Age Limit
 

To all you ANG guys. What is the current age requirement for getting a slot at an ANG unit. Currently an FO at a regional and a LT in the USNR. Are there any waivers for age based on prior military folks?

30
 

ctd57:

For the USAF, USAFR, and ANG, it is 30...I'm pretty sure this is Federal law/Title 10-driven, meaning the other military branches are the same.

This means you can start UPT and turn 30 the next day. Exceptions are rare--I had a student about 4 years ago who was 29 and 8 months...he had orders in-hand, but a month before he was to start, his wife got cancer. He delayed his start by 6 months while she was treated (and eventually recovered), so he was actually over 30 on day-one of UPT.

Waivers are tough, although sometimes the Guard can get them. The unit either has to want you really badly, or you have to possess some incredible political connections, like your Dad plays golf with the State Adjutant General.

I don't think your previous Naval time will count.

UAL is right, you have to start UPT by your 30th birthday. I had a guy in my AMS class that was 31 heading to UPT. I also had a guy in my UPT class that had a waiver for starting after his 30th birthday. He also had a waiver for years of commissioned service, which may be something you may need to look into. I'm not sure but if you have been an officer for more than 5 years, you may require a waiver.

do you have an aero rating already?
 

Used to be units in conversion could get waivers for their nav/wso's up to 34 if their aircraft conversion was displacing those guys from jobs (F-4s to F-16s, KC-135 Avionics Upgrades, C-130E/H to J).

If you are already an NFO, maybe they can convert your Aerorating to AF equivalent Nav/CSO wings, then send you to UPT that way. I have seen quite a few Army rotary wing guys come through lately for ANG units and they are already wearing AF pilot wings at UPT due to the converting of their aero rating. Unfortunately, the only game in town on this conversion thing right now are the guys going to UAVs.

Until they figure out how to train a UAV track ab inito, the ANG units are sending guys to full on UPT to give them options with other ANG units down the road should they move or units close/change missions again.

Talking with a senator's military representative, he said that the easiest waivers to get are age waivers and they usually get about 95% of them approved.

The bigger problem is finding a unit willing to put in the time and effort to hire you if you need one. There are plenty of qualified applicants that don't give the unit the hassle of getting a waiver. I'd say it's near impossible to get an offer unless they really like you, they're desperate, or you know someone with a lot of pull.

So it looks like you have most of your answer... 30 no later then the start of UPT/Pilot training... But I will tell you this... one word.. WAIVER! you can waiver alot in the air force.... I know for sure... I went to pilot training with guys that were over thirty at the start of training and they told me that it was a pretty easy waiver to get. It all about selling yourself! If they like you you can get in... and the few that I knew in this circumstance were NOT all prior service a couple were Non-prior serviceman... Now if you are more then a couple of years over thirty... Start checking out the Army....

Hmm I am in a similar situation. I am an Army O, RW pilot. If all goes as I dream, I will be out in 4 years, 10 months, putting me at 29 1/2, almost 30 years old. I want to transition directly into the ANG to fly fast movers, so if the stars align and my dream works out I will have been hired by the ANG unit by then and perhaps have a UPT slot. That is pushing it real close...probably too close. I was told, however, that I would be going to an abbreviated UPT. I do not know all that much about that scenario, but I was wondering if the age limit still applies to this "abbreviated UPT" that I was told about?

As for the Army I know a guy who was 31 in flight school...a CPT. I also knew some older WOs. Those waivers depend on the unit if NG/reserve and needs of the army for AD. There isn't nearly as much demand for an older commissioned officer (generally a branch transfer CPT) whose timeline requires a company command fairly shortly after flight school because the officer has very little aviation experience and couldn't command a company as well as someone who knew aviation better. If it is a newly commissioned O, good luck getting an age waiver in active duty. There are plenty of qualified younger LTs and not enough aviations slots to go around as it is.

I have seen some fairly old prior service folks become WOs. Just depends on needs of the army. And, if you could get hired by a NG/Res fixed wing unit, I'm certain a waiver could be attained if they wanted you if you did decide to check out the army.

Commercial to Military
 

I'm currently a commercial pilot, 33 years old, 1650 flight hours. Could I still get a UPT slot in the Air Guard/Reserve?

If you started the process now, you'd be 35 by the time you start UPT (which I think was the cut-off for prior Nav's a few years ago). If you were a prior Navigator in the Air Force or an extremely well liked enlisted aircrew member/crew chief in the same unit, you'd have a shot. Guy off the street that nobody knows...sorry, your chances are almost zero, even if you showed up with the waiver stapled to the top of your package.