Expert: James Bell - 3/4/2009

Question
Hello James,

First off, thank you so much for the wealth of information that you offer to those of us at considering USAF careers.  For every person who writes you you, I'm sure there are countless more who have read every one of your responses to previous questions.  I am a 23 year old with a commercial pilots license but not enough hours to start an airline career.  I have always wanted to serve, and I feel that now as I work towards building hours for my career is as good a time as any to take the plunge.  I am considering signing up for the reserve as a loadmaster.  I still have a few questions before I sign up.  First, as a reservist, how much control do I have over my duty station.  I live in Seattle now, but may want to be based in NC or FL.  Are those options for me?  Second, (and more importantly), I am being told to expect about 14 months of active duty training (which given the current economy is a blessing), can you please give me an idea of what the various phases are like.  I know that during basic in Lackland we're on lock down, but thereafter is it possible to treat it as a normal high-focus job?  Will I have weekends and evenings off and will I be assigned to the PDS or training at another location?  My concern is that I don't want my personal relationships to suffer by being gone for over a full year with no time to see people I care about.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

Brian

Answer
Brian -

As a Reservist, you join a specific unit at a specific base, so you are in complete control over your assignment.

In Basic Training (two months), your schedule is strictly controlled 24/7, and you have no personal time to yourself.  Once you reach your first tech school (two months), there will be more personal time, but you are still strictly controlled and march to and from class.  You are allowed more freedom to leave base for a few hours now and then.  Your second tech school (3 months) provides much greater personal freedom.  By that time you are treated like a responsible adult again, instead of a wayward child.  That will be much more like college dorm life.

After your schools, then you return to your home base to start mission ready training.  That usually takes roughly six months but when you aren't flying, you are at home when not in scheduled classes or training.

I hope this gives you a better idea of what to expect.

Sincerely,
James Bell