What are my chances

[Slick]

In 4 years of applying I have had 1 interview.  My scores are good, GPA is good, LOR's are good, PPL etc.  My problem is that I will need waivers/ETP's for medical, moral, and now age standards.  

I've been trouble free for 7 years now, but I've been arrested 5 times in my teens and again when I was 21.  One of the arrests resulted in felony charges, and 2 arrests resulted in misdemeanors.  The other 3 arrests I was released without charges.  I have not been convicted of anything since I either did community service or my lawyer got the case dismissed.  I also have 10 traffic violations but all of those were taken care of with drivers safety school.

I was on medication for anxiety/depression for 1 year in 2010 and I had PRK surgery in 2014.

I've sorted all my behavioral problems out.  Still, nobody wants to touch me and I don't blame them.  I recently got rejected again by the air force reserves applying as unsponsored, but the recruiter told me if I can find a Lt Colonel willing to help me with the ETP's then the recruiter could work with me.  But I'm not sure how to do that since I've applied to pretty much every ANG unit and many reserve units and the feedback is always the same about the concerns with my background.

I knew this was going to be a big uphill battle before I even started putting my application together but I feel my calling is to military aviation and so it is worth it to try no matter how slim the chances.  I've given up several times only to find myself mailing out applications again.  I've given up again but yet here I am asking for pointers.  What approach would you guys take if you were me? 

Edited May 25, 2018 by Slick

[Guest]

In 4 years of applying I have had 1 interview.  My scores are good, GPA is good, LOR's are good, PPL etc.  My problem is that I will need waivers/ETP's for medical, moral, and now age standards.  
I've been trouble free for 7 years now, but I've been arrested 5 times in my teens and again when I was 21.  One of the arrests resulted in felony charges, and 2 arrests resulted in misdemeanors.  The other 3 arrests I was released without charges.  I have not been convicted of anything since I either did community service or my lawyer got the case dismissed.  I also have 10 traffic violations but all of those were taken care of with drivers safety school.
I was on medication for anxiety/depression for 1 year in 2010 and I had PRK surgery in 2014.
I've sorted all my behavioral problems out.  Still, nobody wants to touch me and I don't blame them.  I recently got rejected again by the air force reserves applying as unsponsored, but the recruiter told me if I can find a Lt Colonel willing to help me with the ETP's then the recruiter could work with me.  But I'm not sure how to do that since I've applied to pretty much every ANG unit and many reserve units and the feedback is always the same about the concerns with my background.
I knew this was going to be a big uphill battle before I even started putting my application together but I feel my calling is to military aviation and so it is worth it to try no matter how slim the chances.  I've given up several times only to find myself mailing out applications again.  I've given up again but yet here I am asking for pointers.  What approach would you guys take if you were me? 

1 felony, 2 misdemeanors, and anxiety meds? Try the army???

[GDAL]

7 hours ago, Slick said:

In 4 years of applying I have had 1 interview.  My scores are good, GPA is good, LOR's are good, PPL etc.  My problem is that I will need waivers/ETP's for medical, moral, and now age standards.  

I've been trouble free for 7 years now, but I've been arrested 5 times in my teens and again when I was 21.  One of the arrests resulted in felony charges, and 2 arrests resulted in misdemeanors.  The other 3 arrests I was released without charges.  I have not been convicted of anything since I either did community service or my lawyer got the case dismissed.  I also have 10 traffic violations but all of those were taken care of with drivers safety school.

I was on medication for anxiety/depression for 1 year in 2010 and I had PRK surgery in 2014.

I've sorted all my behavioral problems out.  Still, nobody wants to touch me and I don't blame them.  I recently got rejected again by the air force reserves applying as unsponsored, but the recruiter told me if I can find a Lt Colonel willing to help me with the ETP's then the recruiter could work with me.  But I'm not sure how to do that since I've applied to pretty much every ANG unit and many reserve units and the feedback is always the same about the concerns with my background.

I knew this was going to be a big uphill battle before I even started putting my application together but I feel my calling is to military aviation and so it is worth it to try no matter how slim the chances.  I've given up several times only to find myself mailing out applications again.  I've given up again but yet here I am asking for pointers.  What approach would you guys take if you were me? 

