Brutally honest opinions please about my chances

[Prayforwaves321]

Im a prior service Army 68W (Healthcare Specialist/Combat Medic) E4 with an honorable discharge and reentry code 1. I served 4 years and recently separated this August. I do not have any article 15's or any negative UCMJ action. My previous commanding officers, (i.e. Company commander, Physician's Assistant, Scout Recon Platoon leader) have stated that they were more than willing to write LOR's in the future. 

I am 26 years old and I will be 27 in January. I do not have my Bachelors. I am back in school and I am pursuing my PPL. I currently have 14 flight hours. Obtaining flight hours is not the issue because I own an airplane. I will definitely be pushing the age limit by the time I graduate. I currently have an AA degree and I am more than 1.5 years out from even thinking about graduating. 

Ive contacted local units about the possibility of using my GI Bill for an aviation degree and then applying but my graduation date was too far out. However, I enrolled at my previous college and now I honestly just picked a random degree because it would get me a degree the quickest. The pilots from that unit and another across the state have told me that would be the best avenue of approach.

Would it be best to make myself known to local units once I have a degree in hand with 201+ flight hours to increase my PCSM score? Or would it be best to try and get a packet together with a potential graduation date once I am closer to graduating even though I may have less than 201+ hours at the time.

In all honesty, if I am not in class I will be flying the heck out of my airplane. I am certain that in the 1.5 years it may take for me to graduate that I will have accumulated a significant amount of flight time. With the unit being so close I can make my face known once I am closer to graduating or once I have my PPL.

 

Edited July 7, 2020 by Prayforwaves321

[mb1685]

Start trying as soon as you're eligible (which will probably be when you have your bachelor's degree, or possibly within 6 months of graduation for some units). There's no reason not to. If you don't get picked up and you keep reapplying as you gain more flight time, it will come across favorably because of your persistence.

Edited October 20, 2017 by mb1685

[extender10]

I can't see your PCSM score - but unless getting 201+ hrs is incidental because of the time between now and graduation and the fact that you own an airplane, it's not necessarily worth the money to get 201+ hours in a single engine GA plane unless you're tacking on an IFR or commercial ticket as well, it probably wouldn't set you apart from others with 100 hours in a Cessna and a PPL.  I'd focus your time and money on finishing your degree ASAP if it's possible to get it done before you're 28.  How fast can you get a bachelors through an online degree program or something similar with an associates in hand? From most of the job postings I've seen, age waivers are very rare unless you're a special case.

As far as the random degree thing, it may be wise to pick something at least remotely useful in advancing your employability as a civilian, back up plans are never a bad idea.  Unlikely you can be an AGR/ART forever, and your GI bill is a hell of a useful tool for advancing your career or opening up career opportunities.  

Edited October 20, 2017 by extender10

[GDAL]

45 minutes ago, extender10 said:

I can't see your PCSM score - but unless getting 201+ hrs is incidental because of the time between now and graduation and the fact that you own an airplane, it's not necessarily worth the money to get 201+ hours in a single engine GA plane unless you're tacking on an IFR or commercial ticket as well, it probably wouldn't set you apart from others with 100 hours in a Cessna and a PPL.  I'd focus your time and money on finishing your degree ASAP if it's possible to get it done before you're 28.  How fast can you get a bachelors through an online degree program or something similar with an associates in hand? From most of the job postings I've seen, age waivers are very rare unless you're a special case.

As far as the random degree thing, it may be wise to pick something at least remotely useful in advancing your employability as a civilian, back up plans are never a bad idea.  Unlikely you can be an AGR/ART forever, and your GI bill is a hell of a useful tool for advancing your career or opening up career opportunities.  

Extender is right. Forget the flight hours. Focus on your degree. Get it quickly, but don't leave yourself down the river without a paddle because you chose the easiest, fastest degree. Maybe you don't make it in time and find out you've earned a degree that isn't much use for you in any other career field.

[Stoker]

I've seen some squadrons that allow applications as far as a year out from graduation, so you've got some hope there I suppose. I'd definitely be taking summer classes and trying to graduate ASAP so that you avoid as much of an age issue as you can.

[Prayforwaves321]

I completely moab'd the AFOQT the first time. Decided to enroll in a flight major because I wanted all the FW ratings with all the instructor ratings incase my scores weren't the best 2nd time around. #gibill

My second attempt scores are: P99 N85 AA51 V37 Q64.

I guess words are just hard sometimes. 

I haven't taken the TBAS yet after all these years after bombing the AFOQT. I plan on taking the TBAS before I start my MEI add on training. Thats the last certification im going for. I don't plan on getting the seaplane stuff. 

Im currently at 300+ hours and with a P99, I'm hoping for a decent PCSM. 

