General questions and competitiveness.

[hellogoodbye]

Hello Baseops community,

I am a prospective pilot applicant (preferably fighters but not picky) and I have several questions regarding my competitiveness (starting to put packets together) for the national guard/reserves.

• AFOQT Pilot 99 CSO 98 ABM 99 AcApt 83 Verb 72 Quant 84

• GRE scores 156/170V 161/170Q 4.5 / 6.0A (for USAF and SF line officer pre qualification form asked for this?)

• PCSM/TBAS not taken yet

Letters of rec: 

• 2LT currently in UPT prior enlisted

• DPE

• Flight School Employer

25 years old, male, civilian

B.S. Chemistry 3.3 / 4.0 138 Credits

Some post-bach schooling (MechE) 3.93/4.0 16 credits (prereqs for AeroE PhD)

Flight Certs (CPL, IRA, ASEL, AMEL, CFI-A/I):

Flight Experience (hours): 463.6 Total, 362.9 PIC, 66 Instrument, Night 28.9, XC 156.7, multi 25.7

Work Experience: Research publications (programming and data science), CFI experience, grader on campus

Eagle Scout

My motivations/goals/personal background:

• I would preferably like to live near a base in the Northeast USA, but not picky if it means flying a high performance jet.

• I am fine with Guard or Reserves (first contract I can hopefully get), as I would like to pursue a PhD once training and unit indoc is completed (can’t exactly do that while active duty for 10 years).

• Very strong academically, good study habits.

• Moderately fit (6’3” 173 lbs). 1.5 mile in 11:40 running 35 pushups in 1 min (training for OTS fitness tests), healthy lifestyle, 20/20 vision

• Overall I would like to serve 1st to give back to the USA, and advance science through my civilian job

• Would also consider Army WO position in the guard

I have done a lot of research on the national guard (go to tours/rush events, send packets whenever they open, bring beer, etc.), so no questions there (I am aware how competitive it is which is why I would like to apply to reserves as well.)

In regard to reserves, do you just talk to an officer recruiter and compete like the active duty folks? Is there less opportunity to get a fighter in the reserve? Are you able to request which part of the USA you would like to live? Deployment frequency vs National Guard?

How is my overall competitiveness?

If you would like to share your experiences of your paths to a seat it would be much appreciated.

Thank you all very much for your time and for your public service.

Sincerely,

A prospective applicant.

[O Face]

You have great scores, you have a bunch of flt time. All good things. You might want to re-think the Lt in UPT letter of rec, however. Unless he’s going back to the squadron you’re applying to, that’s kind of like asking an 8th grader to write you a letter of recommendation for grad school. Also, just to be clear:

National Guard = Army

Air National Guard = Air Force 

The USAF Reserves do have unsponsored UPT slots sometimes. Highly doubtful a fighter unit would be so short manned they’d need to go into the open market looking for a free agent, but a possibility perhaps. As far as indoc goes, if you’re picked up by a fighter unit, you’ll be on orders for 5+ years and expected to be in the squadron working even more than your AD counterparts do. So consider that when making your PhD plans and not wanting to be active duty for 10 yrs. Reserve applications are generally like the Air Guard. Go find a unit and apply, if hired, you can stay there until you retire. Good luck

Edited February 9 by O Face
.

[wikz]

On 2/1/2025 at 9:57 AM, hellogoodbye said:

Hello Baseops community,

I am a prospective pilot applicant (preferably fighters but not picky) and I have several questions regarding my competitiveness (starting to put packets together) for the national guard/reserves.

• AFOQT Pilot 99 CSO 98 ABM 99 AcApt 83 Verb 72 Quant 84

• GRE scores 156/170V 161/170Q 4.5 / 6.0A (for USAF and SF line officer pre qualification form asked for this?)

• PCSM/TBAS not taken yet

Letters of rec: 

• 2LT currently in UPT prior enlisted

• DPE

• Flight School Employer

25 years old, male, civilian

B.S. Chemistry 3.3 / 4.0 138 Credits

Some post-bach schooling (MechE) 3.93/4.0 16 credits (prereqs for AeroE PhD)

Flight Certs (CPL, IRA, ASEL, AMEL, CFI-A/I):

Flight Experience (hours): 463.6 Total, 362.9 PIC, 66 Instrument, Night 28.9, XC 156.7, multi 25.7

Work Experience: Research publications (programming and data science), CFI experience, grader on campus

Eagle Scout

My motivations/goals/personal background:

• I would preferably like to live near a base in the Northeast USA, but not picky if it means flying a high performance jet.

• I am fine with Guard or Reserves (first contract I can hopefully get), as I would like to pursue a PhD once training and unit indoc is completed (can’t exactly do that while active duty for 10 years).

• Very strong academically, good study habits.

• Moderately fit (6’3” 173 lbs). 1.5 mile in 11:40 running 35 pushups in 1 min (training for OTS fitness tests), healthy lifestyle, 20/20 vision

• Overall I would like to serve 1st to give back to the USA, and advance science through my civilian job

• Would also consider Army WO position in the guard

I have done a lot of research on the national guard (go to tours/rush events, send packets whenever they open, bring beer, etc.), so no questions there (I am aware how competitive it is which is why I would like to apply to reserves as well.)

In regard to reserves, do you just talk to an officer recruiter and compete like the active duty folks? Is there less opportunity to get a fighter in the reserve? Are you able to request which part of the USA you would like to live? Deployment frequency vs National Guard?

How is my overall competitiveness?

If you would like to share your experiences of your paths to a seat it would be much appreciated.

Thank you all very much for your time and for your public service.

Sincerely,

A prospective applicant.

hello, just a hopeful fighter applicant too, looking for advice. great scores btw dude; if you don't mind me asking, what study methods/habits do you or did you have for like the AFOQT and the civilian side of flight training?