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Hey guys, I am looking for advice on what to expect or do if I fail my flight physical. I got selected for CSO for OT1903 and I am completing my SF86 before my physical can be scheduled sometime this spring. I did not do so hot on my color vision pip test at MEPS and was wondering what will happen if I fail this during my flight physical (below a score of 55 on CCT, non-waiverable)? Would I be offered another position? or not able to go rated entirely? Would they offer me something non-rated? Thanks for your input!

I was recently selected for OTS with a CSO slot. I’m still unsure about which airframe I’d like to work on, but ISR seems like one of the more interesting jobs you can do as a CSO. Plus, location is among my top, if not my top priorities when choosing an airframe, and RC-135’s have some great bases. Anyone here who has experience on the RC-135 and can speak to what the daily life of an EWO is, your deployment schedule, and the base options for the RC-135?

https://www.12ftw.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1724030/back-to-basics-for-csos-running-long-deep-fast/fbclid/IwAR2mfhtYeJRXRh2XaVLYMQ9UWxYjJ6-EuyxN5JWtXT5O9ZSeBkUHqeLjS7g/

Good Evening !! Does any have a list of reserve or ANG units which have fighter CSO/NAV positions. I am digging up every unit's website to find details but not making progress much so I am asking. My apologies if this has been already asked, tried to find it in the forum but it does not pop up in the search. Thanks ! Keep rocking

Hello, I was just wondering what a CSO would maybe major in. I am currently a Senior in High School and have received an AFROTC Scholarship. A CSO interests me and I’d really just like to know more about it. Any information or personal preference would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

When developing your package in ROTC for the Active Duty board, are there any factors that are put into your package that are outside of ROTC? Things like being a president of a student organization or any other type of leadership position. Was just curious.

Good morning to all, In late September, I went up for the Rated Supplemental Board and unfortunately, was not selected. I found this out in late September. The thing is, I retook my AFOQT awfully close to the Supp. Board date. Although most might dismiss the possibility of my scores still making the board, it should be noted that my scores actually came out in 6 days, as such, that possibility should be increased to some respect. My PCSM went from a 59 to a 76. Here's the timeline to help with my story. Timeline: 16 Feb - Received RPA (PCSM was 57 when sent to board) 9 Aug - TBAS retake (PCSM improves from 57-59) 13 Sep - AFOQT retake 19 Sep - Find out my AFOQT scores (PCSM improves to 76) 29 Sep - Receives call from CC. Not selected. When I found out I didn't make it, a question that was really on my mind was whether or not the new PCSM got factored in. I asked my CC and he was quite confident that my scores were in fact NOT factored in citing the fact that AFOQT scores take two weeks to come out and that close proximity (probably intersecting) with the time the board meets makes it not likely that my scores made it in. At the same time, he does not believe that even had I notified the cadre immediately (on the 19th) that they would have made it to WINGS. What is WINGS... On the 19th, I checked the PCSM site and sure enough, my PCSM was updated. Because the PCSM site showed my scores had been updated, I had no reason to assume that WINGS would not have updated it. As such, I made no further effort to double check and inquire if my scores were ready for board simply because I did not know that there was even another way (and what turned out to be the only way that mattered). I believed I had all avenues covered. I personally beat myself for not having been more proactive about ensuring my records were up to date, but I feel frustrated with my cadre's handling as well. The decision to retake my AFOQT was fraught with postponements and 1 on 1 conversations between me and the cadre, as such, one would assume my decision to go with retaking the AFOQT to be something they were aware of. Even a few days after I took it, one of the cadre members came up to me asking how I think I did, (again re-ensuring the idea that they knew about me retaking the AFOQT.) My question is, if they knew about it, why too did they not be more proactive in getting my scores up to WINGS, knowing that this is something that is quite personal and essential to me. With their knowledge both within and outside ROTC, they would definitively have much better position to see whether or not I was on track or not. The big questions I have for you all really is to understand how PCSM scores go into WINGS. Does the CC fill out a Form 22 to update PCSM onto WINGS? Is that the job of the CC or the NCOs? Can cadets check their PCSM on WINGS? Does WINGS display the date a change was made to your PCSM scores? I have tried to make this as comprehensive as possible so that you guys can have every aspect taken into consideration. Other than that, that is all. Thank you folks! Respectfully, DinaMight

Hi folks, I'm currently starting my final year of college also seriously considering retaking my AFOQT to try and improve my PCSM. AS of the moment, I am planning on commissioning FY18, but that may all change. Hear me out. I'm not really one to be tact so I'll just say this the best that I know how. At the moment, I have an RPA slot and as glamorous as the future of this career looks, it's not something I think I want for myself. That whole idea of flying in a box, disconnected from everything that has defined flying for the past century is something I am still not sure about. As of right now, my PCSM is at a 59. I've taken the TBAS twice and AFOQT once. I know that taking the AFOQT and doing better on the pilot sections can help raise the PCSM score, but I also recognize that failing any section of the test means losing everything I've worked towards these past few years and throwing away a big career I've longed for since my youth. However, if I retake the AFOQT, I can raise my PCSM and hopefully get picked up on the supplemental board for pilot. Maybe it may happen even if I don't retake the AFOQT, but still, maybe it won't and really all I want to do is maximize the variables that I can control and one such variable is that AFOQT. At least once I have done all I could can I have a peace of mind and say to myself that I gave it everything you know? I recognize that getting a higher AFOQT does not necessarily secure my chances of getting a pilot slot, but it would also hurt to not take it and have this lingering thought in my head. That "what-if" scenario, what if I had taken that AFOQT and done better? I've spoken to friends and my cadre about this and all are against this move simply because of what I can stand to lose, a commission in the USAF and a job for next few years. My cadre specifically noted that as an RPA I stand a higher chance of getting upgraded to a pilot than a CSO (can anyone confirm this?) and as such, the best course of action for me is, and should be, to remain still and let it play out because you know sometimes the best course of action is do nothing. What do you guys think? I If anyone has been or is in the same shoe, I'd very much like to hear your input on this. Thank you. Should I retake it? How much weight does the AFOQT pilot scores have on the PCSM? If you've done better on the pilot section after your retake, how much did it affect your PCSM? Is RPA more likely to be upgraded to Pilot than CSO? Anyways, any help really is appreciated. Thanks guys.

