ANG questions
09-15-2009, 11:01 AM
#1
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ANG questions
I'm 27 years old, and have been a Border Patrol Agent in/near San Diego for a few years now. I've been considering trying to join the Air Guard as a pilot. I feel that while I'm already serving my country, I would like to do more, but mostly I really, really want to fly something more than a Cessna, which is all I could ever afford to learn to fly on my own. I've been doing some reasearch and looking around these forums, but I thought some people here could give me some good insight.
I understand it's a bit difficult to become an Air Guard pilot. Will living in San Diego and having a house and a career that I don't wish to leave hinder me? From what I can find, most or all of California's Air Guard units are in the bay area. Can I commute for something like this, or are they looking for people in the area?
I've seen 30 as the max age for being accepted, and that you should start a couple years earlier. Are they looking for younger people with no prior commitments, or does someone "older" like me have an equal chance? I have a Bachelor's in Computer Science, I graduated with honors, and I'm pushing 6'5". I have no prior flight experience, although I'm going for an introductory flight at a local flight school soon. I guess I'm looking for a general idea of how good my chances might be compared to other people starting out, who may be younger, with flight experience, etc. I just don't know what the people who make the decisions are really looking for.
Also, I don't really care what I get to fly in the Air Guard, but I'm determined to be a pilot, ie not a nav, computer guy, etc.
My main question is what's the best way to get started? Should I just walk into a local Air Guard recruiter's office, or should I cold-call one of the actual California AG Units? So far all I've done is some Internet research, and order a flight-aptitude test study guide from Amazon.
Any answers or information is much appreciated. Thanks.
Josh
I understand it's a bit difficult to become an Air Guard pilot. Will living in San Diego and having a house and a career that I don't wish to leave hinder me? From what I can find, most or all of California's Air Guard units are in the bay area. Can I commute for something like this, or are they looking for people in the area?
I've seen 30 as the max age for being accepted, and that you should start a couple years earlier. Are they looking for younger people with no prior commitments, or does someone "older" like me have an equal chance? I have a Bachelor's in Computer Science, I graduated with honors, and I'm pushing 6'5". I have no prior flight experience, although I'm going for an introductory flight at a local flight school soon. I guess I'm looking for a general idea of how good my chances might be compared to other people starting out, who may be younger, with flight experience, etc. I just don't know what the people who make the decisions are really looking for.
Also, I don't really care what I get to fly in the Air Guard, but I'm determined to be a pilot, ie not a nav, computer guy, etc.
My main question is what's the best way to get started? Should I just walk into a local Air Guard recruiter's office, or should I cold-call one of the actual California AG Units? So far all I've done is some Internet research, and order a flight-aptitude test study guide from Amazon.
Any answers or information is much appreciated. Thanks.
Josh
09-15-2009, 11:33 AM
#2
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Posts: 2,270
Here is what has helped me a lot....comb every inch of these websites. Tons of great info on them. I'm going through the 'process' as well.
http://www.baseops.net
http://www.wantscheck.com
Lots of guys here on APC have good realistic answers to the things that may not be addressed on those sites.
http://www.baseops.net
http://www.wantscheck.com
Lots of guys here on APC have good realistic answers to the things that may not be addressed on those sites.
09-15-2009, 12:08 PM
#3
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Not sure why you are only focused on the guard. There is a reserve base an hour north of you that flies as well. Two flying reserve units, and a guard unit that flies UAVs... Plenty of pilots that fly for CBP also fly out of March ARB.
Secondly, time is of the essence for you. You need to be in UPT by your 30th bday, otherwise you need an age waiver, and those are hard to come by....
Also, consider the guard/reserve like a good 'ole boys club, so networking and face time are important.
Lastly, not having any flying experience or ratings is not gonna work in your favor. That doesn't mean it isn't possible, but your competition will generally have a commercial, if not be a CFI, with a fair amount of flying experience in general aviation. These units that are gonna spend millions of dollars to send you to training, like knowing that you'll be able to get through the training and when you have no prior experience flying, that leaves them guessing.
Secondly, time is of the essence for you. You need to be in UPT by your 30th bday, otherwise you need an age waiver, and those are hard to come by....
Also, consider the guard/reserve like a good 'ole boys club, so networking and face time are important.
Lastly, not having any flying experience or ratings is not gonna work in your favor. That doesn't mean it isn't possible, but your competition will generally have a commercial, if not be a CFI, with a fair amount of flying experience in general aviation. These units that are gonna spend millions of dollars to send you to training, like knowing that you'll be able to get through the training and when you have no prior experience flying, that leaves them guessing.
