Laxrox43

Hey all,

I have been batting around the idea of enlisting in the USAF for over a year now. I only have a 2 year degree. Would it be advisable to enlist now, (hopefully become an ATC) have Uncle Sam help me pay for the rest of my Bachelor degree, then apply for OTS, and then flight school. How do you all feel about this? Is this a good goal, or is it even feesable?

Let me know Ladies and Gents,
Lax

surreal1221

Sure, go for it. . . if you are willing to roll the dice and get lucky, or lose control of your professional progression, sure why not.

Seriously, I'm coming up on the end of my first enlistment. It's been an interesting journey, but somedays. . . more than most, I regret the decision. Thankfully I haven't had to deploy and be away from my family, but it's not the Air Force I was raised up in. Totally different ball game these days.

ATC slots are tough to get, but be patient, and hold out. Make sure you have a recruiter with atleast an ounce of integrity. Do not forget for a second it is their job to get you into the Air Force. . . not Into the Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller. Over the next couple of years, only 250 ATC slots will be allocated for new trainees. This includes crosstrainee's with time in service already.

But anyways. . . like I said. Don't forget it is the recruiters job to get you into the Air Force. He/She will wine and dine you and give you a lot of kool-aid. Be tough, stay on point, and don't swallow too much of the red stuff.

CRJ-200

What happens if you don't get the job? Do they just stick you somewhere else, or do you get to pick what you're going to try for next?

surreal1221

If you don't get the job you want, don't take anything else. Until you sign on the dotted line, you are still your own person. Once you sign, and take a job, unless you are in DEP (Delayed Enlistment Program), you can not back out.

So, if you don't get the job you wanted. They will provide you with a list of jobs that you can pick. You can then select one of those jobs, or go in Open General (DO NOT DO THAT!!!!!1?!?!?!). Open General means, you ship out to basic training, without a job, and they assign you one.

If you get a job you don't want, don't take it. Do not think for a second that the military is your only choice.

Taylor

Have you thought about finishing your four year degree then applying to the Reserve/Guard? How about ROTC? Both would be options to get you in a position to apply as a pilot much faster than enlisting would. My two cents...if you want to be a pilot in the AF then do what you need to do to be a pilot. If you want to be ATC then do that. I know you are using the ATC as a means to an end, but enlisting would delay that awhile. By the time you finish boot camp and training it will be the better part of two years. You'd still need to finish a bachelors degree so add another two (if you are deployed then even longer). Do the ROTC thing and you'd ready to start pilot training in about two years. If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

Laxrox43

I was thinking more about it today, and I was thinking of continuing my education - Getting the 4 year degree. I was also looking at the AFROTC to 'help' me pay for the rest of it with scholarships.

The only thing with that, is I have Asthma. ("sports induced") I have only had one outbreak in my life where I had to see a doctor. This was once in High School. For AFROTC it said that I cannot have a 'history' of Asthma from the age of 12 forward. Would this DQ me for JUST ROTC, or would it DQ me for being a pilot alltogether. I have not had a problem with my Asthma since then. This was about 4 years ago now (Holy crap!...time flies...)

Let me know what you think Taylor, and anyone else that can tell me straight up.

I REALLY want to fly...the USAF has been a dream for a while now...

Scott 'Gunny' P

Want to... desire is the biggest driving factor in your success. My path was from an enlisted Marine to a USAF pilot.... I paid for my own college and competed with the general pool applying for UPT.... made it a career and am not unhappy with my choices.

If it were me in the shoes you described... I would finish my degree on my own (going in as an enlisted man will cost at least 2-3 years, no garruntee's that you will be picked up for OTS)... owe nothing to AFROTC... the competition for the pilot slots in ROTC is greater than that in the general pool. I would get my pilots license... if not a Private then at least a Sport Pilot... a must to be competitive... even if you do the ROTC route. When you do the flight physical admit nothing... let the doctors find what they find... be in very good condition when you go.

Good luck.

Taylor

Like Scott said above, if you can afford to go to college pay for it and then go get a pilot slot. There is a whole lot of information out there on this subject. If you need specifics on where to get it-PM me. Bottom line...there are many ways to get a pilot slot. If you want to go active duty then I would in order of preference:

Finish college on my own (assuming that money is not a huge factor) then apply for OTS.

ROTC-have someone else pay for college but risk not being a pilot if you aren't selected.

Visit www.baseops.net go to the forums section and do a search under asthma. You should be able to get a good idea if ashma will be a disqualifer or not for you. One qestion for you. Whose hiring pool are you in?

Taylor

Starlifter

Don't forget the Guard and Reserves! time and time again this option is overlooked. Usually we find out about it AFTER we've signed the bottom line and are on Active Duty going though training with a Guardsman or Reservist.

Good Luck,
Lifter

Laxrox43

Taylor,

Did a search on baseops, and then some google research. What I need to have done is what is called the Methacoline Challenge Test. It is quite interesting, actually. I left a message with my AME back home requesting information on where to get one of these done, because it did not specify where to get one of these tests done. Hopefully I can get this done before I turn 22, because then I will have insurance coverage from my Dad that will pay for it - or most of it. After passing this test (knock on wood) I will be elegible for the AF Airman's Medical.

Cross your fingers and your toes boys...I hope that it works out

Lax