Mustache Sally

I just received word from my leadership that my religious exemption for the C-19 vax was disapproved today by AFRC/CC. I have 72 hours to appeal and will do so. The purge is here. Reach out to me via PM if any of you need help fighting this.

Does anyone have current contact info at AFPC for the VLPAD program? I'd like to at least get my ducks in a row in case the program gets turned back on. Thanks.

PM sent.

Amen, amen, amen. George Carlin once said that Americans were long ago bought off and silenced by toys and gizmos, and as a result, nobody has any guts anymore. Nobody questions things or rocks the boat. Toe the line and you will forever have all the material comforts most people can only wish for. Material wealth and the ego boost of being The Big Man on Campus are powerful forces. I’m disgusted by the gutless wonders (in and out of the AF) who run things. Sadly, I don’t think it will change.

I’m not sure of the details of the board. I AM sure my private parts and the pilot shortage had a lot to do with my “success.” I highly doubt I’ll be promoted to O-5, which is fine by me. I’m getting out as soon as possible.

^Me. No SOS at all. Promoted to Maj. Got high-fives from the enlisted dudes in my Sq. Enjoyed watching the Os get all butthurt about it.

I have a good idea of what it takes to get hired by the airlines and what the job is like once you're hired. As cragspider mentioned, having military RPA experience helps. Any additional info on the hiring process would be helpful. I'm also curious about why you chose RPAs over the airlines, your typical schedule, likes/dislikes about the job, etc. I just don't know what to expect.

Good point!

Has anyone on here taken the civilian RPA pilot route? I'm 50/50 on going to the airlines and at the very least, I think it'd be a good backup plan in the event that I couldn't land an airline job (loss of 1st class medical, economy tanks, etc.).

Great info guys, thanks!

Hey guys, I'm looking to get some updates on this thread. How long would a reservist/guardsman expect to be in the schoolhouse? I've heard everything from 4 months to 9 months--what's the current timeline? Has the dipshittery surrounding the "required" use of DoD lodging been squashed? I'd stay off base anyway and gladly throw the JTR in their faces. Are there any decent apartments for unaccompanied folks to live? My husband won't be able to join me and I'm not interested in roommates. Thanks.

The reg you are looking for is AETCI 36-2205 vol 3, para. 1.1: "Pilot, RPA pilot, and CSO candidates with a private pilot certificate are exempt from IFS." It's the last sentence in the paragraph. I went through IFS as an AD Nav and am now in the Reserves going through UPT. I have my PPL and did not go to IFS again. I'm not sure whether there is a reg attached to the "below 80 PCSM scores must go"--the only place where I saw that in writing was on the memo that went out to all the units when the UPT board results were announced. Having said all of that, I was originally slotted for IFS after getting accepted into pilot training (my PCSM was in the 70's) despite my PPL. I called the registrar at Pueblo and asked whether I really needed to go...he said that by the reg I was exempt, and that a lot of units like to send their people to IFS regardless of having a PPL so that they can get used to the military way of flying as well as getting their flying skills current. I made the case that I had already been through IFS as a nav, was working on my IFR, and was needed in my squadron to fly. He agreed completely, made one phone call to AFRC and my orders were canceled within the hour. It was one of the greatest days of my life.

I had an age ETP approved. My letter was basically a laundry list of what I accomplished during my career up to that point. Since you are non-prior, you would just use the highlights from school, work, volunteering, FAA ratings if you have them, etc. PM me and I can try to dig mine up and you can use it as a template.

I can't remember exactly what I wrote, but it was along the lines of, "I enjoyed my 6 years on active duty, and with the recent force management measures I believe the Reserves will offer the best opportunity to continue serving in the Air Force." I'm not sure whether the memo was read by anyone but I submitted one because they asked for it. I've also heard of people writing about how the Reserves provides stability for their growing families, having the chance to serve in their hometown unit...things along those lines. The memo only has to be one paragraph so I say just keep it positive and concise.

Fellow English major here. Unless you plan on getting your PPL with Marty McFly in 1985, you will need much more than 3k for your PPL. I got mine last year and spent just under 8k--which included ground school, books, test and check ride fees, 50 hours @ $135/hour (wet and with an instructor) at an AF aero club where the cost is usually significantly lower than a civilian flight school. 40 hours is the minimum training requirement. I advise people to have 10k set aside to pay for it all, and if they train wisely they won't go anywhere near that. You can save money by buying used books off of Amazon and doing the ground school online (I used Jeppesen's program). You will also want to set aside a good chunk of time (ideally 2-3 months at a minimum) to focus on training. You don't want to do your flying training and be studying for finals and other school-related stuff. Unlike school, you need to focus and really know your shit...not knowing and not doing gets people killed in aviation. Additionally, by doing all of your flying at once you'll learn faster, which directly translates into big time savings. If you take time off, you'll just have to spend expensive hours re-learning what you should already know. Don't worry about your major, do the things that Kenny Powers said, and a big HELL YES to getting your PPL. Pilot slots are competitive and your unit needs to see that you have the aptitude and discipline required to operate a plane. You also need to know that this is indeed what you want to do. I'm a nav on active duty who is about to transition to the Reserves and go to UPT, and I'm glad I got mine. Good luck and PM me if you want more info.

FWIW, last year's November board was postponed until June of this year. No reasons were given for the delay. Hopefully it won't happen this time, but plan accordingly. I was an applicant who needed a "Father Time age waiver"...it all worked out. The CSAF has been signing off on those over the past year, for all components. The AF must need pilots!

I agree with everyone here. Tonka is spot on. I'm in ACC and we are ALWAYS on the road...deployments, exercises, random TDYs for things like SOS, safety school...you name it. Coming at it from a different angle, keep in mind that a lot of well-paying professional jobs in the civilian world require long hours at the office and out-of-town travel. The military often requires the same demands of its people, too. If Gunships is your dream, GO FOR IT.

Thanks! It was a frustrating process but in the end it was worth it. I'm looking forward to the big change. If anyone has any questions feel free to PM me.

Traditional PC approved 2009 Evaluator Nav (AFSC overmanned) 16 months nav school ADSC waived Submitted 1288 with position number Rec approval by sq and wing CC (not sure about AFPC) 2 months from application submission to approval; had my app expedited through SAF/PC due to rapidly approaching DOS

Ugh...how terrible. I've been a big fan of his since "Good Morning Vietnam" and often wondered whether he'd win his battle with drugs and depression. I actually met him once, when I lived in Chicago. He was walking by himself in the middle of the afternoon--with no entourage or fanfare--and asked me where the nearest L station was located. I gave him walking directions to the station at Damen/North/Milwaukee along the Blue Line. He was very appreciative and pleasant. I even remember the funny red hat he wore. An encounter I'll never forget!

YES!! THIS!! We need to be saying this out loud and often...and then take action to repair an AF that has been trashed by these types of senior leaders. Well said Liquid!

Onward and upward to FY16!!

Hang in there Napoleon! And shame on you for being at work at 6pm.

Congrats to the latest winners of the VSP lotto! Glad to hear the good news.

ABMs are the shoes of the flying world. Their ability to lobby for what they want and what will keep their AFSC alive is astounding.