Hazy Horizons

So this is where I currently find myself. At a crossroads not knowing what path I want to pursue. Somehow knowing that which way I take depends on my place in the world. I speak of what track I want to go to. This is how SUPT works. Back in the good ol' days when fighter pilots and bombers ruled the world pilots would fly in the T37 then go to the T38. However, it has become "specialized" due to the fact that we now fly specific trainers.

We now fly the T-6 then "track" to a specialized plane.

Either the
UH-1: Trainer for helos
T-1: trainer for heavies (C-17, C-5, KC-135, KC-10...)
T-44: trainer for C-130
T-38: trainer for fighter/bombers (F-15, F16, F22, B1, B2, B52....and recently the UAS)

The dilemma comes that this is a changing AF. EVERYONE wants the UAV because of its capabilities. UAV = unMANned aircraft system. However, for most pilots this is a nightmare because you don't sit in a seat....well you do...but a million miles away. so you get why pilots don't want this job. And its a new thing so another aspect is that there are a lot of unknowns and a lot of unkept promises. The ops tempo for UAVs is insane and this is the future of the Air Force. Said for men who dream to be pilots.

So the risk these days is that there are less and less seats in fighters. Just because a lot of them are old and falling apart and the new planes replacing them are expensive and so capable that they basically put themselves out of a job. That means in the pipeline each class gets maybe 3-4 T 38 slots with only about 1-2 getting a fighter. The rest seem to be getting strange aircraft that the AF seems to drop randomly.

Well that is kinda the backstory on what is going on. Here is where I start to ponder things.

Fighters will always be my wet dream. That is the persona you think of when you think AF pilot. However, these days the pipeline is so backed up it will be years before I'm even operational. And most of that time will be spent training. Do I really want to look back and when asked what I did say I trained all the time?

The next option is the T44. C130s. The workhorse of the AF. If I got T44s I would be operational and doing the mission in no time. The thing is...when do I start a family? Something that has been gnawing at me lately...I will always be deployed. Doing something here or there. The mission would be awesome. But location and lifestyle..don't know too much about yet.

Then there is the T1 track. Great opportunities. If I can pull it off there is the C17 waiting for me. The AF's newest toy. And she loves it. Also GREAT bases to be stationed at. I got Hickam, Seattle, Travis, New Jersey, Charleston. Really awesome places. Though if I'm not good enough...there is the KC135....shudder. A tanker basically. And I really shouldn't put down this force multiplier. I really don't know much about the community and there are pilots that seem to love their job.

Well regardless of what I get I have to be able to make the most of it. Because regretted time is lost time. I heard no matter what plane you fly you once you start flying you will enjoy what you do.

Though there are new planes coming out since the spec ops guys are expanding. Planes like the U28...don't know much about it. However, other than academics this is whats been causing me to toss and turn at night.

Whatever, I should just focus on flying the T6 for now. because if I cant even do this...then the rest is out of the question.

SO T6! HERE I COME!