Since there's not much dedicated helo career info here, and most of what I learned in the process was either networking or Googling stuff, I've started typing up what I experienced with trying to get hired for a HAA/HEMS job. I know there's some other HEMS guys on here, so please, feel free to add your perspectives.
Much of this is semi-stream of consciousness typed over several days, so here's your warning...
Pre-Hiring Planning:
First, figure out what different job options you might be interested in. When I started my process, Gulf of Mexico (GOM) jobs weren't really around. I've heard good things about the industry, especially for the IFR/dual piloted guys, but it didn't appear to be an option. It's also typically a 14/14 schedule at some base that isn't your home.
I had also been engineering a DoD contract job INCONUS that I was excited about, but it evaporated at the last minute, so I was back to looking at HEMS or possibly CBP. CBP would have taken me in a second, but due to an injury right before retirement, I slowed that process down. Throughout the whole process, my priority for which job I wanted kept changing, as each offered different experiences.
So first things first, I needed intel and connections. I knew several guys I served with who went on to HEMS and had been doing it for a while and they were happy to answer my endless questions and made it possible that when I ran into people that might be able to help get my foot in the door, I could ask educated questions and sound like I gave a crap about the job.
Meanwhile, I started building a resume. This took way more time than I was expecting, partly because of SHARP logging errors and partly due to refining my Excel spreadsheet to get the correct data out of it. There are resume templates online, specifically from Stacey Sheard (google her), and they'll give you a 95% solution that you can then tweak to make your info fit on one page.
The next major thing I did was to go to Heli-Expo, and specifically the Military-to-Civilian Transition seminar that HAA puts on the day before the Expo. The seminar is free and if you're social during the event, it's incredibly valuable. The whole seminar lasts about 4-ish hours, but it's made up of short industry overviews, given by former military guys, but is also broken up with short breakout sessions where you can go to different groups and ask people one-on-one about their specific industry.
Heli-Expo also has a career fair on the first day of the Expo. There's several different industries represented at the fair (Tour, Log, HAA/HEMS, CBP, etc) and chances are you're going to be speaking to either the company hiring manager or the Chief Pilot (or both) while you're there. I've noticed the two years I've gone that not all of the HAA companies have been there, but the one I was targeting was, so I was happy. When going to this, bring your resume (and business cards...make your own, don't use your Navy business card, if you have one). I found that when I would give my resume to someone, my instrument time would stand out, as much of the industry is made up of either civilian trained guys who may not have much, if any, actual time, or Army guys who just fly in a different environment. Throughout the whole process, I've noticed that Navy/Marine guys generally seem to excel and be well-respected for their instrument flying ability.
One side note on the networking/interaction thing... When it comes to your military background, don't be "that" guy. Don't hide your service, as it's very valuable, but don't bore everyone with stories about how the military couldn't have completed its mission without you. When asked, talk generally about what you did as it pertains to the job, but be humble and be open to learning new ways of doing things. A lot of stuff is going to be different.
Last major thing about planning...Figure out where you want to end up first. If you're flexible, great, you'll have more choices, but typically people have an idea on where they want to end up. Once you figure that out, you can then target the companies that service that area. One caveat to that is there might not be a base where you want to live. There may be a base nearby though, so you'll have to figure out how flexible your schedule is with family.
Some bases will have apartments for you to live in during your hitch. Some won't. Some should, but still won't. Some will have Geo modifiers (cost off-set...basically a bonus to go to that base). Some bases will have both. I would caution you on chasing the money, though. Figure out what will work for you (commute or no commute) and it wouldn't be a bad thing to do a little research on the company (and/or the program at that base).
There are three types of bases/programs: Company-owned, Hybrids, and Hospital-owned. The hospital-owned program seems to be more rare nowadays, but is still out there. A company-owned program is a program where one company owns the pilot, Med Crew, and the helicopter. Everyone ultimately answers to the same boss. A hybrid program is made up of a company-owned aircraft and pilot, but the Med Crew is owned by the hospital. The pilot will work in parallel with the Med Crew, but the two have different bosses to answer to.
