N730

This is different from what one unit told me, but I am not in the position to very either. So take it with a grain of salt. Before I got picked up I had the guy running the board of one unit tell me that generally each unit is allotted one UPT slot. But he said they could request more if they could provide justification (didn't hire the previous year, manning issues, previous hire failed their medical, etc.). Hopefully one of the former squadron commanders or long time guard guys can pipe in and clarify. Honestly though, @TotableMink, I wouldn't worry about it. It doesn't make too much of a difference for you. It is a long wait regardless. Getting to the medical isn't the long part. Waiting for the FC1 to get signed and waiting for your appointment package to be approved by NGB is what takes forever.

FYI, the pilot score and nav score are made up of different sections. I think pilot is make up of Arithmetic Reasoning, Math Knowledge, Instrument Comprehension, Table Reading, Aviation Information. Nav is the same way, but I don't know which sections make it up. So to get in the 90s in the Pilot or nav section, you need to do decently in your other scores too. Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app

If I were you I'm not sure I would retake the tests. There are some units that will give you a hard time about the quantitative score, but some only care about your pilot score and PCSM. I'd start building out your packet and applying ASAP. Make sure your cover letter and resume are solid and you should be very competitive. And FYI, I have not sat a board, this is based on comparisons to me and people I rushed and interviewed with before getting hired. So if bunch of guys who run hiring boards pop in and say something different, take their advice.

I can't answer for the moral waiver question, but I think your astimatism is within standrads. I thought less than 3.00 was acceptable as long as your corrected vision is still 20/20. I'd double check though, you can probably find the standards through google. As for contacting recruiters, each squadron handles their process separately, so contacting an ANG recruiter won't do you any good. Check Bogidope and the sqadrons websites to find out when they are hiring and what is required. With the reserves, you could go through an Air Force Reserves recruiter since their process isn't quite as segmented.

I guess I wasn't clear. I would never recommend someone lie about being interested in an airframe. I was just saying that if he's genuinely interested in an airframe, not to make it sound like he is settling. That's why I said to say he is also interested in the aircraft. I'd never suggest that he say it's his favorite and his dream when that's not the case.

No worries. Just something to think about. If they're interviewing a guy that loves the Herk and has wanted to fly it for years or a guy that sounds like he thinks he is settling, who are they going to pick? If you like the aircraft, a better way to phrase it would be that you are also interested in C-17s and C-130s.

Hahaha fair enough. Traffic IN Austin wasn't particularly bad. I was referring to the area around COTA. It's a step up from the typical traffic surrounding a large event. But hopefully it's gotten better since I went in 2016, my bet is that it has gotten worse. Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app

I got hired to a fighter unit with a slightly lower GPA, similar(a couple of points lower) AFOQT scores, similar hours, and a slightly higher PCSM. Different units have different priorities. I had one interview where I was grilled about my GPA and another where it wasn't even mentioned. As long as your transcript isn't covered in Fs, you'll be fine. And even if it is, you'll probably be fine if your recent performance is good and you can show what you learned from the previous failure. Everything else looks solid and your scores are great. Regarding the interviews questions being casual, again, it depends. They MIGHT give you one or two, so I'd be prepared for it, but wouldn't count on it. Check out the interview questions topic. I can't speak for heavies since I didn't interview with any, but expect a few extremely serious questions at fighter interviews. The interviews weren't equivalent to any job interview I've had before. Overall, I think you're in good shape. Just remember to apply everywhere. If you want to focus on fighters, take a year and do that. But apply to every unit that has an A-10, F-15, F-16, F-22, or F-35. It's hard to do, so don't limit yourself. And one last thing, please don't repeat "I'd take a C-17 or C-130". Really makes it sound like they're your back up, and they may be, but it's not the best idea to vocalize that. They're great aircraft with aircrew that love them. It's difficult enough to get hired, so avoid saying things that could make your process harder. Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app

@MilitaryToFinance I can't speak from personal experience, but know multiple people that went to Indy and have been to Austin and they all said it was a night and day difference. They've done a really good job at making the entire COTA experience enjoyable. Also, it is worth buying the parking pass, just look at the map and see which area is best. Traffic is still shitty, but even one of the mid tier parking passes made getting from your car to the circuit much more convient. And if you have a group, people were tailgating. @brickhistory I'd recommend it, especially if you're close and you could get some people to make the trip with you.

