ryleypav

Just my $0.02, which dont mean jack, but I haven't heard of many fighter units entertaining age waivers. Even with 99s across the board. But please feel free to prove me and anyone else wrong. If you were already rated in a previous life, maybe. Not to poop on your dreams, but fighters likely aren't in the stars for you. Don't let that stop you from trying, but I also wouldn't get your hopes up. You might have better luck trying with a heavy unit. Guard and reserve units are seeing higher application response than ever before, and with the current hire to UPT timeline, you're looking at 2 years wait. That puts you at 40, and like it or not, thats a gamble for any unit. Not trying to be a dick, just giving you my opinion based on what I've seen on here. I'm sure there have been older dudes hired in the past, just gotta find the right unit.

When I did my FC1, there was a Major there transitioning from C130 WSO to RPA pilot, and he was doing a IFCII if I recall. So, not a direct answer to your question, but situational evidence.

I did not have to.

I did my FC1 in September 2020. Once my unit submitted for the FC1, it only took about a week to get it scheduled, but it was a 3 month wait from scheduling to actual FC1.

Yep, spot on from everyone. Just be respectful and listen to directions very carefully. Lots of kids didn't when I went. Its not a hard day. I was done by 10-11 when I went. I had a different colored folder because I was enlisting to commision, so I think I was treated as "commissioning" and not enlisting. Seemed to get me through things quicker. Also if you can, drive yourself there. You have to get on the bus when you get there because some guy has to give a speech about not being dumb and bringing knives and shit in. Overall, keep your mouth shut 90% of the time and just answer the questions they ask, dont elaborate on anything that's not necessary to.

I think you need to be 33 by the time you enter UPT. It can take about 2 years from date of hire to entering UPT (trust me, it certainly isn't a quick process). So, you've got 3 years to get a degree, and preferably a PPL. It's not too late, but you need to bust your ass to get there, and get stellar scores on all of the tests. With the amount of applicants these days, age waivers may be less popular of an option if a unit doesn't have to deal with it, but if they like you enough, they'll consider it. In short, you've got time, but not an abundance. You're going to be 33 in 5 years anyway, so do you want to be 33 and say you gave it your all trying to get to the dream, or be 33 and say you never gave yourself a chance.

Not sure how the VA works, but I needed some files from a surgery I had. I just had to file a information request at the surgeons office, and wait for them to get the paperwork. They legally had like 30 days I think to obtain it. I told them it was urgent, and the process went a little faster.

I was hired in Nov 2019, didn't go to MEPS until April 2020. Its slow, even before COVID was getting in the way lol.

Just an FYI, but you dont need to have a MEPS physical completed to apply for guard units. Not sure how it works on the AD/Reserve side, but its definitely not needed for Guard applications. Typically. Maybe some units do. But I'd focus on getting the AFOQT and TBAS done if you haven't first off.

I think it depends on how recent your MEPS physical is. I'm not prior-e, but I'm fairly certain the prior-e that was hired with me didn't have to go through MEPS again. You will have to get a copy of your MEPS physical to send to Wright-Patt when you are scheduled a FC1. They send you an email with all the the docs needed to be filled out/provided. You're ascensions recruiter should let you know what the deal is with MEPS.

Off the street, you're probably going to be doing a lot of hanging out and doing nothing of substance while you wait for training. They'll put you in some AFSC for purposes of enlisting, but it may be completely unrelated, and not even in your hiring squadron. Just depends. Even then you'll likely still do nothing. Thats been my experience at least. I just use drill weekends as a time to continue to get to know the pilots. There are a lot of briefings you won't be able to sit in on at this stage without a TS clearance. I've never heard of units giving new-hires rides. Those are typically reserved for dudes who have done something special or have shown exemplary work ethic in the squadron. But, I also dont know jack, so YMMV. Also, its entirely possible to do you FC1 before you enlist with the unit, there were several guys at my FC1 who had not enlisted yet. But its beneficial to enlist asap, because then you get paid during drill. I think if you live a ways away from the base its a different story. If you've ever had any surgeries (aside from simple things like wisdom teeth) start getting all of your med records from that surgery. It can take a while for Dr. offices to get those, and you'll need them for MEPS. What you could do, and I've started doing so as advice from one of my units pilots, is start tracking everything you have done/will do post-hiring. Make it into a neat document for future hires. Things like what you had to do getting uniforms ordered, or computer access, anything that will be useful to the next guy getting hired. If there was some little trick you found to get X done quicker. You'll soon find out everyone on base acts like you're the first guy to get hired off the street and no one knows what the heck is going on. Even though that's not usually the case.

Oh no doubt. I know this is the way. But, on the bright side, one less obstacle to cross. So there's that.

They change things all the time so it may be, but from what I know in my state (MI), we have to get our FC1 stamped approved, then include it in an ascensions package that routes up to the MI State Air Surgeon or just the MI Surgeon Gen or something along those lines. Once that is approved, then my unit can submit to the NGB for OTS/UPT dates. Which could have happened sooner. FC1 was stamped approved for 02NOV, I didn't find out until 16NOV because the techs at Wright Patt didn't have computer access during a contract negotiation......so that's neat.

Off the street hire at a Guard Tanker Unit. NOV Update: inching closer. again. 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: Nov 2020 OTS: ??? UPT: ??? FTU: ???

Once we applied for my FC1 date, it was roughly 3 months. I had some time in between MEPS and applying for FC1, dont remember why. I think my unit had to wait until I swore in to do it.

Did you have to get your package approved by NGB first before you applied for OTS/UPT dates? This is definitely confirming my suspicion of a late 2021 UPT date for myself.

Yep. I was hired Nov 2019, still waiting to get my FC1 back from AETC. I was at Wright Patt at the end of September. Im probably not going to know dates until 2021, and I'd bet I wont see UPT until late 2021. Its a long ride, so just prepare for that.

I never once said they were the same.

While not necessarily violent, but didn't we just have tons of Trump supporters protest at the polls with guns, banging on windows? Not exactly peaceful, nor overtly violent.

I'd argue you could accurately compare it to Hawaii. New Zealand's leadership asked for a unified front. We didn't, nor do we have a unified front between the states.

New Zealand has done pretty well.

Looks like they had 3 different people to contact on the bogidope ad. I'd start there. There was an article from one of their drills last year that indicates they were supposed to move away from the RC-26. I think its the same base, but not sure. Maybe something changed.

Kind of what I figured. My tech didn't really say anything I guess. The other lady that was handling the other half of the exams said 3-4 weeks. But, it would still be neat if she could respond to my email anyway.

How long did you have to wait to get your FC1 back stamped approved after the exam? I was told 3-4 weeks, but I've not gotten any answer back from my tech after several emails.

They did this already, and I think they tanked it already. If OP up there doesn't have his PPL yet, it would likely be years before he met the requirements for the T-1 fast track. I think you needed quite a few hours, commercial, instrument, multi and some other things.