N730

I mean, unless you are just dead set on your hometown unit, I wouldn't enlist. That is a delay of years (I don't know exactly how long) and you still aren't guaranteed to be picked up. Getting to know the pilots is important, but to put it in perspective, I'm civilian and was hired by a fighter unit that I didn't rush. There are multiple fighter units that don't even allow rushing. Units are just different, some put a HUGE preference on their enlisted members, some only hire from within, and some don't care at all. If you are getting interviews you are on the right track. you have a TON of time, so I'd keep pushing for a year or two before considering enlisting. What are you AFOQT/PCSM like? If you scored the interview, I assume their pretty decent.

I'm going to start all of this by saying that I assume you have your taken your TBAS and have a PCSM as well. If not, that is the next step before you can do much of anything. But I would definitely start reaching out. A PPL isn't a hard requirement for most units, and "I'll finish it in December" seems like it would be an acceptable answer. The whole process takes a long time, as @CharlieHotel47 said. And odds are, you probaly won't be hired by the first board you apply to anyway, so worst case, you get some feedback on your package. If you wait until you finish your PPL, you will miss an MC-12 board, 7 heavy boards, and 2 fighter boards. And that's just what is on Bogidope. Start sending out your package now, even if you haven't visted the units. Try to get to drills when you can, but you are guarantee not to get a job you don't apply for.

FYI, last year WI didn't allow people to rush, so I'd reach out to the POC before you book your flights. They might have decided to open it up this year!

Like the other guys said, the process doesn't work in a way where you just start email random documentation around. The reserves are a little different and I can't speak to that, but if you go the unsponsored route, you'll work through a reserve officer recruiter. If you apply directly to units, bogidope is your best bet for a POC. As for the guard, you need to be checking bogidope, the individual guard websites, and even their wing's recruiting facebook page. Not every unit announced their hiring boards in the same way. They all have their own packet requirements, but most contain pretty much the same stuff that @vipermaverickk mentioned. Some want more, some want less. I've seen requests from everything from 2 to 5 letters of recommendation, so it all just depends. Some units want physical packets mailed in, some want digital, and some want both. It'll take some leg work from you to find the POCs for each unit if it isn't readily available on bogidope. You might have to call around and just get in touch with SOMEONE at a unit to get the number for one of the pilots. Bogidope is great, but it is not 100%. Not every unit updates their information or board information with them, so while it is a great resource, do not think that it is the only place you need to look.

I don’t think you’re risking anything by retaking it as long as you study. If you don’t study or prep, you shouldn’t expect to do much better. I know a lot of AFROTC and NROTC guys that seem to think there’s no need to prep for the aptitude tests. Don’t be one of those guys. Honestly, I’d be shocked if you got an interview at a fighter unit with those scores. Everyone I interviewed with were over 90s. Most high 90s pilot scores. You can easily score in the 90s with a little preparation. Then you will have a better shot at getting interviews. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Nice! You got exactly the news I was hoping to get. But I haven’t gotten dates yet. Don’t worry, you’re not! I’m still waiting on approval from NGB! Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

When I started rushing unit, the number one rule I heard from everyone I talked to about the process was “Don’t be a douche”. How do you think you’re doing in that regard? Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

It’s not hurt feelings, it just looks ridiculous when you say flying fighters is a dream and you know you can’t be picky, then say that you aren’t going to apply for units in the south (which is like a third of the guard/reserve fighter units that actually hire off the street). Then you go on to say you’re thinking AD, which gives you even less control over living in places that aren’t “nice”. And it looks even worse when Eagle is nice enough to give you the time of day to give advice and your response is basically, “well I wouldn’t want to work with you anyway”. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Haha well I was half-joking. Anyone with the connections he had would cause conspiracies. He has strange professional history that doesn’t add up and l even stranger connections to everyone from royals, to the Barr family, to Bill Richardson, to Trump and Clinton. So of course most assume there’s something fishy and going to be a coverup. Honestly, it’s awful every way around. Either people got rid of him so they wouldn’t go down or this guy basically got away with all the monstrous stuff he did in his life and then took the easy way out without naming any names. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

So now it’s reported he killed himself. Even though I thought he’d been under 24 suicide watch. I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but someone that could possibly take down the current president, a former president, a royal, and probably countless other rich and powerful people kills himself the day after Prince Andrew is named in unsealed documents? How did he do it? Did he kill himself with 2 shots to the back of the head? Seriously though, seems fishy. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

It just depends. Most post on Bogidope, but it’s probably 75% if I had to guess. I know of 3-4 units off the top of my head that don’t post their jobs there. And you have to stay on top of the officer recruiters, they’re busy and have no way of knowing how serious people that reach out to them are. So be annoying. Call or text the AFR recruiter once a week until he realizes you’re serious and starts investing some time into you. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Some units say you must graduate within 6 months of the board, some say a year, it just depends. The other guys have it spot on. Go to bogidope, check the wing websites, look at the wing recruiting facebook pages, call and try to talk to a pilot. You'll be able to find the information you want. If Active Duty is the path you want to take, don't allow the recruiter to bully you into applying for rated positions other than pilot, unless you are interested in those positions. If you turn down a rated position, you are inelegible for future AD boards without a waiver. I have a buddy whos recruiter told him he HAD to put a top 3...until he told the recruiter that he would just keep rushing guard units and wasn't interested in applying to active duty if he had to apply to boards other than pilot. Then, miraculously, the recruiter found out that he could, in fact, apply for pilot only. Outside of the job listings on Bogidope, I'm not sure how to find out when reserve units are hiring. But if you are interested in all airframes, you can get in touch with a Reserve Officer Recruiter too. But be aware, if you call the AFR recruiting 1-800 number, it is basically a call center, so they aren't always correct in what they say. I had a lady passionately tell me that I could not speak to an officer recruiter until I had my degree in hand. She even went as far as to tell me that whoever let me take my AFOQT should get in trouble because you aren't allowed to take the AFOQT or TBAS until after graduation. The lady was an idiot and full of crap. So if that kind of thing happens to you, try to call another day, arguing with stupidity won't get you anywhere. And speaking of the AFOQT and TBAS, you don't necessarily have to go through a recruiter to take the tests. Call any universities with AFROTC detachments or guard units within driving distance. They may tell you no, but the AFROTC detachment near me was willing to proctor both tests as soon as I was willing to take them. Just make sure you study your ass off and make the most of it. There's no reason to do poorly if you prepare correctly.

