The real arrogance is you asserting I have no concept what it is to work in the civilian sector, as if to suggest I'm some sort of sheltered welfare queen basking on my Tricare government cheese, who hasn't taken from his own hide in order to feed his family.
You've got a lot of issues, it's clear. Among them appears to be a chip on your shoulder. You're adamant that you know all about working in civil aviation even though you've never worked a day as a professional pilot outside the military.
While sitting on a ramp in Afghanistan a few days ago, I had a very disturbing conversation with a pilot who's never flown anything but civil aviation, who was asserting that he knew all about killing people because he played x-box. He clearly had no clue what he was talking about, and he surely picked the wrong venue and the wrong audience to spout his naive crap.
Likewise, your attempting to assert your mastery of the world of civil aviation because you took civil flight instruction and went to college is equally naive and foolish.
You can certainly talk about your duties inside the military as an IP in the Texan, but you really don't have a leg to stand on when discussing the civil world. A masters degree doesn't grant you that ability, nor does having taken a year of flight instruction.
Civilian employers wipe their rear with USERRA to be sure, so let's get that pseudo support argument from civilian employers out in the open; it's not all handouts and red carpets for us Citizen Airmen.
Every location I've worked, which is a LOT more than you, has taken USERRA very seriously, as does my current employer. Then again, we have a lot of military aviators employed, from the Chief Pilot on down. We have USAF, USAR, USCG, USN, and USMC pilots, as well as pilots who have flown government, contract and numerous other duties. I'm among them, incidentally. We have pilots who still take leave regularly to military service, and we don't shun them any more than we shun any other background. Employers who don't take USERRA seriously run afoul of the law, and I've never worked for, nor been acquainted with any employer in aviation that did so. More proof that you really have no understanding of the industry. Your "understanding" appears to be what you took away from a job you didn't ever work, and for which you were never hired. You falsified your background, hid details from the employer, and this is your vast experience.
NONE of those efforts were to the end of attaining some pie in the sky widebody right seat job. Pilots are just not that special, and neither is the job. Which is why people can do it just because is neato, and why people get paid chump change to do it, in aggregate.
I don't get paid chump change. Perhaps you do, or perhaps that's all you're qualified to earn were you to make the transition to civil life. Don't condemn the industry for that. It's not the industry's fault that you lack the qualifications and experience to make a better living. You might have to put in the effort to get that qualification if you want more, but that's entirely up to you, and you've already stated that you're unwilling. Again, don't condemn the industry for your unwillingness.
I'm statistically helping you, by staying away from the pool of hungry "pay your dues" ten-to-a-crashpad dreamers competing for that job.
You're not helping me, statistically or otherwise. I live in a house with wife and kids, and am neither hungry, nor paying dues. I've never lived in a "ten-to-a-crashpad" place full of dreamers, either. Where ever they are, I'm sure they're gushing with thanks for your decision not to compete, however. Congratulations.
I'm just some guy who saw the industry and thought "I can do better for my family" and you got your butt hurt.
My butt isn't hurt. I'm making a living in the industry that you think you know, but really don't. Doesn't affect me one way or the other.
Your whole tone sounds like sour grapes against mil flyers who enter the civilian flying world and bypass or otherwise minimize, by their direct placement, your precious "pay your dues" system that is all the measure of [false] equity you've gotten out of the civilian flying industry..that or some mil pilot bumped you out of Xmas holiday by pulling some MLOA and you're on a vendetta against any 'arrogant strutting' mil pilot who says anything about anything.
Wow, you're really bitter, aren't you?
I never said anything about paying your dues. You came up with that all by yourself.
As to my perspective on your precious industry, it's not arrogance, it's knowing when it's time to quit while you're ahead and stop putting your family and loved ones through the ringer because you're too stubborn to see a bad hand when it's pointed to you with a big effing neon sign, and divorce papers perhaps.
The difference for you is that you didn't quit while you were ahead. You just quit. You were never there.
In essence, your argument civilian pilots are better prepared for the civilian job market is simply unsubstantiated.
I didn't make that argument. You did. You asserted that you know all about working in the world of civil aviation, although you've never done it. You attacked and condemned it as though from a position of authority, despite your zero experience.
Your vitriol and anger speaks volumes about your position in all this. Most of your venom regards arguments that were never made. You're really sensitive on this subject, clearly, and it's obvious that although it hasn't come up (except for what you've introduced), you've heard the discussions before. You jumped the gun a bit, didn't you? You didn't even wait for someone to bring these things up: you've introduced them and begun arguing them, but you're the only one in the room doing so.
Is anyone here condemning the military pipeline? No. There's no need. There's no need to condemn civil aviation either, but you're hellbent on doing so. Why is that?
Just stop lumping military pilots under that bitter guise of entitled naked-emperors, ignorant of the reality of the civilian job market we serve to preserve.
The only one fitting that classification is you, but then those are your words too, not mine.
Like I said earlier, my lack of presence in those application pools is good for people like you, if it is of any solace.
Your "lack of presence" doesn't help or hurt me a bit, mate, because you're not remotely qualified to compete, but in my career I don't compete. I apply, and I'm doing quite well presently, thanks. Your solace isn't needed, but thanks for donating it anyway. You've strayed far from the thread, in which a civil student wanted to know about career tracks. Your venom and sour view has granted some insight into those military aviators who carry a chip on their shoulder, but really paints most military aviators in a bad light, because most shouldn't be compared to your attitude.
For the original poster: the military is a viable avenue to a career, or can be a career all by itself. Don't let the attitude of some turn you off to that possibility. You can make a good living and have a good life as a military aviator, and you can make a transition to numerous points in the civil world if you wish. You should be aware that there are altruistic reasons for doing military service that are higher than getting flying hours: you generally don't finish a military commitment with a great deal of hours (even those with a full career). It's a line of work that has more going for it than just dollars, and more going for it than hours, type ratings, or other qualifications. It's a career all by itself, and some sample it for a short time while others put in a big chunk of their lives.
For those who do put in a full hitch, the retirement is a big plus if and when you decide to transition to civil flying. I know a lot of pilots who could leave their job any time because they're already drawing a full military retirement: they're largely unaffected by furloughs, downsizing, and other hazards of working the civil side of the house. Military service is honorable, the training is good and it's a recognized and known standard. Don't let people like hindsight2020 convince you otherwise. His attitude is common among those who don't know much or anything about civil aviation, but not common among those who successfuly make the switch. It's definitely not common among those who do both, and there are quite a few of those.
I recently met a Marine in a location in Afghanistan who's doing reserve work but who flies for a major international freight carrier as his regular job. His attitude didn't reflect that of hindsight2020 at all. His attitude was excellent, had no venom, and he carried no chip. Then again, he was experienced, and knew both worlds quite well. Take what you hear with a grain of salt, talk to as many people as you can, and when you're ready, begin your training with dedication. It all pans out in the end.
