Air Force?

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05-20-2007, 04:44 AM

#51

JollyF15

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Joined APC: Aug 2006

Posts: 318

It can be done

Quote:

Originally Posted by blastoff

Ya that's wrong. You get a UPT slot before you go to OTS...Once you get through the UPT Board, OTS is just a part of your training rip and is implied...that is, you're going to OTS. Everybody at OTS already knows what they're going to be in the Air Force. If the Recruiter is trying to sign you up for a job other than pilot and telling you to compete for UPT after, its bull******, I know guys that got tricked into being a Navigator who never wanted to be a Navigator, but the recruiter was just trying to fill slots that were undermanned.

Overall, I concur not to check the Nav block---becauase guess what, you will end up being a Nav and not a pilot. I can speak to that first hand. Now having said that, it was my only option because no eye waivers were granted to ROTC guys. I spent four years in the trunk of an F-4E before I finally got picked up for UPT (eye waivers were granted after on active duty). The 4 yrs I did spend as a WSO were some of my best years in the AF. I learned more about flying with some of those crusty old fighter pilots then I ever did in UPT, and by the time I got to UPT I already knew how to fly a jet and was familiar with the rules, regs, and environment. It made UPT a lot of fun and gave me a huge advantage over my classmates when it came time for class rankings. So----it can be done. But don't check the box. If there is absolutely no other way to get in a cockpit then I'd do it. It beats being a base civil engineer which is what I was slotted to do!

Jolly

05-20-2007, 05:35 AM

#52

reCALcitrant

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Joined APC: May 2006

Posts: 840

Quote:

Originally Posted by EugeneZ

Ok, so during college I go to flight school? And, if I join the AF can't they take me to Iraq?

Ok Eugene. I'll explain it to you. The Reserve/Guard are ACTUAL military. It's not weekend warrior dress up time. We do go kill people and they try to kill us back. So, yes they can make you go to Iraq. If you are uncomfortable with this idea maybe you shouldn't join the military. It could really get in the way of important things.

05-20-2007, 06:12 AM

#53

tomgoodman

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Joined APC: Feb 2006

Position: 767A (Ret)

Posts: 6,248

Big advantage

Quote:

Originally Posted by JollyF15

The 4 yrs I did spend as a WSO were some of my best years in the AF. I learned more about flying with some of those crusty old fighter pilots then I ever did in UPT, and by the time I got to UPT I already knew how to fly a jet and was familiar with the rules, regs, and environment. It made UPT a lot of fun and gave me a huge advantage over my classmates when it came time for class rankings.

Same in my UPT class (Webb, 72-05). The #1 graduate was an F-4 backseater who had his choice of F-4, RF-4, or F-106. He took the RF-4, to the surprise of some, but presumably knew just what he was doing.

05-20-2007, 12:36 PM

#54

N6724G

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Joined APC: Dec 2005

Position: Flight Instructor

Posts: 623

Quote:

Originally Posted by TravisUK

And I don't think there are any guard or reserve units flying helos.

.

Yes, there are Guard and Reserve Pararescue units in New York and one in Kentucky that fly helos

05-21-2007, 06:54 PM

#55

blastoff

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Joined APC: May 2007

Position: A320 CA

Posts: 1,530

Ya, the Commander's Trophy in my class went to a NAV, but the only way he got to be a pilot was by palace chasing into the Guard...which was a long-shot.