latetotheparty

Thank you all for the responses, I have some responses, good news, and bad news: I've made significant progress on my personal hurdles that required me to take antidepressants years ago and currently have glowing recommendations from HIMS neuropsychiatrists and my AME to get my 1st class. No DUI or major drug abuse issues, just a misdemeanor weed possession case from over 10 years ago that was my 1st and only offense (besides the occasional traffic/parking ticket) I'm on the cusp of getting my 1st class medical according to the FAA. They're just asking for 1 more report from my general physician, which I've acquired and submitted. What really pushed the FAA is that I wrote President Biden in November asking him to look in on my case due to the 8 month delay, and the FAA responded separately acknowledging that his office reached out I took the ASTB for the Navy (I'm trying all the service branches that I can) and scored very low, but now I have a better idea of what I need to improve on

I'm 29 years old and want to become an ANG pilot, but my 1st class medical cert app has been under review for over 8 months now and I don'd know when I'll receive my cert. My AME, HIMS case manager, and neuropsychiatrist have all given me positive endorsements to begin flight training and I've been issued my student pilot certificate. Of course without the cert, I cannot solo and get my PPL but I've already begun ground school, simulator lessons, and some flight lessons. My hope is to qualify for my PPL with flight hours and written and have my cert by that point so I can solo. Worst case scenario if the cert isn't issued by that point, would I still be competitive for ANG pilot slots? My preference is helicopters, but I'm also happy to fly heavies. I've also heard mixed reviews on if I should enlist in a unit first before applying for a pilot slot, and I've been considering enlisting to make my way into the unit and begin networking. I think this option could help me with my ultimate goal while waiting for my cert, what do y'all think?