Calling all Officers in the Air Force! | FerrariChat
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Calling all Officers in the Air Force!

Discussion in 'Other Off Topic Forum' started by enzof355f430, Apr 22, 2008.

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  1. enzof355f430

    enzof355f430 Formula Junior

    May 2, 2005
    586
    Gulf Breeze, FL
    Full Name:
    Matt
    #1 enzof355f430, Apr 22, 2008
    Hey Guys,
    Well let me first start off with a little background about myself. I'm 19 years old and currently work at Alaska Airlines. I decided late in my junior year of high school that i wanted to become a pilot. I started researching what it would take and really only stuck to the civilian side of training. I came to the final realization that i would be $60-80k deepp in student loans by the time i was all done and that isnt really where i want to be. So it seems there is only one other way for me.

    Military.

    See this is where i am having some questions. I've looked many sites as well as talked with as many people that i can about the AF except for the recruiter. I am a little apprehensive about talking to them, due to the fact that they are "used car salesmen". I want to find out as much as i can about my decision before i continue. So this is where i need the help of my fellow F-chat members. What are my options in the Air Force. I would rather go with the Air Force because it caters to the type of aircraft i would ultimately be flying; large transport type aircraft. Although lately i have had the urge to go after fighter type aircraft.

    So with that in mind, where do i go from here. I like the sounds of the AF academy, but what are the benefits of the academy vs. ROTC. Any other ways to earn my Bachelors? I know there is OCS, but i would rather get my schooling out of the way before entering.

    Basically can someone lay out some options for me with some positives and negatives? What is needed? What i will gain? Where it will put me? For the record I have perfect eyesight, nothing on my record whats so ever, and i was a 3.7-4.0 in high school at all times. I graduated #7 in my class. I know i can do anything i put my mind to and it is at that point where i need to start that road toward my goal which right is to fly a 777 or 747 with a large national airline. the only thing that scares me is my height. Im 6'5", which from what i read is the max limit. So if anyone can understand where the hell i am at, please help! Bring on the responses!
    Thanks
    -Matt Trumbly
     
  2. MarkPDX

    MarkPDX F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Apr 21, 2003
    15,111
    Gulf Coast
    #2 MarkPDX, Apr 22, 2008
    Depends a lot on how much you like to drink USAF brand Kool Aid. Too much like Office Space for me, plan on bailing out at first opportunity. Just got back from my third deployment so I'm probably a little more cynical than usual.
     
  3. rollsorferrari?

    rollsorferrari? F1 Veteran

    Jun 5, 2006
    9,984
    St. Louis
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    Scott
    #3 rollsorferrari?, Apr 23, 2008
    i'm not affiliated with the air force, or any branch of the military, but i would say definitely your next step is talking to a recruiter. i don't know how much they'll try to sugar coat things to get you to sign up, but try to weed through it and make the decision with a level head. anyway, best of luck!
     
  4. Ryan S.

    Ryan S. Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 20, 2004
    28,899
    #4 Ryan S., Apr 23, 2008
    go to college..
     
  5. pawlie

    pawlie Formula Junior

    May 10, 2006
    369
    Philly, USA
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    Paul F.
    #5 pawlie, Apr 23, 2008
    Back in the day I was enlisted Air Force, and EVERYONE that joins wants to fly airplanes. No one joins with the dream of scrubbing toilets.


    My point is if you want to be considered for officer & pilot training you need to be an exceptional candidate. If you're only average they probably won't take you. I'm not trying to be mean, but the qualifications for enlisting and becoming an officer are completely different things.

    I do completely agree that the only reasonable way to get into flying is letting the military pay for it!
     
  6. Ryan S.

    Ryan S. Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 20, 2004
    28,899
    #6 Ryan S., Apr 23, 2008
    i ment to say go to college then join just to clarify....
     
  7. Island Time

    Island Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 18, 2004
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    David
    #7 Island Time, Apr 23, 2008
    60-80k in debt, but w/ a college degree and a being a civilian, don't sound too bad, considerin' you'd be graduating w/ some sort of engineering degree, or some such, and you'd have good grades. You'd have every option available to you then.

    What ever you do, take a look at the Air Nat'l Guard. The AF Recruiters will try and discourage you from this. But, stick your head in the door of an Air Guard Base anyway. You might like what you see ;)
     
  8. Island Time

    Island Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 18, 2004
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    David
    #8 Island Time, Apr 23, 2008
    If you're thinkin' academy, that's a whole different deal. I was never that smart (or motivated lol)
     

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