Expert: Matt - 6/29/2009

Question
Dear Matt,

I am a 21 year old female, currently a senior at the Florida Institute of Technology graduating in the Spring of 2010 with a bachelors degree in Aviation Management with Flight Option. I have about 300 hrs fixed wing flight time, and I have a a first class medical and my commercial certificate with instrument and multiengine ratings. I am just about to take the check ride to become a CFI as well, and plan on training for CFII and MEI by the end of the year.

The reason I am writing to you is that I have been considering career options once I graduate, and with the economy looking the way it is, and my student loans being as high as they are, I have been shying away from airline choices and am now interested in two options: either Customs and Border Patrol flying (or some sort of governmental job), or joining the military.

I hear from people all the time that the military is the way to go, and that I would enter as an Officer once I have graduated college. However, I am curious as to the actual flying. I am not interested in necessarily jet flying, but perhaps something like transportation (more so away from combat). I am not too aware of all the different positions that are out there, or what branch would be best for me.

Any insight about my chances of flying with the experience I have, or about different career options and tid bits about military life would be much helpful to me before I decide to meet with a recruiter.

Thank you much!

Answer
Samantha

Congrats on all the exciting things coming up soon! Graduation, CFI etc...very good stuff! I think your decision to shy away from the airlines is a good one; especially since you mentioned student loans. Customs and Border Patrol is rather hard to get into if you don't have military experience from what I understand, but it is worth a shot. The military has several transport options, both fixed wing and rotary wing. I know the Navy and Marine Corps fly transport aircraft, specifically P-3's for the Navy and C-130's for the Marines. The Coast Guard also flies C-130's, but its generally for surveillance (which would help you get into the Border Patrol later). Also, the Coast Guard has a multitude of duty stations, and they generally are in really nice places. For example, I have three friends who just got their 'wings' in the coast guard and they are going to Clearwater, FL, Miami, FL, Cape Cod, MA and Puerto Rico. Not bad huh? The Navy and the Marine Corps have nice bases also, but not as nice as the coast guard. I really do not know too much about the Army, and in the Air Force it is nearly impossible for a non-academy or non-rotc applicant to get a flying billet at the moment. I would reccommend going to www.marineofficer.com to get in touch with a marine corps OSO (officer selection officer). The USMC is curently running an incentive program where they repay some of you student loans and give you a sign on bonus for qualified officers upon completion of OCS (Officer Candidates School). If you couldnt tell Im a bit biased towards the Marine Corps, but it also is the one I am the most familiar with. I do warn you, OCS and Flight School are extrememly demanding, but if you enjoy a challenge everyday and a real adventure, I think military flying is the way to go. Best of luck Samantha!

-Matt