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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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1 Reply
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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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