You've got the right idea by calling it a privilege. Now, listen up. Don't (mess) this up. You've been given the opportunity of a lifetime. You, my friend, have hit the lottery. But your work is just beginning. DO NOT get lazy. Do not get complacent. Do not get cocky. You will get kicked in the nu*s daily over the next 24 months. Then, when you achieve exalted title of F-16 pilot, you will get kicked in the nu*s and a** daily for the following 24 months. Everything you do in UPT will get reported back to your unit. By the time you graduate, your unit will know everything about you. By the time you finish Luke, your unit will know everything about your family. Have I made myself clear? Focus, focus, focus. You've been given the opportunity of a lifetime. Actually, I should say you've EARNED the opportunity of a lifetime. Finish it. Good luck and congratulations.

 

Thanks Bunk, oddly enough the day I got a phone call for an interview to the FW, was the day I got a phone call getting rejected from the Navy. It's a great deal, you're right - now's the hard part... trying not to screw it all up.

I think you were right with the 'given' - there were a lot of high rollin' resumes in there, far better than mine - some really great guys. It's an amazing opportunity, but anything can happen over the next 3 years. I've screwed up a lot of things in my life before - this isn't going to be one of them - no matter what it takes.

 

Just out of curiosity, you wanna share some of your stats? Major, GPA, flight time, etc? If yours wasn't the sweetest resume of the group, what made you stand out?

 

< 3.0 GPA
arrested before
decent test scores


...not sure the stats matter a whole lot, other than whatever gets you in the door for the interview - every unit is different, guess they want to see if you're going to fit in with everyone...

I'm pretty lucky to have gotten the interview in the first place... let alone the spot. I'm just trying not to screw it up from here to there.

Just be yourself when you go, it sounds like no special insight - it was the advice given to me from others who have gotten spots.... it works.

 

Congrats Ryan!!! That's awesome news!

 

Cool man, thanks for sharing.

Have you got any thoughts about what you'll do for your civilian job, or are you going to be AGR/ART?

Best of luck in training! You're really living the dream!

 

This is the right attitude. A good attitude will get you a long way in training!

Congrats Ryan...good choice on the Guard! The next 2-2.5 years are going to be a blast! Pilot training = the most fun I would never want to have again. Luke = the most fun I would give anything to live over, and over, and over again.

Goodluck!

 

That screams Naval Aviator Our loss, ANG gain. Again, Good Luck!!!

 

Congrats! You are on the road to a great adventure. Enjoy it. The next couple of years will be some of the toughest and most enjoyable times of your life! FLY, FIGHT, WIN!

 

Thanks guys for the encouragement. It sure is a great thing to have a chance to serve.. and follow a tradition of great aviators.