Prior-Service "What are my chances"

[Tommy Boy]

Hello!

Like others on this thread/forum, just looking for a few pointers on what I should work on to improve my packet.

Currently only rushing A-10s and F-16s (Recently opened up to F-16s)

For a bottom-line up front of my current "stats"

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Age: 26 (September 27th, 1993)

Clearance: Active Top Secret / SCI with CI Polygraph

Medical: Flying Class I Military Physical (Passed/Current)

AFOQT: 92 Pilot / 93 Nav / 49 Acad Apt / 48 Verbal / 52 Quant

PCSM: 88 (91 with 200+ hours)

College: 3.9 GPA - B.S. National Security *Graduated*

Also working towards my master's in National Security as well as my Bachelor's in Aviation (currently 4.0 in those as well, mostly going for the aviation degree because my GI bill is covering flight costs)

Flying Experience: Private Pilot License - 111.5 hours at this time (March 7th, 2020)

Recommendation Letters:

107th Fighter Squadron Commander (Lt Col)

127th OG Commander (Colonel)

127th OSS Commander (Lt Col)

110th Wing Commander (Colonel)

All four of which are A-10 pilots with hours ranging from 2-4k in the jet

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A little about my background/journey into getting hired:

I am currently in an AGR (full time guard) slot with the 107th Fighter Squadron in Michigan and am in good standing as far as I know with the unit.  I have interviewed with the 107th FS in 2018 (their last board) and with the 190th FS in their 2019 board. People aren't kidding when they say these boards are competitive because all of the folks that got hired on those boards were rock stars with their backgrounds and just cool dudes all around.

My First Interview Feedback

My feedback from the 107th was mostly revolving around that at the time of the board, I only had roughly 70 credits towards my bachelors completed, and I only had about 12 hours of flying time under my belt, but because I was a local guy in good standing with the unit and I had decent AFOQT/PCSM, I was offered an interview slot. (I will be the first to admit that I think I mostly got the interview as a part of the "Good old boys club" you see at many units with hiring within.) But nonetheless, I am incredibly thankful for the interview experience alone. The 107th has hooked me up time and again when it comes to advice and boosting my applications (such as getting me a Flying Class I Physical).

My Second Interview Feedback

For the 190th it was a similar story to an extent. I was a little bit closer towards my degree (roughly 85 / 120 credits) and still no Private Pilot and about 30-35ish hours at the time. Where I messed up with this interview was that I was too relaxed at the social events held by the unit that weekend. I was told I interviewed great and had a solid answer to each question, but overall I was just too laid-back as an enlisted member around officers.

I didn't get crazy drunk and end up being this guy at the social

But I was introducing myself as "Hey man I'm Jeff" for example instead of "Hello <rank/name>" which should have been the obvious answer. I've learned from the mistake but I think I have shot myself in the foot with the 190th at this point unfortunately. Awesome group of people out there, I would highly recommend anyone putting in an app for them!

Where I stand now

I am married with two kids, single-income family and working two full-time jobs as well as pursuing two degrees while I knock out more of my instrument training.

I have rushed a few other units with no luck in getting an interview since the 190th in January 2019. With all of the "minimums" knocked out now in regards to scores, degree, rec letters, and a PPL, I am wondering what else I can add to my application to try and give it that extra "Pick me Pick me" factor. As I've said above, I have my FCI knocked out, so all units know I am medically fit/qualified to attend UPT, as well as my TS/SCI clearance, so I won't have any hiccups with foreign contacts etc.

Things are currently looking good for me getting an interview for the upcoming 107th FS board this year, but I am not just going to relax and take it easy on getting interviews until I have papers in my hands showing that I am waiting for MOTS/UPT dates.

Thank you all for utilizing this site and keeping it active! Awesome to see bros (guys and gals) all helping each other out on here and giving solid feedback as well as keeping each other informed on upcoming boards!

 

Update: Looks like the 107th will be more than likely having a Meet and Greet during April drill, and a board in May. No official posting yet, but that's the big word of mouth around here at the moment.

