Questions about the Air Force
07-04-2009, 06:56 PM
#11
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Joined APC: Jun 2009
Posts: 21
Originally Posted by RotorHeadEd
Not sure how current this is but this is some good info for your decision making process.
How to Get an AFROTC Pilot Slot
How to Get an AFROTC Pilot Slot
Also, what courses would I be taking?
07-04-2009, 08:03 PM
#12
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Position: Curator at Static Display
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Find Out If You're Medically Qualified
Major T:
Your eyesight could be a show-stopper for ROTC. I'm a ROTC guy, and unless they've changed the rules, you had to have 20/20 uncorrected. Same with OTS. Only the Air Force Academy guys were allowed lenses.
The Guard or Reserves might be able to approve a waiver for glasses.
While several posts here make the Guard and Reserve sound like your best option, keep in mind that getting hired by them is tough---especially as a guy "off the street." They tend to hire guys who have been in the unit for a while in a non-flying position....hiring from within.
And, while extra flyng time might help get you a slot, it almost certainly will not help much at pilot training. I've had two students in the last year that had over 2500 and 4500 hours...and they made the same mistakes as the guys with 50 hours of civilian time.
Your eyesight could be a show-stopper for ROTC. I'm a ROTC guy, and unless they've changed the rules, you had to have 20/20 uncorrected. Same with OTS. Only the Air Force Academy guys were allowed lenses.
The Guard or Reserves might be able to approve a waiver for glasses.
While several posts here make the Guard and Reserve sound like your best option, keep in mind that getting hired by them is tough---especially as a guy "off the street." They tend to hire guys who have been in the unit for a while in a non-flying position....hiring from within.
And, while extra flyng time might help get you a slot, it almost certainly will not help much at pilot training. I've had two students in the last year that had over 2500 and 4500 hours...and they made the same mistakes as the guys with 50 hours of civilian time.
07-04-2009, 08:12 PM
#13
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jun 2009
Posts: 21
Originally Posted by UAL T38 Phlyer
Major T:
Your eyesight could be a show-stopper for ROTC. I'm a ROTC guy, and unless they've changed the rules, you had to have 20/20 uncorrected. Same with OTS. Only the Air Force Academy guys were allowed lenses.
The Guard or Reserves might be able to approve a waiver for glasses.
While several posts here make the Guard and Reserve sound like your best option, keep in mind that getting hired by them is tough---especially as a guy "off the street." They tend to hire guys who have been in the unit for a while in a non-flying position....hiring from within.
And, while extra flyng time might help get you a slot, it almost certainly will not help much at pilot training. I've had two students in the last year that had over 2500 and 4500 hours...and they made the same mistakes as the guys with 50 hours of civilian time.
Your eyesight could be a show-stopper for ROTC. I'm a ROTC guy, and unless they've changed the rules, you had to have 20/20 uncorrected. Same with OTS. Only the Air Force Academy guys were allowed lenses.
The Guard or Reserves might be able to approve a waiver for glasses.
While several posts here make the Guard and Reserve sound like your best option, keep in mind that getting hired by them is tough---especially as a guy "off the street." They tend to hire guys who have been in the unit for a while in a non-flying position....hiring from within.
And, while extra flyng time might help get you a slot, it almost certainly will not help much at pilot training. I've had two students in the last year that had over 2500 and 4500 hours...and they made the same mistakes as the guys with 50 hours of civilian time.
07-05-2009, 10:42 AM
#14
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Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: Curator at Static Display
Posts: 5,681
"Active" Duty
Major T:
You can be Active Duty from the Academy, ROTC, or OTS. But the point is, only going 4 years to the Academy grants you special status for eyesight waivers.
Prior flight time would only help....and only slightly....getting a slot through the Guard, Reserves, ROTC, or OTS.
Better to score highly on all the tests they give...I guess the newest is called BAT, and get a strong GPA in your major.
As to PRK and/or Lasik: check carefully. I think one type is approved, but it might be only AFTER you have earned your wings. I'm not an expert on this. Check Baseops.com for info, and talk to a ROTC recruiter as a safe backup.
You can be Active Duty from the Academy, ROTC, or OTS. But the point is, only going 4 years to the Academy grants you special status for eyesight waivers.
Prior flight time would only help....and only slightly....getting a slot through the Guard, Reserves, ROTC, or OTS.
Better to score highly on all the tests they give...I guess the newest is called BAT, and get a strong GPA in your major.
As to PRK and/or Lasik: check carefully. I think one type is approved, but it might be only AFTER you have earned your wings. I'm not an expert on this. Check Baseops.com for info, and talk to a ROTC recruiter as a safe backup.
