jsfBoat

I spoke with the AF recruiter today, and went over my scores. All my scores are ok (88 on the pilot), but I'm 15 short for the Navigator (got a 50) with a PCSM score of 90. He said the thing I could get is a Combat Air Manager in the back of AWACS. I'll retake the test to try for a better score. Maybe I just don't have the brains to be a military pilot.

Slice

15 short of what? I don't think the Nav min is a 65 since I got a 59 and got a slot...Don't settle for less than a pilot if that's what you want. ABM is a flying controller. Compared to flying, no thanks.

Tiger2Flying

My scores were 95/66/66/70/58 and my PCSM was 96. I applied only for pilot and I didn't really expect to get a slot because there were guys with 99 and 98 on all scores. I think the whole person concept is really what they are after.

GunshipGuy

While I wouldn't advocate wasting years chasing something that just might not be destined to happen, I wouldn't give up too easily either. I didn't score well on my first shot at the test when I was in college, but a few years later I retook the test (as a nav) and did much better. The second time I took the time to study for the test with a prep-book and that combined with a bit more maturity really helped out (I'm sure the nav experience did as well, but as I recall that wasn't the biggest factor--the book prep was what paid off).

Good luck to you in whatever path you take.

Afterthought: I never had to deal with a recruiter (went ROTC), but I would think the recruiter is trying to fill AWACS slots and thus is possibly attempting to persuade you to try that route instead. Don't know how the wheeling and dealing takes place these days, but I'd encourage you to not take the first offer, so to speak; might want to mention you're considering the Navy or Marines. I'm sure others have much more expertise to offer regarding this, and may be of more help if you make the inquiry.

Spacemann Splif

I wouldn't be surprised if the recruiter gets some sort of bonus for recruiting an AWACS back-ender. Don't let him talk you into it if it's not what you want.

jsfBoat

He said the competitive mins for a slot is 65 in the Nav, pilot and quantative, and that if I do get to be in the back of an awacs, I can always go before the internal air force pilot selection board.
I'm not wanting to join the AF to make sure targets get hit, I want to fire off the stuff that will hit the target.

Slice

DO NOT JOIN AS ANYTHING ELSE OTHER THAN A PILOT!!! Funny, I had an AD recruiter sign me up to take the AFOQT and BAT in the late 90's. He told me I should put Nav as my second choice...I had about 2500 hours at the time. I laughed at him. That was the end of that conversation. Tell him you're there for a pilot slot and nothing else or you're walking down the hall, street, etc., to talk to the Navy and Marines....and do so if you need to.