Practically starting college over really helped my gpa. I had a 3.0 from before and I currently have a 3.95. Schools about to start so I do need to keep the grades up. 

I plan on reaching out to my previous commanding officers for LORs. Would a previous flight instructor be better or the officers I worked with while I was in the Army?

How bad does my verbal score look?

Anyways, just thought id update y'all since ive been lurking these boards when I thought the dream was over. 

[CavGuy]

Yes. Doable. Very doable. Extremely doable. So doable you already have your foot in any squadron you apply to with those scores alone. Rock that cover letter and meet some faces (if you can) and you'll have it set.

Edited August 25, 2020 by CavGuy

[ryleypav]

Based on your original post, I'd step it into high gear getting the TBAS done. You're almost, if not 30 correct? 

[Prayforwaves321]

1 hour ago, ryleypav said:

Based on your original post, I'd step it into high gear getting the TBAS done. You're almost, if not 30 correct? 

Yes you’re correct. Your math must be better than mine 😅

When I said I had to start college over, I really meant it. I transferred to an out of state aviation program so my Army basic training transferred as a health class and that’s about it. I had to take like 3 math classes, go figure thatd help my AFOQT. Got all A’s in those with calc so I knew I wasn’t dumb. 

Apparently there’s a flight joystick and rudder pedal shortage going on because of the new Microsoft flight simulator. Just in time when I needed to start prepping for the TBAS. The only ones available are the super serious set up ones that cost more than 10 hours in a twin. 

But yes I plan on taking the TBAS ASAP before i start my multi engine instructor certification. I know that a PCSM is required and a MEI isn’t. 
 

Edited August 25, 2020 by Prayforwaves321

[ryleypav]

Id say just practice the parts you dont need the joystick for. Its not that complicated and is on the smaller portion of what the test consists of. Unless you plan on making a nice sim setup at home, I wouldn't sweat that part too much. I'd just get stuff rolling asap. Its a long process and there is a max age to start pilot training. I got hired November 2019, and I still dont have class dates. 

[RobertSP]

 

On 8/25/2020 at 12:16 PM, ryleypav said:

Id say just practice the parts you dont need the joystick for. Its not that complicated and is on the smaller portion of what the test consists of. Unless you plan on making a nice sim setup at home, I wouldn't sweat that part too much. I'd just get stuff rolling asap. Its a long process and there is a max age to start pilot training. I got hired November 2019, and I still dont have class dates. 

You were selected in November of last year? have you attended OTS and are awaiting UPT, or you have done neither as of yet? Also, what was your PCSM?

 

I am currently hoping to apply for this November board, studying of AFOQT and TBAS,  exam scheduled in October. Flight hours I expect to have at least 40 by November. Also currently 8-9 months away from finishing my degree. I am on the older side 28 and am concerned that I will be missing my opportunities due to age. 

 

Thanks,

 

Robert

[ryleypav]

On 8/28/2020 at 5:31 PM, RobertSP said:

 

You were selected in November of last year? have you attended OTS and are awaiting UPT, or you have done neither as of yet? Also, what was your PCSM?

 

I am currently hoping to apply for this November board, studying of AFOQT and TBAS,  exam scheduled in October. Flight hours I expect to have at least 40 by November. Also currently 8-9 months away from finishing my degree. I am on the older side 28 and am concerned that I will be missing my opportunities due to age. 

 

Thanks,

 

Robert

Yeah last November 2019. Guard unit. I have not attended OTS nor UPT yet. FC1 is this month. PCSM was a 83, 90 at 201+. 

[Ligma]

On ‎8‎/‎25‎/‎2020 at 9:16 AM, ryleypav said:

I got hired November 2019, and I still dont have class dates. 

I got hired in October 2019 and don't have OTS or UPT dates either..

[ryleypav]

17 hours ago, Ligma said:

I got hired in October 2019 and don't have OTS or UPT dates either..

Yeah, its been a slow process. You have your FC1 done yet?

[Ligma]

6 hours ago, ryleypav said:

Yeah, its been a slow process. You have your FC1 done yet?

I got mines done in early June. Had a small group of 6 people. You?

[ryleypav]

Scheduled for 29Sep. Hopefully its a breeze. Call and make sure they sent your physical on forward. A guy I got hired with, his package or whatever it is at Wright Patt just sat there for 3 weeks. 

[Prayforwaves321]

Took the TBAS.

PCSM 98 300+ hours

When blasting UPT applications should the flight hours on the PCSM score screenshot be updated to reflect current accrued flight time? Or would the hours on my resume/logbook scan suffice? Since I maxed the hours part is there a need to update it? Sure wouldn't want an inconsistency to be the reason why i didn't get invited to interview.

