Apply to as many units as your can(Guard and Reserve). Some units may have more applicants than others. I see guard and reserve guys get picked up fast for airlines thanks to their military experience.

Plus lets be real. Would you rather build time air dropping humvees into country, flying formation with 3 other F-15s, or teaching college kids how to do power-on stalls in a Cessna 152?

 

As a SQ/ DO, I sent maybe 20 guys and gals to UPT. Everyone is at, or very competitive for a legacy job. They are IP/SEFEs with several thousand hours of heavy jet time and lots of networking. I doubt anyone who went thru ATP and is at a regional is even close to being hired. At least 10 of those guys and gals are at majors or legacies.

No, the criteria is the same, but the ANG is somewhat more willing to pursue waivers. Rush some units, take the physical and let THEM say no, don't self-eliminate by listening to online posters with no medical knowledge.

GF

 

I have a slight curvature in my spine that prevented me from enlisting in the Navy, so it isn't one that can be cured. I was just wondering if the guard or reserves had less rigorous medical criteria?

 

the navy has the less stringent standards than the other branches. if you reported it in meps and they know then you are probably screwed. so how does atp sound now huh

 

Somebody urinate in your Cheerios this morning?

 

are you saying he seriously has a chance at being a military pilot with a screwed up back? if this is true please enlighten me

 

Slight scoliosis is not disqualifying for a flight physical. They will X-Ray your back for your initial and let you know. There is no difference in medical standards between the reserve component and active duty.

 

Thanks for the answers! I'm probably going to research it a bit more and give it one more go.

 

Do you....like movies about gladiators?

 

Yes, it's possible. It's possible that the test was performed wrong, or it might be waiverable. The doctors and techs don't care at all if you pass or fail a test. You're just a number to them. You are your only advocate (and maybe your unit if Guard).

During my first flight physical before going to OTS (not the MEPs physical) I failed an eyesight test. I was devastated but did some research, got ahold of the AFI for the test (thanks to baseops.net and Dr Google).

The tech had performed the test incorrectly. All my recruiter cared about was trying to get me to accept another job. I asked him to set up another test. On the second test I was very prepared, I knew the exact range of acceptable numbers and how the test should be performed.

This time an AF eye Doctor performed the test. He also performed the test wrong. I pointed out his mistake and he read ministered the test. When he got the results he said "you failed". I asked him "what were the numbers?". He said "it doesn't matter there terrible". "What were the numbers" I asked again. He gave me the numbers and they were within limits for my age range. I pointed this out and he said "well I guess you passed, but these numbers are terrible". "Yeah, well I passed and that's what matters".

Bottom line, if I hadn't pushed this myself I wouldn't have gotten in. I've met lots of people who say "I wanted to be an Air Force pilot, but couldn't because of x problem" usually the problem they had wasn't really an issue, but I don't point that out unless they are young and still have a shot. The difference between them an me is that I didn't accept the "no" until I had exhausted all options.

Again, nobody cares about these tests as much as you do, so you have to fight for yourself.