'Military Route' or 'Civilian Route'?

C

chrisrhee

New Member
\'Military Route\' or \'Civilian Route\'?

hi

after reading all the stuff about 'becoming an airline pilot', i found out that there are two ways to become a pilot, military route and civilian route

and my question is 'which is better', considering time, money, and anything that is considerable (i can't come up with something considerable right now)

PS. i heard that there are lot more airline pilots from military route than airline pilots from civilian route, is it because military route is better? (is there any advantages for pilots from military)

please reply,
thank you
 
Re: \'Military Route\' or \'Civilian Route\'?

The word "better" is subjective to the individual. The military may be the best choice for some as their training is unparalleled and they pay you to fly. However, realize that being a military pilot is a 10 year commitment - IF you even get accepted into UPT and pass.

The civilian route may be best for others depending on their age (as for myself - I'm too old to do the military route).

It's all what's best for YOU!

If you stick around long enough you'll find out - there are no guarantees in this industry and there are no shortcuts.

Best of luck with your search. Let us know if we can answer any specific questions.

R2F
 
Re: \'Military Route\' or \'Civilian Route\'?

Ahhh!
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Perfect!
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Re: \'Military Route\' or \'Civilian Route\'?

Also, look at it this way. Joining the Air Force to learn how to fly is like joining the Army and going to Ranger school because you think you'd like to learn sport parachuting. Or the Navy because you like going out on the lake and driving your ski boat. It's a whole different world in the military, and learning a future job skill of ANY kind is secondary to the "needs of the force". Their needs include you being willing to be sent off to a foreign land to be killed at a moments' notice. Think about it.
 
Re: \'Military Route\' or \'Civilian Route\'?

[ QUOTE ]
Also, look at it this way. Joining the Air Force to learn how to fly is like joining the Army and going to Ranger school because you think you'd like to learn sport parachuting. Or the Navy because you like going out on the lake and driving your ski boat.

[/ QUOTE ]

Very well said...I like that!! Some folks will never get it, though....
 
Re: \'Military Route\' or \'Civilian Route\'?

[ QUOTE ]
Very well said...I like that!! Some folks will never get it, though....

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, I'm wondering just what the folks who are complaining about being called up in the reserves are thinking. Uh, hello, guys, you did ink a contract that says you may be sent off to fight wars!

Know what's funny? If the recruiter I talked to had done his job and got me in as an officer, I'd probably be on active duty somewhere myself!
 
Re: \'Military Route\' or \'Civilian Route\'?

Recruiter = [in my best Steve HArvey Voice] LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE!!!
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Re: \'Military Route\' or \'Civilian Route\'?

Short story: When I was instructing T-38s at UPT, we had one guy come through who started out poor and rapidly got worse. After three busts in a row, his IP was debriefing him, and he suddenly stood up, took out his PPL and threw it down on the table shouting "I don't care what you say, this says I'm a pilot!!" The IP calmly picked up the PPL, looked at it carefully, and then threw it like a frisbee across the room. Three days later the student was gone.

P.S. I'm not trying get into a military vs civilian discussion. Just trying to point out the fact that the two training systems have different objectives which they are trying to achieve. Being successful in one may not guarantee success in the other. This is true for military trained aviators as well. I have known some who were unable to transition to civilian air carrier type flying.
 
Re: \'Military Route\' or \'Civilian Route\'?

Just figured I would add my experience. I grew up military, loved it and thats what I was set on doing my whole life pretty much. I did Air Force ROTC for two years at the University of Colorado and the whole time was prepared to go on and be an officer and pilot. Well the day came when they gave me the brochure to go down to Luke AFB and ride along in F-16s for a week during spring break. Also on the table was the paperwork to serve 10 years.

I don't know what it was but all of a sudden I realized I was done with the military lifestyle. 10 years was just too much for me. I could have been a navigator for 8 years? Ugghhh, what if one superior officer had it out for me, there goes any flying career, and thus begins a career of doing something I don't want to do. If they would have had the option of being able to fly for 4 years and then decide if you want to go or stay I would be in the Air Force right now without a doubt!