Any prior Army enlisted that got a Guard/Reserve UPT slot on here? What did you do for “enlisted performance reports” when submitting an application? A lot of the units require them or a service equivalent as part of the application for prior service folks. EPRs don’t exist in the Army and from 2013-2017 there sure wasn’t a service equivalent. The only thing I have is my DD214. I never received digitally recorded feedback, like an EPR, on how I was doing as a soldier. The only physical paperwork I have is some pre-enlistment stuff, medical records, and 214 copies of my DD214. My Human Resources Command online record only has what I have plus IRR muster orders.

Any suggestions? I have nothing to hide. No article 15s, no negative counselings/no letters of reprimand the Air Force calls them. The “periodic” physical paper counselings we’d get were backdated 6-12 months at a time whenever higher leadership had an inspection lol and then subsequently tossed.

I had PRK at a military hospital 5 years ago. The eye surgery form that units want us to fill out is kind of impossible for me to fill out since I am no longer a beneficiary. Any suggestions about this as well? Is that form only for off the street civilians who got the surgery at a civilian hospital since FC1 at WPAFB will be able to pull my AHLTA? 

My other stats not listed above:

Commercial single/multi instrument

CFI CFII 

All first time passes including the 141 stuff

Thank you gentlemen. 

edit: I was junior enlisted so I never had an NCOER. 

Edited September 3, 2020 by Prayforwaves321

[Ligma]

9 hours ago, ryleypav said:

Scheduled for 29Sep. Hopefully its a breeze. Call and make sure they sent your physical on forward. A guy I got hired with, his package or whatever it is at Wright Patt just sat there for 3 weeks. 

It was a breeze. Should be done within 1.5 days. Just don't disclose unnecessary information. Had my FC1 approved in two weeks by AETC. 

[Ligma]

5 hours ago, Prayforwaves321 said:

should the flight hours on the PCSM score screenshot be updated to reflect current accrued flight time?

Yes. Update the PCSM to current flight hour time. It is a simple process.

 

5 hours ago, Prayforwaves321 said:

Any prior Army enlisted that got a Guard/Reserve UPT slot on here?

I am prior enlisted that got guard slot. They don't look at or ask for EPR reports.

[Unit#8192]

Just wanted to say good luck man, I saw you post this on TPN!

9 hours ago, Prayforwaves321 said:

Took the TBAS.

PCSM 98 300+ hours

When blasting UPT applications should the flight hours on the PCSM score screenshot be updated to reflect current accrued flight time? Or would the hours on my resume/logbook scan suffice? Since I maxed the hours part is there a need to update it? Sure wouldn't want an inconsistency to be the reason why i didn't get invited to interview.

Any prior Army enlisted that got a Guard/Reserve UPT slot on here? What did you do for “enlisted performance reports” when submitting an application? A lot of the units require them or a service equivalent as part of the application for prior service folks. EPRs don’t exist in the Army and from 2013-2017 there sure wasn’t a service equivalent. The only thing I have is my DD214. I never received digitally recorded feedback, like an EPR, on how I was doing as a soldier. The only physical paperwork I have is some pre-enlistment stuff, medical records, and 214 copies of my DD214. My Human Resources Command online record only has what I have plus IRR muster orders.

Any suggestions? I have nothing to hide. No article 15s, no negative counselings/no letters of reprimand the Air Force calls them. The “periodic” physical paper counselings we’d get were backdated 6-12 months at a time whenever higher leadership had an inspection lol and then subsequently tossed.

I had PRK at a military hospital 5 years ago. The eye surgery form that units want us to fill out is kind of impossible for me to fill out since I am no longer a beneficiary. Any suggestions about this as well? Is that form only for off the street civilians who got the surgery at a civilian hospital since FC1 at WPAFB will be able to pull my AHLTA? 

My other stats not listed above:

Commercial single/multi instrument

CFI CFII 

All first time passes including the 141 stuff

Thank you gentlemen. 

edit: I was junior enlisted so I never had an NCOER. 

Just wanted to congratulate you on your progress I saw you posted this on TPN. Happy Hunting!

[Prayforwaves321]

1 hour ago, Unit#8192 said:

Just wanted to say good luck man, I saw you post this on TPN!

Just wanted to congratulate you on your progress I saw you posted this on TPN. Happy Hunting!

Thank you so much! Been working really hard. 

Yea my nose has been in the books all summer. I took my AFOQT 2 weeks ago, I passed my CFII yesterday, and took the TBAS this morning lol. 

[RobertSP]

On 9/1/2020 at 8:19 AM, ryleypav said:

Yeah last November 2019. Guard unit. I have not attended OTS nor UPT yet. FC1 is this month. PCSM was a 83, 90 at 201+. 

What platform does your squadron fly?

[ryleypav]

Tankers.