O Face

More great games today!! God, I love rivalry weekend.

They look really in tough, again. I keep trying to hate Bennett, but he just keeps on kickin everyone’s ass… a ruthless defense never hurts either.

Another great, classic team remembering that they’re supposed to be good at this game! Nebraska however…

How great was Gameday in Montana last weekend?! -7F when it started I believe.

I’m with ya on the FCS playoffs. Baby steps I suppose, not to mention ensuring the continued smashing success of the New Mexico bowl.

Well if we’re going to have a conversation going about soccer, for the love of God we should have at least one for this year’s college football season! It’s been a hell of a great year. Lots of upsets, surprisingly close games, and some old power houses awakening from their slumber and making some waves again (UT, USC, etc) and the “playoff” not including Alabama or Clemson and including TCU?! I wasn’t too excited about the transfer portal initially, however, I think it has led to some extra excitement. And speaking of playoffs, can we get a 12 team bracket now, please?

Well, sounds like you’ve been shaking the trees for sure. Keep after it. I’m not sure why you haven’t been able to schedule another AFOQT though. It’s not like there’s a limited number of tests to hand out to people. Only limit is the twice a guy can take it. You’ve only done it once, correct? Maybe call your nearest Active Duty Officer recruiter and tell them you’d like to schedule it? As far as the unit bailing on your interview after inviting you already, that’s pretty weak. It’s their prerogative, but I certainly would have given you an explanation at least. Do you have any other disqualifying conditions such as physical limitations, arrest record, drug use, etc? Maybe go get that hockey mullet trimmed up a bit? Other than that, keep after those Officer recruiters and get those scores up. It’s too easy to say no when one has shitty scores. Finally, like I stated earlier, consider enlisting, as a flyer, in a heavy unit. You’re not going to find a bigger advantage out there - assuming you’re a good dude that they like to fly with.

@JohnClark In addition to everything @Khruangbin33 said, allow me to shed a bit of light on the ANG hiring process and maybe this will help you out as well. First, everyone reads about current Pilot shortages and military recruiting target shortfalls and believes that it must apply across the board - it doesn’t. ANG UPT slots are very finite. We’re talking 1 or possibly 2 per year for a unit. (There’s been a few instances of more, but there’s way more examples of less). So when a unit announces a hiring board, they receive hundreds of applications for that 1 or 2 slots. Thus, the unit can be extremely selective. The next step is to whittle the applicants down to a manageable number of interviews. This is where your application is getting stuffed in the “NO” pile. Your very low AFOQT scores coupled with your age, and the fact that you’re not a known quantity make you an easy kill. Don’t feel too badly, as you have plenty of company. ANG units do not have the funding to dedicate a large amount of manpower to this pilot selection process full time. Consequently, the Squadron Commander/Chief Pilot is going to instruct those reviewing applications to only invite people with high scores, no waivers, low age, etc. to an interview. Now comes the subjective part. Units will often make exceptions for people with lower scores or require an age waiver, etc if they know them and their work ethic - ie Loadmasters, Boom Operators, Crew Chiefs, or possibly a high time Civ pilot, and so on. Unfortunately for you, you’re none of those either. So, the answer to why you’re not getting an interview or even feedback is because you’re low hanging fruit at this point. My unit will provide feedback to interviewees who were not selected, but that’s it. To give feedback to the hundreds of applicants who were not selected for interview would take an enormous amount of time that nobody has. This is not any different from the civilian world. If FedEx hasn’t called you for an interview, they certainly are not going to assign someone to sit down with you and discuss your shortcomings. They’ve already moved on and are looking for someone else to help them out. All this to say, while you’re doing the right thing by going to meet and greets, you’re still an easy kill. So, the question is what to do about it? First, study your ass off for the AFOQT and retake it. You only get 2, so make this one count. Second, get the folks at Bogi Dope to help out with your applications. Third, absolutely go shopping around to other units as well as Active Duty and sister services too. Lastly, if you’re dead set on staying in the NE US and have the heavy unit picked out already, Consider enlisting as Loadmaster or Boom. I realize time is not on your side, however, if you’re over 30 already, units will be looking at the age waiver possibility already, and unless you’re a unit member - who they like a lot - the chances of getting selected off the street while requiring an age waiver are extremely slim. I hope this helps, best of luck.

