Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwork

bigred177

bigred177

Cleared for Takeoff
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Round Rock, TX
Display Name
bigred
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KHSD
Finally a member of the Texas Air National Guard! :goofy:

After almost a year from interview to enlisting I am finally on my way to getting my wings. I will be flying with the 147th RW out of Ellington Field once I make it back. I don't know my dates for OTS yet but they're hoping for July 27th.

Advice and stories welcome

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Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

What do they fly? What will you be flying?
 
Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

They mostly fly MQ-1 transitioning into MQ-9s but also fly RC-26s. My main job is the 26 but I'm pretty sure I'll get to fly the MQ-9 too.
 
Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

What is that in English please?
 
Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

No such thing as a dual qual in the Air Force unless you're in airframes with companion trainer program (CTP) a.k.a the old day equivalent ACE programs where bomber and recce pilots would be basic qualed in a trainer (T-37 or T-38) to compensate for the lack of flying in the bomber/spy plane. These days CTP is limited to the B-2, U-2 and red air T-38 aggressor companion to the F-22 schoolhouse mission. Otherwise you have to be a test pilot or a WG/CC or above with a special dispensation, to be qualed in more than one airframe.

I have several friends who worked in both the RC-26 and UAV side of that unit several years ago. It's a great location, and these days with the uptick in airline hiring, a lot of Houston based folks are trying to ramp down their commutes to Reserve manned units and get into the UAV game there so they can sit at home while finishing out their 20. As a young guy with flying aspirations I wouldn't want to commit to the UAV from the get go. It's pretty difficult to get out once in, especially without a prior manned platform. Good luck to ya!
 
Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

I'll hit 30 years on the 28th - 4 of those active duty and the rest ANG.
 
Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

hindsight2020 said:
No such thing as a dual qual in the Air Force unless you're in airframes with companion trainer program (CTP) a.k.a the old day equivalent ACE programs where bomber and recce pilots would be basic qualed in a trainer (T-37 or T-38) to compensate for the lack of flying in the bomber/spy plane. These days CTP is limited to the B-2, U-2 and red air T-38 aggressor companion to the F-22 schoolhouse mission. Otherwise you have to be a test pilot or a WG/CC or above with a special dispensation, to be qualed in more than one airframe.

I have several friends who worked in both the RC-26 and UAV side of that unit several years ago. It's a great location, and these days with the uptick in airline hiring, a lot of Houston based folks are trying to ramp down their commutes to Reserve manned units and get into the UAV game there so they can sit at home while finishing out their 20. As a young guy with flying aspirations I wouldn't want to commit to the UAV from the get go. It's pretty difficult to get out once in, especially without a prior manned platform. Good luck to ya!
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Very interesting. Well the platform in the job posting and on my papers say RC-26 so at least I'll be manned. I'm not really interested in time building for the airlines, I'm doing this specifically to do this.

I also interviewed in OKC for the MC-12 but they kept talking about how hard it was going to be commuting from Texas to OKC and that I would probably have to move to OKC. I have my law license in Texas and wasn't too big on the idea of another bar exam so that limits me to Houston or Fort Worth since the F-16 guys never hire non-priors. I submitted an app to FTW but then withdrew it because the HOU guys made an offer.

Even if I had to do only UAVs it would be okay. It would give me the opportunity to fly/serve and still not be gone all the time so I can actually have a law practice.
 
Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

Yellowbird said:
I'll hit 30 years on the 28th - 4 of those active duty and the rest ANG.
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Wow, that's awesome. What did/do you fly?
 
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Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

Good for you.
I did 1969-1973 and back in in 1975 for 1 mission. All regular Air Force.
Then back in at age 63 (Army Guard this time) for 2+ years, 2012-2014. My wife informs me I'm done, or they can bury me in the uniform.
Best of luck to you.
 
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Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

bigred177 said:
Wow, that's awesome. What did/do you fly?
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I'm in the band. I fly a bass trombone.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

Thank you for your serivce, whatever you wind up flying. And best of luck.
:thumbsup:
bigred177 said:
Very interesting. Well the platform in the job posting and on my papers say RC-26 so at least I'll be manned. I'm not really interested in time building for the airlines, I'm doing this specifically to do this.

I also interviewed in OKC for the MC-12 but they kept talking about how hard it was going to be commuting from Texas to OKC and that I would probably have to move to OKC. I have my law license in Texas and wasn't too big on the idea of another bar exam so that limits me to Houston or Fort Worth since the F-16 guys never hire non-priors. I submitted an app to FTW but then withdrew it because the HOU guys made an offer.

