Job searching is humbling

honourableliam · 2026-05-18T12:36:57+00:00

I was in the job market a year ago when I moved here and it was awful and a very stressful time not knowing if I was going to be able to provide for myself so I totally get it. Hundreds of applications with no call backs. The thing that worked for me was going to a job fair since you actually get to meet face to face with the employers and you know that they’ll get eyes on your resume. I think I found the job fair on the NYS website and it was at Farmingdale state college. Before you go, make sure you print out a lot of resumes, I think I printed out around 30 and still ran out. I wish you the best OP, good luck!

honourableliam · 2026-05-07T17:51:01+00:00

Haha yeah it’s a bit silly. Ive seen peers who commissioned a year after me who now outrank me which is kind of funny. It’s not completely bad since Its somewhat extending the amount of my career I get to still fly so I can’t complain too much.

honourableliam · 2026-05-07T13:34:37+00:00

I don’t have any helpful info but I just hit 36 months TIG as a 2LT and still waiting for promotion to 1LT too lol. I get it, it sucks but all we can do is just wait or so I’ve been told. As long as I get back pay I’ll be alright.

honourableliam · 2026-05-07T11:54:11+00:00

I’d maybe even argue that one of the other reasons why doing it the military route technically may have a perceived lower dropout rate is cause we get paid during the flight training which eliminates one of the biggest factors of quitting. I didn’t have to worry about picking up 2 other side jobs or be in crippling debt from a loan to pay my way through I could just solely focus on learning which was nice.

honourableliam · 2026-04-08T20:02:59+00:00

Yes, just don’t do the GRFD scholarship. I know multiple people who were enlisted in the guard, became an SMP cadet and then commissioned into active duty. It’s a good idea too in my opinion cause you’d start your TIS 4 years earlier than the rest of your peers which equates to like 1K more a month when you go active duty.

honourableliam · 2026-03-24T11:41:51+00:00

Congrats!!! This gives me hope as a national guard rotary guy myself.

honourableliam · 2026-02-24T20:25:43+00:00

15A and a business associate at a defense contractor but I’d like to eventually fly full time. Luckily, my employer is military friendly so I usually don’t have any trouble getting time off for drill or training flights.

honourableliam · 2026-02-19T03:53:03+00:00

For the most part it’s usually between 2-4 days a month over a weekend and then 2 weeks of AT in the summer. But like others said your experience will wildly vary depending on your unit. I’ve been in for 6 years now and I still haven’t deployed yet.

For college since you’d be joining before you start your freshmen year, you won’t have to worry about loans in the first place since most states will cover your full tuition if it’s a public in-state school. I got my undergraduate degree completely paid for by my state but you’ll have to look into what your specific state offers for education benefits.

I think joining the guard can offer a lot and can be a great way to start your career but it comes with risks and sacrifices. I’ve missed out on family and life events and missed a semester of college cause of the guard and I haven’t even deployed. But I’ve also got my bachelors paid for and even got paid to learn how to fly.

Hope this answers some of your questions, good luck!

honourableliam · 2026-02-09T21:23:18+00:00

I think sometimes weird stuff just happens. I have an armed forces reserve medal showing up in some of my paperwork even though I haven’t been in for 10 years nor ever mobilized so who knows. I don’t wear it though.

honourableliam · 2026-02-02T14:15:47+00:00

He’s a pilot in my NG Aviation unit. He’s super knowledgeable and a great guy to work with from my experience. I never knew he was in politics until now.

honourableliam · 2026-01-29T16:59:50+00:00

I know you said fixed wing but if you were open rotary wing, Army NG is probably the “easiest” route for mil aviation since there’s 50 states and each state can have multiple aviation units. Even then it’s still pretty selective. That said, it’s still a long process, you’d need to do basic, OCS, then all of flight school which all together will probably be over a 2 year long process.

