Take care of all the admin, ATP, Class 1, etc. Apply to all your first choices, then some second choices, then some nonflying work that lets you fly with reserves. Update every month.

Join a reserve VR or VT squadron! Network. No hiring boom ahead but a wave is certainly coming, you can see the edge of it now.

Or go be a shooter or aide then go be a DH. Either way no looking back so don't!

Best
D7

I'd say to hang in there and keep positive. I'm in a similar boat that you are in...maybe slightly behind. E-6 and now C-26 background. I'll have around 2000 total (not including multipliers), 1200 multi engine pic, and 350-400 IP time checking out.

Like others have mentioned...I'm just trying to focus in getting all the wickets checked off and ready to go. I'm also trying to build up a little war chest of cash to prepare for when the paychecks stop coming in.

Although there is some valuable information and gouge at these forums...I feel like I have to take some of it with a grain of salt. There's always going to be the doom and gloom poster or guy who claims he got screwed over despite the reality of him being an idiot.

My biggest issue will be the networking game...but I plan on applying selres when dropping my letter and hopefully that will help out.

Sure it feels like jumping out of the plane with no parachute...but it's what I want to do and I don't want to kick myself one day passing on a great potential opportunity by playing it safe and taking the forbidden fruit just to get to 20. Not saying there's anything wrong with that :D just not for me.

I have buds too, but they all got hired before 9/11...unless they were hired recently just because they work there doesn't mean they have full SA on the hiring process as it stands today. Of course any LORs will be a huge help...

This is true. Most of my guard buddies were hired back in the day when a 1500hr mil dude git to pick where he wanted to go. No one did interview prep. Times were different. No one has been hired from my squadron since 2008. And before that, 2001.

Happy to help. 2 for 3 at major interviews and 2 for 3 at plan B. Not an expert( Aaron at EC is) but just spent two years making it happen. It can be done.

Also a Navy guy...

The only choice is to remain optimistic. This process is tough. I've applied to all the legacies, majors/nationals, most regionals, and Fed Ex. Only one regional has called for an interview, which is where I'm working now.

2300 hour TT, 1900 hour fighter IP/FE, regional FO, service academy grad, MBA, 5+ recs at UA and DL, interview prep complete, recent attendance at WAI and OBAP.

Is that all? :D

Put on a guard/reserve/selres parachute, and jump.

Yeah, I know... I hate posting my résumé. It always reeks of desperate self promotion.

My point is there are a lot of us mil folks filling every square possible to be competitive but aren't getting much traction right now. Based on a few bros, the guys I've met through APC, and the job conferences, the job hunt is feast or famine. Stay optimistic and keep filling the squares because the call will come.

The wait really stinks, though.

Highly recommend! I'm wearing mine all month.