AFOTS - Number of Attempts
01-05-2009, 04:58 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: Petting Zoo
Posts: 2,074
Originally Posted by USMCFLYR
IMO, USAF has the appearance of the more stable family life, etc. With the Global War on Terror (GWOT), all pilots are in the wringer. You will be gone alot deployed. It may be a ship or some place on land, but deployed nonetheless.
Family can't live on AF Bases when deployed?
Luke - he is talking about being deployed to some places that even if possible - you wouldn't want your family living with you!
USMCFLYR
Family can't live on AF Bases when deployed?
Luke - he is talking about being deployed to some places that even if possible - you wouldn't want your family living with you! USMCFLYR
01-05-2009, 05:00 PM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Posts: 244
Luke,
I'm going to tell you this because it is something most guys in your shoes don't know about the guard and reserves.
1. You will fly just as much or more than most active duty guys. Guard and reserve have the same flying currencies as AD.
2. In the guard, you will stay in your unit's assigned aircraft throughout your career. (Unless the unit gets BRAC'd). Good luck staying in the cockpit for an entire active duty career.
3. There are some full-time positions in a guard and reserve squadron. These positions are filled by folks that are already current and qualified. Don't bank on getting a full-time slot after seasoning, have a backup job. BTW, part-time and full-time pilots will normally fly the same number of sorties a month.
4. If you want family stability, the guard and reserves is where it is at. You will stay flying and not have to move every couple of years. Don't take my word, though, do your homework (ie baseops.net).
5. The bad news, guard and reserve pilot slots are very competitive.
6. I'm sure I'm missing something. Other guard bros feel free to chime in.
For the record, I love what I do. I'm 30yrs old, I've been in the Viper for almost 7 years with 3 OIF tours, and been with my civilian job for 3.5 yrs. It's great having the best of both worlds.
USMCFLYR, I don't know if I got back to you or not, but I do know "Pig" from VTANG very well. Him and I have led each other around on different occasions in the sandbox. Great dude.
I'm going to tell you this because it is something most guys in your shoes don't know about the guard and reserves.
1. You will fly just as much or more than most active duty guys. Guard and reserve have the same flying currencies as AD.
2. In the guard, you will stay in your unit's assigned aircraft throughout your career. (Unless the unit gets BRAC'd). Good luck staying in the cockpit for an entire active duty career.
3. There are some full-time positions in a guard and reserve squadron. These positions are filled by folks that are already current and qualified. Don't bank on getting a full-time slot after seasoning, have a backup job. BTW, part-time and full-time pilots will normally fly the same number of sorties a month.
4. If you want family stability, the guard and reserves is where it is at. You will stay flying and not have to move every couple of years. Don't take my word, though, do your homework (ie baseops.net).
5. The bad news, guard and reserve pilot slots are very competitive.
6. I'm sure I'm missing something. Other guard bros feel free to chime in.
For the record, I love what I do. I'm 30yrs old, I've been in the Viper for almost 7 years with 3 OIF tours, and been with my civilian job for 3.5 yrs. It's great having the best of both worlds.
USMCFLYR, I don't know if I got back to you or not, but I do know "Pig" from VTANG very well. Him and I have led each other around on different occasions in the sandbox. Great dude.
01-05-2009, 06:14 PM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
USMCFLYR, I don't know if I got back to you or not, but I do know "Pig" from VTANG very well. Him and I have led each other around on different occasions in the sandbox. Great dude.
You didn't - but you're right
Pig was a new guy when I was an old first tour squadron hand.
I ran into him a once in Pesacola while he was on a F-16 x/c. One former Marine and one ex-navy flying VTANG F-16 around the country
Must be good times!Sorry for the thread drift......back on topic.
USMCFLYR
01-05-2009, 06:20 PM
#14
Line Holder
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Posts: 28
I wasn't prior. The Guard recruiter just told me that I had almost zero chance without being enlisted first. And that was some BS right there.
I know you've been through the app once, but were you ever dealing with a designated officer assessions recruiter? Wasn't clear on that when you were talking about the recruiting squadron... I ask b/c the recruiter I dealt with in CO was in a location that you'd never find without directions because it wasn't set up for enlisted recruiting. And the SSgt never once tried to get me to enlist. Be a nav or whatever else - yes, but not enlist.
The amount of pilot slots flux for sure. I was picked up on the 1st board of the fiscal year with many other pilots. The board after that had many fewer pilots. Maybe you can time your package for september this next time around?
I know you've been through the app once, but were you ever dealing with a designated officer assessions recruiter? Wasn't clear on that when you were talking about the recruiting squadron... I ask b/c the recruiter I dealt with in CO was in a location that you'd never find without directions because it wasn't set up for enlisted recruiting. And the SSgt never once tried to get me to enlist. Be a nav or whatever else - yes, but not enlist.
The amount of pilot slots flux for sure. I was picked up on the 1st board of the fiscal year with many other pilots. The board after that had many fewer pilots. Maybe you can time your package for september this next time around?
Originally Posted by LukeAmadeus
I know the AFOQT is only two times. But they _never_ told me that it was only two application attempts to OTS, and I never signed a piece of paper to that effect. I did for the AFOQT. Thanks for the info!
Were you enlisted first then?
Thank you for the advice; I've already contacted my recruiter asking for a copy of the old package, and to meet someone in the squadron capable of helping me improve it.
Were you enlisted first then?
Thank you for the advice; I've already contacted my recruiter asking for a copy of the old package, and to meet someone in the squadron capable of helping me improve it.
