As a 15W in the NG, will I have enough experience to get a contractor job right out of AIT?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 23:03:51 -0500

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2017 11:08 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 23:08:03 -0500

That all depends on the company you work for. Some require you to have a bachelors degree and be IO qualified. I'm sure you can find a job operating shadows in the civilian sector, just gonna have to look. Ask some of your civilian instructors, they can help a lot

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2018 4:25 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 16:25:07 -0500

Very doubtful without a couple yrs experience. Get as many launch and recoveries as possible.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2018 7:55 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 19:55:21 -0500

Depends on your contracting company. If you’re straight out of AIT I would try to become an IO with my company. Once an IO you’ll be pretty much a shoe in for any job you want in the UAS community

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2018 4:19 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 04:19:24 -0500

Not very likely. We have people getting out as SGT/SSG IOs who are still competing for positions with the big names like AAI Textron. Not to say by some ungodly stretch of reality it couldn't happen, but they need experience. Whether it's GOCO (Government Owned Contractor Operated), NET fielding, or R&D, they need people who know the systems inside and out with plenty of experience to get the job done.

Response by PFC Austin Whittington made Feb 19 at 2018 10:18 AM

PFC Austin Whittington — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 10:18:28 -0500

You'll need a couple of years under your belt if you want a real shot at a contractor job it's a great experience and all but you'll need yrs under your belt if you want to go to a good contractor job as a uas operator