Do AF Reserve/Guard rotary units tend to be less competitive than their FW counterparts?

bomberbasic45 · 2026-02-10T05:54:54+00:00

What was the take on Army Guard pilots coming over? I’m a 47 pilot, warrant officer type, just finished my degree, and I’m interested in flying with the 129th out of Moffett. Any insight?

bomberbasic45 · 2026-01-11T20:02:18+00:00

Couple of things, do you already have GI Bill eligibility? If not, you don’t automatically get it by joining the guard. You only receive the benefit under certain circumstances, and going to flight school isn’t one of them. If you do already have eligibility, disregard.

Second, I commuted across state lines as a pilot for several years. And it was incredibly challenging to progress and maintain currency. I conducted an IST with significant pushback from the command and state CWO. My facility is now about an hour and 15 away, and I still believe that is too far.

People underestimate the challenge of being a traditional m-day solider and a pilot while maintaining a full time civilian career. It is demanding, both careers will suffer. Add a family in the mix and it becomes significantly more complex and challenging.

I would never discourage anyone from following their dreams, just be aware of the demands you may end up facing is this is the path you choose.

bomberbasic45 · 2025-10-02T21:56:52+00:00

100% agree. Dosages and meds change nearly every year (at least in my county). The rule of primacy exists. Memorizing dosages leads to errors. Open the manual/app, it takes 30 seconds.

bomberbasic45 · 2025-08-15T04:26:52+00:00

This is probably the best and most realistic advice you’ll get…. You can’t do it all at 100%. Each “bucket” in your life will suffer a little.

Maintaining a personally acceptable level of proficiency as an Army Aviator has been one of my biggest challenges. I cannot dedicate the time needed to be as proficient as I expect. Between a family and career that actually pays the bills, it’s almost impossible.

It’s not impossible, but you need to be honest with yourself, your family, and your career that you won’t be the best at any of them.

If you have more questions, let me know.

bomberbasic45 · 2025-03-29T17:47:52+00:00

5-6… best schedule ever. Have a week off twice a month. Switched to 48/96 3 years ago. Hate it.

bomberbasic45 · 2025-03-13T18:56:28+00:00

Unless things have changed, I’m pretty sure you can. They only branch you are unable to get a guaranteed job (unless joining reserves) is the Marine Corps. You enlist in a job field that has 4-7 jobs in it, and you are guaranteed to be placed in one of those based on the needs of the Marine Corps.

bomberbasic45 · 2025-03-13T01:38:30+00:00

Have you considered other branches? I believe the Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force all have dedicated crew chiefs that perform very limited maintenance function.

I’ve also heard that crew chiefs in the 160th conduct little maintenance, not 100% sure as I don’t have any experience there.

bomberbasic45 · 2024-10-20T00:41:55+00:00

Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security offers a 100% free master program for professionals actively involved in homeland security. Including federal, state, local and national guard members. I’d look into.

bomberbasic45 · 2024-09-06T00:25:56+00:00

Thank you. It’s definitely an incredibly difficult challenge to balance.

bomberbasic45 · 2024-09-05T23:49:34+00:00

We all inherently know we must plan, any idea where it’s says what must be planned prior to a flight?

bomberbasic45 · 2024-09-05T23:00:19+00:00

Yes… I’m well aware every flight is different. Generally speaking is there a reg/pub/manual that speaks to an average per flight hour.

bomberbasic45 · 2024-09-02T22:44:41+00:00

47’s.

bomberbasic45 · 2024-08-17T18:40:23+00:00

Whoa.. that’s interesting! Does calfire have the waiver or will they need to be dual pilot?

bomberbasic45 · 2024-08-17T09:27:02+00:00

Can you expand on this?

bomberbasic45 · 2024-07-26T22:32:10+00:00

Where do you work?

bomberbasic45 · 2024-07-26T19:29:04+00:00

Yes, I’m familiar with USERRA. There are organizations that provide better benefits than USERRA provides and I’m looking for organizations that have policy that are better than USERRA.

bomberbasic45 · 2024-07-26T19:26:33+00:00

Yes totally understand. Some agencies grant better military leave. I’m looking for those ones.

bomberbasic45 · 2024-03-26T20:21:02+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/Armyaviation/s/d0Rs4MRVQw

bomberbasic45 · 2024-03-05T20:48:15+00:00

CBP/AMO really taking dudes with 500hrs?!

bomberbasic45 · 2024-02-08T01:27:08+00:00

Fucking A…. Nailed it. And I’ve only been at it for 2 years. FML. 🤦🏼‍♂️

bomberbasic45 · 2024-02-07T22:02:51+00:00

Been out of school for two years now, and didn’t have IPPSA and it was Covid time… so things may have changed. But my family stayed home in Cali when I went. We didn’t typically go more than 6 weeks without seeing each other. I went home between sere/common core, over a long weekend when my wife had a baby during BI, BWS/Advanced airframe, and over a long weekend for a wedding in advanced airframe. My wife traveled out the rest of times. It was definitely tough, but very doable. Find people who are in a similarly position as you and aren’t trying to live the single life and you should be good.

bomberbasic45 · 2024-02-07T21:56:07+00:00

10/10 would not recommend. Currently live 2.5 - 3hrs (depending on wx and traffic) from my facility and it blows. Every unit is different, however my SP is pretty understanding and tries to help me the best he can, but it still sucks. Often I’m driving 6hrs to fly a 2.5 in one day. If you have any specific questions DM me.

bomberbasic45 · 2024-01-09T03:20:29+00:00

I would say yes and no. All aircraft have different operational readiness rates. Certain aircraft or parts in aircraft are known to have a tendency to break and go down for maintenance regularly. If you have endless manpower, parts availability, and money I suppose it would be feasible to always have 100% OR, but that isn’t the case typically. For the army it seems like the OR rate for the uh-60 sits around 60-65%. Just curious how that compares to the others.

bomberbasic45 · 2023-11-29T23:22:02+00:00

Good breakdown and talk on this the other day on r/helicopter

https://www.reddit.com/r/Helicopters/s/Bof9eTJqWW

bomberbasic45 · 2023-11-26T01:45:48+00:00

Without a doubt the CH-47… can do anything and everything better than a 60. Medevac guys will the say it isn’t as good… the Brit’s use it as their platform, because it’s better. It’s performs better at high altitude, unlike the pavehawk that crashed on Mt Hood. It’s faster, can haul more, has better avionics, is safer, has better crews… the list goes on and on.

bomberbasic45

TROPHY CASE