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Well I am 32 so I took the longest possible route to the AF and then some. Basically the process of applying to AFRC and ANG is the same - you take the same tests (AFOQT/TBAS), same physicals (MEPS and FC1). You put together a similar application package and send it off to the units you are interested in. Doesn't matter what state you are in. I've interviewed at ANG and AFRC units and that is basically the same as well. Really the only difference in the hiring process is that with ANG your package gets submitted to the guard bureau for approval and with AFRC your package gets submitted to the reserve board - in both cases after the unit sponsors you.

This is correct. When I did my FC1 recently, 100% of the many ROTC cadets that were there were going to RPA's and they were happy about it because their other colleagues were being sent into non-flying related fields. If I was still in college I would never even consider ROTC based on that one fact alone. Instead, just apply to guard/reserve and get the plane and location you like.

The AFRC squadron I got hired by has a former marine helo pilot. I don't know anything about the process other than to say it is possible based on the limited sample size.

In my experience you can contact whoever is processing pilot applications (usually a pilot doing that), and they will tell you what time is good to show up. Sometimes they will pick you up at the gate and show you around for the day, or will coordinate to get you a base pass and tell you what time is good to get there. For me it varied from having lunch and talking to folks for a couple hours, all the way to making it a whole weekend event.

I'm going Reserve: March 2012 - AFOQT/TBAS June 2015 - MEPS Physical Sept 2015 - Interviewed Sept 2015 - Offered Job March 2016 - FC1 June 2016 - AFRC sponsored application submitted August 2016 - Enlisted Jan 2017 - OTS IFS - Exempt UPT - ???

This is great advice. I got 6 letters of recommendation and 3 or 4 of them were really good. One of my professional colleagues who I was counting on to write a great letter ended up writing a 2 sentence letter and spelled my name wrong. It was nice to be able to toss that one out.

So the general consensus: ANG or AFRC = mostly good, AD = mostly crap. Did I get that right?

I've also seen enlisted guys hanging out at units not in uniform as well. Maybe it depends on the unit.

This topic is relevant to my interests.

Good topic. Seems a lot of the input here is geared towards AD. I know UPT is going to be hard regardless, but would your advice change at all for a Reservist going through the program to be a tanker pilot? And by that, I mean not having the pressure of trying to edge out the competition to get that fighter slot. I am going to UPT in the near future a couple hours from home. My wife will stay in our current house and works full time, is pretty independent, working on a masters degree, and is 100% supportive. Also we've been married 8 years so being preoccupied for a couple years probably isn't going to adversely impact the same way as a new couple. I'd like to visit home on weekends more often than not since it is such a short trip, although UPT is the priority. Does this sound pretty workable or am I being totally naive? Also I would appreciate any input on what to expect in terms of additional pay, such as housing allowance, separation pay, or whatever else would be provided if I live in the dorms and still have a wife in a house out of town.

They called me about 3 weeks ago (a week before I enlisted) asking if I can attend OTS in 3 weeks (meaning this week or so). That seems incredibly hasty. I reminded them that I hadn't even enlisted yet and don't have a security clearance yet. The next available OTS class, they said, was in January so that's what I'm signed up for. So yes, it sounds like they are/were trying to push people through who had all their paperwork already in order.

Again, don't panic. I am 32 and still got selected! However, if you can get hired before turning 28.5 it will make life a bit easier for you since age waivers can be a little iffy. Verify with your recruiter but I'm still pretty sure you can apply to the unsponsored board (if they keep having them) without an FC1. Everyone I personally know who got picked up by the unsponsored board last year did the FC1 after being selected. Try to get hired that way so at least you get into the pipeline before 30 and you will have all throughout UPT to try to find a until to pick you up. Of course, if you do get a sponsor, then you are in even better shape. You have a very workable situation, just try to have the right attitude. Also regarding your recruiter - they (usually) don't seem to lie intentionally, but since things are always in flux it seems they very often have outdated or incorrect info. Also, keep in mind that Officer Accessions recruiters are working on application packages for doctors, layers, and other general officer applicants, so be mindful that their job is not really pilot-centric. It is really up to you to do your due diligence on everything. In my case I only dealt with a recruiter because they are required at certain parts of the process to push paperwork through. In a number of cases I just went around the recruiter and did things myself. She was not happy about that but I got it done.

My understanding was that unsponsored candidates don't go to WP until after they are picked up by the unsponsored board. So you can probably apply to the unsponsored board without an FC1. Regarding unit sponsorship, usually it takes a unit about 2 weeks after the interview to offer a job to their preferred candidates, meaning unless you are interviewing in less than 2 weeks from today (and you would know by now if that was the case), it is not going to happen. My advice - don't freak out. Apply to the unsponsored board this November, otherwise try to get a sponsorship and apply to the June 2017 board. I was in a similar situation 1 year ago and got sponsored in mid-September, but you guessed it - I didn't do my FC1 until March so I applied to the June 2016 board and got selected that way.

Yes feel free to PM me! I had almost forgotten about the ART deal - the 6 year ART was probably going to be a deal breaker for me. Fortunately I got confirmation from multiple levels that it won't apply to me as a June 2016 board selectee, but it seems that it will become mandatory starting in November. So if that is a problem for you then Guard may be a better way to go.

Lots of reasons. I got to pick a location, squadron, and air frame that I liked. I like that as a Reservist active duty can't just decide to give me an RPA or a desk job. Also, schedule flexibility. I am an entrepreneur and rely on my civilian work to pay the bills. I only want to be a pilot for the experience and to be a part of the mission, not to make money, have a full time job, or get benefits, so by going Reserve I can avoid a lot of the things I don't want to deal with. It also lets me stay put and not have to move every few years.

This is wrong on many (maybe all) accounts. It is extremely competitive for any manned air frame and from my experience interviewing at guard and reserve units for a few years it seemed pretty similar. Also from what I've heard, trying to switch units early on is a great way to screw yourself over. I've heard of people getting kicked out of training and blacklisted for attempting that so be careful. Also I also thought that the Reserve route would be faster, and maybe it is for some, but for me it ended up being 16 months from unit sponsorship to OTS.

Active duty and RPA are two things I have zero interest in. Reserve and manned are two things I have total interest in. Choice is easy for me but I guess everyone is different.

This is great advice. Also don't say anything stupid that will disqualify you. One guy in my FC1 group complained about having a migraine and they gave him the boot right that moment. The look on his face when his dreams instantly came crashing down was sad to see happen. Also, visit the museum BEFORE you get your eyes dilated which usually happens on Tuesday. I went afterwards and couldn't see anything. I tried to take some photos that I could look at later and they all came out blurry. Go figure.

Abandon thread.

Good deal man. As for getting a unit to "like you", just start rushing (visiting) units that you are interested in and see if you are a good fit for them (and vice versa). Even if they aren't a good fit you might meet people who can point you in the direction of a unit who might be willing to work with you. That's how it worked out for me, and I couldn't be happier. Regardless, study up and try to ace the test next time around. Good luck!

And to clarify my inquiry, until recently I heard of people being able to fill out their UPT base "dream sheet" so to speak, with most preferred to least preferred base and they generally got what they wanted although in some cases it was luck of the draw. Does that still exist?

Funny enough I actually want to go to Laughlin because its very close to home! Will my proximity to the base increase my chances of going there?

Keep in mind it is a memo that you have to sign. So don't sign the memo and it doesn't apply.

I understand there used to be a process for this but now everything is coordinated through the 340FTS and things may have changed. Does anybody know how to request a specific base for UPT?

You need 68 more hours to get to the magic number they are looking for.