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Just one thing to keep in mind. I saw people wash out of the process by getting medically DQ'ed at their FC1. So it is possible that you could enlist, apply to be a pilot, selected, and then still wash out. The people I've seen hired probably were about 50% enlisted / 50% civilian. Some units seem to hire only one or the other, while other did a mix. There doesn't seem to be a magic formula. Just do what you think is best.

Not sure I understand the question - but ANG/AFRC go to the same OTS as active duty. But I guess if you go to ROTC or Academy you get to skip OTS and commission directly. I'd rather put up with 2 months of OTS than 4 years of ROTC, but that's just me.

Most squadrons have a hiring board about once a year.

That is true but it is not entirely a bad thing. I am probably a prime example of that. I started thinking about it seriously in my mid 20's, took my TBAS/AFOQT when I was 26, had a few interviews from age 26 thru 29, and then hit an age wall and pretty much gave up on it. Two years later I woke up and said screw that and started applying again and actually managed to get hired with an age waiver. So yeah, it took me about 6 years to get hired. That is definitely NOT the norm though - most of those years were during sequestration when it was close to impossible to get hired, and then my age situation caused a big paperwork delay on top of that. Most people seem to have a PPL but it is not required. I think if you just have a few flight hours it will demonstrate that you do have the interest. I've seen people with between 0 and 3000 hours get hired. Applying for a pilot slot will always be competitive, whether it is Academy, ROTC, or AFRC/ANG. So there is no easy route, but I think AFRC/ANG will give you the highest chances of accomplishing your overall goals.

Since I opened this thread again I figured I'd provide some input. I was naive about the process even into my mid 20's when I started thinking about it more seriously. I recently got selected by AFRC but had considered other options along the way. Based on what I've seen other people experience, and based on what I've read here, I've come up with the following general conclusions. Take what I say with a grain of salt because I'm not commissioned yet: If you go ROTC, you will basically putting all your faith in being in that percentage of cadets that get selected for pilot training. It can happen, but if it doesn't you're stuck for a number of years doing something else. Also if you go ROTC, or if you apply to an AD pilot board down the road you still have to be a part of active duty. Some of my friends went AD and hated it, and a lot of people on these forums recommend against AD. AFRC/ANG totally puts the ball in your court. Your chances of being a pilot are basically 100% if you can get a unit to hire you, and like you said, you can do other civilian stuff on the side. And you get to pick a squadron, mission, and location that you like. In the wise words of the chief pilot of my squadron: "You do what you want". But in my circumstances, Guard or Reserve were really the only appealing options. One added stat, when I did my FC1 physical a few months ago, 100% of the ROTC cadets that were there were selected for the RPA mission. So honestly I would not put myself at the mercy of ROTC. It is great that you're thinking about it now. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Did my hilarious response get deleted?

Can I please contact a lifeline?

Words are made up. Definitions don't exist. Same for genders, supposedly.

I appreciate the input - and funny thing you mentioned the temper-pedic mattress, I bought one yesterday in hopes that it will help out and it gets delivered in a couple days. After testing it out I realized how shitty my mattress at home is. I even ordered a CPAP machine that I get this week as well. I'm not familiar with melotonin but maybe I need to look into it. I am trying these things behind the scenes to see what works so that I can succeed. However, in the meantime I am trying to get advice on here and elsewhere in case I need a plan B if I do have an issue. You're right man, I have an awesome thing set up here and its all I ever wanted - just a little concerned with this recent situation.

So I could use your input - what do you think the possibility is of getting a waiver for sleep apnea after enlisting in the AFRC, but before in processing with the 340th? Since i haven't actually been trained in anything yet I suspect they will want to just cut me loose before they have in investment in me. I have been seeking the guidance of some other folks as well - their assessment was that if I do have a potential DQ'ing medical condition (recruiter suggested it as well), that it might be best to get a DEP discharge before going on orders to in-process with the 340th, and if I show up to the 340th and get DQ'ed there I could already be on the hook for some other type of other non-deploying enlisted or officer commitment. I'm starting to feel like I'm playing with fire here. Any suggestions?

Well I got bumped back a couple months to clear a minor health snafu that has come up. So maybe see some of you guys around March or so?

Sounds like you are going to make a great contribution.

I'm getting a sleep study done this week but doctor thinks its very likely sleep apnea.

I was just being facetious - I actually do appreciate the input. And you're right in a lot of ways - often times attitude is everything.

Ok, I guess I'll go and find a teddy bear and a pretty dress. Thanks, I feel better already.

I got that in high school from my hot girlfriend at the time but that was over 10 years ago. That got resolved over a couple weeks but I've had this fatigue for a few months.

Is this a DQ condition? I can get tested for that fairly quickly. It would be good to know. I just googled the symptoms and I have all of them except for irregular periods!

According to my wife I seem to sleep just fine.

Yeah man I thought the same. I took a week off and went on a cruise and then chilled for a couple days when I got back. Lots of great beverages involved too. It didn't help me. I don't want to get DQ'ed obviously, but if I know about it before in-processing I could get a DEP discharge right away, otherwise I could be on the hook for a non-flying gig. Best to hear the bad news now and possibly get a waiver or being able to make a decision before having an obligation. Hopefully everything is okay. I just got myself scheduled for a thyroid screening tomorrow. The clinic I go to is ex-military pilots and doctors so they are cool about it fortunately. You might be right about the stress situation though. I currently run a local consulting firm and it is pretty demanding - I think doing that for years has taken a toll me on. However, I anticipate OTS and UPT to be even more demanding so I want to make sure I'm ready. Thanks for your input!

Hey guys. So here's the deal. I passed my FC1 with flying colors back in March and felt great. Started experiencing a chronic fatigue situation maybe around June and enlisted in August with the expectation that with some rest and a healthy lifestyle I could shake the fatigue situation off before heading to OTS in January. Well that hasn't happened so I've had to bump my OTS date back a couple months and now I'm under pressure to get it resolved. I've had some additional testing done and doctors can't find anything wrong with me but I feel like I got hit by a truck. Doctors have stated that it isn't really uncommon but often times it is not a diagnosable condition, and it really puts doubts in my head about succeeding as a military pilot and officer for the next 12 years. Regardless of military, I still need to get this sorted out. Have any of you encountered a health situation like this? Any recommendations for dealing with a health concern like this?

Another one to consider is the 188th Wing for the Arkansas ANG. I'm not sure if they still send you to UPT, but probably not - I've heard varying things from different people.

I know this topic is taboo but I would like to know. Of course I am planning on great success but it will be good to know what the implications are if any of the above happen in the training pipeline, rather than be naive to the situation and have something unexpected come up if there is a situation. Do the Reserves basically decide what they get to do with you? If you drop before inprocessing are your just out of the system? If you have issues at OTS are you just a Reserve staff sergeant for a few years? If you wash out of UPT can you essentially just pack it up and go home or will they assign you another job? Just curious. Thanks!

Just curious...

Oops!

My scores were nearly identical to yours so you are good to go! In fact I'd say you are quite a bit above average. Do well on TBAS if you haven't taken it yet. That test is pretty easy if you know what to study for but can screw you over if you are unprepared.