Another good one full of good advice. One more piece of advice I would add. Allot of guys wanna be fighter pilots and it would be awesome if that's the way it works out in the end. But even if you don't wind up in fighters, U.S. military flight training is the best in the world. Do your best, take what is offered, serve your country. At the end of your obligation you will have skills and experience that will be unmatched. People who hire in the private sector know that if you can make the grade as a military pilot,your probably a quality individual and it will be a positive for you for the rest of your life.
The ANG paid for my Engineering degree. I enlisted as an F-16 Avionics Tech, with the idea of paying for Engineering School using my GI Bill and then request OTS/Flight School. While in school, my unit (156th FW) lost the F-16s and converted to C-130E. I was VERY disappointed. Nevertheless, I finished my degree, absolutely kicked AFOQT and BAT's ass, and passed the interviews (many past commanders had graduated from the same Engineering School, so they sympathized, plus I graduated with Honors from Mech Engineering). Anyway, I failed my visual test pathetically. Couldn't even qualify for a waiver. I was offered C-130 Navigator School, but at that point my salary working for Lockheed (F-16 Program) was too nice so I just left the ANG, and continued my career as an Aeronautical Engineer. My former F-16 experience in the ANG got me that job, and today (20yrs later) I get to work for Skunk Works on tomorrow's platforms. My point being, the ANG is full of opportunities to get a REAL education while serving, and potentially becoming an Officer/Pilot. And the best part, it doesn't tie you to a pre-determined degree like AFROTC or the Academy does. In the ANG you serve six years minimum, if it doesn't go the way you want you can leave, change units, or change career quite easily. Many of my Avionics friends did make pilot once they got their degrees. I can't say enough good things about the Air National Guard.
I miss my dog. He was a Black Lab rescue, but I had to put him down at 15 years old. I got him when he was 2. He was picked up by animal control, and taken to the Vet to be put down. The doctor said "No way". The dog was beautiful, and the doctor sent him to the shelter. I happened to call the shelter a few days later and asked them to call me if any hunting dogs were available. They said they had a Lab I should look at. I showed up, threw a tennis ball for him a few times, and took him home that day. He lived a wonderful life on our farm, and the same doctor who saved him is the one who put him down. I requested that. The cycle was complete. Thank you for your channel. As I have said, you are an inspiration to all professionals. Flyers or not.
Happy Monday MOVER. I remember back in 05-06 I met a F-15 west coast pilot while I was in the Navy with VFA-106 we were at the airshow in Westover ang airbase and funny how you had the interview with Deuce the F-16 pilot a few weeks back. This F-15 CAPT. flying the West coast demo team was pilot Joel DEUCE Hemphill West coast F-15 pilot. We had a good conversation.
Going from Guard/Reserves to Active Duty makes sense when you think about income. You still need a job to get by when you aren't on duty the few times a month you get paid for. So for some people it's just easier to make the switch to Active and get that steady pay. Holy moley I didn't realize this video was five years old... I thought it was uploaded today when I saw it in my feed lol
@@CWLemoine Well sir, it depends on the person if they value travel. Not disagreeing on the benefits the guard brings just playing devils advocate for someone who might see AD being a better fit for them.
@@thebigX14 traveling and uprooting your family every three years are two different things. Not to mention the uncertainty of whether you’ll even get a fighter or flying billet as a follow on.
Thank you so much sir! I’m 100% committed to going for fighters in the guard, the info and resources are the best. I’ll checkout the books at some point for sure. Maybe you could do a video with a guy who is doing this right now and updates on his story?