Even if I had to do only UAVs it would be okay. It would give me the opportunity to fly/serve and still not be gone all the time so I can actually have a law practice.
Click to expand...

Too late now, but if you've been practicing for at least five years, you could waive in to Oklahoma.
 
Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

bigred177 said:
They mostly fly MQ-1 transitioning into MQ-9s but also fly RC-26s. My main job is the 26 but I'm pretty sure I'll get to fly the MQ-9 too.
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MQ , remotely piloted vehicles.
 
Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

What was your flying experience prior to interviewing?
 
Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

Old Geek said:
Fsking recruiters. They'll tell you anything.
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Haha. I didn't deal with a recruiter until about 6 months in to my CF of a process. Found the job and got all that done on my own. The guys in the board mentioned something about flying both so I assumed being dual qualified was pretty common but maybe they meant you'd move to RPA after a few years in the 26.

I will go along with that sentiment though. Seems like about 1 in 3 times they mess something important up.
 
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Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

Lindberg said:
Thank you for your serivce, whatever you wind up flying. And best of luck.
:thumbsup:


Too late now, but if you've been practicing for at least five years, you could waive in to Oklahoma.
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This November will only be my second year. I had thought about that, but I really like being in Texas :-).
 
Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

Yellowbird said:
I'm in the band. I fly a bass trombone.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Haha. That made me actually laugh out loud. Maybe I can dual qual in that and the 26? Played the baritone and trombone for years.
 
Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

Congratulations!

Do you know what they call a butterbar lieutenant on his first day out of OTS? Sir. ;)
 
Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

Is that the same outfit George W was <kind of> in?

You may become president someday!
 
Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

Work hard, have fun, look out for your classmates, know your role & the rest will take care of itself.

(12 AD, 3.5 & counting in the ANG)
 
Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

Congrats!!!
 
Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

RalphInCA said:
Is that the same outfit George W was <kind of> in?

You may become president someday!
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I think I'd prefer to be like the two from our unit who became astronauts(or shuttle pilots) rather than President. Assuming we get a space program in the next 20 years.
 
Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

Rigged4Flight said:
Congratulations!

Do you know what they call a butterbar lieutenant on his first day out of OTS? Sir. ;)
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I'm looking forward to it. I just hope I can avoid making the stupid 2Lt. mistakes :yes:

EvilEagle said:
Work hard, have fun, look out for your classmates, know your role & the rest will take care of itself.

(12 AD, 3.5 & counting in the ANG)
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I am thankful for the fact that, unlike AD, I'm not having to compete for a plane. Things are much for fun when you're working together rather than competing for the top slot to get the one fighter position.

Scott@KTYR said:
Congrats!!!
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Thanks!
 
Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

After 28 years I have had enough. But I don't get to fly them.
 
Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

To be fair, 28 years is too long to be doing anything for money. I love flying as much as the next guy, but if I'm still sweating my -ss off in an old rickety military jet in 20 more years someone knock me in the back if the head with the baseball bat. I'd hate to believe I could be that one dimensional. Some guys just don't know how to take off the military costume and walk away.
.
 
Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

Lawyer, pilot, musician, soldier...

I suddenly feel lazy.

Congrats on your achievements. Thanks for your service.
 
Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

From one Texan to another, Congratulations Red!

I was subject to the draft in 1968 and was going through the process toward Naval Flight School until they (we) learned that I didn't have 20-20 vision. It was one of the worst days of my life. I ended up in the Army to fulfill my military obligation. For that reason, I am EXTRA envious of those who get the opportunity that you are getting.

Please keep us posted.
 
Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

:rockon: Congratulations! :rockon:
 
Re: Swear words, signing my life away, drill, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwor

jhausch said:
Lawyer, pilot, musician, soldier...

I suddenly feel lazy.

Congrats on your achievements. Thanks for your service.
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Thank you. I like to know a little about a lot of things. Now if I could just pick one and do it long enough to make a career of it I'd be doing good.

MBDiagMan said:
From one Texan to another, Congratulations Red!

I was subject to the draft in 1968 and was going through the process toward Naval Flight School until they (we) learned that I didn't have 20-20 vision. It was one of the worst days of my life. I ended up in the Army to fulfill my military obligation. For that reason, I am EXTRA envious of those who get the opportunity that you are getting.

Please keep us posted.
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Being on the track and then having it taken away would be killer. To add extra insult they force you to serve in a job you didn't want to do anyway. I'm glad the draft is gone.

JimNtexas said:
:rockon: Congratulations! :rockon:
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Thanks! I was losing faith when you and I talked about it at the pizza joint that night.
 
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