Looking for a great unit close to DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia? Delaware is your spot. We are looking to hire a few CSOs this fiscal year. Email me for information. Chris Esterline, Maj, DANG christopher.m.esterline.mil@mail.mil

Hey all! First post on these forums, so let me introduce myself. I'm currently working on a PPL (solo'd in a Cessna 172P on 8 Aug 2015) and I'm enrolled at the University of Maryland (College Park), I hold a Private Pilot-Glider license, and have been chair flying on video games since the age of six. I'm a current AFROTC freshman cadet w/ a Type 2 AFROTC scholarship at UMCP and haven't been able to really get a nice straight answer from my Det on this: benefits and cool stuff about being a CSO. I'm definitely looking at being a pilot, but vision is likely to let me down (20/80 w/o glasses at my last checkup), so I was hoping on still flying anyway as a CSO. There are some really cool platforms I'd like to fly on, namely the Mud Hen, Bone, and MC-130 series, and I would just like to gain an insight from any current or former CSOs (or pilots/other aircrew) on those airframes and benefits of being a career CSO until the 2040s. In simple terms: -Can I still have a good flight career as a CSO until the late 2030s-2040s? -Benefits/other stuff like traveling, work life, and camaraderie as a CSO? -Future of the F-15E, B-1B, MC-130 series of airframes until the 2040s? -Any marketable skills to the civilian flight world? (airlines, aircraft development, even spaceflight) Thanks for your time!

I’m only a month or so away from submitting my “dream sheet” in UCT, and I’ve been doing a good amount of research on the planes I’m interested in. The U-28 mission interests me a lot, but I’m concerned with the lifespan of the airframe and the CSO’s role in the mission. I’ve read a lot of articles and heard a lot of rumors around the squadrons here about the mission going away for the CSO and it all going to the MC-12s, etc. I can’t find a lot of solid information on the topic so I’m hoping someone on here can shed some light on the subject. Thanks for your help. https://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/cpquery/?&dbname=cp113&sid=cp1130zsNS&refer=&r_n=sr176.113&item=&&&sel=TOC_326689& https://breakingdefense.com/tag/mc-12-liberty/ https://www.socom.mil/News/Documents/FY 2015 USSOCOM Budget Highlights.pdf

Active Duty Air Force Announces Personnel Reduction Initiatives, the below statement is taken from a letter send by the Secretary of the Air Force Eric K. Fanning referring to the future downsizing of the Active Duty Air Force:“ we are now faced with some very difficult financial choices that force us to reduce the overall size of the Air Force. To be blunt, we are going to get smaller... smaller than we've ever been as an Air Force.” However, the chief of the National Guard Bureau feels differently about the future of the ANG.Gen. Frank Grass told soldiers and airmen that the 460,000-member force is capable of continuing missions both overseas and domestically. The National Guard Air and Army units should be able to maintain their readiness and deployment capabilities indefinitely despite a murky federal military budget outlook... It appears that the Air National Guard is the place to go if you want to continue your military career. Coincidently, it just so happens that the 152nd AOG in Syracuse NY is currently in search of the following vacancies: Officer AFSCs: 11 F/B/R/M - Pilot 12 F/B/R/M - Nav/CSO/WSO 13 B - Air Battle Manager The 152nd Air Operations Group is looking for qualified or previously qualified Fighter, Bomber, Recce, Mobility pilots/navigators, O-5 and below/all services, to fill key unit positions. The 152nd is tasked to augment the 603rd Air and Space Operations Center, US European Command's premier command and control facility for air component operations, at Ramstein AB, Germany. Together, the 603rd and 152nd provide USAFE with command and control of air component operations throughout Europe and Africa. This mission is exciting and we depend on the expertise of experienced rated officers from a variety of aircraft and mission backgrounds. These are part-time traditional guard positions at Hancock Air National Guard Base, Hancock International Airport, in Syracuse, New York. Served by most major airlines, the base is easy to get to from anywhere in the country. This is an excellent opportunity to continue your military career in a rated but non-flying position. Flight pay is available to those who have met the necessary gates. This an exciting and important mission, great people to work with, a flexible drill schedule and an opportunity to continue to build your military retirement. Please contact 1Lt Patrick McManus at Patrick.mcmanus.1@ang.af.mil or 152aog.do@ang.af.mil, phone 315-233-2755, DSN 243-2755.

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