AF & Navy Reserve Question: When to apply?
 

I'm active duty navy, a former P-3 pilot and currently a T-1 instructor. I'm going to get out at my PRD of June 09. I'm seriously considering going either AF part-time Guard/Reserve or Navy part-time reserve. How often do units open positions? Are the slots usually based on turn-over at the unit or are they budgeted per year? Can you apply if you are over a year out from your PRD? Do units usually want you to live geographically close?

Sorry about you having to live in Enid....(just kidding, its a nice place). You are well ahead of the power curve if you are already looking for a reserve job over a year and a half in advance.

The first thing is you have to look at where you are living (or want to live). Do you want to drive in to work (the best option) or commute. Then what kind of flying do you want to do? Fly reserve P-3's from WI? or C-40's out of DFW? Then do you want to be a reserve XO/CO type or are you just interested in flying?

There are lots of paths that you can take to flying in the reserves. I cannot speak of a lateral transition to the AFR or ANG(may be worth it if you stay in Enid). As a SELRES guy in the navy though you can fly almost as much as you want right now.

I had no idea where I would be living when I got out so it was hard for me to find a reserve job. You may already have this figured out and have some units in mind. Unless I am mistaken you cannot apply to a reserve board while you are on active duty. You can rush the unit you want and get to know everyone but you cannot apply until you are off active duty (214 in hand). Good luck.

Hope this helps.

the above post is not entirely true, you can apply to an aviation selection board for the reserves if you are close to getting out (don't know the exact time frame, but I am pretty sure its less than 3 months) most units have an ASB every 3 months, so the first board you would apply for would be the one within 3 months of you getting out of the navy. I am currently trying to get a flying job in the Pensacola area but am having a tough time at it, next week is the next ASB and there are no spots at NAS pcola, and I am being told there are 6 spots at Whiting, and 9 guys applying, I am not a T-34 guy so I have little chance at it. My next move is to start applying to the VR's at Jax, ATL and New Orleans...obviously trying to stay local to pcola....

my suggestion to you, pay attention to the ASB announcements via message traffic, and starting talking (rushing) all units you are interested in being a part of.

how long have you been instructing at vance?

I was in the application process with some Navy reserve units, and they all said that your resignation paperwork must be submitted and accepted with a separation date. Time line for that is as I am sure you are aware, 9-12 months from your minimum obligation date.
As far as the timing, its up to each squadron. It all depends on when they are looking at gaining someone. I will agree with the three months time line. It could however be longer or shorter all depends. But as mentioned earlier rushing is VERY important. The system has changed in the past few years and it is not so much of a "good-ol-boy" network anymore. Your app is accessed according to a points system. Things that give you higher points are: Living in the local area, having a airline job or at least one lined up, previous platform experience (P3=max points), flight hours, your personal availability. And then there is also a couple of areas where the skipper can access points. That is where the rushing and getting to know the squadron could pay off for. Best thing to do is get in contact with the person in charge of the board, usually the NATOPS O. They can give you the scoop. It's a very stressfull transition as I am sure you are aware. You are doing the right thing now by plannning ahead.
Goog Luck!

I've been at Vance for a little over a year, but I was med-down for my first 8 months in the squadron. Then, I had to go to PIT so that was another 4 months. I've been flying as an IP here for about 2 months now. Enid isn't the greatest, but its not too bad at the same time. Its encouraging to hear that I'm not too crazy for thinking about this now, and I was trying to make sure that its OK to start contacting units and "rushing" for a slot.

If you are interested in transitioning to the ANG/AFRES check out the "Gold to Silver" gouge on Baseops.net. I'm transferring from the Marines to ANG and its been a big help to me and the unit I'm going to since they don't do these types of packages that often. I am an exchange IP/EP at the USAF FTU for the MWS of the ANG squadron I'm going to, so it was fairly easy to get picked up in my case. Long story short though, start working it at least a year out since it can take awhile. There are three things you have to get done after getting hired: (1) an Initial Class 1 flying physical even though you are getting USAF flight physicals there in Enid (2) an officer commissioning package and (3) the Aeronautical Rating Board. If you can't find it on the web PM me your email address and I'll send it to you.

Cork,

Great stuff. This is going to be alot of work, I'm glad that I've still got alot of time ahead of me. I downloaded the gold to silver doc and I'll PM you if I can't find the rest of the links on the web. I already have a few units in mind, and the ones that are closest to where we want to live right now are AFRes and Guard. I'm still not ruling out Navy VR, but seeing how the AF is funded and taken care of certainly has its appeal. Thanks for the help.

-TG

What part of my post was not true? The part about living in Enid?? Come on its not that bad of a place....

Just went through the process. Several guys that tried to apply that were still AD less than 3 month did not even get considered. Not a bad idea if you want to start showing your face around a unit you want to fly for though.

If you are looking at the AFR or ANG the units in OKC are pretty full with the BRAC of the 130s at Will Rogers. Staying right where you are at and flying T-1's are an option for you as well. I knew a couple of people that did that. Good luck!

I went over to reserve squadron at Oceana and they told me I could apply while still on AD as long as I had separation papers that gave me an EAS. With a obigation that ends 1 Sep 08, they said I could start applying for the January board assuming I had already resigned and was approved.

Now that may not make me competitive, but they'll take the application. They said they do not even accept applications if you are not qualified, and having the AD EAS is the requirement (among others).