AF Pilot - commitment

[piper84]

Hi all,

My husband is at AF OTS at Maxwell now, and if all goes well and he graduates, he'll be starting Undergraduate Pilot Training next year. We've discussed the military commitment at-length but I'm starting to confuse myself...

For anyone with AF pilot experience, does this sound correct?
OTS, then UPT (where you receive your wings upon graduation and your specific aircraft assignment), then specialized training for your specific aircraft. You have a 12-year commitment that starts when UPT is complete.

Please correct me if I'm wrong! So much info jumbled around in my head right now... thanks!

[brandienee]

H has a 10 year commitment. It may be more for those who fly fighter jets.

[meltoine]

It's a ten year commitment across the board, but other than that, you're correct.

[piper84]

Thank you!

[basilosaurus]

It's 10, but because training can take a couple years, people think of it as 12 years. I think h will have 11 years and 8 months when his original commitment is up. Yes, they hold you to that even if you develop a medical disqualification.

[Deleted]

Yep, all correct, except as other's said, it's 10 years after graduation, not 12 -- but does generally work out to 12 years overall. If he ends up going Navigator I think it's still 8 years after graduation.

I don't know a single person who has gone through flight school and has wanted to get out BEFORE their commitment was over, though I do know several who have been ready by the time their commitment was actually up. I know 12 years sounds like a really long time, but it goes by really quickly. Also, right about that time, there is a bonus that kicks in for pilots as an incentive to stay in (not for Navs, but maybe someday). And you're over half way to your retirement:-)