy and disrespect. Only go Army if 1) you can land the high school to flight school warrant officer training route or 2) You really, really want to fly helicopters. The Army is the best with helicopter training and fighting. Oh, and don't ever count on #1. Recruiters always use that as bait to get you in. Don't do it unless it is guaranteed.

Oh, and Coast Guard. It is a great option, but they get a lot of their pilots from other branches. They have one of the only real-world missions all the time so you get to do good stuff even in peace time. They do have fixed wing along with helicopters, but obviously no fighters. If you have a maritime or ocean love and want to be a part of some of the best rescue crews in the world, then the Coast Guard is a great option.

All of that is my opinion and if you are a Marine pilot, no, I am not saying you are not as good as Air Force or Navy. I am just saying that if aviation is your interest, then the order I typed would be the way to go.

One other thing: Fighters are cool, fighters are glamorous, fighters are fast and bad-assed. But fighters can also be boring and repetitive with many people flying their whole careers with never having actually done their job in the real thing. I can tell you that flying attack helicopters in the Army is a damn boring mission most of the time. Most fighter pilots are major typ A personalities, extremely competitive and pretty much prima donna's. They have to be. It is the elite. If you are going to be good, extreme confidence in yourself and the belief that you are the best is very important.

Many people find a lot more satisfaction and fun in flying the cargo and transport airplanes like the C-17 or C-130 (as long as it ain't refueling). With this type of mission, you are doing your job all the time. Moving troops and equipment where it is needed for the military to do its job. You get to travel the world and see things very few people get to see. Plus, if you want to be a civilian airline pilot, this is better training.

One last thing. Never, ever expect a good pilot to look like Tom Cruise. My first instructor pilot looked like a frog with big glasses and goofy long legs. He was one of the very best pilots I ever flew with. Don't equate the movies with real life. :D:D

Im in the Ohio Air National guard right now, and our base is tasked to an air refueling mission. We fly KC-135s, and have the largest fleet of them in the entire Air Force, even more than any active duty base. Tons of pilot slots come open each year, so I think my chances may be elevated by already being a member of our unit.

Alternatives are the 251st in Springfield (f-16's) and the 178th in Toledo (f-16's).

[Hallen]

Im in the Ohio Air National guard right now, and our base is tasked to an air refueling mission. We fly KC-135s, and have the largest fleet of them in the entire Air Force, even more than any active duty base. Tons of pilot slots come open each year, so I think my chances may be elevated by already being a member of our unit.

Alternatives are the 251st in Springfield (f-16's) and the 178th in Toledo (f-16's).

Hell yeah, throw your hat into the ring. The selection process is always difficult. In the National Guard (where I spent most of my career) it is also very political and there is a lot of nepotism. Suck up to whoever you have to. It doesn't matter. It is the game and you have to play it. They are not going to just hand it to you without knowing a lot about you.

Tanker units always need pilots because they fly a lot and people find that they can't maintain a real civilian job and do the tanker flights too. But, usually there isn't enough flights for a single person to constitute a full time job either.