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I need some realistic advice. I'm 26, and my College GPA matches that (2.6). Nothing I can do about that. Short explaination: I worked several jobs/owned a business (wedding photography) and plain just didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. I haven't taken the AFOQT yet (will in May), but I did take the ASTB (Active Duty US Navy Selection Test; for those unfamiliar), and got the "minimum" scores needed to move forward with the process. My real goal is the ANG or AFR, one of the points with taking the ASTB was to get Military testing experience (however, I am still hoping to get picked up for Navy Active Duty). In speaking with an USAF Officer recruiter, he said "I've never seen anyone get picked up in the USAF rated board with a 2.6 GPA." I'm studying harder for the AFOQT, but maybe am coming to realize that perhaps I just don't cut it for Military Aviation. Don't get me wrong - I'm going to study my ass off and do what I can to crush the AFOQT, but I'm having a rough time with the math, even with a tutor. I will have my PPL within the coming weeks (wx permitting). I have plenty of leadership and volunteer on my resume. I've met with the Chief Pilot of the Unit I'm hoping to join, and know two other pilots there. Bottom line - do I need to score damn near the top to even have a shot at earning a slot with a 2.6 GPA (non-technical degree)? If you can tell, I'm rambling because I'm a little discouraged at the moment. I'm looking for honesty, so don't worry about hurting my feelings. Thanks.

I was referred to this forum by a current active duty AF pilot. I am currently in the end process of the AF Officer application process and currently have a scheduled start date for OTS. There are a couple of things that have come up in the last couple of weeks that have raised some red flags regarding the information I have been given by my recruiter versus what I have been told by several current AF pilots as well as a flight instructor. I am wanting to fly, however my overall GPA from college is just under the 3.00 requirement (2.75). What I was told by the recruiter that I have been dealing with is that if I want to apply for a pilot slot, I would have to get in and apply for a GPA waiver a few years down the road. May AFOQT score in the piloting section was in the top 19%, my air battle manager score was in the top 13%, and my navigator section was in the top 15%. I also currently have logged flight hours and am close to completing my PPL. My question is two part. First, whether or not the information that I have been given by my recruiter is correct, or if the GPA waiver is something that I should have been able to get up front, which is what I have been told by everyone else. Second, if it is something that I should have been able to get up front, is there anything I can do to pursue that since I already have a scheduled OTS date for a non-rated position, and if so what avenue do I need to take? I appreciate any advice/information that anyone can give.

Right, so here are my numbers, AFOQT: 96/89/76/95/49 PCSM: 93 GPA: 2.82 Bachelor of Applied Science: Technology and Management. All my bachelor's classes were taken online while I was working on my parent's farm. I also have an associate's in professional aviation with a GPA of 3.2 if that means anything. Flight Experience: 299.2 hours. Private, multi, instrument, commercial, with high horsepower and complex endorsements. I'm also enlisted (E-3) with the unit I'm applying at. I work as an Airfield Manager in the OPS department, so I know the majority of the pilots on a friendly basis.

Hello all, I am new to the flying squadron community. I am a current army helo pilot, CH-47s with 1000 hrs (two deployments - Afghanistan). I am approaching the end of my contract with the army in a couple of months and I've been looking at going Air Force Guard/Reserve. Would love to be able to transition to a heavy/cargo squadron. Looking for advice, suggestions or if someone would like to share their experience on going the unsponsored route. Unfortunately for me, I am 29 years old. I've been looking into going unsponsored, but I don't really know much about it. I recently took the AFOQT and TBAS. PCSM of 77 with a 87 Pilot. I have the hours so I am guessing I must of done really bad in the TBAS for my score to decrease by 10 points. My college GPA was a 2.6 (Civil Engineering). I would hate to think my GPA is the reason why my PCSM score was low. My understanding is that squadrons like to see mid 80's for a sponsorship. My main concern now is that I am 29 years old and time is quickly ticking away. Should I retake both the AFOQT and TBAS or go ahead and apply as a unsponsored applicant? Am I gambling with what airframe I would get by going unsponsored? I would love to track C-17s or C130s. Any other suggestions or advice out there would be greatly appreciated it. Thanks!