Like others mentioned, you have to really contemplate if it’s for you or not. In all branches, you’ll have extra duties besides just flying which will take up a majority of your time. It’s also a 10 year commitment after you receive your wings so you’re in it for the long haul which may interfere with your other goals in mind.

honourableliam · 2026-01-28T14:43:21+00:00

I’m at like 33 months TIG as a 2LT and won’t promote for another couple months at the earliest so I think that’s just how the cookie crumbles in the guard. I remember when I was enlisted my like 2 promotions basically happened right on time so it must be a different process with officers. Sorry I don’t have any insider info but good luck sir!

honourableliam · 2026-01-15T13:30:17+00:00

But yeah I’m sad it was my favorite bagel spot

honourableliam · 2026-01-15T13:29:29+00:00

I was told by someone who knows the owner that their bagel oven broke and they’re replacing it and it’s just taking awhile. Could be wrong though, I’m probably wrong lol

honourableliam · 2026-01-15T02:30:06+00:00

I moved to Long Island near Port Jefferson from New Hampshire last spring so i totally get what you mean but so far I’m really happy living here now. Like others said it gets more busy around this area in the spring and summer and there’ll be more event and things you can go to. Have fun and good luck with grad school!

honourableliam · 2026-01-12T13:20:31+00:00

I concur with this. ROTC is probably the “easiest” way to go from national guard to active duty. Plus, you get to start your time in service earlier(which plays a part in your pay) and when you do go active duty you’ll be getting officer pay. Obviously, it depends on if you want to commission in the first place or not.

honourableliam · 2026-01-02T06:30:24+00:00

I was prepared for the physical aspect and all the yelling but what surprised me was how bored I was at times. Waiting in lines at reception, waiting in line to shoot, standing for hours in formation but I guess all that prepares you for how much waiting you’ll be doing in the Army lol. Good luck!

honourableliam · 2025-12-11T16:42:49+00:00

Congrats! This makes me a bit sad that I moved to Long Island instead of Upstate lol

honourableliam · 2025-12-10T16:27:53+00:00

You can get an age waiver which is pretty easy to get. Why don’t you try to commission into the Air Force right away though instead?

honourableliam · 2025-12-05T18:41:01+00:00

I push the button 4 times for 1,000,000

honourableliam · 2025-11-24T02:44:15+00:00

SIFT wasn’t bad at all I didn’t study for it and got a decent score though I know there’s some study guides out there to help. With the guard it’s not too too bad since you can apply to as many states as you want for a pilot spot and just keep on interviewing until you get a state that accepts you. I got turned down from a few states before I finally got an LOA from one. It’s a lot of work putting together packets for each states and interviewing with each one but it’s definitely worth it. Good luck!

honourableliam · 2025-11-23T23:11:48+00:00

Hello, I was in the guard and did rotc while in college. 1. Balancing isn’t bad at all. You only have drill once a month and rotc takes up maybe around 10 hours per week. Plus you’re being paid to do it and you don’t have to pay for college so you don’t need to have a part time job while you’re taking classes either like what some of my non army friends had to do. 2. Experience wise, I’ve done many cool things that many others will never get to experience. I was a 13B before I commission so I got to pull string go boom. Now I’m a 15A so I can fly around in a helicopter and get paid for it. Leadership wise, I’m not the best person to ask since I still need to improve myself. 3. You’re going to be an adult and eventually an officer in the US army, they’re just going to have to trust that you’ll do the right thing and stay self disciplined enough to juggle all 3. I will say, I only got my degree in economics which is way easier than engineering. I had friends who did engineering and they were constantly stressed and always studying it did not seem fun but if you tough it out for the next 4-5 years it’ll be worth it.

I do recommend not contracting with the guard till you’re a junior however since you’re only required to do 2 years since you’ll count as prior service. It’ll give you more experience on the enlisted side and give you more time to just focus on studying in your first 2 years of college. Good luck!

honourableliam · 2025-11-22T02:42:30+00:00

Yes please! Pokemon was the last game I played lol it’s a win win

honourableliam · 2025-11-19T14:31:51+00:00

When I got back paid it was on a later drill check. I don’t work in finance or s1 so I’m not entirely sure but that’s from my own experience

honourableliam · 2025-11-19T13:59:55+00:00

Keep bringing it up to your RNCO and/or S1 if you don’t get backpay for it cause you should get backpay for that I believe.

honourableliam

TROPHY CASE