The official program name from General Dynamics is Fighting Falcon. It was also known as the Electric Fighter and the Lawn Dart. During the late 80s, crews started referring to them as Vipers...and like CW stated it stuck. To this date, even the Block 70 "Super" Falcon, still carries the Falcon name. In addition, different countries use different program names for the F-16s. In example, the UAE Block 60 is called Dessert Falcon, the Israeli Block 50 is Peace Marble IV (airframe called Soufa), Greek Block 50s are Peace Xenia (most of them start with Peace). In summary, if you are military or a military enthusiast...you call them Viper. If you are government, customer, or a civilian.....it's a Falcon. Cheers! David
Hi C.W. Lemoine, Thank you so much for answering my question, I 100% agree with you on "don't be specific with F-16 or A-10", I didn't want to sound like I just want to be a fighter pilot. I have a few more questions about the answers you gave me. If you have time! 1. I want to go into Active Duty because I thought the reserves/guard didn't go over seas I thought they trained and did other missions inside of the US, I want to go over seas and help out the guys on the ground, my other option was pararescue but I have always loved to fly. Could you go in depth with the "missions" reserves/guards do? Do they go overseas and conduct Close Air Support? 2. I heard on one of your videos that when you go down the Helicopters train with the Army, could you go in depth with how that works out I have tried to do my own research but never found anything. On the news recently I saw Folds Of Honor and it is awesome to see a great cause get some media attention. Can't wait for to Fini Flight, It is weird to read these since. After my 10 year commitment I am looking into the CIA paramilitary. Thank You, Heath Mercer
I didn't think Air Force had a lot of helicopters and didn't know if you helped out the army a lot or don't really communicate with them. is the tempo the same or slower for the reserves, like I said, I want to deploy as much as possible. Do you have to be prior military to join reserves or is it just harder as a civ?
I feel like I am getting a completely wrong idea about reserves, I thought it was just a squadron of guys who are training for the next war or when they need to deploy. Let me do some self research or look at your old vids might find some great info there. Thanks again. Stay Sharp, Heath Mercer
Hey Mover, I will be starting college + AFROTC this Fall and might end up transferring to the academy after my first year trying to become a fighter pilot. The difference with my situation that I haven't heard you talk a lot about in your videos is how the adventure changes if you are already a pilot. I have been doing over 2 years of flying by the time I start school this Fall and should have up to my instructors + multi rating, as well as instrument and commercial. How is this going to change the process that I go through to become an Air Force fighter pilot? Do I have to re-do my training to learn the fighter pilot ways instead of civilian or will it be an easy transition? Can having this experience help me move through classes faster with what I already know or will I still stay exactly with my class and graduate at the same time? -Nick
The academy is a great school but I’m not sure why you’d transfer if your school has ROTC and you’re doing well there. Your flight time may allow you to avoid IFS and it may give you a slight advantage in T-6 contact phase, but otherwise it won’t do anything. You will learn the military way of flying and go through the same process as everyone else.
@@CWLemoine Alright thanks! And I am only really considering going over to the academy because with what it's set out to be makes me think out I would come out of school ahead of everyone who got a pilot slot otherwise. Being fully immersed in the military lifestyle would help. But Im recently hearing that it doesnt make much of a difference in pilot training where you came from so I will probably end up just finishing through college +ROTC. That way I dont add an extra year on, there isnt as much competition for pilot slots, and I still have the option of flying civilian professional if it doesnt turn out how I imagine it will go.
I have a friend who was selected for a Reserve Rated board in the fall of her AS300 year of AFROTC. AF Reserve has this separate board you have to apply for to get a Reserve UPT slot and commission directly into the reserves. You still need to go get a unit to hire you even though you are assured UPT.
Hi mover! Do you think working as a weapons loader for the guard would give me good exposure for the unit? Ive just finished with meps and Im in the process of choosing a job. I initially wanted to work as a crew chief for the best exposure but my recruiter told me that they are full.
I was 10 years ANG. Was full time fss. I was told I would have VA benefits later in life. I find out recently I have no VA benefits because no active duty time. So the reason to go AD would be because of this. Unless you go agree which meets that. I was very bitter because my service was no different than AD but don't get same benefits. Be aware of this when making the decision. It cost me dearly not having them.
@@CWLemoine unfortunately the ad time spent in training didn't count for me. I had a year. And of course I wanted to be a pilot in the air guard but it didn't happen. Anyone should know what happened to me can happen to them. In many cases you are right of course😁 just not all. I didn't know any of this back then. I really appreciate your channel and all the info you help folks with.
