I've been reading threads on here. I've been to baseops.net. But this is something I'm not familiar with, don't have any family in the military so I'm kind of starting from scratch, again. My background:

27 in Dec.
4 year degree
Furloughed regional pilot.

I talked with a recruiter a few times at the 131TFW at STL back in 2001 but due to family circumstances at the time didn't join. I've considered since then. With the career on hold, it's come back to the forefront.

I understand some of the process that goes into getting a pilot slot, that along with my age makes me wonder if I would be able to obtain one. I've also considered going in on the non-flying side. Perhaps in maint or some other aspect of flight ops. This isn't really a matter of just getting more flight time. It's serving my country and perhaps something to fall back on next time I get F'ed.

Anybody on either side care to comment? What is your experience? Things to prepare for? Things to make sure of? Questions I should have for a recruiter/memebers?

Thanks in advance.

 

There are several Reserve units holding UPT hiring boards in the coming weeks to sponsor candidates for the March AFRC board. Take a look around and give it a shot.

Man, I just sat around and read. I've probably logged about 1000 hours at the computer just reading every experience, story, gouge, etc I could find. You're on the right track.

With that said, I'd think as a furloughed pilot you'll have an uphill battle finding someone to believe that you're going to be a long-term asset to the unit. They don't want a guy that's likely to care more about getting TPIC in an RJ than spending time at the unit.

Best of luck.

 

That is a concern of mine. This is one of the reasons I'm also considering non-flying positions. While the flight time would be great, it's not a deal breaker. There are lots of jobs and experiences that would make it worth it regardless of what I do.

Thanks UPT!

 

Not what you are looking for, but useful advice none the less......Little things mean a lot. There is a large difference between someone who joined for the "right reason" (whatever that is, it differs from person to person and commander to commander - defend the country, go to war, fly jets, etc) and served up front falling back on the mil duty when times got tough, and someone who went for the airline route and then went looking for a mil job after the times got tough.

There are a lot of bad deals to suck up (sts) in those military jobs, and the last thing they want is someone who is drug along whining the whole time about how much it sucks and how they don't want to be there, etc. It sucks for everybody and having the whiners does not boost morale - besides, the whiners usually don't do their jobs all that well with all that whining and such. Commonly, the way to screen those people out up front is to try to determine why they are joining - those joining for the "right reason" (there it is again) tend to keep plodding along when the going gets rough.

I'm not saying that is your case, there may have been substantial issues that temporarily delayed your timing for the program. It happens. But, the little things you say will have big meaning whether you want them to or not. If I was a Sq CC and I read that first post with consideration to hiring you, I'd have big doubts.

P.S. I am admittedly to the extreme on this topic - but, who's to say that whomever is doing the hiring at the unit you want to join won't have the same outlook as me?

 

Oh I agree, there's quite a bit of soul searching going on right now and the fact finding is well under way. I had some pretty serious family issues come up and my mother asked me to not go at the time. My family comes first so I dropped it.

This isn't a career progression thing for me. The income would be nice of course, but I already have another job for the time being. I plan on staying at the carrier I'm at for quite a while after getting recalled.

And I agree with you on the extreme stance. I can't stand people who join and then *****. You volunteered.

 

There's no such thing as a TFW anymore, just an FYI. I don't think anyone will fault you for taking care of family first but that began seven years ago. I don't care what the issue is/was and I hope it worked out for the best. However, unless it's something that cleared up in the last year or so, be prepared to talk about it...meaning, if things were better by '03, why have you not applied any of the previous 5 years, etc. That all being said, time is not on your side. You need to start rushing units now so you can meet as many boards as possible before you hit 28. If you don't, I think you'll have a tough time getting selected after your 28th birthday. Not impossible, but all things being equal they'll most likely go with the guy who won't possibly need an age waiver.

 

Guard pilots have until their 30th birthday to enter UPT, no?

 

Slice,

Thanks for the input and the correction (I am really unfamiliar with the military and have a lot to learn). Like I said, doing this just for a flight slot is out and I've considered your points when thinking about it. There are a lot of other things out there that don't involve flying airplanes that intrest me. That's why I brought up the non-flying side.

Looking back now, I wasn't ready to make a commitment like this and I think I would have been one of the guys you're bringing up. A lot of friends were ROTC and a few were reserves/guard it seemed like a lot to put on your plate. However there has always been that nagging little voice wishing I had joined 5 years ago before I was out of college.

The bennefits are nice, but there really is more to this for me than logging some flight time. Flight time is really not even a consideration. I agree with your signature at this point in my life. I wouldn't be doing anybody any favors if it were only about the money, the type, or the time.

One of the reasons I asked here is because I knew I'd get honest answers. Keep them coming guys. I know a lot of you have first-hand knowlege and I'd really like to hear it.

 

Yes, but with the guard you're normally looking at 18-24 months from being selected to starting UPT. Most units hire 1-2 fiscal years out.