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Starting a business and wanting to serve as a military aviator

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Random13

Member
Hello to all,

First off I apologize if this is not the correct thread to post in. I am currently a college senior, and I am deciding which branch to serve in. My goal is to become a military aviator. No I am not some "hey I saw the Blue Angels documentary, and I think flying blue jets makes me sound/look cool," this is a goal I have done extensive research on since I was a high school sophomore. During my college study, starting a business has been an important goal to me. I have considered pursuing the ANG/AFR as I am aware that I can run a full-out business while serving. Pursuing this route I would be a few years possibly removed from college, as I want to get some civilian ratings as most ANG/AFR units require it. During this time period of graduating college, earning flight time and potentially getting hired at an ANG/AFR unit, I have definitely considered starting my business if my finances can support it. This leads me to three questions/ opinions from you all.

1.) Would it be wise to start a business with the knowledge that becoming a military aviator has serious time commitments be-it ANG/AFR/AD USAF or Naval Aviation?

2.) This is Naval Aviation based, Is it feasible to run a business through OCS, Flight School and the Fleet, if I am a few years removed from college and I already have a business?

A side note: I have also considered going straight from college to Navy OCS provided the opportunity, as I have been in contact with a Navy Recruiter recently.

3.) If I go the straight from college to the Navy route, is it remotely possible to start a business potentially on a shore tour even though currently I aspire to serve as long as Uncle Sam allows?

I want to caveat all that I wrote above by saying if selected into military aviation, my focus is on military aviation above all else (minus family). So I will dedicate myself to the craft as the job dictates.

Any answers are more than welcome
-Random
 
FormerRecruitingGuru

FormerRecruitingGuru

Making Recruiting Great Again
Random13 said:
Hello to all,

First off I apologize if this is not the correct thread to post in. I am currently a college senior, and I am deciding which branch to serve in. My goal is to become a military aviator. No I am not some "hey I saw the Blue Angels documentary, and I think flying blue jets makes me sound/look cool," this is a goal I have done extensive research on since I was a high school sophomore. During my college study, starting a business has been an important goal to me. I have considered pursuing the ANG/AFR as I am aware that I can run a full-out business while serving. Pursuing this route I would be a few years possibly removed from college, as I want to get some civilian ratings as most ANG/AFR units require it. During this time period of graduating college, earning flight time and potentially getting hired at an ANG/AFR unit, I have definitely considered starting my business if my finances can support it. This leads me to three questions/ opinions from you all.

1.) Would it be wise to start a business with the knowledge that becoming a military aviator has serious time commitments be-it ANG/AFR/AD USAF or Naval Aviation?

2.) This is Naval Aviation based, Is it feasible to run a business through OCS, Flight School and the Fleet, if I am a few years removed from college and I already have a business?

A side note: I have also considered going straight from college to Navy OCS provided the opportunity, as I have been in contact with a Navy Recruiter recently.

3.) If I go the straight from college to the Navy route, is it remotely possible to start a business potentially on a shore tour even though currently I aspire to serve as long as Uncle Sam allows?

I want to caveat all that I wrote above by saying if selected into military aviation, my focus is on military aviation above all else (minus family). So I will dedicate myself to the craft as the job dictates.

Any answers are more than welcome
-Random
Click to expand...

If your ultimate goal is to serve and fly navy, strongly suggest pause and/or put your side business on hold for the foreseeable future.

If you can’t do that, I think the military isn’t suited for you.
 
Mos

Mos

Well-Known Member
None
During OCS no one is actively running a business. Flight school all the way through first year(ish) in the fleet will be very challenging, and I wouldn't recommend trying to run a business in that time unless it requires minimal involvement. After that, it may become more feasible but it all just depends on what the business is, how easily it can be paused or put on autopilot, and what your duties are in your command. Also recommend becoming familiar with the regulations on outside employment.
 
Uncle Fester

Uncle Fester

Robot Pimp
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
Well, “a business” covers a lot of potential territory. Are you talking about starting a software company? A line of edible underwear? Hustling crypto? It’s impossible to say if you’d have the time for a venture with no idea of the time and attention commitment it’d require.

Broadly speaking, you will have essentially no spare time during OCS to do anything but OCS shit, and for much of it you’ll have limited to no connectivity. As for flight school, think of it as more like a demanding graduate school. Some guys seemed to have time to spare for outside pursuits, whether that was a side hustle, training for a marathon, whatever. Personally, I had to live in the books when I wasn’t flying. I counted myself lucky if I had free time to hit the gym or grab a beer or see a movie with friends on the weekend.

Since you came looking for advice, my advice is this: during this time of your life, commit yourself to focusing on one pursuit at a time. You’ve got a lot of life left in front of you to make money, but only so many years when becoming a professional military pilot is a realistic option. Trying to multitask is more likely to hurt your chances of success. If you have some spare money along the way, invest it in something that requires little to no attention from you. If and when life gives you some spare time, then start thinking about using the dividends for something.
 
R

Random13

Member
To all of those that commented, and gave advice above, thank you! I am dedicated to becoming a military pilot, it's something I have wanted to do since I was in high school, whereas the goal of starting a business is much newer. Thank you all for not only the information here, but for all of the information across this forum!
-Random
 
Hair Warrior

Hair Warrior

Well-Known Member
Contributor
Unless your business is earning $100k a year already, put it on the back burner. Most people who have a business idea don’t bring it to fruition. Most successful entrepreneurs actually fail in their first business attempt and succeed on a later one.
 
taxi1

taxi1

Well-Known Member
pilot
There are options

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AllAmerican75

AllAmerican75

FUBIJAR
None
Contributor
Random13 said:
"hey I saw the Blue Angels documentary, and I think flying blue jets makes me sound/look cool,"
Click to expand...
What's wrong with that? That's exactly what the Blue Angels exist for. I saw Top Gun as a kid and wanted to be Maverick and Ice Man so bad that I actually got an engineering degree and joined the Navy.

Uncle Fester said:
A line of edible underwear?
Click to expand...
Honestly, I'm surprised there hasn't been an enterprising veteran who hasn't entered this market yet. I figured a veteran-owned sex toy/lingerie company would be right up some people's alley. I've seen a number of veterans pop up as pornstars and OnlyFans "creators" all over social media. I really thought there'd be one of those Vet Bro types who'd hop on this niche.
 
R

Random13

Member
AllAmerican75 said:
What's wrong with that? That's exactly what the Blue Angels exist for. I saw Top Gun as a kid and wanted to be Maverick and Ice Man so bad that I actually got an engineering degree and joined the Navy.
Click to expand...
I probably should've re-worded this. I agree with you that this is exactly what the Blues exist for, and that the movies are awesome. I was trying to justsay that I am not completely lost into how this whole military aviation world operates, just used the wrong wording.
 
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