I've helped a handful of guys get prepared for ANG interviews...some were internal and some were not. Your scores are very competitive. You probably have a chance.

The problem is when you apply you don't know if you are are REALLY applying or if the unit is checking a square because the slot is filled with an internal guy. The fix? Apply like crazy, and go for it. Some units ARE hiring off the street.

I love LivinginMEM, and he's got a point. However, I was a major geek when I was in ROTC in the sense I was looking for all the info I could get too. I didn't have message boards in 1983-84, but if they did I would have been on them. Heck...you have more SA than I did then..I didn't even KNOW about the ANG options. We all have our ornery moments (see: Waylon Jennings, Lonesome, Ornrey, and Mean...) but I wish you luck.

That said--joining the Air Force is not easy, but lots do make it in. Rushing an ANG unit, however, is sort of a marriage. You and the unit and stuck with each other once the deal is done, so they tend to move with great caution and pragmatism. Test scores, GPAs, and the like are important, but the million dollar (or six million I should say...) question is can you be a part of this "family" for the next ten, fifteen, or twenty years. It is a delicate process.

The big pitch I give to fighter pilot hopefuls is this: Do you really, really want fighters? If so...then give yourself a year or two to pursue every slot offered by the ANG and rush like crazy. Budget some money for travel, gifts, and understand its an uphill climb. I recommend a plan B as well. There ARE some C-17, KC-135, and C-130 units hiring and sending guys and gals to UPT. It may sound corney, but even though I ended up with over 2000 hours in the mighty Eagle, I went to UPT to get WINGS. The guy who graduated last in my class was still an Air Force pilot, and flying for Uncle Sam is a both a great job and a wonderful privilege. Also...as a guy who flew circles in the sky with nothing to shoot down peacekeeping in Iraq I couldn't help but notice MC-130 and AC-130 guys were doing some tough work in tough places, and their slick buddies (C-130s and C-17s) were doing NVG approaches into some nasty places. In short...sounds corny....but we are all warriors at times. Chase your dreams...but don't close any doors.

And you can PM or call anytime. I love to help anyone who wants to serve...