I'd say you're SOL as far as the Air Force is concerned.

[Slick]

I'm at it again since finding out the age limit got raised.  Got busy with work, school, and some flight training I've been doing (taking IR checkride soon).  

 

Been sending out applications to guard squadrons and am getting in touch with active duty and reserve recruiters.  I'm also expanding to the Army's WOFT program (which I have tried in the past but was rejected with them as well).    

 

All the guard squadrons in the last 3 months have given me the "no thanks", however I am seeing a sliver of hope.  When asking for feedback I was told by 1 squadron that my history is not totally disqualifying and suggested I include a short essay in future applications describing the circumstances of my life at the time and what I've learned from it.  Another squadron suggested doing the same thing.   

 

It's crazy how I just can't let this go.  I am so determined to do this and yet hate myself so much for my screw ups in life.  

 

Just updating in case any gives a sh*t and of course I'm still open to input and advice on how to go about applying.  Anyone interested in reviewing my app??  Has anyone done the professional review by bogidope?

 

I can keep you all posted if anyone is interested to know how it turns out.  

Edited August 29, 2019 by Slick

[Seadogs]

Keep posting because I want to see another success story.

[Unit#8192]

+1 for keeping us updated.

If you aren't doing so already, I hope you would consider sharing your experiences with at risk youth in your area as a bit of success story. In that you can rebound from self initiated mistakes, take ownership and not let it define you. Happy hunting from another fellow old guy!

[JustHangingOut]

21 minutes ago, Slick said:

It's crazy how I just can't let this go.  I am so determined to do this and yet hate myself so much for my screw ups in life.  

 

Just updating in case any gives a sh*t and of course I'm still open to input and advice on how to go about applying.  Anyone interested in reviewing my app??  Has anyone done the professional review by bogidope?

 

I can keep you all posted if anyone is interested to know how it turns out.  

thanks for the updates! always good to see someone pressing forward against hurdles.

To answer your question, i did use the professional review by bogidope...and i highly recommend it.

[CharlieHotel47]

19 minutes ago, Slick said:

  I'm also expanding to the Army's WOFT program (which I have tried in the past but was rejected with them as well).    

You must of been talking to the wrong people in the Army. In my old guard unit on the Apache side, there were multiple bros with DUIs that received a second chance. Stay motivated and keep casting a wide net. 

The bogidope guys are great. They will help you tailor your app to make your positive attributes shine. Don't be so quick to introduce the bad from your past in your application. Also don't hate yourself for the past. Its a complete waste of time to live in past constantly thinking about what you did wrong. Think about how you can make things better. Keep chasing the DEMON... because for ole guys with a stack against them... thats all it is. A demon that needs to be conquered. Stay motivated bro. Feel free to PM your app. Would love to check it out and share some Army contacts if your interested. Although I would say you should continue to chase the blue side with the Army as a plan LAST. 

Cheers

[Slick]

Update:  I have been offered an interview.  The catch is that the squadron did not ask about background history in their application.  I have accepted the interview invitation but I am torn.  Should I go to the interview and blindside them with my background info either at the interview or at a later date, or should I contact the squadron asap and preemptively tell them?

Edited January 9, 2020 by Slick

[Blue]

2 hours ago, Slick said:

Update:  I have been offered an interview.  The catch is that the squadron did not ask about background history in their application.  I have accepted the interview invitation but I am torn.  Should I go to the interview and blindside them with my background info either at the interview or at a later date, or should I contact the squadron asap and preemptively tell them?

Go and interview.  See where it goes.

If it ends up that the unit wants to bring you on, any medical/legal/other issues will come up.  Honestly, if you get that far, I'd tend to think a unit would overlook the legal stuff, then it would be up to medical to clear you for the physical.

[CharlieHotel47]

Don’t call. Wait until the interview. A face to face explanation will probably go father than a phone call. Easier said than done, but if a waiver of any sort is required, get familiar with the regulation if able. It will be easier to discuss if you know what needs to happen and have a plan to move forward with the hiring process.

Since the incident is legal related, I think the only person that might look into it will be the security clearance rep at the unit.

Good luck man! Cheers


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