[Was flying for the Air Force worth it?]

Wow! It's been a while. While doing a bit of Google searching, I came across this thread and realized I was the OP. It's strange to revisit this thread six years later. It's funny how an internet forum can serve as a journal of your life in some ways.

Anyways, quick update - I actually decided to go into finance after college. This isn't the coolest or most endearing story to tell - but I optimized for the most amount of money that I could make coming out of college. My family didn't have much financially growing up (I was a pell grant recipient in college) - so when I got into an top school I felt like I needed to try to maximize my earning potential and set up my current + future family for success.

I actually then transitioned to the tech industry recently in a finance-related role. I'm happy with where I am at now. But obviously (since I'm here right now!) there's a part of me that wonders "what if?" 

[Was flying for the Air Force worth it?]

Thanks for the advice. Seems like everyone's mileage varies. Guess at the end of the day it really is a gut decision. Good to have my expectations checked, after reading this thread I'll have a more realistic outlook no matter what I choose. 

 

I'll try to remember to report back in 2 years or so. 

[Was flying for the Air Force worth it?]

5 hours ago, PlanePhlyer said:

After 10 yrs AD (2yrs left on UPT ADSC), I really enjoy flying for the AF. B-1 was awesome and T-38s are wicked fun daily. The antics that big blue pills almost daily are mind numbing (Green dot being the most recent). As everybody alluded to earlier...try and find a guard unit. Had a student recently who was a neurosurgeon and applied to a F-16 unit (SC I believe) He just got his wings in the last few months. Doable, guard would be your best bet. 

thats insane. so he had enough time to go through flight training while doing neurosurgery? and was still young enough to be eligible? 

did he have a clone?

[Was flying for the Air Force worth it?]

27 minutes ago, matmacwc said:

ANG baby, the only way.

 

Best flying I'll ever have, best people I'll ever meet, have seen things nobody else will.  I can't wait to retire.

Are there guys out there that are flying F16s a few days a week, and then commercial the other days of the week? If so, that seems like a very nice lifestyle. Or do ANG pilots work full-time?

[Was flying for the Air Force worth it?]

6 minutes ago, Duck said:

I just want to point out that a lot of the guys saying "worth it" to "absolutely worth it" are older dudes career wise. I can say having been in almost 10 years that this place has changed and not for the better. Flying is awesome. The Air Force sucks. Sucks to the point where it over shadows the mission. Bro, I know like 5 guys staying in past their initial commitment and they are not really the guys I want leading... But I am afraid everyone else is going to be gone. This has only 1% due to the airlines hiring and 100% to do with the complete lack of focus and the pussyfooting risk-adverse management that think they are too good to fix what's wrong with Big Blue.

Glad I experienced it, but I have had enough. Wouldn't do it again.

Stick with Med school, push for guard job.


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Interesting. Any insight on the navy?

 

[Was flying for the Air Force worth it?]

10 minutes ago, ihtfp06 said:

Why not become a flight surgeon then apply for the pilot-physician program?


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This is something I've thought about. I have had trouble wrapping my mind around what the pros and cons are. If you become a pilot-physician, what are your career prospect like after the military? Having a long-stable career is one of the more appealing parts of medicine, and I wonder if becoming a pilot-physician negates that (as you have specialized in 'flight surgery')?

[Was flying for the Air Force worth it?]

13 minutes ago, Tone deaf said:

I have no regrets flying for 18 years continuously despite the queep and BS.  Looking at your situation, as you desire to both fly and practice medicine, why not let the AF fund your education and serve as a flight surgeon, where you will have the opportunity to fly as well, and probably experience more different aircraft than most pilots?  Such a path could also open a lot of doors for a medical career outside the USAF.
 

I've looked into this a bit and it seems very interesting. I have no idea how something like that would play out though. I wonder if there's a little "jack of all trades, master of none" going this route. 

 

[Was flying for the Air Force worth it?]

At the end of your commitment for flying for the Air Force, do you think it was worth it?

What were some of the other career paths you considered?

What was the peak experience of your career?

Right now I am a premed who has a good shot of getting into med school. But I think I would always regret it if I didn't go for a UPT slot and try to fly for the military.

[Flying Videos Thread Part 2?]

 

[Colin Powell email about Hillary]

Thought some of you all might enjoy this, regardless of political views:

 

 

 

[Mattis: The Middle East at an Inflection Point]

Very interesting, thank you. I fear our current president has recessed too far, when the pendulum swings back -- it might get ugly. 

[What's wrong with the Air Force?]

*actively ignoring all of this as i apply for OTS*