09-15-2009, 12:28 PM
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Thanks for the info so far. My understanding was that AF Reserve only took active AF for pilot slots, so I didn't think it was an option. I'll look into it more. Trying for a CBP pilot slot isn't an option for me right now, as I would have to leave the Border Patrol to fly for them. I understand I have a long, uphill battle with this that I may never win, but I'll see how far I can get.
09-16-2009, 04:30 PM
#5
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Units are highly selective at all times, however, with the current state of the economy and the civilian aviation industry, units are extremely selective.
Therefore, you would need to get an age waiver soon, because most units have already had boards and selections for fiscal year 2011. Therefore, you would be waiting a long time just for boards, then selections, and if selected, you have another year wait. Hence you would be 29-30 when you started pilot training. You are looking at 3-4 years to even get into that units airframe if selected.
With no prior civilian flight time or Guard/Reserve contacts, I would say that is probably a loosing battle.
Not trying to be negative nancy, but there are alot of other opportunities that could be availabe to you, and you should aim for something that through your own hard work, you can actually acheive rather than leaving this unlikely gamble in the hands of others. You sound like a smart and motivated person, I would probably look in other directions if I were you.
Therefore, you would need to get an age waiver soon, because most units have already had boards and selections for fiscal year 2011. Therefore, you would be waiting a long time just for boards, then selections, and if selected, you have another year wait. Hence you would be 29-30 when you started pilot training. You are looking at 3-4 years to even get into that units airframe if selected.
With no prior civilian flight time or Guard/Reserve contacts, I would say that is probably a loosing battle.
Not trying to be negative nancy, but there are alot of other opportunities that could be availabe to you, and you should aim for something that through your own hard work, you can actually acheive rather than leaving this unlikely gamble in the hands of others. You sound like a smart and motivated person, I would probably look in other directions if I were you.
09-16-2009, 05:45 PM
#6
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Originally Posted by bpagtjosh
I'm 27 years old, and have been a Border Patrol Agent in/near San Diego for a few years now. I've been considering trying to join the Air Guard as a pilot. I feel that while I'm already serving my country, I would like to do more, but mostly I really, really want to fly something more than a Cessna, which is all I could ever afford to learn to fly on my own. I've been doing some reasearch and looking around these forums, but I thought some people here could give me some good insight.
I understand it's a bit difficult to become an Air Guard pilot. Will living in San Diego and having a house and a career that I don't wish to leave hinder me? From what I can find, most or all of California's Air Guard units are in the bay area. Can I commute for something like this, or are they looking for people in the area?
I've seen 30 as the max age for being accepted, and that you should start a couple years earlier. Are they looking for younger people with no prior commitments, or does someone "older" like me have an equal chance? I have a Bachelor's in Computer Science, I graduated with honors, and I'm pushing 6'5". I have no prior flight experience, although I'm going for an introductory flight at a local flight school soon. I guess I'm looking for a general idea of how good my chances might be compared to other people starting out, who may be younger, with flight experience, etc. I just don't know what the people who make the decisions are really looking for.
Also, I don't really care what I get to fly in the Air Guard, but I'm determined to be a pilot, ie not a nav, computer guy, etc.
My main question is what's the best way to get started? Should I just walk into a local Air Guard recruiter's office, or should I cold-call one of the actual California AG Units? So far all I've done is some Internet research, and order a flight-aptitude test study guide from Amazon.
Any answers or information is much appreciated. Thanks.
Josh
I understand it's a bit difficult to become an Air Guard pilot. Will living in San Diego and having a house and a career that I don't wish to leave hinder me? From what I can find, most or all of California's Air Guard units are in the bay area. Can I commute for something like this, or are they looking for people in the area?
I've seen 30 as the max age for being accepted, and that you should start a couple years earlier. Are they looking for younger people with no prior commitments, or does someone "older" like me have an equal chance? I have a Bachelor's in Computer Science, I graduated with honors, and I'm pushing 6'5". I have no prior flight experience, although I'm going for an introductory flight at a local flight school soon. I guess I'm looking for a general idea of how good my chances might be compared to other people starting out, who may be younger, with flight experience, etc. I just don't know what the people who make the decisions are really looking for.
Also, I don't really care what I get to fly in the Air Guard, but I'm determined to be a pilot, ie not a nav, computer guy, etc.
My main question is what's the best way to get started? Should I just walk into a local Air Guard recruiter's office, or should I cold-call one of the actual California AG Units? So far all I've done is some Internet research, and order a flight-aptitude test study guide from Amazon.