If the Dems want a female, they could always go with this guy.

Really a bro move to continue to hang out on here, as a retired guy, and still willing to do research for people especially. Much appreciated, Doc

“I threw a bunch of Grandpa Chip’s war medals off a bridge.”

Well, assuming you’re not just trolling us, I’d recommend you take your own advice in your last sentence and “do some research”. There is, quite literally, hundreds of pages of people discussing AD vs Res vs ANG, and their particulars, on this very sub-forum. Then I’d recommend you explore the “Road to Wings” forum, specifically “Pilot Selection Process” followed by “What Are My Chances.” Then I’d recommend coming back with some specific questions that we’d be happy to answer for you. However, nobody on here should try to talk you into this life and nor should anyone attempt to psychoanalyze your “headspace.” Happy reading.

@DMartin17

I doubt Kirby even knows what it means, but yes I agree, Uncle Sugar has his hand up Kirby’s ass far enough to get his fvckin lips to say whatever horseshit he wants.

I guess I meant when folks like me get fed up with the corporation’s shit and stop buying their product. It seems to me that it would be so much easier to just keep quiet as a corporation and not piss off at least half of your clientele. I’ve been drinking RC with my Jack Daniels for years now…I wonder if Coke misses me? I’ll check that book out.

Yeah, but the thing that really leaves me scratching my head is all the major corporations spewing their woke bullshit, around the clock, even at the expense of their own bottom line. It definitely leaves one feeling someone is tugging the puppet strings from behind the curtain.

Or how about we reward their skills and preparation by giving them more solo flight time with the training blocks that would otherwise be flushed in a PA? Let’s not short students flight time and experience that is too low already.

Nope. But there is an entire subsection labeled “Air National Guard/Air Force Reserves” and it’s full of dudes who are younger, hungrier, better prepared, less distracted, less entitled, extremely willing to chase pilot slots across the country, less concerned about financial strains, and much less demanding on how they can fulfill their desire to serve their country.

That’s usually the Nav’s job, but to each his own.

Hats off to you bro.

Appreciate you trying Brother. Most of us have spent a career trying to avoid that place like the plague and instead just bitching about everything wrong - without doing a damn thing about it. Please don’t remind yourself too often. I’m certain you made more impact than you know and certainly more than the rest of us did.

I’m positive there’s plenty of us here working for a certain airline that allows us the opportunity to visit SFO quite more than we’d like and at least enough to form our own opinions of the place. I’m glad you enjoyed your trip, but I’ve played more than enough human shit hopscotch. Thanks

Agreed with LL. I’ve been on a ton of UPT boards. I’d much rather see a young applicant working at Taco Bell than one not working at all, receiving the gov cheese, all while getting their student loans covered. If you had a good job, that you worked hard for, and it went away, and now you’re paying the bills while actively trying for something better shows a lot of character.

Hey Peach! Congratulations on your selection - that is a very big deal!! And definitely go take that airline job. More than likely OTS and UPT are well over a year away, so your probation year will be over, however, even if it wasn’t, they can’t fire you for being on military orders, even as a probie. USERRA applies to every member of the guard and reserve, the day you swear in. We all had a guard guy or two in our UPT class who would tell us all how much their seniority has climbed while at UPT, and we all sat there listening, green with envy. You are NOT taking advantage of your airline by serving your country. Get that out of your head immediately. Trust me, your airline will gladly take advantage of you as you are sitting reserve for them. Do not bring up your guard selection unless they ask. Unless you’re working for the smallest airline on earth, they already have hundreds of guard pilots on their roster and will not even notice your absence for a few years. Then you show back up and Viola - you’re a line holder or ready to upgrade to Captain! Welcome aboard.