Expert: James Bell - 4/3/2006

Question
 
Since I sent that last question I’ve talked to a lot of people and even took a tour to travis Air Force Base. Im really weighing the pros and cons of the different avenues of attack I have.

I was talking with the recuiter and it seems there is a huge overflow in a    lot of the in-flight air jobs. Im also having second thoughts about trying  to earn a degree in 3 years, while having a full time job in the air force.

I’ve come to realize that right now I have it pretty sweet. The job i currently have pays me about 2000/mo. on top of that i can do homework and take online classes WHILE IM AT WORK. Yes..thats right..I get paid 14 and hour to do homework. I get paid to keep myself buys..and i have access to T1 broadband. (I’m a security officer at a very, very, uneventful site, swing shift no less).

I was wondering what you thought about pursuing my goal via Air Force ROTC? I hear that the benefits are practically the same. I just won't get paid a base pay per month, but that’s ok because i make more at my present job anyway. AND i can do homework and online classes while on duty. It’d be great to get some college assistance and keep my current job while I earn my degree and become an officer.

What would you do in my position? What are the pros and cons of going straight in as an E1 (hope to get the right job and schedule) Vs. AFROTC (Keep my current job Get college paid, and become an officer)?

Is there anything I’m not seeing? The AFROTC seems like a way better sure fire way to get to where I want to go.

What do you think?

THANX!
-Jason







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Followup To
Question -
I have always dreamed about being a pilot...  Fighter pilot would be awesome, but just a transport pilot would be just as well.

I just took my asvab and scored pretty well, I got a 95 on the mech. and an 89 on elect. Do line scores even matter when it comes to being a pilot?

I’m not even sure if what I’m trying to do is realistic or not.

I’m planning on
-enlisting for 6 years (they say if I do this I skip E1 and E2)
-Work on Airplanes whether it be general or specific components, while I earn my BS degree to become an officer through OTC.
-obtain my Civilian Pilot license (recruiter says there is a program for this in the AF and they will Pay for it.)?Does a civilian pilot license even matter?

I really want to be around planes. I want to know them through and through. From tip too tail and then fly them.


My question to you is....is this possible?

I am Currently 21 and have a hand full of college units, but I plan on taking some clep test along with some accelerated courses online.
I should be able to get my degree in 3 years max.



Will I have enough hours in the day to go to school and earn this degree?

The recruiter says that my test scores qualify me for any enlistment job I want.

I’m just lacking a degree.

Any suggestions? Wake up calls?

I'd hate to "cross into the blue" and have my plans end up being some kind of hopeless pipe dream.

Even if I don't make the deadline and become a pilot the journey will still be worth it to me, I just don't want any bummer surprises once i sign the dotted line.

Know what i mean?

thanx

-Jason

Answer -
Greetings Jason -

Thanks for writing.  I apologize for taking so long to respond, I have been trying since Saturday, but there was a problem with the AllExperts website.

Yes, it is possible to enlist in the Air Force, finish your degree and then apply for a commissioning program and become an officer and pilot.

I cannot remember the name of the gentleman, but he enlisted as an F-16 crew chief, finished his school and got commissioned.  He then got a slot for pilot training, did so and became an F-16 fighter pilot.  He was so good he tried out for the THUNDERBIRDS and was accepted.  He was the first former enlisted man to achieve this distinction.

So, not only is it possible to achieve your goal, but you can see that you can also go far.  You just need to make it happen ... do good in school, get the diploma, get the commission and get accepted into pilot training.  Each hurdle has a lot of work to achieve, but it can be done.

Since your scored well on the ASVAB, there are many job options open to you.  There are several aircraft related maintenance jobs, but there are also some aircrew jobs that you can take advantage of ... these jobs put you in a flight suit flying with the plane, instead of just fixing it.

Aircraft Loadmaster (AFSC 1A251) - You are responsible for all cargo and passengers on the aircraft.  You perform your preflight inspections, load the aircraft and balance it according to the weight and balance procedures.  At the landing destination, you unload the aircraft and prepare it for the next upload.

Inflight Refueling Specialist (AFSC 1A051) - You are also responsible for all cargo and passengers onboard the aircraft, but you have the additional duty of refueling other aircraft INFLIGHT.  You fly an aerial refueling boom and connect the boom to a receiver aircraft just 30 feet from you.  You can see pictures of this on a web site I have showcasing my military career.

Go to ... http://64.41.64.113/home/Air_Force.html

Click around and see if that is to your liking.

Well, I think I've answered your question for now.  I'm sure this will spark more questions, so don't hesitate to write back.

Sincerely,
James Bell

Answer
Jason -

For the time being, it looks like you would fair better to stay where you are.  In your first year of service (as an E-3) you would only earn $18K, versus the $20K you are making now.  If you stay the course and finish school where you are, you can walk into a recruiter's office with your diploma and say you want to apply for a position as an officer.  If accepted, they send you to six weeks of OTS and give you your lieutenants bars.

Travis is a VERY nice assignment.  I spent the first 14 years of my career there (80-94).  I flew C-5s with the 22 MAS and C-141s with the 86th MAS (became 20th before being deactivated).

AFROTC is a great program, but realize it is not REQUIRED for you to become an officer.  It would give you a lot of good background and experience, and would put you ahead of someone that didn't have it, but there are those who get commissioned without it.

As an enlisted man, you would be required to give at least three years to that life before being eligible to apply for the commissoning program.  I have known many pilots that were prior enlisted, and many of them were much better officers because they had been on the other side of the fence.  Of course, a few took that experience to thumb their nose at the enlisted, as if to say "now I'm better than you" but they were few and far between.

You still have much to think about.  If you would like to continue our discussions, feel free to write me directly at KC10Engr@aol.com.

Take care and let me know how things go.

Sincerely,
James Bell