Edited March 10, 2020 by Tommy Boy

[mb1685]

I’m just another wannabe but I’d say your stats and background are outstanding. Pretty much the only mediocre thing would be your non-aviation AFOQT scores, but I’d think your Pilot/Nav, PCSM, and flight time outweigh that. I guess you could retake the AFOQT if you feel confident you won’t do any worse. Retaking the TBAS could maybe help a little too — my AFOQT Pilot is a 92 too but my PCSM 201+ hour projected column is a 97, so that seems like evidence that there’s a little room for improvement in your TBAS performance. In the grand scheme of things I’d say that’s trivial, but then again this is an extremely competitive endeavor so it might be worth doing.

You have tons of time with the new age limit. I don’t think there’s any one single thing you could do at this point to significantly improve your chances other than casting a wider net (even just opening up to F-15 units, since it sounds like you’re set on fighters) and staying persistent. As long as you’re not a douche and you keep taking feedback and advice to heart, I’d say it’s only a matter of time.

Edited March 8, 2020 by mb1685

[Tommy Boy]

I’m just another wannabe but I’d say your stats and background are outstanding. Pretty much the only mediocre thing would be your non-aviation AFOQT scores, but I’d think your Pilot/Nav, PCSM, and flight time outweigh that. I guess you could retake the AFOQT if you feel confident you won’t do any worse. Retaking the TBAS could maybe help a little too — my AFOQT Pilot is a 92 too but my PCSM 201+ hour projected column is a 97, so that seems like evidence that there’s a little room for improvement in your TBAS performance. In the grand scheme of things I’d say that’s trivial, but then again this is an extremely competitive endeavor so it might be worth doing.

You have tons of time with the new age limit. I don’t think there’s any one single thing you could do at this point to significantly improve your chances other than casting a wider net (even just opening up to F-15 units, since it sounds like you’re set on fighters) and staying persistent. As long as you’re not a douche and you keep taking feedback and advice to heart, I’d say it’s only a matter of time.

Quick on the feedback! Awesome man!

I have given it some thought on retaking the AFOQT to try and boost my non pilot/nav scores as Madison told me that was why I did not receive an interview with them. Right now I have just been dead set on CAS being the primary role I want to work on hence the A-10s (and now F-16s) I know I'm being a little too picky and can't always have it my way.

Thanks again for the feedback man and best of luck with your applications as well!

 

[Seadogs]

Ngl, strange form 

[Tommy Boy]

20 hours ago, Seadogs said:

Ngl, strange form 

 

[Duck]

I appreciate the Chris Farley gifs. Best of luck man! You seem to be doing all the right things.


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[Tommy Boy]

5 minutes ago, Duck said:

I appreciate the Chris Farley gifs. Best of luck man! You seem to be doing all the right things.

Thanks! I try to integrate them because nobody wants to read a giant wall of text if they don't have to.

[Catman]

Great pilot/nav scores. Rest of the scores usually don't matter, but it's better to kick em up if  you can. With some test prep and having one testing session behind you, I'm willing to bet a retest could kick those other scores way up, not to mention add a bit to your pilot/nav. Not a necessity, but I'd do it.

These boards like to see rec letters from people that really know you. Maybe you know the Wing CC well, but most of the time, they're just letters they sign to get you out of their office. For example, I know my Wing CC would sign pretty much any rec letter I drafted up because his XO knows me pretty well... but it'd be meaningless. I'd try to spice things up, get a cover letter from outside the military... or at the very least, someone outside your home Wing like a deployment commander.

Outside of that, you seem super solid. FC1 physical will be a big help in easing any medical concerns, especially if you resemble Chris Farley at all (joking).

[JohnClark]

On 3/7/2020 at 8:18 PM, Tommy Boy said:

But I was introducing myself as "Hey man I'm Jeff" for example instead of "Hello <rank/name>" which should have been the obvious answer. I've learned from the mistake but I think I have shot myself in the foot with the 190th at this point unfortunately. Awesome group of people out there, I would highly recommend anyone putting in an app for them!

Missed Opportunity for this GIF!

 

Anyway I love this thread. I'm glad to see in this alternate universe, Chris Farley is still alive and trying to become a pilot.