Forum: Future F-16 crew

Short answer yes. Long answer no with a but. If you enlist, you'll have an actual job to do. If you blow that job off to go to OTS, you're screwing whoever you work with out of that manning. If you go straight to college and become an officer, that's your best bet. And softbook is a program that lets you come in with a guaranteed AFSC by the way.

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Oh cool, I didn't know that. Well, no matter which route I take, I'm gonna get my pilots liscence anyways, so I guess I should just be content God is letting me live another day Razz

Thanks for the replies though guys, definetly re-assured me about enlisting.

squeakersc063 wrote:

Short answer yes. Long answer no with a but. If you enlist, you'll have an actual job to do. If you blow that job off to go to OTS, you're screwing whoever you work with out of that manning. If you go straight to college and become an officer, that's your best bet. And softbook is a program that lets you come in with a guaranteed AFSC by the way.

I'd highly disagree. Unless you're enlisting then applying to pilot slots within a couple years, then I can see it that way.

Me, I've only been enlisted 4 years, and they're encouraging me to move on with my personal goals of becoming a pilot. I'm on a 6 yr enlistment too. Hell, I told my shop boss what my goals were when I joined, and he said "awesome!" So dont worry about "screwing" manning... there are plenty of people out there to fill it.

EDIT: Some bosses may have a problem with it. But remember, YOU are in charge of your career. You do what you need to do.

Quote:

Some bosses may have a problem with it. But remember, YOU are in charge of your career. You do what you need to do.

Exactly! You can't determine who your bosses are. Some supervisors are all about helping their troops in professional progression. Others just want you to get the job done and nothing more. I spent 8 years on active duty and it left me little time for college. I wanted to be a good squad leader and a good aircraft maintainer so my spare time was helping my troops with career progression. That's why so many of them are Apache pilots now. By joining the reserves, you will be afforded time for college and career progression and it won't matter much if you're supervisor cares or not. You'll be a little more autonomous. Besides, you want to get a college degree as soon as possible. You'll get it a lot sooner if you're in the reserves rather than being on active duty.

Redvan wrote:

squeakersc063 wrote:

Short answer yes. Long answer no with a but. If you enlist, you'll have an actual job to do. If you blow that job off to go to OTS, you're screwing whoever you work with out of that manning. If you go straight to college and become an officer, that's your best bet. And softbook is a program that lets you come in with a guaranteed AFSC by the way.

I'd highly disagree. Unless you're enlisting then applying to pilot slots within a couple years, then I can see it that way.

Me, I've only been enlisted 4 years, and they're encouraging me to move on with my personal goals of becoming a pilot. I'm on a 6 yr enlistment too. Hell, I told my shop boss what my goals were when I joined, and he said "awesome!" So dont worry about "screwing" [Link pending approval] there are plenty of people out there to fill it.

EDIT: Some bosses may have a problem with it. But remember, YOU are in charge of your career. You do what you need to do.

And it highly depends on your career field. you say there are plenty of people to fill a position, but when a shop is running 4 deep trying to maintain 26 aircraft, yeah, you're screwing people.

squeakersc063 wrote:

Redvan wrote:

squeakersc063 wrote:

Short answer yes. Long answer no with a but. If you enlist, you'll have an actual job to do. If you blow that job off to go to OTS, you're screwing whoever you work with out of that manning. If you go straight to college and become an officer, that's your best bet. And softbook is a program that lets you come in with a guaranteed AFSC by the way.

I'd highly disagree. Unless you're enlisting then applying to pilot slots within a couple years, then I can see it that way.

Me, I've only been enlisted 4 years, and they're encouraging me to move on with my personal goals of becoming a pilot. I'm on a 6 yr enlistment too. Hell, I told my shop boss what my goals were when I joined, and he said "awesome!" So dont worry about "screwing" manning... there are plenty of people out there to fill it.

EDIT: Some bosses may have a problem with it. But remember, YOU are in charge of your career. You do what you need to do.

And it highly depends on your career field. you say there are plenty of people to fill a position, but when a shop is running 4 deep trying to maintain 26 aircraft, yeah, you're screwing people.

Not trying to sound like a dick here, but that sounds like poor planning on the AF's part, not mine. My understanding has always been 'the military will put you where they need to' not neccissarily where you want to go.

Kori,

You need to go talk to a recruiter and do some research own your own. I think you've had enough "internet" advise for now.

Kori,

I was AD enlisted, between PCS's, remotes, TDY's, etc. it's very difficult to get your degree in a reasonable amount of time, it took me 12 years.... When I finished school, I got out and went to work for Lockheed, but if had I tried to go the OCS rout and try and get a flying slot my chances would have been slim at best....

If you want to fly, the Reserve route would be your best choice, can it be don on AD, yes, is it harder, absolutely!! Go to school and get it out of the way sooner rather than later.... trust me life has a way of "getting in the way"....

Smitty

kori wrote:

squeakersc063 wrote:

Redvan wrote:

squeakersc063 wrote:

Short answer yes. Long answer no with a but. If you enlist, you'll have an actual job to do. If you blow that job off to go to OTS, you're screwing whoever you work with out of that manning. If you go straight to college and become an officer, that's your best bet. And softbook is a program that lets you come in with a guaranteed AFSC by the way.

I'd highly disagree. Unless you're enlisting then applying to pilot slots within a couple years, then I can see it that way.

Me, I've only been enlisted 4 years, and they're encouraging me to move on with my personal goals of becoming a pilot. I'm on a 6 yr enlistment too. Hell, I told my shop boss what my goals were when I joined, and he said "awesome!" So dont worry about "screwing" [Link pending approval] there are plenty of people out there to fill it.

EDIT: Some bosses may have a problem with it. But remember, YOU are in charge of your career. You do what you need to do.

And it highly depends on your career field. you say there are plenty of people to fill a position, but when a shop is running 4 deep trying to maintain 26 aircraft, yeah, you're screwing people.

Not trying to sound like a dick here, but that sounds like poor planning on the AF's part, not mine. My understanding has always been 'the military will put you where they need to' not neccissarily where you want to go.

The AF "PLANS" that when a person signs that contract, that they are going to do the job that they signed up to do. What doesn't get factored in is that people are going to get farmed out to other jobs like orderly room, support, dorm monitors, etc. Or that they are going to leave early for a commission. When a person leaves to do that, their manning spot isn't opened back up for a replacement for a significant period of time.

I've started the softbook enlsitment process, got my ASVAB results today....Of course I failed by 1 point, apparently it's waiverable if I can pass the PAST, so heres to that! haha

Forum: Future F-16 crew

Will Enlisting kill my dream?