hockeydork

Of course, just grateful the airline didn't abandon me for someone else with me doing the enlisted stuff.

I was you. I threw it as a hail marry, and enlisted at 30 hoping it would matter on some of my apps and I felt I needed to serve (builds character). Flying fighters was my dream since I was about 4 so I said F it and pushed one last time. I think this answer depends on a few variables: Quick Summary: Enlisted with BA/MS in engineering, 1600 hours, airline job offer. Normal dude, like hockey, cars, skiing etc. I had interviewed for fighters and got F*d over, but that is another story. Bad luck and timing. Summary (Crew Chief): Basic (2 months) varies but for me sucked, put a strain on my wife. But it's a necessary hazing. There's some really good people, and some real weirdo's. Look out for the good people, have their backs. Don't get a bed near the hallway light like I did, unless you do not want to sleep for 2 months, and get sick for half of it. You won't wanna go to medical either because they'll just hold you there/roll you back and extend your stay. Tech (3 months) school at Sheppard sucks. They treat you like a child, MTLs power trip and don't realize that not everybody there is 19. Some of us hold down multiple professional careers and being there is a tricky sacrifice. I had been gone every weekend flight instructing the past 2 years and barely seen my wife prior to enlisting. I spent thousands on rental cars, hotels and plane tickets for her to visit for just 2 day visits and prevent a divorce. The fact that married individuals/people with kids get lumped into a dorm like its college is beyond stupid. My wife hated the BS, and I agree with her. I put this experience into the "reason not to reenlist" bucket. AND I was lucky and had a good class and instructor. Don't break their stupid rules, they'll keep you there for months (aka away from your family) as punishment. Additional Training: Way better, actually productive. Lucky enough to get another instructor who doesn't waste time. Get your own room, don't have MTL up ass. Get to play with fighters a little, if you love them you love them. Make it fun. All in, it'll cost you a year of your life. I've heard thru the grape vine that over 29 nobody cares, you are too old and you aren't getting sent to UPT for fighters (see per 144 FW) If you are single, or don't care where you'll live, and haven't dumped your own money and time into all your civilian flight training, you'd be better off applying to the AD board IMO. "Worst case" even if you were set on fighters, they train you to fly a heavy, you make the best of it, and punch when your commitment is up. It does sting wrenching on a jet you're itching to fly. Maybe you'd get lucky and interviewed by O Face...but with fighter UPT shortages ain't lookin to hot even if someone somewhere does think a 30 year old is worth it. The shortages are probably the final nail in my coffin for sure. 1 more edit to add: If I ever DID miraculously get into the seat, understanding the enlisted force would make me a far better officer/leader than had I not seen it.

Anyone know if 104th invites went out?

Anybody going to VT from CT/NY area and wanna carpool/ have wing man for drinking? I was gunna fly up but weather looks sketchy.

TBNT from JAX after a phone interview. Anybody make it thru and get an in person?

Copy. I still haven't gotten anything as a data point for others.

Makes me feel a little better, I haven't been contacted to setup a time yet as well, I was starting to get nervous and didn't want to bother them in case they were just busy.

What they should have done was made it a pipeline to for the multiple people who want a commission and to fly, but maybe can't get there due to med stuff that makes them perhaps "not deployable". I've talked to a few in the pipeline who got picked up guard units but bounced in medical. A lot of these people get written off for stupid BS, talk about a loss to the AF. You could even make it pre-req that they have tried to commission/would be willing to accept one if offered? Here's one, how about they get to fly the T-6 as a civilian like a guard pilot but also must commissioned or enlisted in the guard doing something non flying. I would do a lot to get into the T-6 but this offer seems soft. Flying a Citabria above the beach and looking at the pretty girls may be the way to go to get to 1500.

Always good to approach any problem from multiple angles but there is book smart and street smart, there ain't one definitive clear answer and there is likely at least some validity to both. I do however think this is way more a street smart problem. Putin is a grade A asshole, but a very street smart dude. Keep it simple stupid. The only reason to fear NATO is if you're uh, doing something bad. Humans are as much academics as we are animals. Academics often forget that, but animals can't comprehend the academics. Ever seen an interview with like a convicted murderer? "Why'd you kill her"....."I don't know, I wanted to".

Maybe they missed on purpose this time. Better to over than under, ya know?

Do you mean any non former civilian hired to be a T-6 IP or the 141 warm body their targeting? I could deal with being hazed/knowing my place/working hard to earn the credibility if it meant time in the T-6 with like minded bros...... but being forced to lick shit off the bathroom floors and being treated like some moron I will not, I've worked way too hard at this point.

Just guessing, but maybe because if they don't need you in 3 years they can cut you loose? Instead of having to pay ya for 10 years? And they save money by not making you an officer/not paying for any of your education? Idk, spit balling. As to why people who are applying wouldn't just go become AF officers, maybe they wanted to but couldn't get the stars to align to make it happen the AD route and that ship has sailed, or they have a condition that makes them non deployable but totally fine to teach flying, or maybe they are actively trying to get hired in the guard but haven't gotten picked up, would rather stay teaching the T-6 for three years than move onto a C-130 etc. Side Question: Can you get hired as a reserve T-6 IP off the street?

Same. But if there is one thing I've learned in life it's to runaway as fast as you can from people who grossly undervalue you and what you can offer. I see it all the time at GD, it's depressing. I'm not talking about myself either, I work with some dudes who are straight up geniuses.

They told me to get lost as well since I didn't graduate 141 program. I respectfully made it clear how foolish that was. I guess 3 engineering degrees with 7 years work experience, no busted rides and training coast guard cadets on the weekends just doesn't compare to that fresh 141 CFI. Whatever man. If that isn't already a redflag indicator that you'll likely be treated as a fourth rate citizen I don't know what is.

I "applied". I think this will attract the purists who want to fly mil high performance but have some obstacles. The financials of this suck, I know a lot of people who who'd say f that I am not moving there to make that when I could be getting greased by the regional to up to fly for a major. Labor of love right? Maybe I could keep a part time gig with GD remotely to pay the bills a little better. And you know what if this did go down I'm not worried about getting shit on, as long as you aim to fly the best you can, which should be the same standard as any other UPT schmuck, who cares if I have no rank.