brabus

Or you could just take the quiz, fail it, note the correct answers and then retake for a passing grade. You're done in 10 min. If you do anything other than that on a CBT, you're an idiot.

Probably the most beneficial would be just flying a DA-20 and getting use to how it lands...it is different enough from the 172. And as far as left handed...I'm left handed and flying right hand on stick (sts) is not a big deal. Don't you use your computer's mouse in your right hand? It's the same principle basically.

Ok ok, that's not what I meant. Maybe they had a strong desire to physically shoot missiles/guns and/or drop bombs. I realize the AC-130 provides that in a way, but other than that no other T-1 a/c actually blows stuff up. That doesn't mean the rest aren't "combat a/c" or aren't "in the fight." That's what I was trying to say.

Maybe...but I'm sure there will always be dudes who really wanted 38s (i.e. combat a/c) and didn't get it. Thus, they'd probably be very happy to fly something that was still dropping bombs...I would think there'd still be at least a few people per class that fit into that category, even several "informed" classes down the road.

For the T-6, it's a full-up cockpit trainer. It's hooked to a computer, so basically it's a fully functioning sim, just w/o a screen (so works well for practicing instruments when you get to that part of Phase 2). All the switches/buttons function as the do in the real aircraft, screens display what they would in the real a/c, etc. During Phase 1, it's worth it's weight in gold for you to practice starting the plane, flipping the right switches in the right order, looking at the screens for the engine displays, etc. There's a sim specifically designed in phase 1 w/ a sim instructor to show you how to work it.

The UTDs can be extremely helpful...I highly recommend you take whatever time you can get to use those. The biggest thing is prioritizing...MSFS should be very low on your list. The amount of time you spend awkwardly changing radio freqs w/ the mouse, etc. could be better spent just closing your eyes and visualizing in your head. I'm not just a "hater," I've BTDT, but my opinion is just different than Aloha's. Best thing would be to form your own opinion, but I caution you to not spend a bunch of time on MSFS...I really believe you'll gain much less than what you would by just "old-fashioned" chair flying and studying the pubs. The best thing you can do for yourself during Phase I is go to the T-6 UTDs every day and spend an hour running all the checklists. That will help you a lot once you hit the flight line; and you will have time during Phase I to do this.

Just FYI, if you decide to fly helos for the Army, it's better to go Warrant Officer than a commissioned officer if you want to fly for a career. All I've been told is Army officers are lucky to do about 3 yrs flying before practically the rest of their career is spent doing the leadership thing, with very minimal time in the cockpit.

My brother got a full scholarship last year w/ a Psych major, so non-tech is definitely doable, but not easy. Either way, doing engineering just so you can get a scholarship fails 95% of the time. In my 4 yrs I don't think I saw more than maybe 2 people make it through commissioning and an engineering degree that did it for the scholarship. Sure the scholarship may have been an incentive for the engineers, but the majority of those who made it did engineering b/c they wanted to for reasons other than just a scholarship.

You can still be career-oriented, but you have to work to make it happen. We're at Vance and Enid's much smaller than what we've been used to our entire lives. My wife's an IA/Poli Sci major and was understandably down about the whole job thing for a while (she's very career-oriented and would rather die than be a housewife). She has since found a great job writing for the newspaper/magazine in town (she very much enjoys writing) and working on the advertising/marketing side of the house as well. It pays more than I make and she's happy. However, it took a lot of work and patience to get there. Bottom line is you can make anything happen, even in "BFE" like a UPT base, but you have to realize it's not going to be as easy to get that job as it would be in a major city. I'm sure you will be able to find something you'll like that even if it's not in politics, international relations, etc., at the very least it can be a great professional resume builder; because at this point, a college degree doesn't mean a whole lot w/o a good resume. Keep positive and you by no means should look at UPT as you giving up your dreams. If that's what happens, it's your fault and no one else's.