Just want to correct this. I'm 99.99999% sure GPA does not go into your PCSM. But as CharlieHotel said, it is still important. To add to what else he was saying, for the guard, there isn't a single recruiter you can talk to. Each unit has their own process and their own hiring board. Some announce boards on their website, some on facebook, some on bogidope, and some don't advertise at all. So you need to call around and send emails. I built a spreadsheet with all of the units, what they flew, their website, a POC (if I could find one), and any other information I found important. I'd check each website every few weeks and called the POCs I could find. Reserve units are similar, except you CAN find a reserve officer recruiter who can help you connect with units (assuming you get in touch with a decent recruiter). Also, like CharlieHotel said, every unit is looking for something slightly different. Some have scores as their top priority, some GPA, and some don't care too much about any of that. What they ALL care about is that you are a good dude and someone they could see themselves working with for a couple of decades.

@definitelymaybe Also, have you taken the TBAS yet? If so what is your current PCSM and the 201+ PCSM? People get hired with scores similar to yours, it might just be a little harder than if they were higher. Definitely start applying now. Maybe you get an interview with your current scores, maybe not. But there is no point in cutting yourself out of boards until you retake the test. Worst case, you get all rejections and some valuable feedback for the rest of your packet. Nothing negative comes from it though.

It just depends what you want. You said you're applying for non-rated positions, is that because you don't think you have a shot for pilot or because you aren't very interested in becoming a pilot? From everyone I've spoken to that has gone through UPT, it is not something to take on if you don't have a drive to become an aviator. It's too much work for someone who doesn't really want the job. There are people that have gotten hired at your age. I think @FDNYOldGuy was exactly your age when he got hired, and that was before the age limit was raised to 33. So if you want it, don't give up. Your scores aren't anything particularly special, but again, don't give up wihout even giving it a shot. Apply to every guard and reserve unit that has a board. It might take a while, but that is just part of the process. I think AD is cutting off age waivers at 35, but I don't know for sure. Just don't apply for a job you don't want.

Some guys did it in June and some didn't. It seemed to depend on which flight doc you got. One was much more thorough than the others.

Holy Crap @elvis. 7 months from hire to TFOT? That's insanely fast. Congrats! When did you submit your appointment paperwork? Mine is submitted and the FC1 is approved, so I am just waiting on NGB to approve it and provide training dates.

No need to make it political. I’m sure Fox and CNN will take care of that for themselves. Clinton, Trump, Republicans, Democrats, Celebrities, Businessmen, I don’t care. I hope everyone involved gets taken down and absolutely destroyed. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Not being fighter qual’d and failing UPT are two different things. If you aren’t recommended for fighters, you’ll most likely have to find a heavy unit. I haven’t hear of anyone being given to option to get out “no harm, no foul” because they weren’t recommended for fighters. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Waivers aren’t required unless you’d be 33 when you start training, that’s the change. The limit was raised from 30 to 33. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Knowing that your 201+ is similar to your pilot score, I'm not sure the TBAS is the issue. I'd seriously consider studying your ass off and retaking the AFOQT. Everyone I was with at fighter interviews had pilot scores in the mid to high 90s (a couple were around 90), similar PCSMs. I've was also told by a couple of units that they look at the 201+ score and consider that as well. Your quant score is awesome, so I can only imagine that the actual pilot sections were where you didn't do quite as good as you could have. As for your age, I think you are ok. I got hired earlier this year am a little older than you. Units cover a sepctrum, some don't care at all, some take it into consideration, and for some it is a deal breaker. But that's not something you can control, so focus on the aspects of your package that you can. Also, when it comes to retaking the TBAS or AFOQT, my comments are just my point of view. I was picked up, but I'm not one of these guys who have been on hiring boards. So if one of the more experienced guys or moderators come in and say differently, take their advice over mine.

What is your 201+ PCSM? Knowing you max score will help people give advice about retaking the TBAS. Overall, you AFOQT scores are pretty good, but you pilot score is average, so that isn't doing wonders for your PCSM either. If you are going for fighters, you'll probably need to retake your AFOQT as well. Flight time will help, even if you can only get past your solo. When I was rushing, I heard multiple guys that didn't have PPLs get asked if they'd flown at all, and then if they solo'd. As for your Letters of Recommendation, I agree about replacing the E-4 recommendation, but think it depends with your friend. I had a friend as one of my recommendations, but he was also AD Air Force. If your buddy is an entry level ass scratcher at whatever company he works for, I'd find someone else. If you DO get your PPL, your CFI will be a good recommendation.

That would be specific to that unit. Plenty of units hire on the first interview, so go in to every interview with the mindset to get the job! Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

GPA requirement is 2.5, unless it’s been raised recently. The AF website still says 2.5. https://www.airforce.com/frequently-asked-questions/officer-path/what-are-the-general-qualifications-to-fly-including-height Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Honestly, trying to help here. Consider deleting your account. All you are doing in this thread is hurting your chances. I hope you haven't given enough information to be identified. Just lurking before I started applying or got picked up, I saw two different people hurt or destroy their chances with what they said and did on this forum.