Airframe choice for retirement?

[napoleonpp]

I graduate WOCS on Wednesday and have been trying to think of factors for an airframe choice. I know I have a ways to go, but would like an idea of what Id like more. I used to be a 47 FE. Is there one airframe that sets you up better for retirement? I think I'd like the 64 more at this point, but changing my mind everyday lol

[Rob1237051]

John?

 

I think you may have nailed it with the 64 having the most upward movement. Someone from branch went over numbers with us briefly in BOLC.

 

I'm trying to make a similar decision. I will need to either make CW3 or SELCON to hit retirement...Unless 15 year retirements are still on the table and I qualify for that.

[UH60L-IP]

If your question has to do with which one will allow you to make it to retirement in the Army, it doesn't matter one bit. Though I would personally shy away from the 58 right now based upon it's uncertain future. The numbers today are not what the numbers will be tomorrow. The promotion numbers to CW3 and beyond will change multiple times well before you are even in the promotion zone. Concerning yourself with it now is less than futile. The best way to set yourself up for promotion is not by picking an airframe but by setting yourself apart from your peers by earning the best OERs, furthering your education, attending the advanced schools, tracking, and basically shooting for that Above Center of Mass block in all ways.

 

If your question is which one will set you up best for a retirement job (after the military), I would argue that the UH60 will provide you with the best chance of getting the hours along with having the most civilian equivalency in terms of experience/missions.

[Velocity173]

You're already looking at retirement choices? It really depends on what type of flying you want to do when you get out.

 

If you're into VFR tours, law enforcement, news gathering, and most EMS spots, then an OH-58 or AH-64 with an instrument ticket will be fine.

 

Most of the higher paying jobs are twin engine corporate, IFR twin GOM / EMS and overseas contract. These would be better suited for someone coming from H-47s or H-60s because of the transport / IFR experience.

 

Some people choose a retirement position primarily based on money no matter where they live or how long they're gone from home. I went with EMS for a few reasons: Location. EMS openings are everywhere. I simply picked an area I wanted to live, applied, and was hired 2 weeks later. No travel and no layovers. I'm home every night. I enjoy single pilot. No desire to go back to dual pilot in an aircraft that really doesn't need the extra pilot up front. It's not only a rewarding job but it's an easy job. No sitting down, planning for an hour. The phone rings and you go fly. No external nonsense outside of flying your aircraft. If I leave EMS it'll be to do a fixed wing single pilot (King Air) position.

 

When it comes down to it, companies want hours pertinent to what they're hiring you to do. They don't care that you fired rockets or did air assaults in OEF / OIF. Tactical stuff has little application in the civilian world.. Lots of hours (2,000 +), PIC (1,000+), turbine time (500+) and networking will get you the job.

[apacheguy]

I think the OP is asking what army airframe would set him up better for post-army employment. I might be wrong.

 

The above posts have it correct. Get over 2000 hours if you can, no mishaps, MTP school seems to be the most desired skill for contract work though IP jobs are widely advertised too. Lots of IFR experience will help, lots of NVG time might help. I've been attack for most of my career which leads me to believe that you might want to avoid attack if you want to fly civilian, more because of the mindset of ATTACK than for any tangible skill.

 

My vote for airframe would be the UH-72 Lakota. It's becoming one of the most common HEMS airframes and flies great. The only problem is that the army hates the Lakota and owns relatively few of them. Getting Lakota assignments might be difficult depending on how things go. If you could get Lakota time, especially as an IP, and maybe the fixed wing course then you'd be set pretty well for post-army flying. Get your ATP while you're in the army as well.

[AK60]

Velocity,

If you don't mind my asking, what company do you work for?

[Velocity173]

Velocity,

If you don't mind my asking, what company do you work for?

I'll PM ya. I try and keep company stuff confidential.

[napoleonpp]

Thanks for the input. Yeah I know I have awhile, just considering all my factors ahead of time. Yeah I was primarily thinking 60 or 64. The 64 for combat missions, but also 60 for medevac and peacetime. I'm jumping all over the place, which is good because I'll be happy with whatever I get.

[brackac]

If you pick the mission that best fits your personality and fits into what you are looking to accomplish in your military career then you don't have to worry about promotions or retirement. Being successful in the military has a lot to do with enjoying your job. It's easy to suck it up for a few years if you are in a job you don't like, but not for a decade or longer. So, my suggestion is learn as much as you can about each mission, and make your decision based on what excites you and what you feel is the most interesting or challenging. Picking the Apache just because of the current rumors around the 58 and about promotion/retirement is not a career choice I would make personally. I've been in since 92 and have seen more changes than I care to remember, but I have always stuck to picking jobs that interested me or that i thought I would enjoy, and it has worked out so far.