mb1685

Speaking as a dude who has yet to get picked up (so take this with a grain of salt)... Be yourself. No, seriously -- if you have to put on a facade to get hired then you'll probably eventually regret it. It's a chance for you to get a feel for the unit just as much as it is for them to get a feel for you. There really does seem to be a pretty big difference in culture from unit to unit, even among the same aircraft. If this one doesn't seem like a good fit for you, remember that there might be another one out there that is. It's not worth putting on a fake persona. Don't ask questions just for the sake of it. Basic information about the unit's history and mission can be easily found online. Asking things like that poses the risk of making it look like you have little initiative. Do ask questions you're genuinely curious about. Most pilots are happy to tell you about what there is to do in the area, what neighborhoods are nice, what they do for work (if they're a part-timer), where they went to UPT, etc. Practice an "elevator introduction". You'll be meeting dozens of people so you want to be able to introduce yourself and give a little sample of your story in about 15-20 seconds, but without sounding too rehearsed. IMO you shouldn't necessarily try to sell yourself (like you might in an actual interview) here since that could come off as way cocky. Just stick to facts. Treat everyone you meet with respect, regardless of rank. If you do something that rubs them the wrong way, there's a good chance that word of it could make it to the pilots on the hiring board. This includes the most junior enlisted. You might get to drink at the squadron bar, but don't get too casual. It's a great opportunity to shoot the shit and let the real you out in a more relaxed atmosphere, but don't start treating members of the squadron like they're your buddies you've known your whole life. There's definitely a balance to strike here because you don't want to be too uptight, but it's probably not a good idea to start calling pilots "bro" or "dude" after a couple of drinks (I've seen it happen). To piggyback on that last point, don't drink too much (or even at all if you don't drink). Know your limits. It's a opportunity to get to know the unit in a less formal setting -- not an opportunity to get sloppy and show them you like to party. Take time to chat with other applicants too. IMO it shows that you're a team player and you're not antisocial. The connections you make can also be valuable too, I've kept in touch with other applicants I've met and learned a lot from them. It's also pretty awesome running into people you already know at other meet and greets.

I probably shouldn't, but I'll step into the lion's den for a minute because I feel bad for the dude... I don't think the part about banning was legitimate, just part of his satirical take on BLM (i.e. 'disagree with me and I will completely overreact and try to silence you'). I didn't read any ill intent at all, just seems like a joke that didn't land well. As a guy who often can't resist terrible inopportune jokes based on nothing more than a play on words, I sympathize.

Did anyone catch word of the 136 AW's board ahead of time? Just saw their recruiting Facebook page post a pic of their selectee swearing in. I had no idea they were having a board.

I think it's Eddie Van Halen reincarnated. Ol' Spanish Fly. 😅 I'll see myself out...

#flygate

That seems to mirror what someone said they heard in this post. Seems pretty plausible.

I'm fairly certain there's no requirement to already be in the military in any capacity before getting the job. As long as you have active duty orders in hand, I don't think your employer can get out of the requirement unless you've exceeded that 5 years. It also might be worth digging into your employer's military leave benefits, if any. Some will hook you up with at least a couple of weeks of pay. Some even do differential pay, where the whole time you're away on orders they'll pay you the difference between your regular salary and your military pay. I think that generally tends to be defense contractors mainly though. And if you have some sort of long-term incentive bonus, it's possible that could continue to vest while you're on leave.

Keep in mind that if you go Guard or Reserve, USERRA law requires that your employer holds your position (or a similar one) for up to 5 years while you’re on orders if I recall correctly. The ability to immediately have guaranteed income is a huge plus for gaps in training and post-seasoning when you become a part-timer. If you’re unemployed when you ship out, you won’t have that protection. Continued employment is also going to look better on your applications IMO.

Has anyone ever seen Seadogs and General Chang in the same room? 🤔

This sounds a billion times more plausible. Was that from a Reserve recruiter?

Anyone heard a rumor about only ~20 selects going to UPT next year? That's what I'm hearing in the Make Them Tell You No Facebook group. I know there are huge backlogs but that seems absurdly low. And supposedly that's a Total Force directive so that 20 reflects AD, Guard, and Reserve.

Dayum, you must have killed the TBAS. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone get above a 90 PCSM for the 21-40 hour bracket.

That's definitely a flight sim.

