ryleypav

Study a private pilot general knowledge book for the aviation stuff. As for the math, its all stuff that can be done without a calculator. Just do the AFOQT practice tests really. Sounds like you've done that, so take the material in those, and find videos that teach you tricks to nailing them. For instance, any questions that involve finding percents, move the decimal place to the right one spot, and times by the % value with its decimal moved as well. For example. 3% of 250. 250 is now 25.0 and 35% is now 3.0, which gives you 25x3=75. Works for any number/percentage. There's tricks like that to mot arithmetic operations.

Someone enlighten me. Is there really a difference between mail-in and absentee? Why is one good and the other not?

Its probably across the board. Everything is becoming more visible in recent years. While it may be interesting, what use does that information serve? If a unit had 150 apps and 20 of them were "competitive", how does that change your plan of attack? I just dont think its something to spend time worrying about. If you want it bad enough, it shouldn't matter how many "competitive" apps there are. Dudes get invites with less than stellar apps because they put in the work to visit and get to know the unit. The only thing that matters is that you do everything in your power to make your own app as competitive as possible, and put in the foot work to make sure you stand out at the unit.

Shoot, I started out applying to the local A10 squadron, and then applied to the tanker unit next door because flying in my home state was my first priority. Once I talked with the tanker guys and learned about the mission, I was gungho for that life. Lots of flying, cool trips, great community. Not that those things arent possible in the pointy nose world, but you never know until you give it all a look.

Perfect. Exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks! Also, half of the links they want you to click on to download forms dont work. So thats nice haha.

Just got the memo that I got my FC1 scheduled. Working on getting all the items squared away that are required 5 business days upon receipt of the memo. This part is confusing me a bit. "If you have had an FAA exam (any class) within the past 36 months, you do not need to complete this step; please continue to step 4. FAA Class III medical/student pilot certificates are now valid for 5 years." I have a valid Class III FAA Medical right now, but its been more than 36 months since I received it. Do they just want me to sign up/register anyway. I'm assuming its so they can renew it at the end of the FC1 and not have to worry about it lapsing, even though I wont be attending IFS. The instructions after that quote seem to be more concerned with someone who has never had a physical. I guess I'm just looking for some clarity from someone who has done this recently.

Off the street hire at a Guard Tanker Unit. July Update: inching closer. 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 OTS: ??? UPT: ??? FTU: ???

This is the way 😉

Off the street hire at a Guard Tanker Unit. AFOQT/TBAS: July 2016 Board: November 2019 Hired: November 2019 MEPS: Passed April 2020 amid the 'rona outbreak. Enlistment: June 2020. FC1: ??? OTS: ??? UPT: ??? FTU: ???

If your still in college, I'm going to go ahead and assume you're plenty young. Like others have said, join the AFROTC, or talk to a local recruiter and get signed up for the AFOQT, then the TBAS, then start applying for pilot slots in the Guard/Reserves, or apply to the OTS board. If you want to guarantee a specific air frame, Guard/Reserves is the way to go. Still have to land the interview/get the job, but you'll know exactly what plane and where you'll be flying it from day one. But overall, no there is no reason as to why you cant get picked up. People figure out things at different points in life. That dude who has wanted to be a fighter pilot all his life, might take his first PPL lesson and find out he actually doesn't enjoy flying like he thought he might. Shit happens. Kick ass in school, get good grades, work on your PPL, take the required tests, then figure out which part of the AF you want to fly for (AD/ANG/Reserves) and go all in until you get it or dont. Never self eliminate. I've always enjoyed aviation, but never knew about flying in the guard until the middle of college when one of my best buddies got hired by a guard unit right after college graduation. So I was a bit late to the military aspect myself. I got hired recently so it can happen. Fun fact, I am a PPL holder, and I've never even been to an airshow. None of that means jack. I'd never seen a military jet up close until I started rushing units.

I never had to submit letters of recommendation to a recruiter, so I dont know what to do there.You will need them for any board application AD or Guard/Reserves, but there are other tests you need to take in which you wont need those. Have your recruiter get you signed up for the AFOQT first and foremost. Ask your manager for that last one, or if you really dont feel comfortable, ask a close family friend who isnt related to you. One of my letters was my best friends father. His was more of a character reference, but hey, it did the job. But first off, are you trying to go Active Duty or ANG/Reserves? But nonetheless, my thoughts: 1. Most people dont join the ANG and then go Active Duty AF. Its typically the other way around. Once you go ANG, you wont want to go AD. Also, when you say apply, do you mean for a pilot slot? If so, you have a few things to get done before you can do that. 2. Yes, do this absolutely, but dont put so much stress on the letters of rec. They are important, but I dont think they are going to be the ultimate make or break. Having your pilots license or even being solo'd is a big thing for getting an interview should you go the ANG route. Many units have it as a soft requirement (not stated its needed, but highly encouraged). The hours also help on the TBAS/PCSM. 3.Be careful with this route. You can do this, but mind you it takes time. You'll need to go to basic and tech school, then have a service commitment. Not sure how it works if you get a pilot slot in the middle of a service commitment, if you can just leave it to go to pilot training or something. Are there jobs that interest you on the enlisted side or are you going to hate it. If you want to serve no matter what form, then this could be a good route. But if you want to serve as a pilot, this can slow things down. Can also help. YMMV. Lots of guys go this route. But to be clear, you dont just transfer up to a pilot slot. You would have to apply to a commissioning source (OTS or ANG/Reserves) and be selected. Same path as you'd be going right now, just delaying it to enlist. 4. See above. Same thing pretty much. Guy that got hired a few boards before me was a crew chief at the wing. Different squadron, but same wing. Granted, he put in a lot of time enlisted before moving up the commissioned side of the fence. If you really want to fly, in my opinion go Guard. I think you'll find that sentiment shared on here quite a bit. Guard slots are competitive, especially fighters, but what I have gathered from this forum is that Guard is the best of both worlds.

