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From: faatcrl!jimb@gvlv2.gvl.unisys.com (Jim Burwell)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Pilot Cutbacks
Message-ID: <1991Jun13.055539.23480@amd.com>
Date: 12 Jun 91 03:53:22 GMT
Article-I.D.: amd.1991Jun13.055539.23480
References: <1991Jun5.064719.25918@amd.com> <1991Jun10.023152.11944@amd.com>
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From: faatcrl!jimb@gvlv2.gvl.unisys.com (Jim Burwell)


[TWENTY-NINE lines of quoted text removed.  :-( --CDR]

Oh no!  Another pilot wannabe here.  This message has me _worried_  and
discouraged.  Here's my situation:

My original game-plan was to xfer to ERAU, as an Aerospace Engineering
student, and enter the AFROTC.  I chose ERAU for two reasons:  Its rep
in the Aero industry (I've been told by many that an ERAU AE degree is
very well respected in the industry), and the rep of the ROTC unit
there.  I've been told that the ERAU AFROTC unit is the #1 in the
country, and that the pilot "candidates" get preference only after
graduates of the Air Force Academy.  Not that I totaly buy that last
line, but I've heard similar "good things" (from jet jocks, etc) which
have lead me to believe that ERAU's AFROTC unit is my best chance of
getting a pilot slot.  I basically figured that if I failed to get a
pilot slot, I'd still have that BS in AE to "fall-back" on, and a
career outside of the AF if things didn't work out.  Plus, I have
"considerable" computer skills (I've been hacking for about 12 years
now...  leave it at that).

So there it is, back up plan and all.  Now I keep reading all these
messages about a virtual "no new pilots" policy in the AF, and seeing
the miltary get sliced and diced to pieces by Congress on C-Span.  It
really has me down.  I see my life's dream falling to pieces because of
politics (where does most of the money REALLY go ?  The Military ?
HA!  Ah...lets not get into that here :-) ?

So whats all this pathetic rambling about ?  Well, basically, I'd like
for ANYONE to give me advice on how I can MAXIMIZE my chances of
getting a pilot slot in the AF, Navy, Marines, National Guard, etc.
Whatever.  Flying fighters has been a dream for my entire life, and I'm
at the age now where I can either go for it, or give it up.  (Not that
"giving it up" means being a bum on some street corner.  FAR from it.
My choices are basically:  Going for it, leaving my current job, or
"giving up", and staying with my current employer who will pay me lots
of money and put me through school for "free".)

So, what are my chances, given my chosen field of specialization,
computer background choice of school/unit, and "resume" (I'm currently
working for CTA, INC, as a Unix Systems Administrator, on contract to
the FAA.  I've also worked for the FAA doing the same thing, and have
won awards and such).

Please send replies where appropriate [ Mr. Moderator ? ].  I REALLY
need to re-evaluate things, sinces classes start in late August.  I
need your input to make my decision.

	[ Please take further discussions on pilot slots to e-mail
	  since career advice isn't exactly in the charter of the group.
	  soc.military.careers, anyone? :-)  --CDR]

Thanx,
Jim

PS: please excuse the ranting.  I'm really kinda in a state-of-confusion
right now, after reading all these messages :-(.

-- 
INET:  jimb@faatcrl.uucp
UUCP:  ..!rutgers!faatcrl!jimb

	[13 line signature graphic of bomber deleted.  
	 Pretend its a F-117. :-)  --CDR]