07-05-2009, 11:26 AM
#15
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jun 2009
Posts: 21
Originally Posted by UAL T38 Phlyer
Major T:
You can be Active Duty from the Academy, ROTC, or OTS. But the point is, only going 4 years to the Academy grants you special status for eyesight waivers.
Prior flight time would only help....and only slightly....getting a slot through the Guard, Reserves, ROTC, or OTS.
Better to score highly on all the tests they give...I guess the newest is called BAT, and get a strong GPA in your major.
As to PRK and/or Lasik: check carefully. I think one type is approved, but it might be only AFTER you have earned your wings. I'm not an expert on this. Check Baseops.com for info, and talk to a ROTC recruiter as a safe backup.
You can be Active Duty from the Academy, ROTC, or OTS. But the point is, only going 4 years to the Academy grants you special status for eyesight waivers.
Prior flight time would only help....and only slightly....getting a slot through the Guard, Reserves, ROTC, or OTS.
Better to score highly on all the tests they give...I guess the newest is called BAT, and get a strong GPA in your major.
As to PRK and/or Lasik: check carefully. I think one type is approved, but it might be only AFTER you have earned your wings. I'm not an expert on this. Check Baseops.com for info, and talk to a ROTC recruiter as a safe backup.
07-05-2009, 01:15 PM
#16
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Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: Curator at Static Display
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Major is Minor
Maj T:
The Air Force usually does not care what your major is. I'm an engineer, but lots of guys were political science, criminal justice, radio and television; you name it.
For ROTC and OTS, showing dedication..through good grades, instead of sloughing-off and partying...seems to carry more weight. They also like to see participation in team-sports (working together for a common goal), and show blatant favoritism to team Captains and quarterbacks. (Supposedly shows leadership potential).
The Air Force usually does not care what your major is. I'm an engineer, but lots of guys were political science, criminal justice, radio and television; you name it.
For ROTC and OTS, showing dedication..through good grades, instead of sloughing-off and partying...seems to carry more weight. They also like to see participation in team-sports (working together for a common goal), and show blatant favoritism to team Captains and quarterbacks. (Supposedly shows leadership potential).
07-05-2009, 01:20 PM
#17
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Joined APC: Jun 2009
Posts: 21
Originally Posted by UAL T38 Phlyer
Maj T:
The Air Force usually does not care what your major is. I'm an engineer, but lots of guys were political science, criminal justice, radio and television; you name it.
For ROTC and OTS, showing dedication..through good grades, instead of sloughing-off and partying...seems to carry more weight. They also like to see participation in team-sports (working together for a common goal), and show blatant favoritism to team Captains and quarterbacks. (Supposedly shows leadership potential).
The Air Force usually does not care what your major is. I'm an engineer, but lots of guys were political science, criminal justice, radio and television; you name it.
For ROTC and OTS, showing dedication..through good grades, instead of sloughing-off and partying...seems to carry more weight. They also like to see participation in team-sports (working together for a common goal), and show blatant favoritism to team Captains and quarterbacks. (Supposedly shows leadership potential).
07-05-2009, 01:45 PM
#18
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Joined APC: Mar 2008
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Last Post
Major:
Not a show-stopper. I wasn't very sporty then, either. Those things are just extras.
Saw that you said earlier that you were considering sophomore year. The ROTC program is either 4 year or 2-year. Freshman, or Junior.
Other posts here should lead you in the right direction. Good luck!
Not a show-stopper. I wasn't very sporty then, either. Those things are just extras.
Saw that you said earlier that you were considering sophomore year. The ROTC program is either 4 year or 2-year. Freshman, or Junior.
Other posts here should lead you in the right direction. Good luck!
07-05-2009, 03:41 PM
#19
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Joined APC: Jun 2009
Posts: 21
Originally Posted by UAL T38 Phlyer
Major:
Not a show-stopper. I wasn't very sporty then, either. Those things are just extras.
Saw that you said earlier that you were considering sophomore year. The ROTC program is either 4 year or 2-year. Freshman, or Junior.
Other posts here should lead you in the right direction. Good luck!
Not a show-stopper. I wasn't very sporty then, either. Those things are just extras.
Saw that you said earlier that you were considering sophomore year. The ROTC program is either 4 year or 2-year. Freshman, or Junior.
Other posts here should lead you in the right direction. Good luck!
07-05-2009, 09:03 PM
#20
Banned
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: Pilot
Posts: 2,625
Look into the Marines guarunteed flight contract; just now starting college gives you plenty of time to get into shape. Or look into the Coast Guard, they do not have any guaruntees but you have nine chances to apply for flight school within your first four years of active duty and the chances are pretty good of eventually getting in.
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