viper154

Way to many variables. Majority of Air Force jets have several basing options in vastly different climates as well as overseas where that big ole 4 wheel drive ain't going to fit. (Assuming UPT works out) Your basically asking what clothes should I pack for that mystery vacation you haven't won yet. Also don't buy shit until your married.

As someone who lives 5 miles from west Texas I can promise you no cowboy hat wearing, truck driving, Texan voted for Hil dawg. Banner that's been hanging in the center of town since June and still proudly flying. Stereotypical truck included.

Our military acquisitions process needs a serious overhaul. The government is letting contractors stick in our ass without a common curtesy of a reach around. If we can get this asinine process we use un fcked maybe we get hardware that works, on time, and not 2-6x times the price we were quoted.

Retake the TBAS if you have time, and get some hours. My first TBAS got my pcsm to a 9. Second time I took it my PCSM went up to a 80.

Take some time off from whatever it is your doing. You would be amazed how much a couple days sitting on the couch, a 30 rack/bottle of your favorite alcoholic beverage, carry out and some "gettin jiggy with it" will do for the mind/body. Could also be a actual health problem. I would tread lightly, don't get yourself DQd before you even get to the show, at the same time you don't want to ignore a actual problem if it is one. I have minimal knowledge of the medical field, and know little about your situation, but you asked for a opinion, so take it for what it's worth. I'm assuming you probably have been working hard/stressing with college/work/family/OTS packages etc. Sometimes you just need to do what I said above. If being a drunken fat ass isn't your thing, go to your happy place wherever that may be and chill.

No ROTC unit is better than another for pilot slots. A package gets put in (grades, PT scores, PCSM, commander ranking) and it gets racked and stacked against everyone else in your year group applying.

It would better suit just about anyone. Much less bs, better qol, and you will have plenty of opportunities to travel especially if you go to heavy unit. I joined because I love to fly, travel and I wanted to serve my country. I now sit in a room and I sometimes "control" a computer screen that is 10,000 miles away. You will have much more control over your life. Consider it.

Need to take your TBAS and AFOQT to get a PCSM score. Also, go guard.

I have a buddy that's a manned pilot flying RPAs for the guard, I'm a manned guy flying RPAs for AD, feel free to message, I'll try to answer what I can and relay the rest to him.

100% agree. Carrying a gun is huge responsibility. Much like chairflying/talking about those odd "what if" situations in the jet you need to ask yourself when are you going to draw the line in the sand and when you are going to keep it holstered in all different types of scenarios. If you wait until something actually happens your going to be to late and be dead or "jump the gun" (pun intended) and end up in prison. On a a lighter note, just bought my first NFA item, AAC M4 2000 for my ARs, put it on a trust, curious how y'all with NFA items have handled being in the military and potentially moving to a liberal anti 2nd amendment state?

Cannon has had concealed carry (in your vehicle) on base for a few months as well. Ideally I still would like to carry in my building but I'll take what I can get. This place is a shithole and it's nice not having to worry about being legal going through the gate with my Glock. It made some people get their panties in a twist out here, because if your military all you have to do for a conceal permit is mail in your orders and get finger printed. I took advantage of this soon as a I moved here but I am a fan of having a required safety class to get a carry permit. A couple times a month I hear people talk about how they want to get a gun even though they know nothing about shooting and immediately start conceal carrying and it drives me nuts.

Agreed on all points. I probably should have taken the opertunity to STFU, it's been a long week and after a couple drinks a took my anger/frustration on this post. Also, keep making loud airplane noises. 'Merica

Ahh yes, they took a huge risk putting senior enlisted in a "plane" that takes off and lands its self, is on autopilot 99.9% of the time, and is flying above controlled airspace. Not to hate on any Global Chicken guys, but it's true. That being said, these guys deserve a pat on back, there are very few enlisted ACs in USAF history This was nothing more more than a conservative publicity stunt so generals could save their ass by saying "hey look we are fixing the problem". NM is a shithole with shady politics, how else would they have 3 AF bases and a Army base in this wasteland. The AF has several large caliber bullet rounds right now and only a couple band aids, they are going to keep moving these band aids around to make it look like it's getting better when it's only getting worse. Last year it was RPAs, this year its fighters, next year will be the heavies, missiles were mixed in there somewhere. Not until we see wholesale failure as a force (with probably a lot of flag draped caskets) will it get better. Rant off.

