Pilot help needed!
- Thread starter J3Rizzo
- Start date
Thunderbolt462
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2012
- Messages
- 147
Active duty pilot, but commissioned through ROTC. What's up?
First of all, thank you for reaching out, it’s much appreciated.
I’m about to go into my As200 year and I’m having mixed feelings about staying in rotc or waiting to go guard. It’s not the AD that I’d have an issue with, it just comes down to which is better for a UPT slot. I’ve heard mixed opinions on which route is better. I’ve also heard that you can still rush guard units after you AD service obligation, but obviously that’s cutting it close on time. The bottom line is I’m looking for the best route to fly, even it that means going guard for the army as a WO. Here’s a little about me :
gpa: 3.0 in criminal justice
Afoqt/tbas: have yet to take
Ranking: top third
FA score 70 (I know I need to get this up)
Hours: 40 (about to get my PPL)
Field training ranking:non applicable yet
I really appreciate your help. I was thinking of reaching out to my cadre (my former AS class instructor was a CSO) because honesty is important but I definitely wouldn’t want to give them the wrong idea and have them count me out for a slot.
I’m about to go into my As200 year and I’m having mixed feelings about staying in rotc or waiting to go guard. It’s not the AD that I’d have an issue with, it just comes down to which is better for a UPT slot. I’ve heard mixed opinions on which route is better. I’ve also heard that you can still rush guard units after you AD service obligation, but obviously that’s cutting it close on time. The bottom line is I’m looking for the best route to fly, even it that means going guard for the army as a WO. Here’s a little about me :
gpa: 3.0 in criminal justice
Afoqt/tbas: have yet to take
Ranking: top third
FA score 70 (I know I need to get this up)
Hours: 40 (about to get my PPL)
Field training ranking:non applicable yet
I really appreciate your help. I was thinking of reaching out to my cadre (my former AS class instructor was a CSO) because honesty is important but I definitely wouldn’t want to give them the wrong idea and have them count me out for a slot.
Thunderbolt462
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2012
- Messages
- 147
I'll send you a direct message with my thoughts.
raimius
15-Year Member
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2006
- Messages
- 3,014
So, Guard vs AD has many pros and cons.
AD
Pros:
The system is built for it. There are fewer oddities and headaches to make the admin side work.
AD has slightly better pay and benefits.
AD is always a full-time salary.
AD has more flexibility in assigning air frames.
Cons:
You are more at the mercy of the "Big AF."
You get what you get for aircraft.
You will move around much more.
You will have much less flexibility of schedule.
Guard
Pros:
So long as you pass training, you know what aircraft you will get.
You know where you'll be stationed (and be able to live there long-term)
You have more flexibility in schedule.
Guard gets some good deals bureaucracy-wise.
Cons:
AD training bases don't always understand the guard (will be numerous admin errors)
Pay and benefits are slightly less (retirement in particular, doesn't start as soon as you leave with 20+ yrs)
It may not be a full-time job.
AD
Pros:
The system is built for it. There are fewer oddities and headaches to make the admin side work.
AD has slightly better pay and benefits.
AD is always a full-time salary.
AD has more flexibility in assigning air frames.
Cons:
You are more at the mercy of the "Big AF."
You get what you get for aircraft.
You will move around much more.
You will have much less flexibility of schedule.
Guard
Pros:
So long as you pass training, you know what aircraft you will get.
You know where you'll be stationed (and be able to live there long-term)
You have more flexibility in schedule.
Guard gets some good deals bureaucracy-wise.
Cons:
AD training bases don't always understand the guard (will be numerous admin errors)
Pay and benefits are slightly less (retirement in particular, doesn't start as soon as you leave with 20+ yrs)
It may not be a full-time job.
Hello, would you be willing to send me a DM too?
I have some questions as well.
Appreciate the support!
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2008
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