From_The_Overhead Posted May 7, 2019 Report Share Posted May 7, 2019 Background: -6 years and counting Air Force Special Operations-Fixed Wing Private Pilot Trying my best to set myself up for success when it comes time to separate from the Air Force. Been chatting with my states WOSM off and on while building my packet between a busy TDY schedule and up coming deployment. My #1 goal is to fly for the Guard but dont want to end up struggling to find work on the civilian side. I am interested in potentially pairing the Guard with a Law Enforcement career and am looking for some advice from yall at this point. I am sure this is unit dependent but what type of flexibility do you get as a pilot? Would a unit even consider giving a pilot up to 6 months off to attend a Law Enforcement academy? My concern is that I would be getting super close to the WOFT age limit if I were to establish myself in a civilian job first. Any suggestions would help and I would love to hear what other peoples experience with Guard aviation have been too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penlandc Posted May 7, 2019 Report Share Posted May 7, 2019 The civilian vs guard side can be a finicky mistress, but it can treat you well. There are others with more experience than I, but so far it has been good. Now my civilian employer is bringing me back on when I get out of flight school, but not every case is that. Keeping flight minimums will be the biggest issue, but manageable. What state are you looking at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
From_The_Overhead Posted May 7, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2019 The civilian vs guard side can be a finicky mistress, but it can treat you well. There are others with more experience than I, but so far it has been good. Now my civilian employer is bringing me back on when I get out of flight school, but not every case is that. Keeping flight minimums will be the biggest issue, but manageable. What state are you looking at?Trying to get in with California Guard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kona4breakfast Posted May 7, 2019 Report Share Posted May 7, 2019 AKARNG is very flexible with people who are a long-term good fit for the unit. Beggars can't be choosers and we don't have enough qualified applicants. Maybe CalGuard is having the same problem. Getting a flight school date can be tough, even if the unit is desperate. Go for both at the same time. There are no guarantees from the Guard and you'll need to pay the mortgage. If you get the job first, they have to hold your job while you're on mil orders at flight school. If you get the Guard first, if they won't pay the mortgage, go to where the work is. Ideally, though, you'll live within 30 minutes of the airfield. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penlandc Posted May 8, 2019 Report Share Posted May 8, 2019 Kona is correct....getting dates are tough for street to seat. It took me 8 months after being accepted for me to actually get a date. The NGB is not the easiest to deal with, but there are states that are pushing it pretty hardcore right now. Alaska being one of those! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
From_The_Overhead Posted May 8, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2019 Thanks fellas for painting a picture of what I could potentially expect. I'm an odd ball where I'm trying to do a inter-service transfer plus go from active to guard. Any other suggestions and advice are more than welcome! Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sikorsky.shuffle Posted June 15, 2019 Report Share Posted June 15, 2019 Thanks fellas for painting a picture of what I could potentially expect. I'm an odd ball where I'm trying to do a inter-service transfer plus go from active to guard. Any other suggestions and advice are more than welcome! Thanks again. Sent you a DM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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