Joining Air Force
 

I'm currently trying to join the Air Force and am wondering if some guys with some experience can help give me an idea of what my chances are.

I'm 22 and will be graduating this Dec. with a degree in Flight Science with a 3.0 GPA. I have a commercial pl, instrument rating and multiengine rating with 230 flight hours. I scored a 90 on the pilot portion of the AFOQT and a 94 on my PCSM. I have several letters of recommendation from retired Air Force pilots as well as a state rep, and a state senator. I have no record or have had any trouble with the law.

What are my chances of getting accepted into OTS as a pilot candidate?

Do you mean that you have 230 hours of multi, or 230 hours total time? Because the minimum for commercial pilot's license around here (U.S. of A.) is 250 hours if I'm not mistaken....

Not if you're pt141 I believe..

True...If you attend a Part 141 flight school, you can graduate with as little as 190 hrs. I took my CFI ride at 210 hrs TT and the examiner looked at me like there was some kind of mistake:p

OP- Your scores and flight time all look good...But I think you knew that. You will get interviews. However, when you get there, everyone interviewing will also be competitive. You have a very good chance IMO if you keep at it. As long as you are a likable and person, it should be a matter time. Good luck.

Don't know, seems like you have all the necessary elements to be competitive. Am a squid aviator type, now in reserves serving as a head staff janitor-blame taker, but I did spend 21 years in Navy jets. Started as a USAF ROTC who was supposed to go to Vance for UPT. Ended up as a squid in Pensacola.
Good luck, wish you the best. Many good USAF friends. If USAF doesn't look like it may pan out, would encourage a look at Navy and USMC. If you like helicopters, then would open up to looking at Army Warrant Officer.

Best way to discover if you are competitive - in fact, no better way has ever been devised................apply and see if you get selected!

Agree with the posts above; stick your foot in the water and see if YOU like the temperature. A positive attitude and great attitude will go a long way in getting what you want in life!

There is a very informative website about just the thing you are talking about: Baseops Forums

as a matter of fact there is a section called "What are my chances?" - you can see what everyone else has/compare ... in any case you'll see people with a large amount of hours and super duper ludicrous complex performance endorsements not get selected.... and those with 10 hours get picked up.

.......and those that lied about their qualifications and the fact that they got picked up.

Dude, the 2 don't even compare - not even close. For example, I am in charge of hiring for my squadron, and I most likely DO NOT look for the same characteristics as some AD officer accessions weenie.

LOL true...too funny when they get busted:D

Timing is everything
 

True. The biggest factor is out of your control anyway: how many UPT students the AF thinks they need this year. When I applied 40 years ago, they were running 10 UPT bases and accepting a vast number of applicants (washing out many of them during training). A few years later, it was very difficult to get a slot at all.

Do you look like a pilot? If you have any questions about what that entails please PM this dude that had a gem of a post a while back

I have a bachelors degree summa cum laude in biology (chemistry minor) from New York University (3.87 gpa). I am also in the process of completing a master's degree in biomedical engineering from Columbia University (current 3.85 gpa). I'm 6'1", lift weights every day for 2 hours, and have been told by people that I look like a pilot should. I was going to go to medical school, but things have changed.

im not so sure Id call Baseops.net forums 'informative". If you can read through the egos and whiney SNAPs on there...you might gleem some info.....

Yeah unless you have to do all the paperwork to send them packing.....had to do that this week with someone......

What were some of the circumstances and what ended up tipping the hand (if we're talking lies here)?

USMCFLYR

Yeah, that would be interesting... And does it come down to what they lied about, or just fact that they lied?

I am sure it depends on person doing the hiring, but to me - Lies equal gone, regardless of why. Officership equals integrity (at least it should in the perfect world) and if you get the one lie now, who is to say more won't follow? DON'T LIE. Questions on a medical form - now we're talking not about lies, but more about being "too honest":D

Absolute gold!

to dtfl:

I'd consider baseops the bible to getting a pilot slot. The search function sucks, but the info is there.... somewhere. Maybe some day people will get lit up on here for starting the 5th ANG/AFRC thread in the same week.