UAV Pilot - UAV Pilot US Air Force Employee Review

3.0
28 Feb 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

You get to make significant contributions to national security, as a UAV pilot or sensor operator there is no question that you make a difference. In the last few years a large number of American citizens have been saved through the disruption/destruction of terrorists and their networks. On a daily basis you provide image and electronic intelligence to US senior leaders and occasionally are able to employ kinetic weapons to actually take out "Bad Guys". You are the one who gets to prevent a friendly convoy from being ambushed. You are the one who gets to provide close air support to friendly troops taking fire. But, as you will see in the Cons section you are also the one who gets to spend countless hours watching a house and following cars as you build the networks and confirm enemy activities.

Cons

This job is mined numbing. You generally work 8 hour shifts with an average of 6.5-7 hours in the cockpit. More often than not watch the same compound the entire shift with absolutely no activity what so ever. Manning in this field is poor at best resulting in often having to work 6 days on with 2 days off. The UAV's are flying 24/7, 365 days a year which means that in any given year you will probably not have to work on only one major holiday. Your days off will constantly change as will you work schedule as you rotate between a days, swings and mid shift. It becomes very easy to lose track of calendar days and impossible to make plans in the future since you never know when your next day off will be. Promotion rates are below average due to the manning. There isn't much to spice up your OPR when you spend just about every waking hour in the seat. Selection rates for professional development are even worse than the rates for promotion.

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5.0
7 Jun 2026
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Pros

Job security is great and good benefits

Cons

Not technically chalking and really boring

3.0
7 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Getting 2.5days of accrued leave per month is nice, which adds up over time. You can request leave whenever within your schedule and it won't be denied.

Cons

Not too much structure when it comes to squadron training. Depends on your squadron but leadership can really determine your experience.

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