You'll hear different thoughts on which kind of program you would want to be a part of, but honestly I think it has much more to do with the individual people you work with and how much drama they (or you) create. I happen to work for a hybrid program and it's been fine.
Much of this is semi-stream of consciousness typed over several days, so here's your warning...
Pre-Hiring Planning:
First, figure out what different job options you might be interested in. When I started my process, Gulf of Mexico (GOM) jobs weren't really around. I've heard good things about the industry, especially for the IFR/dual piloted guys, but it didn't appear to be an option. It's also typically a 14/14 schedule at some base that isn't your home.
I had also been engineering a DoD contract job INCONUS that I was excited about, but it evaporated at the last minute, so I was back to looking at HEMS or possibly CBP. CBP would have taken me in a second, but due to an injury right before retirement, I slowed that process down. Throughout the whole process, my priority for which job I wanted kept changing, as each offered different experiences.
So first things first, I needed intel and connections. I knew several guys I served with who went on to HEMS and had been doing it for a while and they were happy to answer my endless questions and made it possible that when I ran into people that might be able to help get my foot in the door, I could ask educated questions and sound like I gave a crap about the job.
Meanwhile, I started building a resume. This took way more time than I was expecting, partly because of SHARP logging errors and partly due to refining my Excel spreadsheet to get the correct data out of it. There are resume templates online, specifically from Stacey Sheard (google her), and they'll give you a 95% solution that you can then tweak to make your info fit on one page.
The next major thing I did was to go to Heli-Expo, and specifically the Military-to-Civilian Transition seminar that HAA puts on the day before the Expo. The seminar is free and if you're social during the event, it's incredibly valuable. The whole seminar lasts about 4-ish hours, but it's made up of short industry overviews, given by former military guys, but is also broken up with short breakout sessions where you can go to different groups and ask people one-on-one about their specific industry.
Heli-Expo also has a career fair on the first day of the Expo. There's several different industries represented at the fair (Tour, Log, HAA/HEMS, CBP, etc) and chances are you're going to be speaking to either the company hiring manager or the Chief Pilot (or both) while you're there. I've noticed the two years I've gone that not all of the HAA companies have been there, but the one I was targeting was, so I was happy. When going to this, bring your resume (and business cards...make your own, don't use your Navy business card, if you have one). I found that when I would give my resume to someone, my instrument time would stand out, as much of the industry is made up of either civilian trained guys who may not have much, if any, actual time, or Army guys who just fly in a different environment. Throughout the whole process, I've noticed that Navy/Marine guys generally seem to excel and be well-respected for their instrument flying ability.
One side note on the networking/interaction thing... When it comes to your military background, don't be "that" guy. Don't hide your service, as it's very valuable, but don't bore everyone with stories about how the military couldn't have completed its mission without you. When asked, talk generally about what you did as it pertains to the job, but be humble and be open to learning new ways of doing things. A lot of stuff is going to be different.
Last major thing about planning...Figure out where you want to end up first. If you're flexible, great, you'll have more choices, but typically people have an idea on where they want to end up. Once you figure that out, you can then target the companies that service that area. One caveat to that is there might not be a base where you want to live. There may be a base nearby though, so you'll have to figure out how flexible your schedule is with family.
Some bases will have apartments for you to live in during your hitch. Some won't. Some should, but still won't. Some will have Geo modifiers (cost off-set...basically a bonus to go to that base). Some bases will have both. I would caution you on chasing the money, though. Figure out what will work for you (commute or no commute) and it wouldn't be a bad thing to do a little research on the company (and/or the program at that base).
There are three types of bases/programs: Company-owned, Hybrids, and Hospital-owned. The hospital-owned program seems to be more rare nowadays, but is still out there. A company-owned program is a program where one company owns the pilot, Med Crew, and the helicopter. Everyone ultimately answers to the same boss. A hybrid program is made up of a company-owned aircraft and pilot, but the Med Crew is owned by the hospital. The pilot will work in parallel with the Med Crew, but the two have different bosses to answer to.
You'll hear different thoughts on which kind of program you would want to be a part of, but honestly I think it has much more to do with the individual people you work with and how much drama they (or you) create. I happen to work for a hybrid program and it's been fine.
Last edited: