ryleypav

Just finished up UPT (Legacy syllabus) at Laughlin if anyone has any burning questions about Laughlin or UPT as a whole.

Not very common. This is why the selection process is so thorough and why fighter units usually have such a high bar set for interviews. A lot of time and money is invested in you by the time you reach track night.

His first choice believe it or not!

Reserves I believe.

KDLF 23-08/08AU Drop KC-135 Kadena KC-10 Travis C-130J Dyess B-52 Barksdale C-17 McGuire KC-46 Pease U-28 Hurlburt C-130J Channel Islands (ANG) F-16 TBD HC-130 Moody KC-135 McConnell AC-130J Hurlburt KC-135 Macdill KC-135 Selfridge (ANG) C-17 McGuire A-29 Lebanon RC-135 Offutt C-17 McChord T-6 Laughlin (x2) KC-46 McGuire KC-135 Mildenhall C-17 Charleston T-38 Laughlin C-17 Dover F-35 TBD

Kinda the same. Altus would be the FTU for KC-135s, but PIQ is the course name for initial qual in the jet. Anyone correct me if I'm wrong.

If you're getting BAH back home, you can get a BAH waiver that will allow you to stay in the dorms while still getting BAH for back home. Idk if they can force you into housing that you'd have to pay out of pocket for.

Off the street hire at a Guard Tanker Unit. March 2023 Update: UPT Complete (syllabus) AMF check last week, just over a month ahead of schedule. Graduate in mid April. AFOQT/TBAS: July 2016 Board: November 2019 Hired: November 2019 MEPS: Passed April 2020 amid the 'rona outbreak. Enlistment: June 2020. FC1: September 29, 2020 FC1 Stamped Approved: November 2020 NGB approval: March 2021 OTS: August 2021 UPT: March 2022 - April 2023, Laughlin AFB, TX. FTU: May - October 2023 Altus AFB

At Laughlin we had to get put on a waiver by the Student Squadron, and then you had to take that to the housing office. Talk to your student squadrons shirt.

KDLF 23-05 KC-135 - Kadena KC-135 - Fairchild C-17 - McChord B-1 - Dyess KC-135 - Birmingham A-29 - Lebanon KC-135 - Mildenhall F-35 - Tyndall (Reserves) KC-135 - MacDill F-16 - TBD KC-135 - McConnell T-6 - Laughlin x2 C-130J - Little Rock A-10 - Davis-Monthan C-130H - Reno (ANG) T-38 - Laughlin

Not sure. I didn't go so I never looked into it. If you have it, I'd expect to not go. If you have a PPL, IFT wont help all that much.

If you have a PPL or greater you will not go to IFT. Otherwise it is still required.

If they're inviting you to play hockey, they probably like you. Unless you invited yourself to hockey. Or they just needed a body so guys can get fresh legs (jk). Sounds like you're doing the right things. Just dont be the guy thats overly friendly, or is butting into conversations. If none of the places you've visited have had boards yet, you really dont have any way to validate if you're doing things correctly or incorrectly. Otherwise, sounds like you're doing it right. When I was hanging out at interview weekends I basically did the same. Tried to have a conversation with whoever wasn't busy and didn't look like they'd be annoyed that I wanted to talk. Don't overstay your welcome, but if people are there hanging out, be there. Persistence is key in some cases.

As in you want to go to IFT? A guy in my class currently got his PPL like 5-6 years ago and hadn't flown in about 3 like you said and they told him he cant go. You can try, but it'll more than likely get denied.

Depends on how the syllabus keeps evolving. 2.5 is in flux almost every day it seems. I started same exact time as the first 2.5 class here (I'm last 2.0(1) class) and I think they should finish a few weeks before us potentially. Delays happen all the time though. And 38s are delayed a bit as of current.

Prepare to sweat like never before. 'Bama be hot that time of year.

I'll echo this. You're on the right start, but dont count out heavies until you give them a chance and go see a squadron for yourself. I mean this in the best way, but with 0 flight hours, you have no idea what you like to do in an airplane. not that a PPL and 100 hours changes that much, but a lot happens when you start flying, and even more-so when you get to UPT and start pulling G's in the T-6, wearing the harness and helmet and G-suit. Some people dig it, others are like, well shit, this sucks. If you can, try and get an aerobatics lesson when you start flying. And like Rocket said, something is better than nothing, and every aircraft you fly for the AF will be the best damn one out there. Just go at things with an open mind in todays rushing/applying environment, but go for your dreams by all means.

Stay as long as you can/like, but dont feel like you have to be the last one to leave. Let it be organic. Just get to know people and the squadron and see if you'd be a fit there. Ask guys about flying/not flying things. If you drink, dont get stupid, you gotta drive home remember. Alcohol is a good way for places to gauge people too. Are you gonna handle yourself at the bar while TDY or on a trip? Sit in on any briefings/meetings you can and dont be afraid to ask questions. At least stick around until after lunch, and if its a Friday/Saturday stick around after everyone gets let off and hangs out, if that happens at that unit. Each one is different.

This may be the case right now, but its not always the case.

Shotgun apps even if you dont think you'll get an interview. You may be invited you may not, but you most certainly will not if you dont even submit the application. Do what you have to in order to get some flight time, but dont get yourself in over your head either. Try to find some mom and pop flying school where they are a little on the cheaper end, even if you have to drive an hour away for it. But like its been said, a PPL is usually going to be a hard requirement these days, if not even just a soft unofficial one. With the shear volume of applications fighter squadrons are receiving now, its a weed-out tool.

Yes, but you just stated you are worried about not getting a pilot slot if you go ROTC or USAFA. Enlisting can be a great way to get where you want to go, but you need to understand all facets of each path. You still need to go to school and get a degree if you enlist, and you'll have to postpone school for a little while as you are trained and spun up as a crew chief or whatever job you do. Its a great way to get to know the jet and crew like stated above, but dont enlist because you thinks its a guarantee to wings. Enlist because you want to enlist and kick ass at that job. If flying and flying only is your sole objective, options like ROTC, USAFA, OTS boards or applying to guard reserve squadrons is your best best at only flying.

Then enlisting doesn't seem to be a good option for you either.

Either enlist like above, or do very well in high school and play sports, then go to the Academy for college, do ROTC, or finish college and apply for OTS. Do what makes sense for you. If you dont have interest in being a crew chief or any other enlisted job, then dont go that route. If you do then by all means send it. While it can work, enlisting in a unit is not a fool proof way to snag a slot. There are many roads to take, do some reading on here about the various paths and start navigating down one that makes the most sense to you.

6-9 months.....but for real, it's hard to tell. You can tell your unit you'll accept short notice dates, but it's still all over the place.

Thanks for the heads up. Its a 19' speed boat, so not the biggest. I'll keep an eye out.