UPT used to be approx. 30% washout rate. Recent SUPT sqdr CC said it's about 3% now. SIE's increase the drop out rate.

Some ANG units require that candidates be in the unit. Some don't. Supply will impact the units that require candidates enlist in the unit first.

In some ANG units to be a competitive candidate you need flying experience. 500+ hrs, or more, is common amongst the candidates selected. Comm/inst helps achieve success in SUPT but it's no guarantee.

 

500 hours of civ time or military time?

 

Civilian. Any time counts, but in my unit the guys that got selected frequently had 500+ and were CFI's, or flying light twins, or regional FO's.

In the old system you had to get 'FAR'd' (fighter, attack, reconnaissance) qualified in T-38's. About 30% were. Those were the top guys in the class. Getting FAR'd meant you could get a FAR assignment. Now it's a dual track. After T-6's they split you into the heavy (T-1) or fighter (T-38) track. If you under-perform in T-38's they have the option of putting you in the T-1 program.

Right now the large major airlines give you no credit for helicopter time (RW). A couple of the smaller majors give you some, or complete, credit for your RW hours. In general you need a competitive fixed wing (FW) resume to be competitive, especially at the larger majors. Helicopters are a hoot but they're a tough career choice.

 

One reason was that everybody had to fly the T-38 and pass or wash out. During Vietnam, the AF wanted the option of assigning any pilot to any airplane at any time, and they had ten UPT bases to make that possible.

 

This pretty much sums up my view on the subject. I wanted to fly combat aircraft off an aircraft carrier & I was willing to be assigned to a platform I desired less in order to have that opportunity. If I did not 100% want to do so I would have attempted to rush the ANG.

I have had the scariest, most fun, exciting, memorable, insert adjective, flying off the boat on cruise & I would absolutely make the same choice again. From an outsider's perspective there is a lot of unknown bs (GMT/NKO, lack of funding, etc) that we put up with which is leading to our current retention issues.

 

Recommend the following order of precedence when making a military pilot career decision:
1. ANG or USAFR UPT slot.
2. USCG
3. Active duty DoD

I flew for both the USN and USCG. I enjoyed the CG far better than the Navy for several reasons:

1. 33% of flight time was training, the rest operational missions.
2. Securing my Homeland, vice defending a U. S. foreign interest. The region I lived in was my AOR, protecting my community the mission.
3. It fit my personality better. I'm more rescue dog than attack dog. More firefighter than police officer.
4. CG is a smaller, more nimble force. More delegation of authority. More autonomy.
5. CG "Deployments" are typically two weeks long. I "Deployed" to GITMO and Borinquen, Puerto Rico.
6. Less threats of budget cuts and more flight time. DHS budget wasn't as threatened with the two previous administrations. Can't say about this one.
7. Great duty stations in mostly non-military towns.

USN pilot career path (min obligation 8 years after winging):

-Flight school
-Sea Tour
-Shore Tour
-Disassociated Sea Tour.

In 10 years of service, you'll fly your fleet aircraft as a qualified aviator on type for 3 years (unless you become a Fleet Replacement Squadron instructor).

Typical USCG pilot career paths (min obligation 8 years after winging plus 3 years for OCS or 5 years for USCGA *not served concurrently*)

-Flight School (if you get flight school straight out of OCS, it might take a couple of years in another officer career path to get a pilot slot).
-3 x four year operational assignments (you can leave early during your last tour).

Or

2 x four year operational tours, and one training command tour.

With the increase in obligation from 7 to 8 years after winging, the USN has forced most aviators into a disassociated sea tour. That's usually a non-flying assignment, typically on a ship. There are some awesome exceptions to this. A delay in FRS training after winging might prevent a pilot from doing a disassociated tour, but typically the last year and half or so in the Navy is non-flying.

It might be smart to pick a service or community (fighter, transport, maritime patrol etc) because you want to do the mission, not because of airline hiring requirements. Airline hiring requirements change, as do perceptions of military service. A lot of senior officers went in with intentions to complete the min service obligation and move on.

CG is hurting for fixed wing aviators right now. That'll probably continue as long as airlines are hiring at their current rates.

I really like the previous posts about success in flight school with prior time being attributed to attitude. I had 700 hours when I started primary flight training and followed advice to:
-Keep my ears open and mouth shut.
-Fly the Navy way.
-Never discuss my prior time unless asked by an instructor. Never hide my prior experience if asked by an instructor.

Luck, mentorship, and hard work placed my grades the highest during my selection week and I got my first choice. I feel my prior flight time was invaluable.

I knew about USAFR/ANG UPT slots, but was on a NROTC scholarship in college. I asked to perform my mandatory military service in a USAFR squadron, and was rightfully told no. The concept of citizen/airman after completing three years or so of active duty service is awesome.

 

Grumble says it well, I'll simply say FLY NAVY

 

I typed this in the Active Duty vs ANG thread too, please realize some of the folks posting on here are sharing very dated information...

We have numerous Guard/Reserve students in UPT right now. I've flown with Guard/Reserve students that are regional airline pilots, students that got hired by the Guard/Reserve with a CFI, others had a PPL with Inst rating, some with just a PPL. Almost every Guard/Reserve student I fly with applied at several different Guard or Reserve squadrons.

In your Sophomore or Junior year of college you need to contact any and all Guard or Reserve units that you are interested in flying for. Do some googling and call whatever units you are interested in and ask to speak with the DO (Director of Operations). Tell him/her that you are enrolled in University X, describe your flying experience and ask what their pilot application process is.

In this day and age with a our YUGE pilot shortage, you will find a unit to hire you.

And, one more pile on, the Guard/Reserve life is immensely better than active-duty, avoid active-duty like the plague.

Good luck.