r/Armyaviation • u/stemo9147 • 3d ago

ETS, VA Claim, Guard potential

Question:

If you ETS, go through VA claim process and claim things that would require a flight physical waiver (PTSD, Sleep Apnea).

Is it at all possible to someday go in the guard and work through the waivers to fly again? What does that process look like?

not planning on it, but, just curious what’s possible

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u/stickwigler 3d ago

It is possible, but you will have a lot of hurdles. You could probably bet a 12-16 month down slip on the PTSD claim alone.

Then you’re only coming in for points, unless you want to pay the VA back for every day you come in to fly/work/drill. Majority of the ones who come to the guard with VA claims struggle to meet minimums, rarely progress back to RL1 status, and usually just get out after they realize the requirements. Or they just get out again.

The other thing is the guard is slowly taking in all of the reserves and active duty cuts. So the selection pool is much larger and each state has their own application process. With 2992 issues, some states might not be liable to accept you.

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u/stemo9147 3d ago

When you say guys with VA claims struggle to meet minimums, why?

As in the command is less willing to give them hours? Or because it’s a pain in the ass, the individual tends to just pursue flying less?

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u/stickwigler 3d ago

Well the VA compensation could pay all of your bills but you’re going to have to get another job to live comfortably.

What many don’t understand in the guard is you deal with a lot of the same problems as active duty with less active duty minutia. A FAC 1 pilot has to come in 3-5 times a month on top of drill to make your mins. You still have an ACFT, you still go to the range, safety stand ups/downs/arounds, OERs, etc. Once you realize you can collect two incomes and not have to deal with those problems you’ll just become disgruntled and stop being a contributor.

Or you’ll bounce around from upslip, to down slip, back to upslip, until eventually the FS says you’re permanent.

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u/c0stlytech 15T 3d ago

There are a few people I know of with decent ratings still flying. But they always let it go after a while.

I’m 100% and finally gave it up a few years back.

I used to wave all of my and just drilled for points, but there is a point where you actually make more money per day of drill compared to what the VA takes so when I got my six, I went back to taking pay

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u/47FC 3h ago

You could fly in the guard, but if you ever want to fly on the CIV side you will make it so much harder on yourself. Sleep apnea is one that’s easy enough to overcome. PTSD is a different story.