01-05-2009, 06:35 PM
#15
Line Holder
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Sitting
Posts: 96
Spot On!
Originally Posted by F16Driver
Luke,
I'm going to tell you this because it is something most guys in your shoes don't know about the guard and reserves.
1. You will fly just as much or more than most active duty guys. Guard and reserve have the same flying currencies as AD.
2. In the guard, you will stay in your unit's assigned aircraft throughout your career. (Unless the unit gets BRAC'd). Good luck staying in the cockpit for an entire active duty career.
3. There are some full-time positions in a guard and reserve squadron. These positions are filled by folks that are already current and qualified. Don't bank on getting a full-time slot after seasoning, have a backup job. BTW, part-time and full-time pilots will normally fly the same number of sorties a month.
4. If you want family stability, the guard and reserves is where it is at. You will stay flying and not have to move every couple of years. Don't take my word, though, do your homework (ie baseops.net).
5. The bad news, guard and reserve pilot slots are very competitive.
6. I'm sure I'm missing something. Other guard bros feel free to chime in.
For the record, I love what I do. I'm 30yrs old, I've been in the Viper for almost 7 years with 3 OIF tours, and been with my civilian job for 3.5 yrs. It's great having the best of both worlds.
I'm going to tell you this because it is something most guys in your shoes don't know about the guard and reserves.
1. You will fly just as much or more than most active duty guys. Guard and reserve have the same flying currencies as AD.
2. In the guard, you will stay in your unit's assigned aircraft throughout your career. (Unless the unit gets BRAC'd). Good luck staying in the cockpit for an entire active duty career.
3. There are some full-time positions in a guard and reserve squadron. These positions are filled by folks that are already current and qualified. Don't bank on getting a full-time slot after seasoning, have a backup job. BTW, part-time and full-time pilots will normally fly the same number of sorties a month.
4. If you want family stability, the guard and reserves is where it is at. You will stay flying and not have to move every couple of years. Don't take my word, though, do your homework (ie baseops.net).
5. The bad news, guard and reserve pilot slots are very competitive.
6. I'm sure I'm missing something. Other guard bros feel free to chime in.
For the record, I love what I do. I'm 30yrs old, I've been in the Viper for almost 7 years with 3 OIF tours, and been with my civilian job for 3.5 yrs. It's great having the best of both worlds.
This is spot on, guard or reserve are the way to go.
Like typed before DO NOT ENLIST! When I applied to OTS I heard some of the same crap. My recruiter also wanted me to apply for a Nav slot. I politely said, "no thank you."
Dudes, do the guard and reserves use the AFOQT? All guard and reserve folks go through OTS now right?
Your AFOQT scores could be better. Back in the day I got an AFOQT study book from Arco publishers and read it cover to cover 4 or 5 times and scored in the mid to upper 90's on every section of the AFOQT. I AM NOT a smart man, I just studied the test prep REALLY well and completely understood the format and all facets of the test. The study and prep was a huge help.
Last but not least, good luck.
Buzz
01-07-2009, 06:46 AM
#16
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jan 2009
Posts: 3
Thank you to everyone for you continued good advice and detailed recommendations. I can't tell you how helpful the perspective is.
An update: I have gotten a hold of my package and will be able to review every aspect of it. What stands out to me was my interview: all "outstanding" boxes checked, and a recommendation more glowing than I would have written for myself! If only I had had that PPL ...
A question:
I intend to contact an AFROTC admissions representative today: how should I present my ambitions? I greatly wish to serve as an officer in the USAF, which I will emphasize — but what about my desire to fly jets? Tone that down for now? Or stick to my guns?
Thanks again, all!
An update: I have gotten a hold of my package and will be able to review every aspect of it. What stands out to me was my interview: all "outstanding" boxes checked, and a recommendation more glowing than I would have written for myself! If only I had had that PPL ...
A question:
I intend to contact an AFROTC admissions representative today: how should I present my ambitions? I greatly wish to serve as an officer in the USAF, which I will emphasize — but what about my desire to fly jets? Tone that down for now? Or stick to my guns?
Thanks again, all!
01-07-2009, 03:28 PM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2008
Position: 737 FO
Posts: 191
Keep on trying!
Just wanted to add my 2 cents to this discussion.
First of all, I think everyone has been spot on in their posts here and I can tell you that I know Saltydog, and he was exactly right in his comments.
Second, I have a question for you that everyone on here with military experience knows the answer to: How do you know when the recruiter is lying to you . . . .HIS LIPS ARE MOVING!
Find another recruiter, talk to ROTC folks and find a ANG/Reserves unit and talk to them. If you need a place to start with that, PM me as soon as you have enough posts. I'm retiring after 26 years, the last 12 in the ANG. I can get you headed in the right direction.
Don't give up, look for a place to get you PPL, and start working on making contacts with units.
Good luck!
First of all, I think everyone has been spot on in their posts here and I can tell you that I know Saltydog, and he was exactly right in his comments.
Second, I have a question for you that everyone on here with military experience knows the answer to: How do you know when the recruiter is lying to you . . . .HIS LIPS ARE MOVING!
Find another recruiter, talk to ROTC folks and find a ANG/Reserves unit and talk to them. If you need a place to start with that, PM me as soon as you have enough posts. I'm retiring after 26 years, the last 12 in the ANG. I can get you headed in the right direction.
Don't give up, look for a place to get you PPL, and start working on making contacts with units.
Good luck!
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