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[kleveling]

1 hour ago, Guy Sanchez said:

Does anyone have any knowledge on Oklahoma if they require a visit to get an interview? Someone on here said they only hire from within, is that true?

If you're serious about joining any squadron/airframe you should always go visit, it only increases your chances so why wouldn't you! I visited in September, and it seemed like several of the pilots within the unit were from all across the country. I also spoke with the POC several weeks ago, and he told me the last two people hired to go through UPT pipeline were civilians.  So it would seem that they do not just hire from within. Hope that helps!

[Guest Guy Sanchez]

10 minutes ago, kleveling said:

If you're serious about joining any squadron/airframe you should always go visit, it only increases your chances so why wouldn't you! I visited in September, and it seemed like several of the pilots within the unit were from all across the country. I also spoke with the POC several weeks ago, and he told me the last two people hired to go through UPT pipeline were civilians.  So it would seem that they do not just hire from within. Hope that helps!

Oh for sure thanks for the insight! Good to know Oklahoma is still in my sights then.

[Guest Guy Sanchez]

This is an extremely weird question, but how important are looks when making videos or rushing and interviewing? I've been told I'm really not a looker so I'm wondering if this actually repels me and my application? I definitely dress for the occasion and am not sloppy looking by any means but I'm also not a Brad Pitt or a Matt Damon.

[kleveling]

3 minutes ago, Guy Sanchez said:

This is an extremely weird question, but how important are looks when making videos or rushing and interviewing? I've been told I'm really not a looker so I'm wondering if this actually repels me and my application? I definitely dress for the occasion and am not sloppy looking by any means but I'm also not a Brad Pitt or a Matt Damon.

I think this is just a general life answer, that doesn't pertain to piloting for the air force specifically, but... If you just clean up and dress for the occasion, that's all you do. I doubt you'll be judged by your outside appearance, nor should you. Our outside appearance does not represent who we are on the inside. If you got the heart of a warrior, that's what matters.

I think you'll find that there are several people who don't "look the part" who are pilots, so don't worry about your looks. And I think that extends to just life, not just piloting.

[Guest Guy Sanchez]

3 minutes ago, kleveling said:

I think this is just a general life answer, that doesn't pertain to piloting for the air force specifically, but... If you just clean up and dress for the occasion, that's all you do. I doubt you'll be judged by your outside appearance, nor should you. Our outside appearance does not represent who we are on the inside. If you got the heart of a warrior, that's what matters.

I think you'll find that there are several people who don't "look the part" who are pilots, so don't worry about your looks. And I think that extends to just life, not just piloting.

Had some sad music playing in the background while reading this and almost teared up. You the true MVP.

[OnlyInCleveland]

38 minutes ago, Guy Sanchez said:

This is an extremely weird question, but how important are looks when making videos or rushing and interviewing? I've been told I'm really not a looker so I'm wondering if this actually repels me and my application? I definitely dress for the occasion and am not sloppy looking by any means but I'm also not a Brad Pitt or a Matt Damon.

Brad Pitt is dreamy...

Side note: I got my rejection email from the 133rd ARS at Pease for the KC-46 today. I know most of you guys are looking at fighters but good luck to whoever gets a shot at the new tanker, looks pretty nice compared to the 1958 model!

[DifferentViper]

I just got picked up to fly that 1958 model thank you very much! 

Thought of this when I read the last couple posts: 

https://www.duffelblog.com/2017/02/fighter-pilot-shortage-results-in-recruitment-of-average-looking-uncool-people/amp/

[Spicoli]

I think this question is ok to post here as it's relevant to the topic, but if not please let me know.

How do you address a Lt Col in an email/cover letter? I've been using "Col" but I asked my dad (retired 0-6) and he said "Lt Col" and that you should only use "Col" when speaking to them. 

I'd imagine either are safe and probably won't make or break an application, but I'd love any input you have. 

BONUS: I've seen letters signed both as "LtCol" and "Lt Col". Space or no space? 

[iRobot]

2 hours ago, Nash2018 said:

I think this question is ok to post here as it's relevant to the topic, but if not please let me know.

How do you address a Lt Col in an email/cover letter? I've been using "Col" but I asked my dad (retired 0-6) and he said "Lt Col" and that you should only use "Col" when speaking to them. 

I'd imagine either are safe and probably won't make or break an application, but I'd love any input you have. 

BONUS: I've seen letters signed both as "LtCol" and "Lt Col". Space or no space? 

@Nash2018 Safest bet (just my $0.02) is to give a full address (i.e. Lieutenant Colonel) without any abbreviation. I always address by full title and name unless told otherwise, shows some level of respect and discernment.

Edited October 3, 2018 by iRobot

[Yoda]

6 hours ago, Nash2018 said:

How do you address a Lt Col in an email/cover letter? I've been using "Col" but I asked my dad (retired 0-6) and he said "Lt Col" and that you should only use "Col" when speaking to them. 

Address the letter to  Lieutenant Colonel <Jones>.  But then it'd be Dear Colonel <Jones>.

Abbreviated it is officially Lt Col for Air Force officers and LtCol for Marine Corps officers.  The great thing about the military is you will no longer worry about what to do in any situation, because someone has already written a manual or regulation telling you how or what to do.  In this case it's AFH 33-337 The Tongue and Quill.  The other great part of the military is that 95% of the people don't read or don't care about the manuals so you are good to go.

