Fighter Pilot Life - The Family Life of an F-16 Fighting Falcon Pilot | ENJJPT | B Course Instructor

On this weeks episode of Their Story, Casey and I sit down with our good friend, Ken “Tucky” Durbin. Tucky is an F-16 Fighter Pilot and B course Instructor.
He graduated top of his class from Oregon State University - DET 685 - Go BEAVS and attended ENJPT (Euro/NATO Jet Pilot Training). He flew the mighty F-16 in Japan and is now a B course instructor.
Stephanie, Kenny’s wife, then sits down and details what it was like to raise a child in Japan! Their story is incredible and it was an honor to sit down with both of them. Please visit their non-profit and if feeling like helping out - please donate:
www.fallenwing...
0:01 - 05:30 - Introduction
5:30 - 7:45 - Upbringing
7:45 - 8:00 - High School Scholarship
8:00 - 10:30 - Jack’s - Western Bar
10:30 - 11:00 - F-16 Pilot
11:00 - 13:00 - Steps to being a fighter pilot
13:45 - 17:30 - ENJJPT
17:30 - 19:00 - T6 / T-38 / F-16
19:00 - 21:40 - Lessons from sports
21:40 - 23:00 - First Assignment B Course
23:00 - 25:00 - First day at your new squadron
25:00 - 26:40 - How to make good popcorn
26:40 - 29:00 - Stephanie
29:00 - 34:00 -Living in Japan
34:00 - 37:15 - Raising a child in Japan
37:15 41:10 - Being a Fighter Pilots wife
41:10 - 44:30 - Fallen Wings
44:30 - 50:45 - Successful Marriage
51:45 - End - Accidents / SW Shoutout

[@hurricane172]

This is an excellent interview, thank you both for your time!

[@traceyolvera8595]

Would love to hear more from Stephanie… a more detailed conversation about a wife’s perspective . Pros cons struggles ! Great video !

[@mintchipster]

Great content, as someone who is considering applying for OTS, your interviews are super insightful! Thank you and keep it up!

[@TheirStoryVeterans]

Thank you so much for the kind words and feedback! We will keep the content coming!

[@velocitygamingandvlogs6281]

Also one thing to point out I lived in san jose and the guy in the blue jacket grew up in fremont which is 5 minutes away from san jose, which I find kind of awesome.

[@TheirStoryVeterans]

Tuck is a country Cali boy for sure!

[@layncehenderson5745]

This guy as a teenager is literally me, I want to do something that will make me good money, but will be fun, and give me a life. I understand what he means " be something". Im in 11th grade, I do football, Track, Wrestling, and Powerlifting, 4 sports just like him and I now want to become an airforce pilot, then after that might switch to an airline pilot.

[@benhutson5]

Yeah bro they make like 350k coming out with an additional 150k a year pension until retirement and then while you’re in you’re making a steady 150-200k a year

[@norris007]

I glad the youtube algorithm gods have blessed me with this channel. Firstly just want to thank you two for protecting the skies. Currently to reach out to recruiters for a rated ots spot. Patience is key I guess since they are taking a long time. Any advice to getting a rated ots spot will be great?! I will comb through your videos as well to see if I can find more info as well. Cheers!

[@TheirStoryVeterans]

I have a lot of contacts for before and after UPT. Alex Anderegg went your route and is a Guard F16 pilot. I suggest checking out his video for sure.

[@s197dark_knight]

I don’t know if you’ll be respond to my comment but I have a question. I am almost old enough to join USAFA and was just wondering as an Air Force pilot how much do you get to see your parents since they won’t be moving all the time with you

[@velocitygamingandvlogs6281]

Hey this is sahej I am a kid from california who listens to your videos and I had a couple questions for you. FIrst off are you air force active duty, guard, or reserves. Second question I had is do guard and reserves have the same rank structure and is it easier to rank up in active duty. 3rd and Final question I have is what is life like day to day depending on if your active duty, guard, or reserve. Love your videos man keep up the great work!

[@TheirStoryVeterans]

Wow. I loved ALL of your questions. I am going to do a follow on video answering these questions with Guard and Active Duty members so you can hear it from the horses mouth. 1.)I was Active Duty Air Force. Was enlisted and officer. 2.) Promoting in the Guard and Reserves is different than active duty. I was not a reservist nor guardsmen but my understanding is that each rank is based on a slot available - for officers (O's) and NCO's (commissioned officer), Commander selection is required. On Active Duty, Enlisted members test and as long as they meet Enlisted Performance Report requirements and don't have a DNP (Do Not Promote) - they will promote. Issue is - higher the rank -the harder the test and less slots available. Medals and other factors can often add points to your test. Again, this is all from Air Force perspective. Suggest you doing some Google for those interested; I placed a doc with the numbers I used below. Officers typically make rank 01-03 automatically (sometimes 0-3's do board) and will board for 0-4 and every rank after. Most officers who retire at their 20 year mark will do so as 0-5's. actuary.defense.gov/Portals/15/Documents/MRS_StatRpt_2017%20v4.pdf?ver=EyLi_moEtY6jlgX9GeLMxw%3D%3D 3.) Quality of life is very different between the two (combining Guard/Reserve together). I chose to go Active Duty cause I was 18 and needed the structure. For those more attuned to life and disciplined, the Guard/Reserve is perfect for those with careers or professions. I flew with a lot of Reservists and Guardsmen as a pilot. Our day to day was exactly the same. However, they showed up a lot less; only for guard or reserve shifts. Otherwise, they were flying for the airlines and living a normal life. They often volunteered once every so often for a deployment unless they were tasked. There is something called AGR (Active Guard Reserve). Its best of both worlds. The Army has a great link. Call any recruiter for any branch and ask. www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service/continue-serving/army-reserve-prior-service/active-guard-reserve.html

[@velocitygamingandvlogs6281]

@@TheirStoryVeterans I appreciate the info, it gives me a better perspective on if I would like to choose this carrer field or not, and trust me this helped me alot.

[@cassianbaker5793]

Their arr two J's in ENJJPT. Euro-Nato Joint Jet Pilot Training

[@TheirStoryVeterans]

Thank you!