NG SF and Airline Pilot

[HM1231]

Hello Gents,
I've noticed in a few threads how NG SF offers some flexibility in pursuing a civilian career in a variety of fields and noticed Airline Pilot was mentioned. I understand the commitment required to be in SF and can be more demanding to stay current with your MOS when comparing NG SF to AD. However, I am interested in pursuing both of these careers. If someone could give me some insight on how to go about this or possibly get me in contact with someone who has done both It would be very helpful.

Thanks
-HM

 

[TLDR20]

Your life can only be so cool.

In all seriousness if MD’s and stock brokers can do it I’m sure you’d be fine...

Also there are quite a few SOF guys who are not aviators in the military because of their eyes. I am one of them. I am only a private pilot, slowly but surely chipping away at my instrument... but I know of an SMU assaulter who is a CFII... so it is doable.

 

[HM1231]

Do these people pursue their civilian career first then go SF?
I would imagine going to Med school while having commitments to a Team would be quite the challenge.

There seems to be a connection between Aviation and SOF. I met a SEAL once and he explained to me he wanted to fly Fighters for the Navy but couldn't because of his eyes. Also saw a story online about a SF guy who went to fly A-10's in the ANG.

 

[TLDR20]

Do these people pursue their civilian career first then go SF?
I would imagine going to Med school while having commitments to a Team would be quite the challenge.

There seems to be a connection between Aviation and SOF. I met a SEAL once and he explained to me he wanted to fly Fighters for the Navy but couldn't because of his eyes. Also saw a story online about a SF guy who went to fly A-10's in the ANG.

You aren’t trying to go to Med school. Flying is pretty dang flexible.

Lots of guys do lots of things in the guard. I went to warrior scholar with a team guy getting his MBA at Harvard business school. There are investment bankers and paramedics, as well as nurses and PA’s and all kinds of shit. If you want to be a pilot be a pilot, if you want to be an SF guy do it. You can do both.

 

[AWP]

Just be aware you may not be able to do it on your timeline. Guys that dodged deployments and schools for college or careers, unless they were greased into the Gold Ole Boy network, that was a career limiting move. Units will work with you, but at some point you might have to make a choice. You pay your money and take your chances. I think we had two guys go SF, finish an enlistment, get out, complete med school or a PA program, and then come back in.

There are different ways to accomplish your goals, you just need to be flexible and not assume your timeline is the final timeline. Like TLDR said, you can make it work, guys do it all of the time.

Good luck.