"A serious problem in planning against American doctrine is that the Americans do not read their manuals, nor do they feel any obligation to follow their doctrine." -unnamed Russian/German Officer from World War II

[Guest Guy Sanchez]

At what point is it time to get BogiDope consulting? When do you know it's your interviewing skills that suck?

[Elliott Upp]

2 hours ago, Guy Sanchez said:

At what point is it time to get BogiDope consulting? When do you know it's your interviewing skills that suck?

Before your first interview. No matter how good a person is at interviewing they can always polish it up a little more. And why wouldn’t you go the extra step with consultation? You’ve already put in all this work so far. I wish I had done consultation from the get go. Woulda saved me a lot of money getting hired after the first interview instead of after 8

[skyhawk driver]

Anybody heard from Selfridge?

[Guest Guy Sanchez]

4 hours ago, skyhawk driver said:

Anybody heard from Selfridge?

Dude on here already said he got an interview invite. Doubt they will reach out with rejections at this point

[iavaz]

20 hours ago, jetblack said:

True stuff. I as well got picked up by an A-10 unit and it was my third interview. Moral of the story is keep knocking, keep networking, keep being a good bro. If you have the right attitude and determination then its only a matter of time.

How do you go about getting the opportunity to network? Do you just show up on base and head to the club and buy the first round for everyone? xD

[Kylrs]

14 hours ago, Guy Sanchez said:

At what point is it time to get BogiDope consulting? When do you know it's your interviewing skills that suck?

Feel free to DM me. That goes for anyone else out there too. I’d be down to have a phone call about what my interview experience was like and give any pointers.

I never went the consulting route so I can’t really speak to that...

[FDNYOldGuy]

12 hours ago, iavaz said:

How do you go about getting the opportunity to network? Do you just show up on base and head to the club and buy the first round for everyone? xD

Call or email the squadron PoCs and talk to them, interact on this board with as many folks as you can and make quality posts letting people know who you/why you want a spot/that you're not a tool, and attend rush/drill weekends if they offer and have convos with squadron members. You don't have to always be selling yourself; just get to know them and let them get to know you organically. You'll get out of it what you put into it and, for me, networking was one of the biggest leg-ups of the process. 

[jb_pnw]

So I have not used a Forum in decade, so please be patient.

I am completing a UPT package for the Idaho ANG.  The forms are done, I have been waiting on a test date for the AFOQT which I just got today and to see if my original TBAS score from 2008 is still valid.  They have made it clear that no one gets to talk to the Squadron until your finished package is in.  

Is there a thread or posts you would recommend for me to review regarding my application?  I will need an age waiver as I am 31 years old, but the ANG didn't see that as an issue.

I have a Undergraduate from ERAU and a MBA from a private university and a GRE of 302 (taken in July for an active duty board).  Any good resources for "selling yourself" to the board?   Thank you for your responses. 

[cowdog]

On 10/3/2018 at 11:32 AM, skyhawk driver said:

Anybody heard from Selfridge?

Selfridge tankers or fighters?

[Hopefulflyer389]

On 10/3/2018 at 10:53 AM, Elliott Upp said:

Before your first interview. No matter how good a person is at interviewing they can always polish it up a little more. And why wouldn’t you go the extra step with consultation? You’ve already put in all this work so far. I wish I had done consultation from the get go. Woulda saved me a lot of money getting hired after the first interview instead of after 8

I would listen to this poster...

[ryleypav]

3 hours ago, cowdog said:

Selfridge tankers or fighters?

Fighters I would assume based on context. The tanker application window only just closed on Monday. 

[iavaz]

13 hours ago, FDNYOldGuy said:

Call or email the squadron PoCs and talk to them, interact on this board with as many folks as you can and make quality posts letting people know who you/why you want a spot/that you're not a tool, and attend rush/drill weekends if they offer and have convos with squadron members. You don't have to always be selling yourself; just get to know them and let them get to know you organically. You'll get out of it what you put into it and, for me, networking was one of the biggest leg-ups of the process. 

Thanks for the info. Did you have any issues with non-responses from POCs? I am just assuming that delayed responses are probably from the POC not being currently on orders.

[Seadogs]

Y'all talkin about bogidope like it is a gift to the earth. Out of curiosity, why not youtube interview skills and practice your butt off instead of spending $500 on it? It's y'alls money so I won't judge how you spend it just curiously curious. 

[Brudog13]

42 minutes ago, Seadogs said:

Y'all talkin about bogidope like it is a gift to the earth. Out of curiosity, why not youtube interview skills and practice your butt off instead of spending $500 on it? It's y'alls money so I won't judge how you spend it just curiously curious. 

Personally, Bogidope was a godsend for me.  All of the application and interview prep material on the internet is generic and not very well suited to a career in aviation.  

Bogidope's application prep helped me really iron out how to present myself at a fighter squadron and the interview prep set me up with knowing what to expect, and how to frame answers correctly.  

Got 5 interviews and 2 slots with the help of Bogidope, I wouldn't have made it without their help. 

[Seadogs]

I've been searching variants of "100th FS, 176th FS, 187th FW, 115th FW UPT application/videos". Some of you guys are hilarious! Wonder if there are any tips or critiques we can share on those videos. Surprised that a lot of people went over the 3 min max time limit! Thoughts?