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Paths to the Guard
On a DM another Bogidoper asked me what my route was to the Guard; I thought that might be useful for some others as well. But enough about me let’s talk about planes.
A note on terms,
Air National Guard (ANG, AKA Guard, or Air Guard)
US Air Force Reserves (USAFR, AKA the Reserves)
Air Reserve Component (ARC) = ANG + USAFR
Regular Air Force (REGAF, AKA Active Duty)
The Total Force: REGAF + ARC (+ Civilians, and maybe contractors)
The are broadly two paths to where guys like Me, Slap, Chaos and Snip are at; flying Airliners during the week and flying ARC jets on the weekend (or when the balloon goes up).
Path 1) Direct Hire by a ARC unit. Put together a package, apply, interview and get hired by a ARC unit. Fly with that unit the rest of your life (or switch if you need to).
Path 2) Start in REGAF. You’ll owe them 10 years (post pilot training). Once you complete that 10 year service commitment you can switch from REGAF to ARC. You’ll keep your rank.
Wild Dingos: US Army, US Navy. You’re be hired like a path 1 person, but you’ll keep any officer rank like a path 2 person. Depending on what you flew you may skip pilot training.
Neither is better per se, just different experiences.
Path 1 advantages: You’ll know what jet you’re going to get out of pilot training. You may be able to start a civilian (airline) career earlier. Fewer moves, likely fewer days deployed. Guard lifestyle.
Path 2 advantages: Diversity of experience, living overseas, more time deployed as a young pilot.
So what should you pick. It depends, I loved my time on REGAF as a single Lt flying vipers through the mountains of Japan and deploying to the war. But I can’t deny that fighting for a fighter at UPT was stressful. Also my time as a part timer in the ARC has been amazing: flying airlines, fighters and GA. Can’t beat that.
Generally what I recommend for folks to try is to try for path 1 dream job for as long as they can and then pivot to path 2. Usually that pivot point is around 29 but there’s special circumstances for everyone.
Thoughts? Questions? Spears? Send them! Standing by all. What’s your preference? What are your 20 year goals?
Cheers!
Husky
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3 Replies
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Your recommendation is exactly my plan. I am a 27 year old civilian with just 9 flight hours. I am aiming for path 1, and will expand my scope to path 2 if I’m not having success after a few years. Good to know that my logic is backed up by someone with experience.
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This is great advice, Husky!
To pile on your comments, I always coach my clients on making a list of “what’s important to them”.
For example,
1. Is it the Airframe? CAF (Combat Air Forces…aka Fighters) Units are challenging because lots of people want to fly them. Also, there are not as many pilots in a CAF Unit making the slots more competitive. MAF (Mobility Air Forces…aka Heavies) are also very competitive, but may have a couple of more slots due to the number of pilots needed for the airframes. CAF Units are 20+ Pilots where MAF Units are 40+ Pilots
2. Is it Location? For some, this is very important for civilian job opportunities, spouse employment or close to family/friends. Prioritizing this could make you a more ideal candidate for the Unit you are looking at.
3. Is it Work/Life Balance? You will typically devote 8+ days a month to a CAF Unit and 12-15+ days a month to a MAF Unit the first 4-6 years after UPT. Living near the Unit is the most desirable, however the city may not be. Again, this is a personal decision that could potentially work in your favor depending on the kind of motivation you show to want to be at that location.
Obviously, everyone is different. Making a list will really help you to evaluate 1) Is this the ideal Unit for my goals? 2) What are the job opportunities both full time and part time in the Unit? 3) Where do I see myself in 5, 10 and 20 years?
Hope this help!
Lets set up session to discuss!
D.J.
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Howdy Husky! I have a question about the difference between the ANG and USAFR.
Firstly, from my hours and hours of research on the ANG component and how to get hired at an ANG base, I’ve learned that hiring from within is a regular occurrence. Those guys who have been in the squadron and know the pilots and are already a part of the community/family have a big advantage when applying for a pilot slot. My question is, how true is this for Reserve bases?
I am a born and raised Texan. The only guard squadrons in Texas are the C-130s in NAS JRB FW and the F-16s at Lackland. Problem is the squadron in Lackland is a FTU and usually does not hire for UPT as often as other squadrons. The other option I’m looking at is NAS JRB FW reserve unit that is transitioning to F-35s. Thing is, I am not sure if Reserve squadrons have the hiring mannerisms as ANG squadrons. I am 24 and finishing up my Bachelors this Fall. It is my #1 goal to fly fighters for the ANG or USAFR.
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