Leaderboard

The USAF under McPeak conducted a RIF (pilots excluded) and also restricted entry into the AF and into UPT and UNT. I was a T-37 IP back then and I remember how small some of the UPT classes were. I moved to PIT at Randolph and the PIT and UNT classes were very small. After McPeak retired and before I left Randolph, the USAF realized it would be short aviators and suddenly reopened the flood gates and asked RIF'd navs to come back into the AF. I specifically remember an AFPC major being quoted when asked about how does the USAF have the gall to ask RIF'd officers to return with "We will ask them to remember Service Before Self". The USAF also created an officer year-group bathtub. But, instead of promoting a higher % of officers on a normal promotion schedule, it accelerated the board cycle. I've know several very fine aviators/officers who are passed-over. I got out of the active duty as a 14 year major and joined the AFRES. I took a cut in pay, but gained much more control of my life and career. In the AFRES, a TR (traditional reservist) pilot can focus on flying/staying current and if one gets their PME complete, getting promoted to O-4/5 is pretty easy. I absolutely have no regrets joining the AFRES. It was a great part-time job. I still got to fly and be associated with a fine organization and with fine aviators, but had control over where I lived and my participation level, and my family and I were much happier. It is an excellent way to transition to civilian life, which we all are faced with eventually. Hueypilot, good luck with the transition. I'll truly be surprised if you regret your decision. I never heard a reservist pilot lament about not being in the AD. To all facing the promotion boards, good luck. If you are passed-over, I hope you are able to see that it is not a reflection of you, but a poor reflection of the USAF and of those who are responsible with the force structure. Regards, RF.

I've already made my decision...I was going to stay till 20, take the bonus and try for O-5 or retire as an O-4 if that didn't work out. Now, I'm going to apply for a position with the ARC. Sure, maybe I'd get lucky and get that DP on my PRF and make O-5, but at this point I have 19.5 years of total service (ARNG and AD AF) and I'll be damned if I wind up walking with nothing. So no bonus, but at least I'll have more factors I can control in the ARC...like staying where it matters for my family, not deploying all the damn time (after this upcoming deployment, I'll have spent 1.5 years of the past 4 years deployed while in an AETC billet), and having some kind of guaranteed reward (ie retirement) in place whether I wind up with an AGR/ART position or a traditional position. Good luck Big Blue. You guys are looking at gutting your force over the next 6-9 years.

You never did it with another person until you got the the -130? My impression of the CAF is obviously way off.

Go to a large football school in a state with a great climate and hot women. Major in something you enjoy and wouldn't mind doing if the AF thing doesn't work out. Do well in school, volunteer a bit on the side, study abroad, get your PPL, etc. Apply to a guard/reserve job flying something you think you'd like in a location you think you'd like to live in. Stay as far away from active duty as possible, but if you must, go AD via OTS. Laugh at your academy (and to a much lesser extent, ROTC) bros in UPT for how much more fun you had and yet still got to the same, if not better, place. It'll be worth the student loans.

I'll throw my 2 cents out there... I had the pleasure to go through pilot training twice...once with the Army and once with the AF. Both programs are similar in overall mindset (as opposed to Navy training) in that they run heavy on a timeline. I'm sure you've read often that a good attitude will lead to good things. That is true, and the best thing you can do is simply try your best, have a good attitude and ask questions. Don't be afraid to do that last thing...your IP won't think you're stupid for asking questions, in fact they'll be glad you care enough to ask about the things you aren't sure about. Do NOT sweat whether you're going to make it. Worrying will only degrade your performance, and just believe that if it's meant to be, it's meant to be. Focus on the phase of training you are in, don't get caught up worrying about the next year's worth of tasks or else you'll feel overwhelmed. Just take it one day at a time, and before you know it you'll be finishing Phase I, Phase II and Phase III just like that. Don't get caught up in class rankings, who's better than who, etc. Just realize that everyone who graduates gets to wear the same wings. Don't show up wanting to only fly one type of airplane. Show up prepared to fly ANY airplane. If you have that attitude, you'll stress less and you'll be happier with the outcome. Have a few choices from each track as your goal. Nothing like watching the "fighter-or-bust" types practically cry on track select night because they got a T-1. Me personally...I liked the A-10, C-17 and C-130...those were my top picks in each track (I had already flown helos so I didn't necessarily have a top pick for that track). Either way, whatever track I went, I had a goal to work towards. In the end, I put T-38s third, only because I had already flown helicopters and thus put them last. At some point in Phase II, you'll decide for yourself if you'd rather be a fighter guy or a heavy guy...there were several that arrived at the start wanting to fly Vipers, Eagles, etc, and by track select were saying "screw that stuff" and opted for heavies. Bottom line...arrive with a good attitude and ready to fly any aircraft the USAF assigns you to, even if it's an E-3. I'd rather fly AWACS than sit at a desk with the other shoe clerks, trust me on that. Having an open mind and a good attitude will reduce your stress level and you'll actually be able to ENJOY pilot training! It's a fun, yet very busy year. Nothing they teach is rocket science, but there's a lot of stuff to absorb. Finally, just accept that a small number of people aren't going to be cut out to do it, and if you're one of them, then that's just the way it is. Give it 100% and if they wash you out, well at least you can say you tried your best. If you have that mindset, you won't stress every time you fly or do a stand up. Anyways, hope this helps some of you!