What happened with ROTC? Like you said, scores aren't the greatest ever, but they aren't the worst either. Competitive for heavies? Probably. Fighter, not really I dont think unless they really like you. But you never know unless you try. I'd try taking at least the TBAS again. You've got a decent amount of hours so you should be able to get that a bit higher. Have a good explanation regarding your low undergrad GPA. Just curious what your degree is, I've never heard of it myself. There is a minimum GPA for commissioning I believe (someone fact check me). Not sure if a masters changes that. Either way, just keep sending out packages until you've exhausted all options. Worst thing they can say is no thank you.

Get you a nice bottle of Jeremiah Weed.

If I didnt know better, I'd say that is was all CGI. It still doesn't seem real. That's some impressive engineering.

This never gets old.

I'd toss this up in your own thread, just to not derail benr1001's incase he has more updates later on down the road. But I think like you said, retaking both tests probably isnt a bad place to start. Especially if you're interested in fighters. You said you're interested in all airframes, do your due diligence and look up the mission sets of the different airframes as well as the specific units. Getting your PPL will help immensely. But overall I think you nailed it already, new test scores and PPL. These spots are more competitive that ever so you need to stand out.

Lo, good call. I goofed. My b.

This is what the google machine has to say, "A letter of interest is a document that conveys your desire to work for a company that hasn’t posted a job opening. This letter lets the hiring manager know that you’re interested in seeking a position with the business. It explains why you would be a good fit for that company, what your qualifications are and where you see yourself working. A letter of interest will often include background information that details why you’ve chosen to reach out. A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume and briefly explains your interest in a particular job posting. The elements of a cover letter are similar to those of a letter of interest. However, a cover letter refers to a specific job that the company has advertised. Your cover letter helps your resume stand out and should make the reader more interested in reviewing your full resume and contacting you for an interview."

My buddy is a guard fighter pilot who went to ENJPPT. I dont know if he opted in or if he applied though.

Agree with all the above. My future unit did not require it on paper, but it was basically an unwritten requirement. Even if you cant afford the whole license, get some time under your belt. Showing some initiative to get there will go a long way. The application I sent in that eventually led to the interview I got hired, I had mentioned that since last interviewing, I attained my PPL and that I was going to have 100 by the time of the interview. They asked if I accomplished that, and I had. Point is, they want to see the drive and ambition towards aviation. Its kind of a gamble hiring a guy who doesnt have any flight hours (not assuming you dont) because they may end up getting to pilot training only to find out they dont actually like flying.

I believe you still need to apply for ENJJPT even when you go through OCS. So its by no means guaranteed. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Also keep in mind, that while your chances are much better, ENJJPT doesn't necessarily guarantee a fighter. The only way to guarantee a fighter slot is to get hired by a guard unit.

I went in April. Seemed pretty much the same as described above. Except you have to wear masks now and they try to keep up the social distancing part to the best of their ability. Other than that, pretty much the same deal. The physical was probably a little less intrusive because of the social distancing deal, but still thorough. (I.e. the physicial couldnt really check out my throat or nostrils or get close to do those kinds of checks. Interview with the doc was easy. Keep to what you wrote on your form. No new information needs to be given and dont lie about anything. It seemed like there may have been a bit of preferential treatment since I had the "red" commissioning folder instead of the regular enlistee tan folder, but not much if any really. Just listen to directions and you'll be in and out. Its amazing how many people cant follow simple directions because they are so uptight/concentrated on not screwing up lol.

Nice! I had a few people in my club contact me to see if I was interested to split this with them. Sounds like you got a nice plane.

Getting frustrated with the process is part of the process. Its not a "one and done" deal for most people, especially if you're going fighters. ANG fighter slots are incredibly competitive, as I'm sure you are aware at this point. It took me 3 interviews (4 applications, one time in the middle they didnt invite me to interview) with the same unit (tankers) before I got hired. I had been applying to another local unit for a year or so prior to that with no luck scoring an interview. So, it can take a while. But you cant let that drag you down. The unit that hired me gave me feedback that they wanted to see ###, ###, and ### for me to be really competitive. So I worked at those and it it helped in the end. Like its been mentioned before, on paper it seems like you check the boxes. So you just gotta show them you want it. In the interviews, just be yourself. Dont give them the answer you think they want to hear. Give them your honest answer to any question asked. Be prepared, but dont be scripted. Most important, just be a good dude. The Guard hiring process is all about being that wingman, or co-pilot that someone wants to fly with for the next 20 years. During the interview weekends, talk to EVERYONE you can in the squadron. Everyone. They all have a say in who gets hired. While the board has the final verdict, you want to make sure as many people as you can have met you. That was the hard part for me, being a pretty reserved dude. Ask questions, sit in on anything they will let you, find out about the people there. Ask them military related stuff, but also about non military stuff. One guy and I shot the shit about hunting property and whatnot for a half hour.

Anyone else see this video from the Blue Angles in Detroit. Some guy with a drone got pretty damn close to these guys. Not to mention he's waaaay above legal drone height. The tallest building in Detroit is 727" and it looks like he's well above that. The OP took down his video (that had his name all over it) but someone else posted it up. Some people are not that bright.