<p>I have been researching the Academy a lot lately, but one area in which I could not find detailed information is what happens after the academy.</p>
<p>I believe that the amount of required time you must serve after you graduate depends on which career path you are taking. I generally just want to be a pilot. I am not sure what type of pilot, though. I originally just thought I would be an airline pilot, but if I go to the academy, I may have better career choices. What other careers are there that most people from the academy persue (for example, working for the CIA, etc)? Is the pay of working in the Air Force better than working at an airline after graduation?</p>
<p>It seems that most people say that you should only go to the academy if you plan on staying in the Air Force. How true is this?</p>
<p>I am not sure what else to ask about this… I guess just provide some info on career choices similar to piloting, and your opinion on if I should pursue one of those careers, or go to a college like embry-riddle instead of the academy if I only want to work in the airlines (but I am not sure if I only want to work in the airlines because I am not aware of other career choices yet). Thanks.</p>
<p>The airline business isn't great right now. The only airlines that are hiring are Southwest and Jet Blue. They both prefer military pilots with lots of hours in multi engine time or a few times the will take a Mesa airline type pilot but they must fly for years before the even look at you. </p>
<p>United, Delta, Northwest, American all have pilots on furlow. They won't be hiring for years, close to 10 some estimates. They all in/have been in Chapter 11. </p>
<p>Being a military pilot is not like going out to the flying club. They are stressed beyond belief deployments and shortages. They pay should be last thing you should think about. After graduation, you would go to pilot training for 1 year. After you complete pilot training you have a commitment of 10 years. A few 2LTs don't go to pilot training right away, they have to wait for a slot in a class. A few have had to wait 6 months. </p>
<p>The Air Force is not only pilots, there are officers intel, space, support, medical and so many more. Go to military.com. I don't know to many people who work with the CIA.</p>
<p>I really hate when people say that pay doesn't matter, or you shouldn't be thinking about the pay, because it does matter and you should be thinking about it. Earning 30k or 200k is a big difference.</p>
<p>When I had my interview with my BGO, one of the first things that he said was if you are doing it for the money, you are doing it for the wrong reason.</p>
<p>And don't quote me on this, but the pay difference between say a military pilot and a commerical airline pilot is not 30k to 200k.</p>
<p>"service before self" If you can't live with this lifestyle. Then you really should think twice about the military. </p>
<p>The news speaks often about how poorly paid our troops are, many younger enlisted can get food stamps. They are the backbone of our service and serve our country not for the money. </p>
<p>You graduate with a job and health care benefits. You don't have any student loan debt, a large drag on many college grads these days. </p>
<p>Airline pilots do not make grand money anymore. Delta's pilots have had there pay cut nearly 60% in the last few years. Southwest pilots start at 30K top out just over 100K. They get stock options and can fly extra hours to make a little more. That is if you can get hired.</p>
<p>I never said the pay difference is 30k to 200k, I was simply saying that if I had the choice between a job payign 30k or a job paying 200k, it is obvious which one I would take. I never said that the military paid 30k... be careful how you interpret words.</p>
<p>Back on topic, I understand how military people do their job for their country, not the pay. I am just trying to learn more about this, remember that I am new to the USAFA and the military. I just thought that, since the USAFA only accepts the best of the best, that these extremely intelligent people would get paid a lot of money. It is the best aviation education available, I believe, so I assumed that people who are able to graduate will make a good amount of money.</p>
<p>I don't think that you need to graduate from the USAFA to be in the Air Force, do you?</p>
<p>Upon entering as an 0-1, base pay is about 29,000 and military base pay caps out by law at about 152,000 and that's at the rank of a senior General Officer with about 32-35 years active duty service. If you are looking to make money while serving in the military, it's not going to happen, but...the unique lifestyle and the fact that one is serving his/her country AND the experience gained (especially leadership and management) can be a benefit in the civilian sector, which makes it worthwhile for most.</p>
<p>I have to say that the military pay is always almost lower than the civillian sector. That's why they have problems retaining doctors and other top-notch professionals. The military, in my opnion, can allow you more oppertunities to serve. It really depends where your priorities are.</p>
<p>Does the paygrade change at a set time, like every year? About how much would a Pilot make after 10 years? </p>
<p>Thanks. It seems clear that the academy would be better for me (and, though pay only starts at about 30k, regional airlines start at 30k if i were tog raduate to embry-riddle). I can't wait until I visit the academy :). Thanks again for the info.</p>
<p>the usna website gives details on how many people from each class branched aviation, marine corps, special ops, etc. any clue where i could find one for usafa? ive looked at their website and havent been able to find anything good. i am trying to find what i would like to do besides becoming a pilot if i go to usafa.</p>