You guys have any advice on the viper unit out of Fresno. I'm 24 just got on with an airline and have 2 years left in college. What do you guys recommend I do to help get me in the door for F-16's?

Fresno isn't an F-16 unit any more, they now have Eagles. Don't know if that changes your plans or not...

Finish your degree. Enlist in the unit. Make sure you can pass the USAF flight physical and fit test. Get to know some of the pilots in the unit. Have a clean background. Have a good personality and a firm handshake. Be a type A. Know what you are getting into i.e. being a pilot in a combat airframe in the USAF. Understand what training is required and what your military commitment entails. Know what airframe a unit flies before you apply. Be willing to move anywhere and join any unit that offers you a pilot slot. Keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut at OTS and UPT. Learn how to talk with your hands. Start referring to your head as cranium. Learn how to blame everyone else but yourself.

Ok, the last 3 are only half serious.

Start with #1.

Oh, and if you do get in the unit, and get an ART job, don't do an active duty day and Technician day simultaneously - you will end up in prison.

Are you at Skypest? First things first, finish that degree. Take AFOQT and TBAS about 6 months prior to graduation..

Also, go to baseops.com and read everything. Literally research every inch of the UPT process. Know what you're getting into.

If you get below 85 pilot on the AFOQT, you may as well forget about it. Especially for vipers. Just my .02. I was on a board for a while.

Doesn't change my plans at all the eagle is an amazing airframe!

That's awesome advise will do!

What's an ART job?

Yeah I'm at Skypest haha that's funny. How'd you know? Are there any study materials I can get ahead of time to make sure I get above an 85 on the test.

"Air Reserve Technician" - The guys that work full-time at the Squadron.

He's referring to a recent event where the Fresno Unit got slapped pretty hard in the various NorCal newspapers a few years ago for double-dipping on pay, Commanders fired.

'Double-dipping' probe targets Air National Guard pilots in Fresno - National Guard - The Sacramento Bee


Probably a sore spot you don't want to bring up in an interview

Thanks I'll take a look, and yeah I'll totally stay clear of this topic.