Hi everyone, this looks like a great forum.

I just graduated from college in 2008 and had been going through the process of applying to Air Force Officer Training School for a pilot career; having completed the application, I had it submitted earlier last year, but then heard in the middle of the summer that my application was "non selected." This greatly perplexed my recruiting squadron, who gave me a "USAF Officer Programs" hat and other similar things they were so confident in my acceptance. My application did not come back to the recruiters with any reason for non selection; they surmised that perhaps the pilot slots had just filled up, since, they had told me, I was the most promising candidate they'd seen in years.

So I naturally submitted my application again. Thankfully I was able to get a job teaching middle school Latin and Spanish in the meantime. I just heard though in December that my application was "non selected" for the second time.

I also heard from my recruiter (who is new, and gets all of his info through his boss), that apparently I could only submit an application in OTS two times (?!) and that I couldn't apply anymore. I need to get in contact with his boss since she's familiar with all the facts I need at this point.

She also had told me over a year ago that my not having a private pilot's license was a plus, since she had apparently seen applicants without any flying experience accepted over those with PPLs — supposedly because the USAF could train them their way. But everything I'm reading now online says that merely to be competitive civilian OTS applicants ought to have a PPL.

So she through my local recruiter told me that I do have another option: Enlist as an E-3 Airman, serve active duty for a year (probably with flying jobs close to pilots if I so chose), and take advantange of the Tuitition Assistance program to get a PPL while in the Air Force. Then, armed with recommendations from my commanders and from USAF pilots and a PPL, I would greatly improve my chances of entering OTS and UPT thereafter. I also know from other sources as well that half of accepted OTS applicants are AF Enlisted, the other half civilian and ROTC — so enlisting would effectively quadruple my chances, it seems.

However, I've talked about this with my uncles, one a former Navy Chief, the other a retired USAF F-16 pilot, and both agree that going enlisted and getting stuck there is just too risky. My uncle who was in the Air Force mentioned that it should be possible to reapply to the Air Force as a Navigator or some other career, and then transfer into Flight School after that — but that is another risky venture, and even more competitive, I hear; at least, though, I would be an officer.

I want above all to be an Air Force pilot, although Navy and Marines are unexplored options — my heart is really set on the USAF because I would like to start a family with my fiancée in the next couple years or so and the Air Force is superior, from what I hear, to the other two for doing so. What about ANG? Reserves?

I am really in the dark about what options I have before me. I'd very much love to hear about your experiences, as well as other options I might not have thought of yet. What do you think the best course is for me right now? I've already found a great little airport where I'm going to start getting my PPL right away, even though it is so expensive.

Thanks very much in advance!