For those that are having a tough time and can’t afford school, I cannot recommend going guard and enlisting enough. I did it, deployed as a Door Gunner on the Chinook and maintain them. I’m in school now, at Age 24, graduating with my AA and have my PPL, IR, CSEL/CMEL and I’m working towards my CFI. All of this has been covered by the GI BILL because I deployed. You can get your bachelors online, that is what I am doing through Liberty university in the fall while I am flying for a career and hope to receive my B.S. before I’m 28 so I can also commission over to fly for the AF- be it heavies or ISR birds or fighters. ITS OKAY to enlist! And you know if you don’t want to go to school, get your PPL and go to the army and be an Apache Pilot or a Chinook driver as a warrant officer! 😉
Im 17 and in the air national guard. Did they pay for your PPL? Or do they only pay for college? I want to be a pilot, and would assume PPL would make me more competitive.
And I got one more question. I cannot find the video that says how you got the name Mover could you do me a favor and close to the description I thought I have seen all your videos but I guess not
Good vide!. For the Navy side of things, if you don't pick up an NROTC 4-year scholarship, it's still possible to participate in NRTOC. You're called a college programer and you'll have the opportunity to earn the national scholarship again in your freshman year as well as 2 and 3 year scholarships (side-load scholarships) in your freshman, sophomore and now even in your junior year. Those side-load scholarships are only available to college programers significantly reducing the pool of applicants. If you don't pick up one of those, you still have the opportunity to directly commission by earning advanced standing in which you earn a stipend in your junior and senior year equal to those on scholarship, but the navy doesn't support you monetarily in any other way. If that doesn't work OCS is always a great option. I have a few friends that are/were on advanced stranding and what really earned them their commission was their commitment to service and following the same advice you gave of making them get told no. Had they not done that, the Navy would have lost a few really good officers and midshipmen. Hopefully, videos like yours help save a few more. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Hey there! Do you suggest Air Force reserve or Air national guard to become a figjter pilot and secure a fighter pilot slot for someone who will be 28/29 by the time he receives his bachelor degree? Thank you!
As I understand it, the ANG has a 27yr limit for pilot candidates. Those with substantial pilot experience may qualify for a waiver, but it's atypical.
Thank you so much for this information. I am only a sophomore in high school at the moment, but I’ve been obsessed with flying. I’ve been spending tons of hours in DCS flying the harrier and hornet. I’m going to try to go through the AFROTC college course and apply for OTS in Montgomery.
If you go through AFROTC, you will be commissioned as an officer through ROTC. You can not do both ROTC and OTS. I recommend you go through ROTC or Air Force Academy at your age.
Hi! Love the vids! Just have a quick question.. I’m currently a commercial pilot with instrument rating.. I’m finishing off my CFI. And I’m currently doing collage. I just started so I’ll be done in 4 about years. I am 21. I want to do airlines. But after collage I want to do Air Force reserve.. mind making a video? Or giving some tips on flying for an airline first, then becoming a reserve pilot? Thanks!!
Hey Mover, Currently Active Duty Army Ranger fire support specialist. Looking at getting out in November. I currently have plans to go to college and try becoming a fighter pilot. I've had my butt saved by A-10's and F-16's many times. Question I was wondering. Does being a Jtac translate to becoming FAC(A) or is that a separate school house pilots need to go through? Any and all information is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Awesome, appreciate it. Any specific advice for a ground pounder looking at flying? Currently looking through all the information you have put out, very useful stuff.
Not a problem. Except the willy-nilly approach. This is a COMMITMENT, not a lark. Are you ready for a TEN year commitment.....IF you qualified? If you passed? If you made the grade.
@4:30......this kid "thinks" that his dad's GI Bill was transferrable? Hilarious. Perhaps he could EARN his own. And take a course in English Composition 101- with a strong PROOF READING component....since he didn't. Lo and behold, another ATD failure: Attention To Detail. And that will kill you.
The Post 9/11 GI Bill can absolutely be transferred, but it incurs a service commitment by the service member, so it has to be done prior to separation/retirement. www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_transfer.asp
Yup, I transferred all my post-9/11 GI Bill to my kids. I don't need another degree. Check with your personnel office, but my understanding was that each dependent you transferred at least one month to would be eligible for transfers when you were no longer serving, so if my oldest gets a full ride and doesn't use any of their benefit it could be reallocated to her sibling as long as he already had a month of benefit transferred to him.