CharlieHotel47

With the Army: if it makes sense, do the opposite. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Are you planning on going AD? Or guard reserves? Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Hell yeah. Only the Army would make aircrews blouse and unblouse when stepping in and out of an aircraft. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Bros... ole Army rotor dude here. Hired by ANG tankers about to start drilling next month. Lots of non rated folks are still wearing the gray nasties at my unit. All of the flyers wore green bags. Didn’t see anyone wearing a two piece multi cam. The two piece is mehhh okay I guess. I’ve only been able to wear a 1 piece bag one time in my army aviation career long ago. It was awesome and I look forward to wearing a bag soon. Anyway, I’m not planning on buying gray nasties and will wear my 2 piece unit I get issued a gam or go to school. For you 2 piece bros out there, do you blouse the pants? The Army made the flyers blouse the pants outside of flying and it was the stupidest thing ever. Cheers Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Dude, your going to be fine. I was born in colombia. Moved to the states when I was 10 yrs old. Got my citizenship when I was 18 while at basic. It was pretty simple process for bros joining the military. Specially on the enlisted side. There was a dude that spoke no English at all from Africa. Left basic fluent lol a solid E-6 last time I ran into him. Good luck. Cheers Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Glad to hear I am not the only one.

Thanks bros. My package was approved last week. Waiting on UPT dates (prior service rotor guy). Hoping I am not at the very end of the queue. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

How long ago were you packages approved for waiting school dates? Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Bump... Has any of you guard members received a FY20 TFOT/IFT/UPT/CSO/RPA/ABM yet? I checked with my unit a few weeks ago and word was that NGB was still waiting to see what they would be allocated at the annual PFT conference (which was last week). If any of you have received your slot for FY 20 already, then they should be trickling down to its respective units in order of approved package received at A3OC. Any word?

Stay motivated bro... eventually A3 will get back from Vacation and resume package reviews. 6 to 9 months is what I have seen as the average turn around time for approval.

@bigred did you go to school in Charleston? If so, great name and congrats on the tanker slot. Since I am a dirty army helo guy, I'll have to make it thru UPT before setting foot at Altus.

Guys, this dude has uncovered my true identity... I am just a fat, prick, internet troll pretending to be a fighter pilot. Damn... it was fun while it lasted

I agree with the LOR comment. I would recommend NOT having an LT write you anything. I am an 1LT prior enlisted prior warrant... but even with a good background, some field grade officers will think of LTs as overpaid privates waiting to get lost. If you know any field grades, shot for those LORs. In the ANG & AFRC, you can’t hardly move a brome 3 inches without hitting 3 Lt. Cols and 5 Majs. But If your sooooooo set on flying a gun and putting Steele on target, go join the army. They will be more than happy to move you to beautiful Fort Drum NY to fly apaches. All the snow you can get and plenty of time to hang out w the ole red-X hanger queen. Cheers Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Its taken about 13 months for me as well. After constant delays and generally not knowing what the hell whats going on, I started global stalking people and cold calling folks at NGB. Eventually, I found a few of the folks at A1/A6 that were kind to explain to me the process and they why it was taking so long. The HARM office should be your primary point of contact for everything NGB, but if you haven't learned to "trust, but verify" from your Army days of getting F'ed, you should do the same when dealing with admin stuff. @kona4breakfast is your package still at NGB? is it EPT, ARB or A1 accessions that you are waiting on? If I was smarter I would have stayed WO and not have gone to the O dark side. You live and you learn. S

I was a Warrant then became an Commission Officer. Should probably go warrant if you intend to fly a lot more and not have to sentence your career away from the cockpit as you progress in the commission officer ranks. I was selected for UPT about a year ago at a KC135 unit. I have seen both WO and RLO make the jump.

bro don't get it twisted and the bastard comment was meant as a joke based on my experience. From what I have encounter so far, it appears to be easier and quicker for an off the street guy to move thru the pipeline over guys with prior military hours/service. I get its important to validate my previous training and for the AF to review and ensure that my up bringing in whatever branch I come from will translate into the AF way of doing things. I am by no means trying to bash on my fellow army helo drivers. I am glad you think so highly of the Army... perhaps you should join them. I have nothing but good things to say about my time as a helo guy both conus and in the good ole Stan. Specially in the Chinook community. Its a wonderful aircraft with lots of power and very maneuverable. Are Army helo drivers the best? sure. Me wanting to move on to the big blue originated from how Army aviation is structured and how army aviation commission officers have their days counted in the seat. I want to be part of an organization that is based around aviation, for aviation, by pilots (big blue)... sure the grass will probably not be greener in the other side. The Army's mission will always be based around the ground force commander. Nothing wrong with that, its just different and not for me. Some other bros would thrive in such environments. I am thankful for my time driving hooks... but as for me, it was time to move on. Hope I was able to un-confuse you. Cheers

by closing do you mean always swipe right?

Big Blue (AD, AFRC, ANG) thinks of us non Air Force rated babies as "bastards" from another branch. Your hours and mil training will have to be validated by whatever component that gains you. In the AFRC and for sure in the ANG, if the a unit likes you they will back you up on whatever waivers or hurdles you'll have to go thru. Simply because you are a prior service rated aviator will not make you a more desirable candidate. Its sad, but I've come to the conclusion that its easier to hire a "off the street" guy over an Army, Navy, USMC Aviator. Nevertheless, it is possible and the folks have done it. While I was rushing AFRC and ANG, I had looked at going AD as my plan LAST. I have the package checklist and the contact info for some folks at Randolph AFB that run the AD AFRC board. The checklist I have is from FY18 so it might have changed a bit. Also, bet you that the above Recruiter you are talking about probably already forgot to call/email you back. Its not that they don't care or don't know any better. Air Force recruiters are super busy and their are only trained in enlisting folks. They will not come hunt you down to answer all of your questions like recruiters in the Army or Marine Corp. You have to go the extra mile to get you the info you need. Like I mentioned earlier, I had found it more useful to talk to pilots in AD, ANG and AFRC to ask about the hiring process over just talking to a recruiter. Take advantage of the fact that you are in the military already and don't be afraid to "global email" stalked some people. Sounds crazy... but eventually you'll end talking to the person you need to. By cold calling folks instead of relying on a recruiter, I was able to schedule my AFOQT, TBAS, and FC1. Hope that helps. PM if you have anymore questions. Cheers

I second @JustHangingOut there is nothing quick about this process. Specially if you are planning on going guard/reserve. Also, be prepare to be extremely persistent with Recruiters. "Trust, but verify" when dealing with with them. Most of the time, I was able to learn more about the hiring process or rushing by simply cold calling the chief pilot x or y wing/squadron... that's if you are interested in going Guard/Reserves. If your plan is to go AD, PM me and I can put in touch with my hooker friend.

For you Drone Pilots

Big Blue doesn't have Warrant Officers... I am sure you probably knew that. However, had a fellow 47 bro that went Air Force AD about 5 years ago. He simply applied to the AD board as a prior enlisted and got picked up. Flys C-130s now. He did have to go thru OTS and graduated O1-E prior to going to UPT.

YEAH... what @Seadogs said. Also while you are it at enlisting in the Army, be sure to do the following: Get a stripper pregnant that will force you to married her 3 days before deployment. Get a 2010 Fort Mustang at 21% interest. Run up all of your credit cards and spend a bunch of money of a worthless tattoo that will let everyone know your name, rank and unit.

Guard. From what I understand, AD aviation is like a 6 yr jail sentence. I was fortunate to fly 47s and stayed away from the gun dudes. SC apaches are always hiring. They just got back from a 18 months deployment and there’s usually a massive exodus of pilots. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app