Mustangcbra

Hey guys and gals thought I would post my stats and see what your thoughts were on my chances.

Slot Type Desired- Guard

Degree- Aviation Science and Administration / Western Michigan University

GPA 3.39 overall

Flight Ratings- Private, Instrument, Commercial multi-engine and single eingine

Flight time- 220 hours

PCSM score- 98

AFOQT

Pilot-79
Nav-43
Academic-58
Verbal-81
Quatitative-37

Letters of Reccomendation - Army/ Pentagon Command Sgt Major,Air Force Reserve 1Sgt., Army Reserve Sgt., Chair of WMU Aviation department, numerous other teachers and employers.

Althought I feel like my AFOQT scores are low I think that the rest of my qualifications are pretty competitive. I have already submitted my packet to a local Guard unit to fly the C-130 and am now waiting to hear back on an interview date.

Based on this information would you say that I am a competitive candidate for a UPT slot (I know that some of the variables depend on the unit but I'm looking for your opinion on just my scores)? If anyone reading this has experience in Bombers or the AC-130 please feel free to post your opinion on my chances on getting an attack or bomber track slot as well.

Thanks for the help!

BDGERJMN

Other dudes can comment on the UPT side of things or aviation slots in general from the USAF perspective. I would tell you to search the threads here and other forums out there. One thing I would offer you is this in terms of officer packages in general...keep in mind I have no experience here on the USAF side of things but I have sat on selection boards for USN Officer programs. I can tell you that LORs need to tell the board or those reviewing your package what you bring to the table as an Officer first and as an aviator second. I think one of those LORs is good from the E-9 types but you need to get letters from senior officers you have worked with and worked for that can recommend you as a potential officer.

Riddler

For a Guard or Reserve pilot training slot, you have to first get selected by a specific unit.

Step 1 - start applying at various Guard or Reserve bases. Where do you live - are there any bases near you? LORs are more effective if they're written by someone from the unit you're applying to.

I'm not sure how much people care about the AFOQT tests, but like you said, they were kinda low, especially the Nav and Qualitative. I'd get a study book and try to retake the tests.

Have you thought of looking at other aircraft? The Guard/Reserve also has a lot of tankers and transports, so applying to those units will increase your chances.

Good luck.

Mustangcbra

I am in the process of applying for a local unit as a C-130 pilot. I have already submitted my packet and am waiting to hear back about an interview.

I was told that the PCSM score mattered most as it is a cumulative score predicting how well you will do in UPT. That is why I think that although my AFOQT scores are a bit low my PCSM balances it out. I used the test prep books and did not find them very helpful. I studied for 2 1/2 weeks straight 4 hours a day on average for the AFOQT but I believe that the books were just poorly written. I borrowed 5 of them from the local library and they all seemed to have multiple errors.

Regardless, the scores are a direct result of my knowledge and only I can take responsibility for them. If the scores become a problem in the interview process I will retake the AFOQT.

As for my LOR's I do not know any officers that I can get an LOR from. One of my letters does come from the sister unit on base of the guard unit I am applying for so I am hoping that helps some. All vouch more for my personal character and officer qualities than they do for my flying skills.

I plan on applying to multiple units because I am not 100% sure I wish to stay in the local area, although I have not applied yet. Please excuse any spelling errors I am writing this from my smart phone.

Airsupport

yeah the scores don't matter as much as you think if you are trying to get a guard spot. The pcsm and AFOQT scores really matter if you are going through officer accession and want to go through the board review process. That is where the scores really matter because that is pretty much all they have to go on. If you are trying to get into a guard unit then impressing the local people at the unit is what you need to do. Getting to know them is the best way to get in.

Mustangcbra

Yeah, I went out to the base for a drill weekend and got an informal tour of the unit. Then I was sent over to recruiting to fill out some paperwork.

Afterwards I sat around and kicked it with the guys when the day was done and has some beers with them for about 2 hours. I think that they got a good vibe off me.

It also helps that my brother was in the same unit as a F-16 crew chief back in the early 90's. None of the officers really remembered him but most of the senior enlisted guys were fond of him.

rickair7777

What he said, certainly for the Navy.

Ideally you want a letter or two from a LCDR/Major or above. if you don't know any get letters from civic leaders (professor, doctor, judge, mayor, police chief, high-level executive, etc)... if they served in the military in their youth and can tie that in, great.

There are plenty of talented, motivated applicants, but one of the things the boards have to determine is whether you have the RIGHT motivations.

You academic career is lackluster...nothing wrong with it at all, but nothing that shows above-average drive and initiative. If you have any extra-curricular or civic activities, make sure you highlight those.

Good Luck

Mustangcbra

3 of my LOR's are from past professors, one of which is the chair of the Aviation Department at WMU and a retired British Air Force officer that flew Tornados.

I would not call a 3.4 GPA in my degree lackluster, especially while working 2 jobs to pay for food and attaining my flight raitings through Commercial-Multi at the same time (not included in the degree credit program).

crewdawg

I got a spot with <3.0 GPA. I'm proof that a low GPA doesn't necessarily mean crap. You could be a 4.0 student but if the squadron can't stand to hang out with you, then your toast.

Personally I would rather take the 3.4 student that work 2 jobs and had to pay his own way thru school than the 4.0 student that did no work, but school and had mom and dad pay for everything. The time management skills of balancing jobs and school will pay big dividends in UPT. Now there are those who do work and get a 4.0, good on them, if they are a good dude, I would love to have them in the squadron. But I know that that is not always the case and can cut the dude some slack.

Goodluck

Sputnik

You asked for advice, it's pointless to argue when you don't like the advice you get and makes you look immature.

Your academic performance was lackluster. Anyone who looks at your GPA isn't going to be impressed, particularly when they note your AFOQT scores aren't very high either. Working two jobs is impressive and mitigates the GPA somewhat, hopefully that's captured in one of your LORs.

If you do get an interview, and are asked about GPA/AFOQT, hopefully you can come up with a better answer than study materials were "poorly written."