First let me say that if I am doing this wrong or posting this in the wrong area please forgive me as I am new and just looking for answers.
Secondly, I am coming here because A: the internet is full of information, but it can be dated, or generally just be a rabbit hole and B: Recruiters have no idea most of the time or at least only have partial information. That is my experience with them and know that they are tasked with getting people in and not necessarily what they want.
Please refrain from answering my post if you don't know, or just want to generally degrade me for not "using the internet right". If you don't have the answer or a direct link with the answer I don't really have time for you. I've been down that trip with Reddit, recruiters, and the internet as a whole so I am growing impatient. No one seems to be able to answer a few basic questions. The internet is full of knowledge but nowhere that I have seen does it show how to get from point A to point B with specifics.
Ok to my question, I am a 27 year old with a 4 year degree in homeland security. I am a year out from ETS from the Army National Guard. Upon my completion of the Guard I will be 28 years old with 8 years of service (4.5 active Army, and 3.5 National Guard). I served in the 75th Ranger Regiment as a sniper for all of my time on active. My military schooling includes Airborne, Ranger School, RASP, two sniper courses. I don't guess any of that is actually relevant here, but I offer it to paint a bigger picture in the event it does matter. I want to fly fixed wing aircraft, preferably fighters. I understand everyone wants to be a fighter pilot etc, and that may not be realistic but this is my preference with the goal of flying fixed wing aircraft. My question is regarding my background how would I go about making this a reality? Is this even realistic, or merely a pipe dream? The crux of my question pertains to guaranteed opportunity. I've been around the military long enough know to that nothing is guaranteed. However, when I initially joined the Army I was GUARANTEED an opportunity to attend Ranger Assessment and Selection via my contract. Is there anything like this across the services regarding aviation. From what I can gather you have to go to OCS in any of the branches and there compete for an aviation slot. It's not like you can get the contract stating "upon successful completion of OCS go to flight school" before hand. Or is there, that is my question?
Up and to this point my whole perception of military flight has been "unless you go to an academy, play 3 sports, and major in nuclear engineering" you won't even have a chance. I don't know if that's true or not, but one thing I have learned in the military is that rumors and generally false information have a tendency to circulate. I'm no Bo Jackson with a nuclear engineering degree, but I think my background proves I'm not a complete out of shape Jackass.
So, Is this a realistic goal for me, and are there any such contracts that I was referencing? If no and no what is the best route for me to have a chance? aviation in general, but with a preference in fixed wing and fighters.
Thank You!
Secondly, I am coming here because A: the internet is full of information, but it can be dated, or generally just be a rabbit hole and B: Recruiters have no idea most of the time or at least only have partial information. That is my experience with them and know that they are tasked with getting people in and not necessarily what they want.
Please refrain from answering my post if you don't know, or just want to generally degrade me for not "using the internet right". If you don't have the answer or a direct link with the answer I don't really have time for you. I've been down that trip with Reddit, recruiters, and the internet as a whole so I am growing impatient. No one seems to be able to answer a few basic questions. The internet is full of knowledge but nowhere that I have seen does it show how to get from point A to point B with specifics.
Ok to my question, I am a 27 year old with a 4 year degree in homeland security. I am a year out from ETS from the Army National Guard. Upon my completion of the Guard I will be 28 years old with 8 years of service (4.5 active Army, and 3.5 National Guard). I served in the 75th Ranger Regiment as a sniper for all of my time on active. My military schooling includes Airborne, Ranger School, RASP, two sniper courses. I don't guess any of that is actually relevant here, but I offer it to paint a bigger picture in the event it does matter. I want to fly fixed wing aircraft, preferably fighters. I understand everyone wants to be a fighter pilot etc, and that may not be realistic but this is my preference with the goal of flying fixed wing aircraft. My question is regarding my background how would I go about making this a reality? Is this even realistic, or merely a pipe dream? The crux of my question pertains to guaranteed opportunity. I've been around the military long enough know to that nothing is guaranteed. However, when I initially joined the Army I was GUARANTEED an opportunity to attend Ranger Assessment and Selection via my contract. Is there anything like this across the services regarding aviation. From what I can gather you have to go to OCS in any of the branches and there compete for an aviation slot. It's not like you can get the contract stating "upon successful completion of OCS go to flight school" before hand. Or is there, that is my question?
Up and to this point my whole perception of military flight has been "unless you go to an academy, play 3 sports, and major in nuclear engineering" you won't even have a chance. I don't know if that's true or not, but one thing I have learned in the military is that rumors and generally false information have a tendency to circulate. I'm no Bo Jackson with a nuclear engineering degree, but I think my background proves I'm not a complete out of shape Jackass.
So, Is this a realistic goal for me, and are there any such contracts that I was referencing? If no and no what is the best route for me to have a chance? aviation in general, but with a preference in fixed wing and fighters.
Thank You!