Instead, I paid for my last 2 years of college myself, had a blast and don't regret it one bit!

As said above "there are no shortcuts in this business" -- If there were, it would just be the way!
 
Re: \'Military Route\' or \'Civilian Route\'?

[ QUOTE ]
Just figured I would add my experience. I grew up military, loved it and thats what I was set on doing my whole life pretty much. I did Air Force ROTC for two years at the University of Colorado and the whole time was prepared to go on and be an officer and pilot. Well the day came when they gave me the brochure to go down to Luke AFB and ride along in F-16s for a week during spring break. Also on the table was the paperwork to serve 10 years.

[/ QUOTE ]

10 years...especially these days. One can forget any sort of stable family life. Divorce rate is fairly high.

[ QUOTE ]

I don't know what it was but all of a sudden I realized I was done with the military lifestyle. 10 years was just too much for me. I could have been a navigator for 8 years? Ugghhh, what if one superior officer had it out for me, there goes any flying career, and thus begins a career of doing something I don't want to do. If they would have had the option of being able to fly for 4 years and then decide if you want to go or stay I would be in the Air Force right now without a doubt!

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm pretty tired of the BS myself. Though I wouldn't worry about a superior having it out for you. Many have been out for my outspoken a$$ ever since I got in, and I'm still chugging along..
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[ QUOTE ]

Instead, I paid for my last 2 years of college myself, had a blast and don't regret it one bit!



[/ QUOTE ]

You're doing what you like, and that's what matters.
 
Re: \'Military Route\' or \'Civilian Route\'?

Military route or Civilian route? Yeah that's definately something to think about and consider.

The biggest thing that turned me away from the military route was the 10 year committment. Getting in to Pilot training is not guaranteed but if you want something bad enough, you can get it. Many of the military pilot's I've talked with have have spent some good time working desks jobs or what not because they didn't have flying missions. I guess it's whatever is best for you. I'd definately say the training is very intense and but like they say .. there is no short cuts in aviation.

Civilian Route .....

I think one of the biggest concerns with this is the cost of training. I know there are many options ... Part 61 or 141 but which ever is best for you. Best of Luck.

Fly Safe!

Aaron~
 
Re: \'Military Route\' or \'Civilian Route\'?

[ QUOTE ]

PS. i heard that there are lot more airline pilots from military route than airline pilots from civilian route, is it because military route is better? (is there any advantages for pilots from military)


[/ QUOTE ]
This was true until about 20 years ago. Since then its been reversed. Now about 85% of airline pilots come from the civilian world and about 15% from military.

My family is Air Force going back a couple generations, and they keep trying to convince me that its the only way to fly for a living. Although I've strongly considered the AF, and haven't completely ruled it out, its just not true that its the only way. Don't let anybody try to convince you that it is, especially recruiters. On the other hand, also be weary of what flight schools tell you. Some of them are very misleading about "guarenteed" jobs upon completion etc.
 
Re: \'Military Route\' or \'Civilian Route\'?

A big part of me wishes I had stayed with the military flying route (long story). But at the end of the day, what caused me to switch direction (primarily) was the uncertainty of it; in the military you are an officer first and a pilot second. If the service needs another intel officer, guess what you're gonna do. Want to fly jets? Too bad. Service needs a helicopter pilot.

I think the military is great, and the people who serve are awesome. But if you decide to go the military route, you just got to know that your life will be governed by the phrase: Needs of the Service. For 10 years.

MF
 
Re: \'Military Route\' or \'Civilian Route\'?

[ QUOTE ]
A big part of me wishes I had stayed with the military flying route (long story). But at the end of the day, what caused me to switch direction (primarily) was the uncertainty of it; in the military you are an officer first and a pilot second. If the service needs another intel officer, guess what you're gonna do. Want to fly jets? Too bad. Service needs a helicopter pilot.

I think the military is great, and the people who serve are awesome. But if you decide to go the military route, you just got to know that your life will be governed by the phrase: Needs of the Service. For 10 years.

MF

[/ QUOTE ]

You ain't kidding. I see too many guys that say "I want to fly F-16s, and I'm gonna get a pilot slot and do it."

Nice motivation, but the reality is, between ROTC/OTS, etc and ending up in your final aircraft, there's SO many forks in the road that you:

1. must select carefully
2. must qualify for/ score high enough for
3. Have the correct timing to when it happens (availability)
4. Make sure needs of the service are met.

Pretty tough to cover the numerous forks with all these requirements.
 
Re: \'Military Route\' or \'Civilian Route\'?

{{I see too many guys that say "I want to fly F-16s, and I'm gonna get a pilot slot and do it."}}

...Like you said MikeD, a great point of motivation, but saying you want to fly the F-16 and ACTUALLY flying it is another. As many have already said, there are a lot of uncertain things in the road...all you can do is give it your ALL, and hope for the best.

I myself am looking at giving the military a try by giong through the AFROTC program for four years. All I can hope for is that my hard work and dedication and my score on the AFOQT, (I heard that test's a b*tch), will allow me to earn a pilot slot.

...But if I find that flying for the military doesn't work out, I know that I have back-up plans...and that's important...you have to allow for that possibility of the dice not rolling your way.
 
Re: \'Military Route\' or \'Civilian Route\'?

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...But if I find that flying for the military doesn't work out, I know that I have back-up plans...and that's important...you have to allow for that possibility of the dice not rolling your way.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just make sure you know that prior to your junior year, otherwise any backup plans may not be available.
 
Re: \'Military Route\' or \'Civilian Route\'?

Im in the RAAF at the moment, and i have just under 2yrs left in my contract.
Ive always been interested in flying Civilian airliners, but thought of doing the Military route to get there.
I didnt make the Pilot cut for the RAAF, my eyesight not being perfect didnt help either.
Now im in the RAAF working with Communications and communicators, and I see all the RAAF pilots and what they do.

Sure they get their flying paid for, but as mentioned before, the Service comes first, pilot second. They dont fly many hours, at least the fast jet pilots, cause RAAF cant afford it.
They have 2yr ground postings, which is kind of a bummer when you want to fly aircraft.
So im using the good pay in the RAAF to get to Airlines using the Civilian Route.

It all depends on what your priorites are. Either way is good.
I think the cost of going civilian way is the hardest part, and in OZ its very hard to land your first job. I guess US would be very similar.

Good Luck.

Aussie
 
Re: \'Military Route\' or \'Civilian Route\'?

The AFOQT was probably the easiest test I ever took in terms of the questions. The hardest part about it was being able to stay awake for it! It's like an 8 hour test almost. If you have half a brain and a large bladder you should have no problems. Just don't drink any water 2 days prior!
 
Re: \'Military Route\' or \'Civilian Route\'?

What about the Air National Guard? You do not commit untill you are offered a pilot slot. Then when you go to UPT you KNOW what you will be flying. It's still a 10 year commitment. I think of it as 10 years of guaranteed employment as a pilot (unless other circumstances prevail). I honestly cannot think of anyother place that has that kind of job security for pilots.

-Andy
 
Re: \'Military Route\' or \'Civilian Route\'?

[ QUOTE ]
What about the Air National Guard? You do not commit untill you are offered a pilot slot. Then when you go to UPT you KNOW what you will be flying. It's still a 10 year commitment. I think of it as 10 years of guaranteed employment as a pilot (unless other circumstances prevail). I honestly cannot think of anyother place that has that kind of job security for pilots.

-Andy

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You know what you'll be flying PENDING you pass the requirements. I knew guys with Guard slots that didn't pass UPT, or passed UPT but failed the centrifuge since they couldn't handle the G requirement for F-16s, or failed out of F-16 follow-on training, or failed Lead In fighter Training.

Also, when you get back to your unit, you're full time for about a year in order to "season" you. After that, you go back to part-time (traditional) Guardsman.
 
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