This'll be a long post, but if anyones willing to throw me ANY advice it's more than appreciated.

I'm a junior in university interested in applying for a pilot slot and so far I'm focused on the Air National Guard or the Coast Gaurd. But, I'm not sure if I'm even a canidate to begin with.

To begin, I hold a PPL and I'll be working on my IFR this summer and I've got no medical restrictions. I'm a natural born U.S. citizen, and i'm working on a bachleors at the University of Toronto in Canada. But heres where my problems begin: While this University is ranked extremely well around the world, it's notorious for spanking its 50 some thousand students. The enforced average GPA is a 2.30, and as of the end of this year I'm looking at a 2.31 which I would probably be able to bring up to a 2.5 by graduation. This might look like I've been lazy or not smart enough, but if it helps I've met a boatload of people here and I've yet to meet one with a gpa above 3.5. I also know some of the websites mention a SAT score requirement and I think I scored a 1300.

That being said, I'm pretty certain I have all of the other requirements down (No medical restrictions, physically active. If references would even be necessary, I have a retired Army Major for an uncle and my childhood best friend's mom was the first woman in the Air National guard.

I've focused on the Air National Gaurd and the Coast guard specifically because from what I've been told, I'd have the ability to directly help Americans and be able to do so in a fixed wing aircraft.

I'm not interested in joining just for the fixed wing training and I'm definitely not aspiring to pilot a Hornet. Hell, I'd even pay for my own training at this point just to get into one of these programs. I really would love to be able to directly help Americans, but I'm also joining to kick-start the aviation career.

So with this not-so-hot GPA in mind, is it a waste of time for me to aspire to military flight? Am I better off just feeling my way around with civilian hours? Once again, thanks for taking the time to read this, if you have ANY input I'd love to hear it.

 

I'm not sure that the AF can distinguish between a 2.5 from Harvard and a 2.5 from Eastern Southern Western Community College. You'll likely be competing with students with 3.5 GPAs and better.

If you're interested in civilian aviation a 10-year AF commitment is going to sidetrack your goal. If you just want to fly cool missions and your civilian aspirations can wait, then throw your package in with the rest of 'em.

 

You said you don't want to be a Hornet pilot, but the Marine Corps has C-130's too. The Marine Corps took me with a 2.3. Just food for thought.

 

I would apply, and include a statement explaining the school's grading policy and any supporting documentation. It will help if you have a technical/hard science degree. Certain US service academies also grade that way...

You could not afford to pay for military flight training, even if that were an option...it's probably several million dollars these days.

 

Haha, I was under the assumption that some of the base training was the same or very similar as the outside. I know now, civilian ratings may make you more attractive to other branches but civilian time or training doesn't replace military time.

Thanks for the responses folks, theyre much appreciated.

The more I research it, the more I find myself in a grey area as applying goes. I wouldn't mind being deployed to live combat if it was needed, but I'd want to primarily be involved in the emergency relief/humanitarian side of things and from what I've heard, you don't go in choosing that; you're more or less assigned to the projects as need dictates. I most definitely wouldnt mind putting down 10 years if I knew I was going to be doing something on the humanitarian side of things. But, I'm not in favor of being in a combat role until I'm 33-38 years old and from what I understand, it's pretty much a gamble for someone of those interests.

 

I honestly don't know how competitive you would be for the Coast Guard. It might just boil down to how well rounded your OCS application package would be. I'm also guessing that your school doesn't qualify for the Blue 21 program.

If fixed wing is the route you want to go, the Coast Guard is a viable option. Most of our flight applicants want to be rotar heads so the door is wide open. You would definitely find the flying to be gratifying and rewarding.

 

I'm interested in the ANG selection and training process. I'm a furloughed 121 guy and made some connections with a exec transport ANG and they have a opening. I currently am 23 and am in good health. The only disqualifying things could be my size 6'7'' and I do wear glasses with a light prescription. Would those even matter if I'm not flying a combat aircraft?

What training I would have to go through to get a pilot slot? I know I would have to go to basic OCS (i already have degree) would I have to do any basic military flight training?? Or would they send me straight to aircraft specific flight training?

I appreciate any insights....

 

You're height may disqualify you. You're vision is waiverable. Yes, you have to go through basic training, then undergraduate pilot training.

For both of you: The United States is at war. The primary purpose of nearly all (except some vip aircraft) military aircraft is to either 1) kill the enemy 2) help kill the enemy 3) drop off supplies for others to kill the enemy

If the above is averse to you at all, the military is not for you.

 

You will go to Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) for a year just like everybody else before ever setting foot on a big jet. You'll also go to Combat Survival School and have some "Unpleasant" experiences. No amount of civilian experience makes you special enough to skip that. Airline Pilots with thousands of hours have washed out in the past. You are going to train in the T-6A, a tandem-seat aircraft with a Martin-Baker Ejection Seat, an aircraft also used as a "Combat Aircraft" by other countries. So yes, your sitting height matters.

 

Jesterc (and to anyone else who might be thinking about joining the military)

This is not meant to scare you, but I want to be upfront and honest.

The military offers invaluable experience at exceptional pay rates with one of the best retirement plans that very few can match. However, DO NOT join the military if you aren't willing to serve as an Officer first, pilot second, in one of our Nation's air forces.

In most cases, you will be a COMBATANT unless you are in a medical or JAG career field (note, pilots are combatants).

There's absolutely no guarantee that you will pass UPT. You could end up in another career field that you do not like. You could end up medically disqualified which could put you into another career field.

You will be expected to meet extremely high standards and will be incharge of enforcing those standards.

As you progress through your career, the flying part will become secondary to your desk / ground job. (you'll have one, two, maybe three other jobs when you aren't flying). You may even have a tour in which you aren't flying.

I think if you are wanting to serve and help Americans directly, then you need to look into the Coast Guard or some other domestic type of government agency. The CG I think sees more face time with America. In the USAF (just going off my experiene), rarely will you support something here in the states.

Also, I don't want to discourage you. Recruitment teams always look at the "total person" concept. You can be a little lacking in one area, but make up for it in another. However, you control just about every factor in your package.

Focus on getting better grades ... that's a first priority.
Make sure you are in perfect health and physical fitness.
Get more references. Whether they be military or not. Examine your network of family, friends, co-workers to see if they know anyone of any value. examples of good people to use as a reference (teachers, clergy, employers, social orgainizations, anyone who can attest to your character, desires, and work ethic ..etc).
Do community service -- show the recruitment team that you want to help individuals.
Get more flight time.

As another has said, generate a cover letter for your package and explain to the recruiters why you want to serve. You have a noble cause so that will help. Make sure to explain your low GPA -- it can only help you.

Lastly, be honest with yourself. If you aren't willing to become a combatant (something you'll almost certainly be in the USAF, USA, USN, USMC), don't join.

I hope this helps you.