Curious about the armed forces

[wrenchand]

Just wanted to ask a few things. I've been working on aircraft for 4 years and have my M1/M2 license.

Are you shipped from base to base or can you stay at one base? What would they do with my experience and license? would i still have to do the 54 week technition training? Is the basic training 13 weeks straight? and paid? Would i be paid on the basic pay scale and would there be any signing bonus? are there any on top of bonuses? (overseas etc....) Would i get to choose which kind of aircraft to work on or would they train me on the most in demand? how long before a pension? what are the hours like?.

alot of questions lol

thanks guys and gals!

[partsboy]

Wrenchand, why are you looking at the CAF? With your AME license could you not find work elsewhere? What is your current fleet experience? To answer some of your questions here are my 2 cents worth. I served for 29 years in the airforce and found it quite interesting. You can expect to move from base to base at about a 6 to 10 year spread. The fleet you will be assigned could be your one and only; so when you go to the recruiting center be sure to ask the pointy questions. You probably won't get to choose the fleet you want to work on so be aware of that.

As for the training, you will have to do the basic and yes you get a salary for this. I am not sure about the technical training other than you will have to do the "military" stuff. Armament, life support etc. for the siging bonuses and other monetary things, coontact your recruiting center and make sure that you read all of the fine print before you sighn. It's a fine life but; the recruiters are just that recruiters. They want you in and not necessarily with your best interest in mind. another option you can explore is the reserves. You can still keep wrenching on civy street and do the military stuff on weekends so to speak.

Finely, the pension question. You now have to serve 25 years before you can draw a pension. It's a long strech but well worth it if you get yourself promoted. This being said, the higher the rank the less the wrenching. this to you need to know.

Hope I did not discourage you.

[Challenger144]

I served for 20 years in the forces and retired ten years ago. If you have your licence why go military unless you plan on staying your entire life? Military A/C do not have C of A. This could affect your currency with having your licence, but I'm not sure. Think long and hard about this. Read closely the post from Partsboy. Some very good info there. Talk personally to a few people who've gotten out and tried to enter the civilian industry (like me) and it's hard. All the best to you.

[wrenchand]

Just looking at what some of my options are. I am presently employed but not happily employed. My fleet experience is mostly CRJ200. Convair 580 and M1 aircaft.
What i have now requires a 2 hour commute one way, no health benefits, 20$/hr. working on small M1's. I also am respectfully lucky to at least have a job as I know there are alot of AME's out of work.

Thanks for the helpful reply's!