guineapigfury

The second I opened the email on my first deployment telling me I was going to MQ-9s I completely gave up on my career.

You'll need a current passport and an FAA class 2 medical or better. I emailed in my most recent form 8, ITS, IDS & FHR and that was pretty much it for records. Clearance requirements are going to vary. Most places, but not all, require a commercial pilot's license. I chose deployed LR because I was current and qualed in the MQ-9 and hadn't flown a manned aircraft in years. Plus this pays better. Most companies ask for 3-4 month deployments, and there are often opportunities to extend or quick turn. There's a lot of turnover. While deployed, I work a normal 9ish hour shift with a reasonable amount of downtime between flights. 7 days a week sucks, but you get used to it.

I'm a single late 30s dude with no kids, debt or pension. My retirement number is 2 mil with a house paid off. That should generate 80-100k per year, which is plenty.

Assuming you mean defense contractor, I have. What do you want to know?

As a caveat, the big money contractor jobs usually require an LR qual, timing and a willingness to deploy.

As a guy who plays a role in the hiring process: Don't forget to put your availability date on your resume. It's something that seems really obvious, but most of the resumes I see lack it.

Were PRFs mandated for people with negative indicators? Maybe if we're short Majors and the Wing CC says a guy with some marks on his record is deserving of promotion to that grade anyway ... just give him the damn oak leaves.

If you're MQ-9 LR qualed, shoot me a pm.

They step to the Ground Control Station. Some squadrons have those indoors, some in shipping containers outdoors, some have a mix. The MCC/OPS SUP/TOP 3 does just what they would in any other flying squadron: verifies everyone is current, on the flight orders, ORM checks out, etc. The Lt I referenced got annihilated at a naming, passed out in a supply closet and experienced a catastrophic blowout. He was still wearing his flightsuit, which helped contain the damage ... somewhat.

I'll take the opposite tack: Every flying squadron should have a mascot, and dogs would be serviceable. I argued for keeping a dog in the SOC at my first Reaper Squadron that could bark at Lieutenants when they stepped, but was told no because "it might poop inside". Then one of the Lt's did exactly that.

So true. I'm off to start my shift in a polo shirt and cargo pants in half an hour and I couldn't be happier.

But we do care about those hours out here in contractorland.

Deployed LR is where it's at. But this game is volatile. I saw a dude go through the cycle of hired-deployed-fired in about 5 weeks.

Defense contracting can be fun, especially if you're still flying. I'm doing that and will make about a quarter mil this year pre-tax. Be forewarned that we could start a "What's wrong with Corporate America" thread that would rival the 140 pager we've got going on the USAF. I work in an office that's primarily old ladies, so I miss being able to drink at work and tell stories about killing people.

Not sure if this is the right forum, but Battlespace Flight Services is hiring for deployed LR positions. I know several people there and the money is excellent. See the ad posted at guardreservejobs.com http://www.guardreservejobs.com/newjobboard/jobs/rpa-pilot-5/