Airforce or Civil Aviation? Help me decide.

Real World Aviation
1

So I’ll be graduating high school next school year ( college next ) and I need your help in deciding. My two options are to…

#1. Go to flight school and just take online college at the same time.

#2. Join and fly for the USAF ( USAF college is part )

(This is actually serious) My parents are fine with both options as they will support me either way but I cannot firmly decide. Through flight school, I will quickly become a commercial pilot, and I will take college online. If I join the Air Force, I go to their school, and I become an airforce pilot FOR FREE. (well that’s if I pass)

The airforce sort of runs in my blood as my grandfather was part of the USAF and it is a good option not only because it is free, but it is also because airlines like hiring airforce pilots. NOTE: I will have to serve for 8 years before I can leave. (My current plan is to fly commercial after the 8 years of service)

The flight school is the faster way to becoming an airline pilot but it is rather expensive, and I can only do college online.

Your replies will be greatly appreciated. Cheers!

3 Likes
2

Personally, I would go with the USAF, but you do whatever you want mate.

2 Likes
3

Yeah I’m sort of leaning towards that as I’ve always wanted to serve the country.

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4

If you’re fine with serving 8 years in the air force then definitely go down that route as itll be much cheaper than going straight to flight school.

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5

I am personally planning on going to flight school and doing online college because my Dad wants me to at least have a masters in anything. It really depends on what works best for you.

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6

Go to the air Force. If you pass they can teach you to fly a fighter for free. Then if you want do your service and move to commercial.

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7

I would go to the air force!

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8

Go Army don’t need a commission to fly

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9

Free time between flights

If you like to travel and visit new places, as an air force pilot you just won’t have time to do that. You won’t fly to international or passengers airports, and you won’t be able to discover new sights. (+1 score for civilian aviation)

Place of residence

As an Air Force pilot you probably won’t be able to departure from big international airports. Your base will be located somewhere in the secret place, far away from nearest town. So probably, you won’t be able to live in comfortable flat. In Civil Aviation you have a flat in the city and the airline you are working for can help you with buying it.
(+1 score for civilian aviation)

Restraint

First of all, I am not sure that all countries have such a strict rules regarding their soldiers, but it’s possible that as a military pilot you will need to sign an undertaking not to leave the country and not to disclose secret information. It means that you can’t share photos of your plane and stuff with friends and even family members. Sometimes you may not allowed to travel abroad if you know too much. 🤥 As a civil pilot you can do almost everything. Sometimes bosses don’t like pilots-bloggers, but these days they are becoming more and more common.
( +1 score for civilian aviation)

Salary

To be honest, I only know about salary of civilian pilots, but I believe that military pilots have a good one too.
(+1 for both)

Growth restrictions

As a two-meters guy, I can say that most likely I won’t get into military aviation. Of course, there are restrictions in civil aviation, but it may not be so strict. Also, the cabins of modern liners are more adapted to comfortable flights, it even have toilets 😂 (the dream of military pilots).
(+1 for Civilian aviation)

Character

When I think about military aviation, I always ask myself “Can I kill someone?” Military pilot must have a very strong character. It is a very stressful and dangerous job. It can damage your health and your psychological too.
Personally, I don’t like it. Killing people is something very very terrible, even impossible for me.
In addition with modern technologies, military pilots can people hundreds and even thousands of innocent people! And I am more than sure that this job isn’t for me.
( I will not rate this paragraph. People have different situations and characters)

Results

To sum up, we have a result that civilian aviation won in this comparison. Of course, this is only my comparison of the pros and cons, and partly my opinion, with which the rest may disagree.

10 Likes
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You will travel with the air force to numerous different countries so I guess that’s a plus for both 🤷

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11

True. One of the only things convincing me to join the airforce is just the fact that it’s the airforce! I don’t know if that makes a lot of sense, but in other words, I’d feel very accomplished to be part of the airforce. (Same with civil aviation too)

It was something I always looked up to

1 Like
13

I would go to the USAF and then after 8 years, go fly for an airline of your choice. Your choice though

2 Likes
14

Air force in my opinion. They will also pay for your college.

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15

Fly with the airforce for 6-8 years and then go to a commercial airline.

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17

It actually depends, would you want to fly fighter, cargo, heavy, or stealth

Maybe work for Area 51;)

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18

Your scenario is the same as mine literally word for word. I’ve decided towards the AFA and will try hard to get in

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19

In my opinion, military is the best option, and let me explain why. In the AirForce, you don’t need to pay any money for your license, you don’t have to worry about debt, and you rack up your flight hours, which is great for your CPL. Airlines also like military pilots.

2 Likes
20

The military is an excellent career. What is better than serving your country and getting free flight training? Not to mention they will pay for your college too.

2 Likes
21

Oh! Nice to see someone on the same page

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22

Yeah that’s true. That’s why the airforce became an option in the first place

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