Metalhead731

I was wondering about how logging sim time towards your total time works and if we’re able to do it for military sim training. I’m currently at JMATS in Little Rock, training in their full motion C-130J simulators. I’m a guard guy so after seasoning I’ll be back out on the streets and have to find a full time civilian flying job (hopefully), and I’m trying to plan ahead. With the market as it is, I want to count as many hours as I’m able to towards my total time and hopefully go straight to a regional, or at least a fractional ownership company like Netjets. Does any C-130J pilot out there know if the C-130J sims are FAA certified so that we are able to count them towards total time? I keep hearing mixed things from people around here. Some say that we can count it all, others say we can’t because they’re not certified. Some say only the H-model sims are countable because there is a civilian equivalent and the FAA has that one certified but not the J-model sim. For the J pilots that have gone through the program, what did you do?

Off the street hire, guard, heavies. Here's my timeline so far: Application Submitted: Aug 2020 Interview (virtual): Oct 2020 Interview (in-person): Oct 2020 Selection: Nov 2020 MEPS: May 2021 MEPS Approval: Jul 2021 Enlistment: Jul 2021 NGB Submission Aug 2021 FC1 Medical: Oct 2021 FC1 Approval: Nov 2021 NGB Approval: Jan 2022 OTS: ????? UPT: ????? It's been a long one for sure. Does anyone have any idea how long it takes from packet approval to getting OTS dates? Seems like some people get them pretty fast. Scheduled within a week or two after NGB approval for class dates that are 3-4 months out. I've got nothing so far.

Yeah, unfortunately that's the state of things at the moment. Not many units are doing in-person visits. That much is out of your hands for now. Do what you can and attend all the zoom invites you are offered. That will show interest.

30-Year-Old chiming in. I feel like I got lucky. I got selected at the tail end of 2020 in November. The process has gotten harder since last year because of Covid like you said. Also, the Guard/Reserves are no longer a secret so the number of applicants has increased in general. On paper, you're a solid applicant minus the age. Best advice I can give you is that if you REALLY want this, you need to go out there and get it. Start putting in as much effort as you can now. Go visit the squadrons you're interested in. Talk to pilots, make connections, put in the leg work, etc. Get your name out there. Vaccines are out, more are on the way. People will start flying again, airlines will start hiring again. When that time comes you want units to know who you are and have shown interest so they are more willing to work with you for that waiver you'll need. It's unfortunate timing, and honestly, be prepared for the possibility that it might not happen. But don't self-eliminate yourself right out of the gate. Like you said, in the height of the airline hiring, older candidates were selected. That time will come again, and now is the best time for you to start laying that foundation. It's up to you, though, how long you decide to pursue it. Take all my advice with a grain of salt, given that I'm a non-prior recent off-the-street hire with no military background. But I've pursued my slot for two years before getting hired and, in general, that's the most common advice you'll get.

I should have probably specified that I got selected for heavies so I won't track T-38/T45, but I'm sure a lot of this is still the case with the T-6 and T-1. Thanks for the comments! I'm excited to have that planned for the future.

I've been browsing these forums for a few years now and I've seen several pilots talking about the "military way of flying". I've seen posts about how people with a lot of civilian aviation time can potentially be at a disadvantage because the "military way of flying" is very different. I've seen other posts of young guys heading to UPT without any flight time asking whether they should go out and get some hours and being told not to because they will be taught the "military way of flying" and not get mixed up with civilian training. I've been recently hired and still working on getting through MEPS. I have about 150 hours TT and working on getting my instrument rating. I've been wondering what does that actually mean? What is so different about military flying? I've seen these vague statements, but never really seen any specific examples. In the civilian world, you go through preflight, complete checklists, and you perform maneuvers to standards. I assume those are still applicable in military flying, but possibly more strict and more challenging. Just wondering if anyone can talk about any specific examples or stories that make military flying so unique. I want to get an idea as I'm getting started on this journey.

Fellow 30-year-old checking in. Just got picked up for a heavy unit this year. It's very possible. Keep flying to get that PCSM up and finish a PPL. Prepare a solid resume, cover letter, and start reaching out to those units. Might take some time given the state of things now but don't give up. Took me almost 2 years before getting hired. If you're up for it and your lifestyle would allow, I would expand that search as has been suggested, and commute. Good luck!

Good scores, great flying experience, great leadership, great volunteer experience, great GPA and major, and age is fine. You're a strong candidate with a solid background. Get a solid resume, cover letter, and LOR's and you're good to go. Definitely visit and rush the unit if you have an opportunity to do so and they'll allow it to give yourself the best chance. Good luck!

Hey, all. I’m a recent off-the-street hire. I received the call first week in November and was told to reach out to the recruiter. I contacted the recruiter and he told me that we would tell the retention manager to reach out to me with instructions, and if I didn’t hear from him to let him know. It’s been a few weeks now and I haven’t heard anything. I follow up about once a week with the recruiter to tell him I still haven’t been contacted by the retention manager and every time he says he’ll reach out again. Is it normal to wait this long for even the first set of instructions? I don’t mind the whole “hurry up and wait” of it all, but I haven’t even started filling out any paperwork to start processing so I feel like time is being wasted. Should I keep waiting for the recruiter or try to find the contact information of the retention manager and reach out to him myself?

Good suggestion. I'm looking into an Apple watch myself.

Hi everyone, With the holidays coming up I thought it would be a good time to post this question for anyone who would like to buy a gift for a friend/family member that will soon be attending OTS/TFOT or UPT, or for themselves if they have friends/family asking what they would like for gifts this year and would like to suggest something that would be useful in their upcoming training. So what are some good gift ideas or things that you wished you had while at OTS or UPT that would be useful for someone who will be attending sometime in the future? Thanks, and happy holidays to all!

Anybody got word from the 109th AW in NY? Been about a month since applications were due. I tried reaching out to the POC but she said she didn’t know when boards would happen.

FYI, Interview invites went out for 193rd. Boards are on Friday.

143rd AW invites going out.

Does anybody have any updates on Reno (192nd) or Charlotte (156th)?