Hello All, I know there have been a lot of threads like it, but I think I have a few questions that make this post stand out. First of all, here are some basic facts about me: Gender: Male Age: 24 Degree: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering GPA: 3.2 Flight Time: 1 Hour (I plan on getting more) Fitness Level: Active, slim build. It has been my dream since I was younger to be a pilot in the USAF. During my freshman year of college, I was in AFROTC. After freshman year I dropped AFROTC due to it affecting my grades in engineering, and me doubting my chances of getting a pilot slot due to medical conditions. I regret this decision, and I want to correct it and chase my dream by either going Guard/Reserves or attending OTS. During college, I worked at an avionics/aviation research lab for about two years. The lab was at the local airport, and we had two fighter-trainer jets (L-29 Delfin's) and also a military helicopter. I got the chance to fly in all of these, and even pilot the L-29's from the back seats several times. Most importantly, the lab was constantly bringing in Air National Guard fighter pilots for studies. I worked with and got the contact info of a few of them, and I believe they would be willing to write me letters of recommendation. The things that are concerning me is a past juvenile record incident, as well as my medical history. When I was 13 years old, my friend and I were having an airsoft gun war outside of his house. One of ours friends from school was walking by on the street, and we very stupidly thought it would be hilarious to fire a few pellets down range at said friend. This was a terrible mistake and I regret it. I don't know what I was thinking. My friend and I both got brought down to the police station, I got charged with battery (as a juvenile, obviously), my mom signed a paper, and I went home. That's the last I ever heard of it. While I wholeheartedly regret this decision, I cannot change the past. I wanted to get your opinions on how this will affect me getting a pilot slot/top secret clearance. I want to fully disclose what happened because I refuse to lie on any forms. I already lied on some medical forms in the past during AFROTC, regretted it, and fessed up and corrected the forms. I don't want to make that same mistake again, so I will be disclosing this incident. On to my medical history. Around 11 years old, I was diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and ADHD. I don't think I had anxiety or depression, but when my parents divorced I was forced to see a doctor and that's what they diagnosed me with and gave me medicine for. I will admit that I showed symptoms of ADHD, and the medication I got for it helped me. A year before I started college, I got off all of this medication. In addition to this, I was born with a few knuckles missing in each finger on my left hand (thumb is fine). The fingers are all shorter on my left hand. My right hand is totally normal. This birth defect does not affect me at all, not even a little. While I cannot bend the fingers the same way on my left hand, I still have full grip control and dexterity. In fact, I type at a well above average speed, play guitar, have flown aircraft, and do everything else anyone else could do. Now, let me explain reasons why I don't think these medical problems affect me. I got off the medication a year before college. I did well in college and never had any problems getting good grades. I got a 3.2 GPA in engineering, which I know isn't the most amazing GPA ever, but I am proud of myself for it since I worked hard. I have done very well in all of my jobs, and any of my past or present employers would be willing to testify to that. I am a very driven and motivated person, and I know that will shine through. As far as my hand goes, I can prove to the flight doctor that my hand is fully functional by doing whatever tests he or she asks of me. In addition, in AFROTC, I passed my DODMERB medical exam without even needing a waiver for my hand. I believe this is because I was able to prove to the doctor my hand would not hinder me. She asked me to do basic tests with my hand, and I did all of them with no problems. Hopefully the fact that I passed that medical test is a testament to the fact that my hand will not cause me issues when piloting an aircraft. That is about it. I apologize for the wall of text, but I didn't want to leave out details. I plan on blowing the AFOQT out of the water when the time comes. Can I please get your opinions on my chances on successfully overcoming the adversities I discussed (past juvenile record, past medication, and hand deformation), as well as just my overall chances of getting a pilot slot?