Q. I am currently a junior in high school looking to fly for a living. I have completed my solo in a Cessna, have 12.5 hours signed off, and plan on obtaining my private pilot certificate by the end of high school. I am also looking to military service as well. Would it be wise to serve four years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force, then come out and attend an accredited flight college, or would it be smarter to complete the flight college and serve afterward? Also, which colleges are the best choices if a person is looking to work as an airline pilot?
A. You are on the right track by developing a career strategy, not simply “winging it.” So many young folks merely say, “I just want to fly!” You should also be proud of your decision to serve your country in the U.S. Air Force. Your first question about whether to enroll in college first or enlist in the Air Force deserves some very serious thought. I would suggest talking to an Air Force recruiter for guidance. From my perspective, the first item to consider is just where do you want to go in the USAF? If you aspire to an officer’s commission or a flying position, then you will want to invest in those four years of college before service.
There are hundreds of host institutions of higher learning in the United States that feature the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). Additionally, many of these colleges and universities have excellent flight programs where you can pursue both an officer’s commission and a professional pilot track simultaneously. Schools such as Arizona State, Auburn, Embry-Riddle, Kansas State, Purdue, San Jose State, and University of Alaska-Anchorage have outstanding flight programs as well as Air Force ROTC detachments. The cost of education and flight training at any of these institutions is quite pricey. However, the USAF may very well grant you a scholarship to support you during your collegiate years. This is why it is so important to sit down with an Air Force recruiter near your hometown and develop a plan.
Yes, you can delay college and earn that degree after the Air Force. You can even earn a degree online. But, as you grow older, you will find demands on your time and resources may interfere with earning that degree. However, you may want to consider the new G.I. Bill, which pays for flight training and college. This way you could serve as an enlisted airman and get your college and flight training paid for. That would be a substantial savings.
