kleveling

Haha yeah, I stand corrected.. Just misread the conversation, lesson learned!

I think this is just a general life answer, that doesn't pertain to piloting for the air force specifically, but... If you just clean up and dress for the occasion, that's all you do. I doubt you'll be judged by your outside appearance, nor should you. Our outside appearance does not represent who we are on the inside. If you got the heart of a warrior, that's what matters. I think you'll find that there are several people who don't "look the part" who are pilots, so don't worry about your looks. And I think that extends to just life, not just piloting.

If you're serious about joining any squadron/airframe you should always go visit, it only increases your chances so why wouldn't you! I visited in September, and it seemed like several of the pilots within the unit were from all across the country. I also spoke with the POC several weeks ago, and he told me the last two people hired to go through UPT pipeline were civilians. So it would seem that they do not just hire from within. Hope that helps!

I actually was planning to visit in October too! I also have similar scores, and it's definitely not a long shot if you get along with them well. I spoke to a guy there about the group, and I'd advise against the bottle of bourbon. I've only visited one unit so far, Oklahoma, and I only was able to visit them for a day. I think typically people visit for the weekend, so just plan on the weekend! PM me if you want to coordinate showing up at the same time/car pooling or whatever. I'll probably be getting in Thursday night late, as I'm coming from STL. First time visiting is always nerve wrecking haha, but it's really not as nerve wrecking as it seems. At least from my experience with Oklahoma everyone was really friendly.

I don't have any experience with this, but I've asked several people both online and over the phone when calling different units. Here's what I've learned: All units are different - some let you commute and some require you to live with in XXmiles of the base. Several of fighter pilots who commute sound like they dropped out of the unit after a few years because it became too strenuous, especially those that had families. Those who I've learned 'commute', and are allowed to, are typically within 1-2 hours (drive time) of the base. Of the 8-10 bases I've called only a very small handful of people commuted from distances of 5+ hours drive time (or 1-3 hour flight time) - so it's definitely possible. It does sound like those in the airline industry, who didn't commute to their airline jobs, fared a little better commuting to the monthly training. Also, to give a picture of time obligations - you would spend 4-6 days for monthly training, in addition to 2-3 weeks per year for TDY. That is not taking into account how long it takes for you to commute - it could be another 1-2 days for your commute. And if you did the airline thing you would be gone however long those guys are typically gone. Also, I had someone else tell me as you gain more experience in the airline industry, you begin to see a much larger difference in money that you could be making in your airline job and some people also drop for those reasons too. And I'm sure you know this already but with all the training, and "seasonal orders" plan on being away for 3-4ish years in total, though your family can come with you for 95% of it. I'm currently looking into and going for a fighter unit, and originally I wanted to do the commute thing but from what I learned I'm just planning to relocate, and then reassess as life happens.

Okay - I've found a few different threads that sort of tackled this question but I was hoping to get a better thread put together for this. I just realized that I could apply for Guard units (and that they existed), and that opens up a few more doors to me in terms of available units to apply to. I'm looking to stay somewhat local if possible, and I found some Guard units near me that fly the planes I'm most interested in. It would be ideal if I could get a slot at one of the local ones so I can be more involved in the unit's activities and have more opportunities to fly and is just better for long term (I'm in it for the long haul!). I don't have a problem moving for a few years to other reserve units that are further away, but not having to commute after moving back home would be more advantageous for everyone I'm sure. Anyway so some main points I wanted to figure out are: 1.) Are the missions the same for both? Would a guard unit (any airframe: Fighters, Transports, Tankers) have the same opportunities of involvement on the war on terror, or future wars/battles we may have? I've seen Guard units do international missions - humanitarian missions in countries (like puerto rico), and training missions with other countries over seas. 1a) If we do go to war with another country - does the Guard have the opportunity to be called to fight in the war overseas (or are they more/less likely to be involved)? I know for reserves you could be called by the president to active duty - but the Guard is under control of state I believe so I'm not sure how that works. 2.) Are the benefits the same for both? Medical benefits is the biggest concern for me and my family of course. But how about retirement, and any other ones? The ANG website wasn't as descriptive as the AFR website with benefits. 3.) Does the Guard have the same 'schedule' - for example: training x days per month and x weeks per year and then going on active duty missions for x months every x years? Is it more, or less for Guard - the time spent doing training or active duty missions (correct terminology if it's off!)? 4.) Any doors/opportunities that shut if you join either one? 5.) Is the training all the same for both for piloting - OTS, IFT (for no ppl), UPT, etc.? 6.) Any other miscellaneous things you want to point out? As always, I appreciate your input!