There are AFOQT study books much like the SAT study books, helpful and about $20, your Det will likely have some you can borrow. Buy a Jeppison PPL book. You can get it used on amazon for $5. It will help with the pilot section and much later down the road the IFS academics are almost word for word from the book. (Several years ago at least). You can take the AFOQT twice, but you have to wait 6 months for the retake, just like your TBAS. Make sure you leave yourself enough time before your rated package is due. (Again, dated info but use to be put in over winter break of your junior year) Unrelated, but fyi, their are a shit ton of hot hipster girls in art history, and you will study significantly less (and drink much more) than your tech friends

I would happily trade my RPA for a buff. And they are laying waste to stuff in places like a boss right now.

At least there is hope. We just received a couple C-17 guys and a buff guy so they are still coming to the robot spy planes. But I think people would be much less bitter knowing there might be a light at the end of the tunnel. I think the impending heavy shortage combined with the 18x increase is going to be a golden ticket for us heavy guys. I also spoke to the rated assignment road show guys a couple weeks ago. They seemed rather receptive to getting us (UPT direct) guys back to a manned jet. Or maybe they could see my soul was gone inside and didn't want me to off myself. Hopfully the first option, but knowing the Air Force the second is more probable. Edit for grammar. The guy who flys a computer can't type.

Sent in the paperwork back in July ish time frame, got it in September.

What has been said above is gold. Get the cheep beer for the next couple weeks of college and go do a couple rides with a CFI if you are that worried. Or spend that cash and get the bud light. IFS will MAYBE help you on day 1 of stand up because you have seen it before. After that it's just about a level playing field for everyone. Attitude, study habits, motivation, god given talents and luck/timing will decide the rest. IFS is just another opportunity to get yourself kicked out before you even get there.

Nothing. Why would us barely hanging on between additional duties, flying, and seeing our family want more pay? We should do twice the work for half the pay and be happy god damn it!!

General rule of thumb a few years ago was no leave until you were in processed, and no leave 10 days before your class start date. I'll caveat that with if you are not a shiny a new Lt and you have something legit like getting your family your probably not going to get shit if one or two things on the checklist isent done. Also make sure you know your class dates, they are subject to change.

That all checks with what I have seen thus far. If I get any info that is helpful I'll throw over in the excaping RPAs thread.

Sweet, that's all really wanted, at least to know what the long term plan was and intentions. I've been in the AF long enough to realize they can't figure out tomorrow much less 2 years from now.

Thread rival, instead of starting a new one. I was one of the first classes from the lastest round of UPT directs to RPAs, after we graduated we were rushed out the door for training and we never got any real info on our current assignment or future. All we ever heard were rumors and what happened to the previous RPA directs from years ago. The AFPC rated assignment guys are coming to my base for a briefing and individual Q/A sessions. Anyone ever meet with the guys or know how helpful/useful they are?

As a young guy that non vol'd to RPAs straight out of UPT I would probably do it again. Just being able to fly for a year in military jets was fing awesome, and I've met people that will be life long friends. RPAs can and do suck, but there are good days you go home and see shit on the news you did/participated in to kill bad guys or save the world, and that's kinda cool. The hope that I will get to fly again keeps me going. The B/S and queep do get old quick. CBTs, SAPR, shoe clerks being butt hurt about doing their job, or you having to do there job for them, paperwork for days, the list goes on. Go guard, do both your dreams, profit.

Thread revival, I am UPT direct to RPAs, all training complete and qualified. On Vmpf my P AFSC is 92T0, which I believe is correct, with my duty AFSC 18xxx. I was under the impression that my duty AFSC would be 11Uxx. Anyone have any insight before I waste half a day at MPF getting incorrect info?