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What's competitive for UPT selection?

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What's competitive for UPT selection?

Old 02-17-2018, 08:01 AM
  #21  
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From personal experience, I beg to differ. My unit was sending 1-3 UPT pilots per year and only a few were turned away. Big IF, you have to be qualified (tests and physical) and determined about serving in the unit. I can’t help it if you don’t pass the Flying Class I. Scores are up to you, read the prep books.

Flight experience, you will need for a truly off the street applicant—PPL and 100 hours will do. No flight experience candidates tend to come from the enlisted ranks, especially enlisted aircrew. They’re known quantities, have verifiable records of military aptitude and internal recs.

AFRC turned back 22 slots last FY, odds are in your favor.

GF
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Old 02-17-2018, 09:51 AM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by Sliceback View Post
Yes. But the best way to do that is by enlisting in the unit first. Some units require enlisting first to get a SUPT slot. Other units don’t require that but in my experience the typical guy has several hundred hours in they walk in off the street and get hired.

And it’s not 1-2 per 100. I’d guess it’s a lower number. But even with a lower number you’ll be in the top 2-3%, perhaps 5%, of candidates applying. Many of the candidates will have prior military time or decent, if not significant, flight time. It’s a competitive process and character, and personality, is part of the mix.
Not true anymore... Here in SUPT right now two thirds of our ANG / Reserve students have zero previous military experince.
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Old 02-17-2018, 09:54 AM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by warthog View Post
Thanks for all the replies. He just heard from his "recruiter" (I use the term loosely) that they weren't taking any more applications for the April Selection Board. This was after he told him he had to get all the testing done ASAP to meet it. Guess supply is higher than demand...or the recruiter can't be bothered. Coulda swore there was a pilot shortage...
I’m telling ya sir, the Guard does a MUCH better job of taking care of their people. The Reserve is almost as ass-clownish as the active-duty.
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Old 02-17-2018, 10:01 AM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by galaxy flyer View Post
From personal experience, I beg to differ. My unit was sending 1-3 UPT pilots per year and only a few were turned away. Big IF, you have to be qualified (tests and physical) and determined about serving in the unit. I can’t help it if you don’t pass the Flying Class I. Scores are up to you, read the prep books.

Flight experience, you will need for a truly off the street applicant—PPL and 100 hours will do. No flight experience candidates tend to come from the enlisted ranks, especially enlisted aircrew. They’re known quantities, have verifiable records of military aptitude and internal recs.

AFRC turned back 22 slots last FY, odds are in your favor.

GF
This is all true in today’s age. If you have a College degree, a PPL and basic experience, some descent scores on tests and are medically qualified, and most importantly, a real desire to be a in that unit, you have a very good chance of getting hired. You could almost definetly get picked up unsponsored in AFRC.

There is a shortage (at certain units) and AF needs bodies. The catch is the process to get to the interview can be frustrating and daunting when your off the street and really have no connections in. Hence, you really gotta want it because that part is not easy. But, many do it every year and it’s completely feasible for most who qualify. If I could figure it out, so could almost anyone else. Anyone who reads this and really needs help, PM me and I’ll help you anyway I can.
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Old 02-17-2018, 12:27 PM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by Merle Dixon View Post
I’m telling ya sir, the Guard does a MUCH better job of taking care of their people. The Reserve is almost as ass-clownish as the active-duty.
While my experience is dated, it’s very unit-dependent. In general, I’d probably agree, but there’s plenty of units at each extreme from both ANG and AFRC. TX ANG wouldn’t let a promotee pin on until the appropriate PME was finished, cancelling the board’s judgement. No AFRC unit would do that, but getting promoted without it might be harder.

GF
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Old 02-17-2018, 08:05 PM
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Originally Posted by galaxy flyer View Post
While my experience is dated, it’s very unit-dependent. In general, I’d probably agree, but there’s plenty of units at each extreme from both ANG and AFRC. TX ANG wouldn’t let a promotee pin on until the appropriate PME was finished, cancelling the board’s judgement. No AFRC unit would do that, but getting promoted without it might be harder.

GF
Agree completely, having been AD, Reserve and now ANG I can tell you it is entirely unit dependent. My reserve unit was pretty relaxed, however, it does seem like the guard is starting to move toward the AD way of doing business, unfortunately.
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