JJ,
Life in the Branches you are looking at is as varied as it possibly could be. The Ops Support Branch was put in place specifically to free up aviators from some of the ground jobs, and consequently we are now picking up a lot of interesting jobs. The process is slow, however, but will be worthwhile in the end as it keeps the (very expensive) aircrew in the cockpit longer, and gives us the chance to expand (I'm not empire building, honest!)
My particular specialisation is challenging, different every day and can be a real buzz when you're in the thick of the action. However, like any job, there are trying days and the points that others have made about quality of life, civilianisation, financial restraints and overseas detachments ring very true.
I've been in Ops Sp for 4 1/2 years, and haven't yet picked up a 4-month det, although in the last 2 years I've been out of the country for 11 1/2 months with my Squadron on either ops or exercises. (I'm sure I'll get one soon!) In today's climate of peace-keeping vs overstretch, you can expect a lot of detachments as a Junior Officer. Don't get me wrong - I'm not complaining about the time away as I for one did not join up to stay in one place, and I enjoy being on detachment. However, there can be a fair amount of strain on the family when you're away for extended periods - particularly when exercises roll straight into ops, with no firm RTB date.
Would I join up again? Absolutely.
Same decisions? No - with better advice, I could have been doing this job ages ago, and I have to say I love what I do!
As for promotion to Sqn Ldr - you'll get your first shout when you have 4 yrs in rank as a Flt Lt, although for real high flyers this is sometimes less. More usually, 5/6 years plus would be about right, but it does depend on the jobs you've done and how your 'profile' looks to the Board. Command and Staff Training helps (the dreaded ISS Service Writing correspondence course and Junior Officers' Command Course) and you must be attracting positive write-ups and promotion recommendations from your reporting officers. Recent extremes in my specialisation: 1999 - chap promoted to Sqn Ldr after 21 years in rank. 2000 - someone else promoted to Sqn Ldr after 4 years!
All in all, the job and lifestyle are great - yes, the perks aren't what they were and there are less of us to go around - but it's still good! Good luck!
Vic
[ 11 September 2001: Message edited by: Chinese Vic ]