MUAviator

So I am about to graduate this May with a degree in Aviation Management/ Flight Operations with my Private, Instrument, and Commercial ratings, BUT my grades and GPA isn't my greatest since a bunch of core classes I hated didn't go so well. I been thinking about joining the military, but I'm told that its very competitive in the Air Force and Navy to get a flight spot, so I was looking into the Air National Guard. Does anyone know if its just as difficult to fly for them or any other branch of the military? If I'm not able to get a flight spot I want to at least be able to work on planes.

Adlerdriver

It sounds like you need to do some more research and improve your basic understanding of the military.
Get an understanding of the paths available to become an officer in the military vs. those to enlist. Training/education requirements to become an officer and pilot vs. those required to "work on planes".

Try "baseops" and use the search function as a starter. Baseops Military Aviation Forums

Seems like wiki might even help.

Poor grades are going to be an issue no matter which path you attempt. ANG is by no means an easier route to a set of wings. Attaining any pilot training slot will be extremely competitive.

Good luck.

splash333

Well what is your gpa, I think if you've a 2.5 you apply for a pilot slot in the air force. First thing you should do is head over to airforceots.com there's lots of info about applying to ots. Also are you interested in only pilot, or other flying jobs too, in the airforce you can apply as a cso (old navigator), and in the navy marines you can apply as a nfo naval flight officer.

First you have to determine what your goals are, now there are 4 main flying branches, AF, Navy, Marines, and Army flying choppers. If you just want to fly then apply to all and see what happens, even with a low gpa. I know if you are interested in flying rotor wing the army has a very high civilian selection rate right now for their WOFT program (U.S. Army Recruiting Command's Warrant Officer Recruiting Information Site). You don't even need a degree to apply. You would be extremely competitive for that if your interested based on you degree and flight ratings.

Lastly I don't know how old you are, but it's always possible to enlist in the air force, then in 2 or 3 years apply to ots. There are some cool enlisted flying jobs, lopadmaster, boom operator. If you tell us more about your goals I can give you better info

MUAviator

My gpa is a 2.4. I know ****ty. I really just want to fly but if I dont qualify ill do anything to be involved with planes, but I would prefer flying since it is what I mostly put my life in debt for.
ADLER: thanks ill look into the link.
SPLASH: my gpa is above and im turning 22 in a month. And graduate in 2 months so Im trying to figure out what to do with my life. Its hard to find jobs with low time (around 250TT when grad.), and I understand its probably just as hard to get a flight spot in the military,
Is there any way of being guaranteed a flight spot or would i have to enlist or go straight to officer school? I want to speak to recruiters but everyone tells me they'll tell you anything to get you in.

splash333

Yes there is a way to be guaranteed a flight slot going in. I am in a similar situation as you, I'm 23 & have a degree and have looked at the various opportunities offered by the different branches. Like I said above if you have any interest in flying helicopters check out the link to army woft above. They had something like a 67% selection rate last year for civilians, since they don't require a degree you should have a leg up especially with civilian flight time on top of your degree. Basically you put together a package, go before a board, and if selected off to flight school.
If you are interested in the airforce you might need a gpa waiver, I don't know much about that but if you did good on the afoqt I assume you could get one. The way it works for civilians is you can apply to what is called a rated board, there are two a year. You can apply for pilot, cso, uav pilot, and air battle manager. You can apply for one or all and list your preferences. If your selected you go to officer training school, then pilot training or cso training, ect. BTW the last rated board had like a 69% selection rate (http://www.rs.af.mil/recruiteronline...p?id=123291224). Now is actually not a bad time to apply. See a recruiter and tell them you want to apply. Also, your young so you could always enlist in the air force if there's a job you like and then apply to become an officer in a few years once you build up some experience.

MUAviator

by taking that test I wouldn't be signing myself away right? It's just to see if I qualify for officer school? And if I dont get accepted I basically just enlist as someone would right out of high school, having a college degree doesn't mean anything when your enlisting?

MUAviator

and would you or anyone who reads this thread know anything about being a pilot for the air national guard? From what I'm told the only difference is with the guard your within your state?

brian434

For the Guard you must apply with each unit that you are considering. Many have one or two boards a year. The key to getting selected with the Guard is to get to know the guys and gals you'll be working with. That being said anything enlisted person that is already at the base with a degree has a leg up.

MUAviator

thanks. So I would apply to a unit..and would I be enlisting and then apply for officer school? or would I be going to officer school if Im eligible.

Jetjok

Yes and no. Yes, you would be enlisting and no, you wouldn't be "applying" for officer school, at least not until you get selected for a flying slot in that unit. Either that, or you might apply for other officer (non-flying) slots that may be available. Then, you would be sent to OCS to get commissioned. And finally, you'd be scheduled for Undergraduate Pilot Training. Then, upon getting your wings, you'd most probably be sent to follow-on training in your unit's aircraft. At least that's how it has worked in the past.

JJ