Unique Situation - Advice Appreciated

[Boiler92]

Here we go: I know this is a longshot, but if I can envision it, I'm going to make them tell me no or die trying.  

I got into UPT a short while ago via the active duty UFT board.  Into Phase II, I self eliminated.  I had a good reason: my spouse has a specialized career and requires re-credentialing with every PCS which results in 3-6 month processes per move and lots of out of pocket fees, which wasn't sustainable over a period of 10 additional years.  Additionally, I have a sick grandparent and FIL, and my spouse and I both felt it was a priority to move closer to home.

Yes, I'm looking to go back to UPT via a Guard or Reserve unit.  Yes, I'll need an ETP since I self eliminated and possibly also an age waiver.  I'm leaning forward HARD on this process, as I've got a projected separation date of June 2025.  Yes, I also have an alternate plan in the event that this doesn't pan out and I'm willing to grind as hard as I need to in order to set myself up for success either way. However, my spouse and I both feel as though the stability and opportunity to put some roots down will be good for our family and personal lives moving forward - family was the main motivator here for making the decision I did, which was absolutely gut-wrenching and took a huge toll on my mental health.  Guard might be ideal, as my wife and I love to be involved in our community and would be more than willing to create ties to an area and make the squadron our family.  

PCSM: 76 | AFOQT Pilot Score: 96 | 63 total flight hours (although PCSM does not reflect this, although not sure I can add IFT hours) | UG GPA: 2.7, Bioengineering/Business | No PPL 

**Please also let me know if you're aware of anyone that has successfully obtained this sort of ETP to head back.  Thanks in advance and let me know if you need any more info.

[O Face]

I’m assuming you want to hear some honesty, so here it goes:

Hard “NO” at my squadron. And I assume every other ANG base too. I’m not telling you not to apply, but you need to realize that an ANG pilot slot is extremely competitive, much more so than AD, not some sort of plan B or consolation prize.

 Regardless of your family situation and whatever else led you to SIE, you will never be viewed as anything but the guy who bailed out of UPT.  And there’s going to be plenty of applicants who are younger, possibly already enlisted in the unit, and who have deployed with them, and none of them have quit the very program we’re sending them to. I’ve never heard of someone getting an ETP due to prior SIE and that’s more than likely because nobody’s app, with an SIE on it, ever made it past the first glance, even if it’s possible. 
 

I’d say your only snowball chance in hell, type of shot is to get in to a guard unit, in some other career field, and make so many pilot friends, particularly commanders, that they can’t envision life without you as a pilot there. 
 

If you want some unsolicited career advice, take you GI Bill and go get your civilian ratings and head to the airlines ASAP. 

Sorry for the shit news. 

[Boiler92]

19 minutes ago, O Face said:

I’m assuming you want to hear some honesty, so here it goes:

Hard “NO” at my squadron. And I assume every other ANG base too. I’m not telling you not to apply, but you need to realize that an ANG pilot slot is extremely competitive, much more so than AD, not some sort of plan B or consolation prize.

 Regardless of your family situation and whatever else led you to SIE, you will never be viewed as anything but the guy who bailed out of UPT.  And there’s going to be plenty of applicants who are younger, possibly already enlisted in the unit, and who have deployed with them, and none of them have quit the very program we’re sending them to. I’ve never heard of someone getting an ETP due to prior SIE and that’s more than likely because nobody’s app, with an SIE on it, ever made it past the first glance, even if it’s possible. 
 

I’d say your only snowball chance in hell, type of shot is to get in to a guard unit, in some other career field, and make so many pilot friends, particularly commanders, that they can’t envision life without you as a pilot there. 
 

If you want some unsolicited career advice, take you GI Bill and go get your civilian ratings and head to the airlines ASAP. 

Sorry for the shit news. 

Thanks for the honesty, I totally expected this.  I've been told to apply by the ANG units and CCs I've reached out to and will be joining an another capacity like you mentioned if I don't get picked up for UPT.  The only reason I thought there may be a shot is because there's a specific AFI section on this mentioned on the reserve side, which leads me to believe that maybe there's a shot for me somewhere out there, and also that this has happened before.  All I can do is put my best foot forward and regardless of what capacity I get hired on in, do my best for that unit.  

At the end of the day, if I don't go back it sucks, but I made the decision at the time with my family's best interests at heart with the information I had.