Forum: Careers & Assignments

I have a general question to ask people. What would be the chances of being able to obtain a good, high-paying job after retiring from the Air Force after about 10 years, assuming with a degree in management from USAFA? The reason I ask this is because I know for sure that I want to be an Air Force fighter pilot (it's always been my dream) but another big dream is to have a family. I worry sometimes that the constant moving and military lifestyle might not suit them, so I was just wondering how employers look at USAFA graduates and former pilots. Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention that I'm referring to jobs outside of being an airline pilot. Thanks.

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First of all, it takes 20 years of service to retire. You can of course separate at 10, but you walk away with nothing.

That said, tough to project that far but I had no problem finding a job (engineering/program management) when I retired a year ago. Pays slightly more than I earned as a Lt Col plus my retirement pay.

Retired military folks have two big advantages. First, if you want a job in the defense industry, you are already trained. Second, you will have at least a secret clearance, possibly higher depending on your assignments. That pays very well, becasue to get someone a clearance from scratch can take over 2 years.

I heard the Air Force is now offering an early retirement package at 15 years too? Its only 1/2 the pension but it was designed so people could get out earlier and start second careers faster if they wanted to... Anyone have any info on this?

-Aaron

Don't know anything about the 15 year plan. My dad just retired after 27 years, now he's double dipping as a contractor... as far as other careers, a lot of the advertising and entertainment world is managed by former blue suiters believe it or not. It's all about running a tight ship and turning a profit(but most of those guys retired as Lt Cols and Cols, 10 years is about a captain, maybe major)... but honestly, would you really want to just walk away from flying for a living? If you would, maybe it's not really for you. 10 years isn't a long time in the grand scheme of things, it's more like a way to get somewhere. So are you asking what being a fighter pilot will get you in 10 years? A lot of guys want to know what to do in the next 10 years to lead them to being a fighter jock...

Focus on what it takes to get your dream Flyer. Not what you're going to do afterwards.

Thanks for your replies everyone. By the way, I would not mind at all having a full, 30-year career in the Air Force one bit. Flying jets has been my dream since I was a little kid, and it still fascinates me to this day (whenever we drive by Davis-Monthan AFB I'm glued to the window trying to see through the bushes what fighters I can spot). It's not the pay that concerns me either, because I know that Air Force pilots get paid considerably well, and I would probably be more secure financially as an Air Force pilot than I would be in another profession. The reason that I made this post was just out of curiosity; if in case some day I would have to retire if the burden became too heavy on my family. I'm just hoping and praying everyday though that I have a wife and kids who will support me through anything and will not mind me being a fighter pilot. So with that said, I hope that no one thinks that I'm just getting into this to see what benifits it can bring me after I retire. Thanks again everyone.

I think you opportunities of getting a job after 10 years of service are good. It just depends on what you want to do and the job market at the time leaving the Air Force. As for the family side, realize there are options after 10 years of active duty service like the guard. It gives you the option of staying put, working on the civilian side, and flying. However, don't forget your obligations to deploy if called up.

Good point, thanks. This brings me to another question. What is the availability of ANG slots for pilots transferring from active duty?

Things have changed somewhat in industry lately but the "normal" follow on career for an Air Force pilot had always been airline pilot. In fact for a long time the only pilots working for the airlines were former Military pilots. With a potental salery of well over 100K for working 10 days a month it had a powerful incentive.

This looks like a dead thread but...

No offense futureflyer, but you're assuming a WHOLE lot here. Its great that you have goals and have an idea of what you want to do, as far as a career goes. But whos to say that if you are blessed enough to become a pilot, and good enough to become a fighter pilot, if you will enjoy it (more than just flying a cool jet comes with the job)? And say you dont end up flying in the Air Force, would you be as willing to stay 10, 20, or 30 years? You have a whole life to live in front of you. Times change, people change. You'll probably end up somewhere you never expected yourself to be in 30 years. I guess what im saying here is that nothing in life is guaranteed. Im all for going for your dreams, but it might be nice to focus more on ur life now, and work on persuing your dreams, and not to worry about what happens when ur done with them.

I have to disagree slightly. I think it's good to think about a lot of options and consider drawbacks as well as benefits of military service. The problem is the prediction of the future job market you're looking for. Here's my take on it as a guy with about 10 years in, currently flying Vipers:

1. The academy is a good basic education. I know, I went there myself. Because of it's core curriculum, you get a smattering of just about every subject you can think of, whcih comes in handy when quickly learning new skills. What you will lose out on is the informal social education you'd gain at a normal 4 year college, especially if you were to work your way through school. I'd say it's a wash, because 10 years after you finish college, what manager in his right mind cares where you got your degree, or what your grades were like?

2. As far as family life goes, I think the Air Force is pretty good, especially as a fighter guy. My last assignment, my wife and I lived on base in Alaska. When I deployed, so did my entire street. When we had long excercises, inspections, surges, or time off, so did my whole street. You are living on a street with all captains and lieutenants, all earning the same and enduring the same things. My wife made fantastic friends, and you automatically have something in common, and help each other through tough times and celebrate the good times. With kids, all the dad's (and now mom's I guess) are gone at the same time. Do you think any one of those mom/kid combos weren't over at each other's houses daily, playing, eating, etc? What the Air Force does is take your little 2-5 person family and make it thousands strong...which I consider one of the best benefits of the Air Force. We move every couple of years....Where else would kids get the opportunity to live and intereact with different cultures? Where else would you get to live in several different states, maybe ultimately finding your dream location to retire to? There's a lot more I could say about this subject.

3. As far as post USAF careers go, who knows? What I think you have going for you is that a manager probably knows you'll show up to work on time every day. You'll be professionally dressed, and probably not be sporting too many piercings and profane tattoos. This should move you above about 1/2 the applicants right off the bat. You'll be confident in your abilities (because what self respecting fighter pilot isn't?). You can think on your feet, solve problems, instruct others on how to perform tasks, take criticism to heart and constantly improve yourself. I think it's just a matter of getting someone to write you a decent resume, pick the field you want to enter, and go kick butt.

4. The drawbacks. You move a lot. Makes it tough for spouse to work/finish school/etc. Tough on older (junior high and high school) kids to lose friends, sports programs/etc. You're gone a lot. You get to a point where you think the only skill you have is being a fighter pilot and limit yourself too much. It's easy to spend way too much time working and totally disregard your family. If family is important (whcih it darn sure better be if you're going to have one), you need to learn to blow some work stuff off and accept that you're not going to be a general someday.

Wow....How friggin' long winded am I? Sorry.

Psycho

Psycho18th,

Would you say that the fighter lifestyle is the easiest on families? From what I understand, most fighter wings are home more than their heavy counterparts, but typically work 10-14 hour days at the squadron. Any input on which track to select during UPT if a wife or family is a top concern?

Thanks

Psycho makes some good points. And I dont mean to come off as someone trying to ruin future's goals or thaughts. Just trying to help him out by maybe adding some additional things to think about. I wish him the best of luck, Im in a simular situation (Im college bound next year, and plan on joining the afrotc det. where ever i end up) and think about the same exact stuff he does all the time. Its nice to know that you can have a family and still be a fighter pilot at the same time. Didn't mean to come off to harsh or anything, again best of luck to anyone presuing the dream of being a fighter pilot.

Forum: Careers & Assignments

Careers after the Air Force