Anyone who interviewed with the 103rd a few weeks ago heard back yet?

That unit trains international F-16 pilots, so after graduating from the F-16 B-course you need to find another F-16 ANG unit willing to give you ~2 years of seasoning orders so that you can get your IP (instructor pilot) upgrade and then return to Tucson to instruct. There's more information in their application guide. I believe Klamath Falls has a similar requirement since they're an F-15 FTU.

Those credentials + scores seem absurdly good, plus fighter units tend to like to hire younger folks such as yourself. Have you checked out BogiDope's application review service? If you're getting no bites at all I wonder if maybe your cover letter is rubbing people the wrong way or something. Either that or maybe units are concerned you have so much experience that you'd have difficulty adjusting to military flying, but I know a couple of 2000+ hour airline guys who got picked up by Reserve units and it wasn't an issue. The only other thing I could think of to suggest would be maybe a TBAS retake for the hell of it. My AFOQT Pilot score is in the low 90s and my PCSM 201+ hour projection bracket is 97, so with a 99 Pilot score and obviously over 201+ hours you should almost certainly be able to achieve a 99 PCSM with slightly better TBAS performance. I can't speak much to enlisting but it sounds like a solid plan for the reasons you mentioned, especially since you're pretty young and have lots of time to get picked up.

I spontaneously broke a hip reading that. 😆

I've noticed this as well, mainly based on rejection emails. 😆 A few years ago they'd say things like "we had over 50 applications this year and it was a really tough choice". Now they're sometimes saying "we had almost 150 applications for this board and wish we could interview you all!". That said, there is zero sense stressing yourself out thinking about things like this which are out of your control. Try not to dwell on it. The interviews I landed a few years ago took me by complete surprise, and the occasional interview invitations I still manage to get are pleasant surprises as well. If it were easy then everyone would do it. Hope for the best but expect nothing. Hopefully things will work out, and if they don't, you'll be happier knowing you gave it your best shot. I'd be lying if I said I didn't get a little discouraged each time I get the "thanks but no thanks email" or see someone here post that interview notifications went out while my phone and inbox stay silent. But I forget about it as soon as I see a new board notification posted somewhere and my heart rate picks up a bit with excitement. Try to filter out all the noise and stay motivated.

+1, the whole post-swear in timeline seems lightning fast compared to everything else I've seen on here. @Flash57 are you perhaps an age critical candidate?

Anyone else who has a postponed interview due to coronavirus received any updates yet? Still standing by for status updates for mine. Got me like:

File -> Print -> Save as PDF

The email I got said "Your application has been received prior to the April deadline and will be under review." so I guess the original deadline was still applicable.

Same boat here. The email said to expect an email within the next week if invited to interview so I'm guessing it's a no go for me.

The document I've attached is the most recent MFR I've seen regarding the age limit. I found it in the AFRC UFT Application Guide, but since the document is from USAF HQ, I believe it applies to AD + Guard + Reserve. What I find fairly interesting is that this MFR refers only to "the date as specified in the Undergraduate Flying Training Selection Board Announcement message" as the cutoff. AFI 36-2105 used that language to refer to a cutoff for AD boards, but it also had an additional sentence that delineated the cutoff for Guard and Reserve as the UPT start date. If that omission in this MFR isn't a mistake, then it seems like the new rule across the board is just "be selected by age 33" rather than "start UPT by age 33". As for age waivers/ETPs not being a thing, that's nonsense. Search around here and you'll definitely find cases where they've happened for Guard/Reserve selects. 21 - HAF_A1P Memo.pdf

You'll definitely have to mention it either way since form AF56 has a section requiring you to list any applications to commissioning programs. This is also on form AF24 (Guard/Reserve appointment). I don't think there will be any difference at all turning it down while already in DEP (other than your recruiter probably being more peeved). The bigger deal is dropping on request at OTS since AFRS/NGB/AFRC could deny the waiver request when reapplying. I'm reading now that AFRSI 36-2001 was eliminated a few years ago and AFI 36-2005 is the relevant reg for officer accessions. Paragraph 2.8.3.1. goes over applying after disenrolling from a commissioning program in the past. The wording makes it sound like a waiver is only required if the disenrollment was punitive or for poor performance/adaptation and I don't see anything about RE code criteria now, but still, best to make your decision long before going to OTS.