GunshipGuy

My take is you'll be competitive, and good for you for seeking out suggestions on how to better your chances. I wish I could have had a GPA close to that. As a guy who scored poorly on the AFOQT in college I would suggest getting good study material to improve your scores. The book I used was pretty common back in '91 and helped tremendously; pulled 50's up to 90's...that and actually being a B-52 nav helped a bit as well.

Any input you can get from a guard guy I would treat as gold. Seek them out if you can...maybe baseops.net might have guys over there who don't frequent APC as much.

golfandfly

I think many of the responses were excellent.

Most guard units aren't that impressed with high scores. They want someone that they think will be able to complete training, and very importantly, someone that they can stand being around for the next 20 years. Often times, units will want you to take a leap of faith and enlist in the unit. If you do a good job, you chances of getting a slot grow exponentially.

Internal recommendations are huge. Networking is huge. Good luck...

Triumph

this topic has been beat to death for years, but here are my words of wisdom....

1) don't take 'NO' for an answer. If you don't get the slot, apply again next year. Persistence is how you get this job.

2) be able to carry an intelligent conversation while being humble, yet eager to have the chance to fly airplanes in the military. The 'A-type' military pilots sitting on the interview board won't be impressed with some cocky kid. If they say your AFOQT scores or your GPA sucks, you don't make excuses for it...own it

3) don't enlist with the hope of getting a pilot slot down the road. We've had a few guys come in as loadmasters with the goal of getting a pilot slot. All you have to do is rub one person in unit the wrong way, and you've hosed yourself. Enlisting might be something that fighter units like to see (I still don't advise it), but otherwise not necessary, in my opinion.

5) apply to every squadron where you could halfway stand living.

4) don't take NO for an answer....

good luck

USMCFLYR

You should take any and all replies that you might receive here with the same grain of salt. Just like people that you meet in the AD military, Reserves, or Guard - there are all types and there are bits of truth in every response.

If you are looking for a bunch of sugar coated "great job" and "you're a shoe in" responses, then you are probably looking in the wrong place.

Is your attitude towards Sputnik's post the same that you are going to portray to a person on the interview board? I doubt it. How are you going to respond if someone gives the same question/answer and calls your academic performance or test scores "lackluster"?
I'd take the advice of many on this thread and "own it".

USMCFLYR

Silver2Gold

USMCFLYR shacked it.

The first thing you are ever going to need to learn if you want to be a military aviator is to take criticism - whether you agree with it or not. I'd give you a D+ in that category right now.

I had a double major in Math/Physics, a 3.98 GPA, and aced the physical fitness test with a 500. Within two weeks of showing up to UPT I realized I was just another dude. The kids from MIT, Harvard, and Princeton weren't to impressed with my New Mexico State University credentials. And, the division 1 athletes from the academy weren't exactly bowing to the fact that I could ace the Air Force's pt test.

Now that I have spent over 2,000 hours teaching dudes to fly military jets, in both the Navy and USAF, I am more convinced everyday of the importance of attitude. We have kids show up to strike-jet training in the Navy with incredible credentials (PhD from MIT in aerospace engineering at 27 years old.) Nobody cares. Are they able to be told that they were overpowered in the middle, flat at the ramp, and would have boltered their pass? Can they handle you telling them they were out of position, all day, and slow to correct it? Or, do they retreat to alibis and reasons why things were not actually as bad as you told them they were?

You came on here for advice - take it. If, at your interview board, you try to defend your records in front of a bunch of experienced military aviators the same way you have done here - they will tube you. I know I would. If someone asks why your GPA was low for such a generic degree, tell them you learned a lot about time management by having to work two jobs and still go to school full time, and that you could apply those time management skills to do well at UPT. Don't say "I wouldn't hardly call a 3.39 GPA lackluster..." Trust me - they will. If they ask why your AFOQT scores were low, tell them that you've learned some tips on taking standardized tests, and know how to ace them in the future. Maybe, if it actually is the case, talk about some other standardized tests that you have done well on.

And lastly (and the reason for the D+) learn to listen/learn more and talk less.

Good Luck.

blastoff

The problem with this thread is that the bold above is simply not true. Key in on his test scores which are below average, but the average Guard/Reserve unit isn't having MIT grads walk in with impossible GPA's. The kid isn't going to get torched for not graduating Magna Cum Laude. The guy came on here probably because he was worried about the rest of his qualifications. Getting on him about a solid GPA is piling it on.

Agree with all the rest, grow some thick skin. Carry on.

Mustangcbra

Thanks for the comments I appreciate them. Please do not mistake my comments on this thread as being defensive. Fact is I have read alot of threads and noticed certain repeat offenders and how some people try to put everyone down because they may not have the same qualifications as they do. Unfortunately this is a large problem in the aviation community in general. I speak from experience as I have worked for Delta for 4 years and see it quiet often.

With that being said I again would like to thank you all for your comments. Let me assure you that being the son of an 25yr Army Ranger 1st sergeant I learned not to make excuses some time ago.

As I said earlier I wish I had, had more time to prepare for the AFOQT but I worked with what I was given and was told that I only needed to do well on the pilot section to be considered for my unit and achieve a high PCSM score which I did, 98. I have already met with most of the other pilots at my unit on a drill weekend and had beers with them, I was even able to have a 30 minute convo about the airline industry with a United pilot who is on the hiring board.

As I said I will certainly be taking your advice and please if anyone has anything else to add please do.

Sputnik

You know, I never was trying to pile anything on. I'm assuming Blastoff is guard, and therefore trust his opinion regarding your numbers.

I think others have already stated what I was attempting to. Your grades aren't great, they're not awful but they're not particularly impressive either. It is entirely possible to explain that in a reasonable manner.

If I were interviewing you I'd say "UPT is an extremely rigourous program academically, we only have x slot(s) this year, we can't afford to send someone who isn't capable of finishing. You majored in aviation basket weaving and your grades are kind of lackluster, why should we risk a spot on you?"

And there are an infinite number of great answers to that question, working two jobs, you were flying, etc--basically that you have already proved the ability manage time effectively. But making an excuse or disagreeing with my assessment of your grades isn't going to work.

I think it was Rick that orginally used the L word, you jumped on it. All I was trying to write was that, hey your grades are that great. You are going to have to explain it (or maybe not if Blastoff is correct). And you can. But arguing isn't an explanation.

Seriously, I wish you the best, I really do. Military flying is awesome, wouldn't trade it for the world.

Someone has mentioned persistence, it really does pay off. Even if you get shot down once, keep trying. You said you didnt't know any officers to write letters, but you have visited a unit. Keep with those guys, ask for advice/mentoring. If you don't get picked up your first couple tries, well hell now you've known a few officers for a few years and they can write rec letters for you.

BeaglePilot

I can't stress enough attitude is everything. Some units care more than others about scores/ GPA. Its the entire package they are looking at. My AFOQT scores are way lower than that, but I have a lot more to offer than just scores.

Guard units especially, are not going to take risk because they usually only send 1-2 to UPT a FY due to budget constraints. Also, a reserve unit wont select an applicant they think won't pass the boards.

Network your ass off, and be persistent. Good luck!

Silver2Gold

Upon retrospect, I agree with you Blastoff. A guard board will probably care less about the GPA and more about the "good-dude-ness." My point was not to stress his grades or imply that they really mattered. My point was more to address the attitude. Asking for advice from experienced dudes, and then arguing with it, reminds me of too many students who did not do so well.