brabus

Yeah that makes sense...just don't think it came out that way (at least to me) in the other one.

Well I think all that cadet was saying is that ROTC gets something like 2-3 slots/yr and the Academy is about the same. So, sure seems like a pretty damn hard AFSC to get into...don't think he was wrong in making that assertion.

Hate to say it, but he's pretty much screwed. I've seen multiple people gone for asthma. Our cadre tried hard for each one, but there's just no way to get around it...at least at this time (when the AF is overmanned for LTs in many positions).

You get an alt card which allows you to go above 18k. Plus, you know how the oxygen regulator works I suppose.

Yeah I don't really know, I just know there were way less than I thought there would be. Maybe it's more like 10-15, but either way, not a ton.

Cadets from our det have the opportunity to go at least once, if not twice to the chamber during each semester. However, we're only 1.5 hrs from the nearest chamber, so it's not that big of deal. I think there's only like 5 or 6 chambers...something like that. So obviously it's a real b*tch if your school isn't near one. [ 01. February 2006, 16:35: Message edited by: brabus ]

they're all pulling pretty quickly out of the aircraft...you need as much altitude as possible to put 81 guys together.

A stud I talked to down there last week said they were given the list of assignments and for the most part all was decided with a dice game. Pretty crazy to know your first ops tour could very well be based on a pair of dice.

CH...I didn't realize there had to be 2 passengers, so yes, the extra guy should bring some intimidation to stop a situation from occuring (unless both passengers are working together). But even being stuck in the HOV lane, that doesn't stop him from making you give him your wallet, cell, etc. and then he jumps out and runs across the freeway. I mean sure it's far-fetched and he's probably going to get nailed, but what's to stop it from happening? Guess it's ok since it's been working for 18 years...it just still sounds pretty much like standard hitch hiking to me. I'm sure 95% of the hitch hikers you pick up on any road side are probably fine, but it's that 5% a person should be worried about.

So what's to stop some guy from just getting in line and pulling a weapon on you once on the road? Wonder why hitch hiking is all of the sudden considered safe.

1. I think it'd be hard to get a civilian doctor to do all the eye crap that the AF will do for your FC1...why would you want to anyways? 2. Getting a pilot slot depends about 1% on where you go and 99% on your personal performance. Pilot slots come from GPA, PFT, AFOQT, PCSM (BAT test/flight hours), and Commander's ranking. All of those you can control. If you have the money, you can go to ERAU and fly nice equipment, get all your ratings, etc...but it's gonna cost you up the ass. Or you can go somewhere else, get your license and ratings for cheaper on your own time (but maybe with drawbacks such as not as new equipment), and maybe not major in aviation science (because you're pretty screwed if military or civilian flying falls through). Sticking with your buisness degree might be a better idea because at least you have another career to turn towards if flying doesn't work out...it's just better planning for worst case scenario to not put all your eggs in one basket. Thirdly, you by no means need any ratings at all past your private. Everything else will be taken care of in UPT or through some exams/checkrides for APT and such down the road (after you retire from the military to go fly civilian...if you choose to do that). If you have the money to get your instrument and such, great, but if not, you're certainly not screwed for military flying. Just seems to me schools like ERAU are great if you plan on going into civilian flying, or just don't care about tuition costs, but other than that, why not go to a regular college with a good business school and still get your pilot slot?

That was one of the funniest damn things I've ever read flyguy! Especially the part about having to distract your wife so you could get into your house...somehow I know that'll happen to me one of these days.

There was a guy a few years ago who was in freefall and fell between the horizontal stabilizer and the wing of a slurry bomber...talk about lucky!

Hmmm, I don't remember any direct question at the FC1/MFS that I think would pertain to this, but of course maybe I was just really tired and don't remember. Guess rage and f16pilotmd would know.

Sounds like the best thing you can do is keep your mouth shut about it...to anyone. But that's just my opinion...how bad do you want to fly? Seems pretty dumb to me to get yourself DQ'd because you said something about a medical condition that doesn't really have any adverse affects (according to the 1st Class Medical doc).

You suck horribly if you can't pass freefall...unless you just freak out because you're deathly afraid of something like that, in which case, why would you even go? [ 02. January 2006, 17:59: Message edited by: brabus ]

The Stud was a guy who graduated from my Det about 1.5 yr of so ago. Crazy...good thing he's ok. [ 14. December 2005, 01:11: Message edited by: brabus ]

Yeah you're right, confidence is needed, maybe even some cockiness...but saying straight up at 16 that you're gonna graduate USAFA and become a fighter pilot w/ all certainty is taking cockiness too far and lends others to believe that you just might be what bigiron described. Walk the line, but don't cross it. My 2 cents.

Because that attitude is going to get the sh*t rocked out of you at USAFA/ROTC and UPT (if you even get there). Not trying to be negative, just an observation.

"When Thunder Rolled" by Ed Rasimus (Retired Maj) is awesome. It details his life from getting out of UPT, going to Nellis for 105 training and then to SEA. It has incredible stories about flying fighters in Vietnam...I couldn't put it down. He also came out with a new book "Palace Cobra" detailing his experiences as an F-4 pilot over Vietnam. Obviously, he did two tours. Haven't read that one yet, but I'm going to as soon as break hits and I have some time. I'm sure it'll be just as awesome as the first.

Go ROTC man. The Det here has had above 90% since I was a freshman. Sure the national average is 50%, but that's when you take into account all the guys that applied who either don't have a shot in hell, or just didn't get that GPA up enough, etc. If you work hard enough and do decently school, you'll most likely get one. And yes, everyone's saying the worst thing is you could spend 4 yrs in the AF doing something else. Well look at it this way, you'll at least have a guaranteed job for 4 yrs w/ decent pay and good benefits. Then after 4 yrs (you'll only be 26), you can easily start working towards the civilian flying world. Or, maybe w/in those 4 yrs you pick up an AD flying slot. You never know. Point being, the risk in ROTC (of not getting a slot) is not too high unless you just slack off and don't give much effort into it. Worst case, you get a great, guaranteed job for 4 years that will look awesome anywhere in the civilian world. Much better than all my civilian friends who have no idea what the hell they're going to do when they graduate in May.

It won't matter at all. Do you use your right hand for the mouse on your computer? If you can do that, you can handle a stick in your right hand (sts).

If you're on scholarship, you'll get $400 a month by the time you're a senior and somewhere around $350 per semester for books...all of this in addition to tuition being paid for. So if you get a scholarship, then the driving time might be worth it considering you're getting a free education and getting paid to do it (something you won't have if you go through college yourself and try the OTS route). Just something to think about.

We have guys driving up from Colo Springs (1.5 hrs or so) every Thu for LLAB and AS class. They just turn in memos for PT and the POC cadets do their other class via teleconference. I'm sure it sucks on Thu to have to do a 3 hr round trip, but all in all the whole thing is relatively manageable.

A guy at my det got a FAM ride in a 16 at Luke a few months ago. He ralphed inside his mask in flight. Then once on the ground, before getting out, he used his helmet as the receptible, thus effectively ruining the helmet and mask. The life support guys just said screw it gave him the mask/helmet. Lucky bastard. Now we all know what to do on FAM rides!