Any answers or information is much appreciated. Thanks.
Josh
Hey Josh since you are a BP agent in San Diego i would ask you through a PM but dont know how to on this site. anyways do you know a guy named Zach Cassel? last i heard he was a BP agent where you are but i am not sure. i am trying to get ahold of him let me know thanks.
09-16-2009, 06:06 PM
#7
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I'll add one more question to his list about the Air National Guard...
I've heard people say you need a bachelors degree to join up as an officer and start flying.
Is a "bachelors" degree really neccessary? Or is there just a certain amount of college credits needed, like for instance could a person with two associates degrees get accepted as if he had one bachelors degree?
I've heard people say you need a bachelors degree to join up as an officer and start flying.
Is a "bachelors" degree really neccessary? Or is there just a certain amount of college credits needed, like for instance could a person with two associates degrees get accepted as if he had one bachelors degree?
09-16-2009, 06:20 PM
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Originally Posted by TheReelDeel33
I'll add one more question to his list about the Air National Guard...
I've heard people say you need a bachelors degree to join up as an officer and start flying.
Is a "bachelors" degree really neccessary? Or is there just a certain amount of college credits needed, like for instance could a person with two associates degrees get accepted as if he had one bachelors degree?
I've heard people say you need a bachelors degree to join up as an officer and start flying.
Is a "bachelors" degree really neccessary? Or is there just a certain amount of college credits needed, like for instance could a person with two associates degrees get accepted as if he had one bachelors degree?
09-16-2009, 08:43 PM
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Originally Posted by TheReelDeel33
I'll add one more question to his list about the Air National Guard...
I've heard people say you need a bachelors degree to join up as an officer and start flying.
Is a "bachelors" degree really neccessary? Or is there just a certain amount of college credits needed, like for instance could a person with two associates degrees get accepted as if he had one bachelors degree?
I've heard people say you need a bachelors degree to join up as an officer and start flying.
Is a "bachelors" degree really neccessary? Or is there just a certain amount of college credits needed, like for instance could a person with two associates degrees get accepted as if he had one bachelors degree?
2 HS diplomas = 1 AA degree.......
2 AA degrees = 1 BS/BA/BAS Degree.......
4 Highschool diplomas = 1 Bachelor's degree...
Actually..... you just need to "look" like a pilot. If your friends refer to you as "topper", "mayo", "chappy", or "iceman" (and constantly suggest that you 'look' like a pilot) chances are you don't even need a Bachelor's Degree - simply submit a picture in place of transcripts - or "4" highschool diplomas or "2" Associates' degrees.
09-18-2009, 12:05 PM
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Convairator,
Thanks for the straight answer. My own research has kind of been telling me that my chances are extremely small.
atr42flyer,
I don't know a Zach Cassel. There are a lot of Agents in SD county. If he's BP he's probably a stand-up guy though!
In my search to find 'something more' to do with myself, I've also started to gain interest in Unmanned Aerial Systems. It didn't take me long to find out lots of pilots look down on them, but the whole reconnaissance aspect of it is very interesting to me, as it relates to aspects of my work in the Border Patrol.
I haven't been able to find much info on how to become a UAS pilot though. Do they hire right off the street, or only take previous military? Is the selection and training the same as 'regular' pilot slots? All the info I've been able to find so far is from years-old articles saying it's going to change in the future, but nothing current. I am planning on calling the 163rd Recon Wing at March Field, which is close to me, but I didn't want to have to bother anyone there with basic questions.
Anyone here have insight on becoming a UAS pilot?
Thanks for the straight answer. My own research has kind of been telling me that my chances are extremely small.
atr42flyer,
I don't know a Zach Cassel. There are a lot of Agents in SD county. If he's BP he's probably a stand-up guy though!
In my search to find 'something more' to do with myself, I've also started to gain interest in Unmanned Aerial Systems. It didn't take me long to find out lots of pilots look down on them, but the whole reconnaissance aspect of it is very interesting to me, as it relates to aspects of my work in the Border Patrol.
I haven't been able to find much info on how to become a UAS pilot though. Do they hire right off the street, or only take previous military? Is the selection and training the same as 'regular' pilot slots? All the info I've been able to find so far is from years-old articles saying it's going to change in the future, but nothing current. I am planning on calling the 163rd Recon Wing at March Field, which is close to me, but I didn't want to have to bother anyone there with basic questions.
Anyone here have insight on becoming a UAS pilot?
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