I went a few years ago and it was a great experience. A lot of great views for a General Admission Ticket. If you go, spend Saturday exploring the track and figuring out where you want to sit. I was able to sit right a turn one for the start of the race and then moved to the S-es for another portion of the race. Also, Austin in late October is pretty nice. Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app

Damn, I'm waiting for my OTS and UPT dates and can't wait to get on Tricare. Most airlines have MUCH better coverage than 95% of civilan employers, so I understand the argument, but for most other civilian jobs the coverage isn't even close. My civilian job's is at a very large and "good" company. The insurance is $250/mo and has a $1500 deductible before anything is covered. So I would basically have to spend a $4500 out of pocket before I get any benefit. The premium would raise to almost $600 and the deductible would double if I added my wife. I routinely hear about how we have such good coverage at this company and it will say that it is way better than what was available at my previous job. But it's still garbage.

Keep applying. Recruiters can say what they want, and they may be right. But even if they are correct and you have no shot, the worst result is that you don't get an interview. Funny enough,this is the same result you get by not applying. So send in your packet, they may throw it out, but at least then you know. Bottom line, don't let anyone but the hiring board tell you no.

I'd say that's below average from the guys I've talked to, but it varies. It depends on a lot of things, especially if you're coming from off the street. Availability at WPAFB, how quickly you can get through MEPS, how quickly your unit submits the request, etc. Some units want you to swear in first. Some recruiters think you have to before you can go to your FC1, but that's not the case. For me, I went to MEPS around a month after being hired and went to my FC1 about 5 months after being hired. But that was due to some miscommunication and my MEPS results not being quickly delivered to the guys scheduling my FC1. I know an enlisted guy that got hired at his home unit, and his FC1 was about 3 months from hire. So I'd be ecstatic about getting there in 2 months. Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app

Vettel has been in a tough situation at Ferrari thanks to the internal company politics. He's had to basically run the team at points. He has to be constantly second guessing his strategy team, and at this point is having to make some of his own strategy calls to stop feom getting screwed by the worst strategy shop in F1. At Red Bull, he could just drive and help develop the car. I think we will look back and find it hard to believe we had a time with Hamilton, Vettel, and Alonso all on the same grid. Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app

Hopefully it's not a reenactment of the Vegas parking lot race. I love street courses, but they generally lead to more boring races than purpose built tracks. The exception seems to be Baku, even though it has what feels like a 5978 mile straight haha. Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app

It's a shame Germany won't be on the calendar next year, but Sochi and other parade races are going strong. Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app

I was tokd my FC1 was signed by the SG, but what we are waiting on is the actual officer appointment package (the 10,000 forms we filled out) to finish getting signatures. And thankfully, no IFT for me, but I do need OTS. Fingers crossed it's not pushed to FY21! Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app

Ok, thanks for the clarification. I am just trying to figure out if my spot is in danger of being delayed significantly (FC1 is approved and appointment packet has been at NGB for 3 months). But worrying about it won't change anything, so I'll just reach out to my unit for an update.

Just for clarification, are you meaning the training that will occur in FY20, or the number of slots ANG will be able they can hire in their FY20 boards?

Yeah, I think it's too little too late. I think Merc still has it in the bag, but hopefully between Ferrari's new upgrade and Red Bull doing their thing, we can have a good rest of the season. Watching it on ESPN is awesome. After embarrassingly bad coverage for the first race they aired, they started airing Sky's coverage of it, uninterrupted, thanks to a sponsorship from Mother's Polish and Wax. Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app

It's never been a pass happy series, but the recent Merc domination is unreal. I quickly learned to enjoy the midfield battles. It's just exciting to see Ferrari and Red Bull steal a couple. Some of these newer tracks are garbage and turn the race into a parade...Russia is included on that list for sure. Not sure if you saw the German GP this year or not, but it was exciting, especially if you want a lot of passing.

Woah! Another F1 fan??? I guess I'm not alone! Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app

God, I hope you're trolling. Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app

It all depends on the unit. I know some units are concerned with all your scores, others are not. All my scores were in the 90s, but I've been told by multiple fighter units, including the one I was hired by, that that is not the norm. I know that NOLA is an example of a unit that really cares about all of your scores though. Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app

Good scores, don't enlist unless it's just because you want to enlist in the unit. I can tell you that timeline the recruiter is giving you is not accurate. Theoretically, you could apply right away, but that's just not how it's worked for ANY of the enlisted guys I met when I was rushing. Plus, if your tech school is in demand or if BMT is backed up, it could be over a year before you even left for training. If your minds made up, go for it. But understand that there's a 99% chance it'll be a longer delay than yours thinking. Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app