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Deleted member 102242
Guest
Hi all,
I'm facing a couple of tough decisions and was looking for any advice I can get from people around here [
[. I've looked through the forums here but there is nothing very recent or pertinent already on here.
I am currently considering two major decisions: 1. Get married to an amazing woman, 2. Accept a not yet official, but likely offer for a position as a pilot in the RCAF (see comment at end). I understand that until I am offered a position nothing is for certain, but that doesn't mean I can't think about it and contemplate the consequences of such a decision.
My girlfriend knows my intention to be in the Air Force, and she understands that I (and she...) would be making a lot of sacrifices, especially time, for me to serve my country and pursue my childhood dream. She has ambitions to have children relatively early (as do I), and my salary as a pilot would probably allow us to live a decent, but non-plentiful life. She is currently completing a masters program in dietary health at a competitive European University, and is going to spend some time after this studying for her MCATs. Naturally, if her Doctor thing works out, children are going to be pushed back which is fine. However, she wants to be a GP so that she can work flexible hours and still raise children. Additionally, her skill as a doctor might make finding jobs in the remote places I will probably end up working somewhat easier, which is great and would definitely supplement income.
I guess what I'm asking for is just people's opinions on how much of a pipe dreamer I'm being, or comments about being in a relationship while going through training. I also have some more specific questions here that I would love to have answered.
1. Has anyone gotten married before joining and survived it?
2. While I am in BMOQ, Primary Flight Training in Portage LaPrairie and Secondary Flight Training in MooseJaw, will the military allow me to live with her? Where will I technically be 'posted' during this time, and as such where will I be offered moving assistance?
3. Does anyone have a number on exactly how long the course in Portage la Prairie actually is? I've looked, and the closest I can find is maybe 2 months or something?
4. Basic salary once you have your wings is about 76,000 a year, and moving up to captain supposedly takes about 3-4 years (obviously varying greatly), which brings you up to closer to six figures. I understand that there are often times additional financial perks, like distance pay etc. Does anyone have an idea of how much extra this ends up being? If I have someone who is willing to raise kids, I'd better be able to give them enough money for food and some fun.
5. Unrelated, but when selecting people for fast jets, do they care what degree you took? Because I went to a stupid hippy dippy school where I have a "bachelor's of Arts and Science", not exactly aerospace engineering (although I have a high enough GPA and I studied economics, business and statistics). They don't really seem to care regarding my general acceptance as a pilot, but does your degree influence decisions about the stream you end up taking?
My end dream is fast jets, however, I have decided that if this doesn't work out, and if my life changes, I would also be happy with helo/multi as well, especially because it sounds like you get better posting locations and perhaps a marginally better work life balance.
I appreciate anyone's comments, and look forward to hearing any opinions! Sorry about the long post...
Cheers!
*I have passed ACS with a somewhat "above average" score according to the instructor there, and am simply waiting on my advanced medical over in Toronto. While nervous, I have no health conditions I'm worried about. Anyways, when I had my interview my interviewer said, in no uncertain words, that passing my last medical would make me a "very competitive applicant" whatever that means. I am looking to go direct entry.
I'm facing a couple of tough decisions and was looking for any advice I can get from people around here [
[. I've looked through the forums here but there is nothing very recent or pertinent already on here. I am currently considering two major decisions: 1. Get married to an amazing woman, 2. Accept a not yet official, but likely offer for a position as a pilot in the RCAF (see comment at end). I understand that until I am offered a position nothing is for certain, but that doesn't mean I can't think about it and contemplate the consequences of such a decision.
My girlfriend knows my intention to be in the Air Force, and she understands that I (and she...) would be making a lot of sacrifices, especially time, for me to serve my country and pursue my childhood dream. She has ambitions to have children relatively early (as do I), and my salary as a pilot would probably allow us to live a decent, but non-plentiful life. She is currently completing a masters program in dietary health at a competitive European University, and is going to spend some time after this studying for her MCATs. Naturally, if her Doctor thing works out, children are going to be pushed back which is fine. However, she wants to be a GP so that she can work flexible hours and still raise children. Additionally, her skill as a doctor might make finding jobs in the remote places I will probably end up working somewhat easier, which is great and would definitely supplement income.
I guess what I'm asking for is just people's opinions on how much of a pipe dreamer I'm being, or comments about being in a relationship while going through training. I also have some more specific questions here that I would love to have answered.
1. Has anyone gotten married before joining and survived it?
2. While I am in BMOQ, Primary Flight Training in Portage LaPrairie and Secondary Flight Training in MooseJaw, will the military allow me to live with her? Where will I technically be 'posted' during this time, and as such where will I be offered moving assistance?
3. Does anyone have a number on exactly how long the course in Portage la Prairie actually is? I've looked, and the closest I can find is maybe 2 months or something?
4. Basic salary once you have your wings is about 76,000 a year, and moving up to captain supposedly takes about 3-4 years (obviously varying greatly), which brings you up to closer to six figures. I understand that there are often times additional financial perks, like distance pay etc. Does anyone have an idea of how much extra this ends up being? If I have someone who is willing to raise kids, I'd better be able to give them enough money for food and some fun.
5. Unrelated, but when selecting people for fast jets, do they care what degree you took? Because I went to a stupid hippy dippy school where I have a "bachelor's of Arts and Science", not exactly aerospace engineering (although I have a high enough GPA and I studied economics, business and statistics). They don't really seem to care regarding my general acceptance as a pilot, but does your degree influence decisions about the stream you end up taking?
My end dream is fast jets, however, I have decided that if this doesn't work out, and if my life changes, I would also be happy with helo/multi as well, especially because it sounds like you get better posting locations and perhaps a marginally better work life balance.
I appreciate anyone's comments, and look forward to hearing any opinions! Sorry about the long post...
Cheers!
*I have passed ACS with a somewhat "above average" score according to the instructor there, and am simply waiting on my advanced medical over in Toronto. While nervous, I have no health conditions I'm worried about. Anyways, when I had my interview my interviewer said, in no uncertain words, that passing my last medical would make me a "very competitive applicant" whatever that means. I am looking to go direct entry.
