Originally Posted by
crewdawg
Hell Yes!
You have to start pilot training prior to your 30th birthday. If you want to do it, get it in gear and go apply. We just hired a kid that is 28.5 and are getting him into training. If they like you they can expedite anything. I think your best chance is going to be with the Guard/Reserve. They are rare but you can get an age waiver. A guy in my AMS flight was 31 heading to pilot training, actually didn't start until he was almost 32! My class leader started pilot training at 31 as well.....it's rare but can be done. Where there is a will there is a waiver!
As far as the knee thing, let the Doc's down at Brooks DQ you. If you want it bad enough, never DQ yourself!
If you go guard, they will have to enlist you to go to Brooks to get a waiver. Now that enlistment is dependent upon you going to pilot training. So if you fail your medical you would be able to get out of your enlistment.
Maybe AD, but if a guard unit wants you they will fight hard for a waiver!
Thanks for the info. I'm definitely going to give this a shot. I want it, and you're right... if I'm not qualified for it, I'll let someone else DQ me but not without giving it my best. I won't DQ myself. I may not be the ideal person/situation that they look for but I know I can do it if somebody will take a chance on me.
I contacted the ANG through their website and requested a recruiter. There are a few ANG units near where I am: the 174th fighter wing in Syracuse, and the 105th and 109th airlift wings in Newburgh and Scotia respectively. I picked up some study books for the AFOQT and flight aptitude test from Amazon. It can't hurt to be well-prepared for it. As far as my bachelors degree goes, I'm going to try to get as many credits completed this semester as possible (but I think I'll still need to do 1 or 2 classes in Spring). Hopefully I can finally get a hold of a recruiter this week and get things started!