Just out of curiosity. Could I apply to both ANG & AFR units even though I've gone through an AFR recruiter? That knowledge is new to me!

I'm not extremely familiar with how going through the unsponsored board, but how did you get a guaranteed fighter/bomber track with going this route? Can you compete for those slots going unsponsored and then just wait for a reserve unit to pick you up? I'm at a PCSM of 59 (Pilot 97 - No flight hours, but @ 201 I'd have PCSM of 95 which is what I tend to see hah..) and so currently I'd say just the score appears like I'd be at a disadvantage for fighter/bomber unit, but if given a chance then I would definitely prove myself worthy to be a fighter/bomber (A-10 would be the dream). So I'd be interested in your thoughts on if that's a valid idea to run with? Also, another question - how much training do you go through when you go unsponsored? To my knowledge there is OTS, IFR, UPT, and then your specific airframe. I thought you could only go through OTS but obviously I could be mistaken here. I'll again mention I'm trying to go for a reserve slot if that makes any difference in your response. I appreciate your input in advance!

Hello, I'm new to this board, of which has been resourceful to me. So first off thanks everyone for your attention to this and helping others by taking time to give input! I realize this is rather long, so I'm grateful for anyone who sits down to read through this and give your advice!! A quick snippet of me and my situation - Always had inside me the heart to be a pilot for the air force, but due to a number of factors I decided against it and took another route. Spent 4 years in school for actuarial science, and spent additional 2200+ hours of studying to be an Actuary. If I'm honest, I never thought about what I wanted to do and just picked this path because it paid incredibly well; that and I enjoy math and a challenge. After a season of thinking through life, I'm convinced that living out whatever one believes to find purposeful or meaningful to them is the path we should all seek to live by - not just for the money as it turned into for me. To keep it brief, being a pilot for the air force reserves is incredibly meaningful/purposeful to me and I've made the decision to take a risk and go for it. I begun the process and scored 97 Pilot / 76 Nav / 60 AA / 74 Quant / 49 Verbal for AFOQT. I was told the pilot section only mattered for applying to be pilot - so the scores are reflective of effort. My GPA was 3.5 in college. I'm currently 24 (almost 25) years of age. I have a PCSM of 59, but that is with 0 flight hours. If I were to get 201 flight hours I'd be sitting at a PCSM score of 95. My recruiter explained that I won't need to worry about getting a ppl, and I can apply and have a great chance of getting in with my current scores. Currently I'm waiting to hear back from Surgeon General to finish out MEPS medical processing - was DQ'd because I went to ER for chest pain and they ran EKG (which was reason for DQ), even though the findings was that it was just acid reflux... So, while I'm waiting for the waiver on that I'm cold calling bases near the STL area, within 500 mile radius, in attempts to get a hold of the hiring manager or chief pilot to see if there are any openings. With all of this said, here are a few things i'm looking for some guidance on: 1.) Thoughts on scores in relation to being accepted into a unit? I'm looking into Barksdale (B-52), Whiteman (A-10), Dobbins (94th, C-130J), Wright-Patterson (C-17), and Little Rock AFB (913th, C-130J). Each of their missions just would be a dream to be on! 2.) I've seen the bogidope listings but notice there's not really any reserve listings (what happened to the huge pilot shortage!?!) - do they post them on there or should I be just cold calling bases consistently until they say "oh we have an opening"? 3.) I'm having a tough time getting good contacts for a hiring manager or the chief pilot. With the exception of Wright-Patterson, there appears to be no good contacts listed on their websites. I've tried operators with no luck, and have only been sent to people where I've just had to leave voicemails. Does anyone know how to get a good point of contact? Also, do people typically return voicemails or should I be calling them every few days until they answer? 4.) Anything to keep in mind when looking at applying to bases - just in terms of my desire to live in my hometown after my 2.5ish years of training? I'm hoping get one of the bases within a 3-5 hour drive of STL. Those are Whiteman, Wright-Patterson, and Little Rock AFB. 5.) Anybody have an idea of a good time frame for when I can expect to officially depart for the first training day at OTS? I have a few life decisions I need to make very soon, and understanding a time frame for this is crucial in planning. 6.) Any other guidance or wisdom to give for applying to units? I've read that coming to drill weekends are good! Any other research I need to do? 7.) Any other general guidance or things to keep in mind for myself as a married civilian (no kids yet) trying to get into air force reserve as a pilot? Thanks again for your input and advice guys! I truly do appreciate your help!