tarheelaviator

I saw the most recent list of selectees for the AFRC board. There are ALOT of ETPs (they mark each person with an age limit waiver with asterisk) and I even saw one for a fighter squadron. They are rare but do happen if you have good rapport with the squadron.

Has anyone been experiencing severe delays getting their FC1 scheduled? My med waiver was approved late last year and I still have been waiting for an FC1 data since November-December. Recruiter said some nonsense about their being delays caused by Covid rules, Congressional budget screw ups, etc but wanted to see if I am being fed BS.

I know a guy who is 39 and got picked up for an AFRC squadron (granted it was an unusual case but still). That is a load of bull.

100% this. Just keep applying everywhere. There are people in their 30s who have gotten picked up for fighters/bombers so their justification is nonsense. You've still got plenty of time keep applying everywhere. I mean applying AD simultaneously won't hurt but keep trying for the Guard/Reserve. If active duty stuff isn't out of what you want could consider, the Navy/USMC aviation side is something you should look into as well.

https://www.trijicon.com/products/subcategory/trijicon-hd Trijicon's iron night sights are pretty good or are you talking about the reflex/red dot type ones (no experience with those yet)?

If you're going to try the AD route prepare for delays, frustrations, switching to different recruiters (50% won't even push your application) and perhaps them offering you a non-pilot job even if you get through it. I spent 2.5 years beating on that line officer recruiting door only to get a CSO offer which I had to decline. Like Brabus said apply everywhere. Until you sign on the dotted line it's just an offer not a commitment. Also if you're willing to entertain the Navy side consider them. There recruiters seem to do a better job getting an answers quickly.

After a year and airline hiring picks up again they'll probably bring it back. Their manning exodus was temporarily halted by Covid but they did not catch up on their pilot training needs in 2020 to fill existing gaps.

This x100. I disclosed something years ago that almost grenaded my chances. Don't be stupid and lie about something they'll find (see surgery scar example above) but don't disclose anything that doesn't need to be said. I eventually got a waiver that shouldn't have even been necessary but it costed me years of lost time (no joke).

Not sure how it works when you already were picked up but I had PRK a long time ago and can't emphasize enough just finding a good doctor, sticking with the eye drop regimen religiously. If you're hired do you have to go to a USAF physician to get it done or is it still on your dime to find a surgeon yourself?

You absolutely have to call anywhere that interests you. I've had 2 interviews at boards that were never listed on BogiDope. Purely anecdotal but it seems the Reserve squadrons advertise less than the Guard ones.

Can attest to a similar experience. My old MEPS physical is over 2 years old so I am having to get another. Getting an appointment right now is Lord of Flies and taking months. DM for details but it sounds like we are in the same boat.

PCSM 92/AFOQT Pilot 98. I am exclusively doing the Reserve/Guard track now as the AD application process is just too slow. I also took the ASTB and those are solid scores (DM me for details on the Navy track). Also if you're interested at all in the Navy or Marines, Airwarriors is pretty much their version of this forum and there is better gouge there. I'll respectfully disagree that your chances for Strike Fighter would be lower than going the fighter/bomber track with the Air Force. If you do the active duty process with either branch, no airframe is guaranteed. It's still a combination of your performance in flight school and what's available during your drop. The Navy still has a major strike fighter aviator shortage just like the AD Air Force has a fighter pilot shortage but there never is a shortage of people who want to do those jobs. If you want a guaranteed 100% fighter slot you have to secure a spot with a Guard/Reserve squadron that flies them. Other than that it's always going to be a risk.

Only 1.5 years? That's a good one. Took almost 3 years for me. But all joking aside and to echo what Kilo said get those scores up. I had stellar scores (90+ across the board), great letters of rec, and was still non-select for pilot for an AD board (like you I'm a bit on the older side so that might have had something to do with it). I'd try Guard/Reserve simultaneously and also consider the Navy. The Navy recruiters seem to get folks before a board really quickly something I cannot say about any Air Force ones.

Seems it used to be if you were sponsored and cleared medically the Reserve board was just a formality. Now it seems they have severely cut the number of UPT slots for the Reserve so they are prioritizing the most undermanned squadrons.

Second what Marco said. BogiDope prepped me really well for my interviews. Identified a ton of bad stuff I didn't even realize I was doing. Its not cheap but its worth the money.