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Paths to earning wings
Hello,
I am beginning my senior year of high school. I don’t think USAFA is not an option for me because of my gpa. I am considering flying for the ANG. Is there anything I can do right now to increase my chances to get hired by a squadron after college?
What other paths could I take towards earning my wings?
Thank you
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16 Replies
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Hey Tommy dude there are lots of paths to the dream.
Don’t rule out USAFA; there’s a prep school option if your grades aren’t quite there.
Also ROTC. You can get a full ride especially if you’re willing to study a critical degree.
Then OTS. Get your degree on your own and get a pilot contract.
And Guard/reserve of course! Biggest thing managing the timelines.
Keep all your options open!
Cheers!
Husky
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Seconding what Husky said, there’s plenty of options. It would probably be best to focus on your higher education; that GPA matters, not so much high school. And even if that proves a challenge, getting stellar AFOQT scores can smooth things out more.
Certainly don’t count yourself out just over high school GPA, everyone’s got something they wish they did better in. The best thing to do is learn from it, figure out what you need to do to be better and ask for help putting it into action if needed. You’ve still got a road ahead of you before getting your wings and the important stuff is only just starting!
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Thank you both for the advice! I’ll keep my grades up senior year and I should end with around a 3.2. Is there anything I can do right now to prepare for the road ahead?
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What’s up Tommy! Regarding trying into get in the USAFA — even though you are a senior and your GPA isn’t exceptional — your chances may be slim — but it never hurts to apply.
I remember bring in your shoes, still in high school, eager to find any solution to increase my chances. I also wanted to go to the academy. There are a plentiful amount of benefits that come with the academy, but if you’re looking to go Guard I wouldn’t. They are very strict and some people would like to have a quotidian college experience.
The short answer to your question is when you’re in high school, there isn’t much. as stated, high school GPA doesn’t reflect any chances of being a future military pilot. As of right now, have fun and enjoy the freedom. stay out of trouble and keep your record clean.
If you really wanted to invest in improving your chances for a guard pilot slot, I would enlist in your home unit. Guard units like to hire from within.
There are many paths to wings, it’s up to you to decide.
Good luck!
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Thank you! I was looking into attending the New Mexico Military Institute then transferring over to the academy (If I decide to go the academy route). If not, I’ll transfer from the military institute to a four year then apply to guard slots. When should I start applying to guard units? I am also currently working on my PPL, do you think it will help with prior flight experience?
Thank you for all the information and advice! I really appreciate it!
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Great Tommy! Good luck brother. Just to clarify I was referring to the on-campus prep school at USAFA.
Don’t count out ROTC. My guard squadron is about 25% ROTC folks, 25% USAFA folks, 10% OTS (Active Duty -> ANG) the remaining 40% are true guard babies.
Lots of paths and lots of timelines. What’s important is a structured plan that maximizes your chance at each on-ramp. It seems daunting, but you only need to win once and you’ll be supersonic.
Cheers!
Husky
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I heard with ROTC it is extremely difficult for pilot slots to open up, I also hear many of them are left waiting years before getting the chance to step into an aircraft. Was what I was told accurate?
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In terms of the Academy itself, I am not too sure unfortunately. I looked at it some but I didn’t have much info/knowledge about the path to wings at all in my position back in the day so I didn’t dive headlong into it. All my advice is simply what little I know for getting to wings in general.
In terms of that, it never hurts to start getting into aviation. I know starting flying is next to impossible for a lot of people especially in high school; for stuff at that age it’s outlandishly expensive per whatever you make, if anything, and topping on aviation studies alongside your many school classes is just adding more pressure and problems, but it can’t hurt. There’s a lot of good flying channels on YouTube and books floating around offering the most basic introductions, so it could help to dip your toes into it.
Beyond that, if you have time to spare, you could look at joining your school’s JROTC program (if it has one) and/or your local Civil Air Patrol squadron (if one is within reach, of course). Both will teach you some good traits to have not only as a cadet but as a person along with many other practical skills that you’ll need going into the military. Some early leadership and teamwork lessons, wearing the uniform properly, physical fitness, history and rules, etc. I do know CAP, if you are with them for some time, can help members towards getting their pilot’s license at a reduced cost, depending on the local team’s ability to do so, though again it may be worth focusing your time on school and not biting off too much that you can chew. I do know CAP offers it’s cadets as well as JROTC cadets a couple of free orientation flights if you’ve never been in the air before.
I wish I could give more info pertinent to your most-desired course, but the Academy is something I know precious little on the details about; it was always so high and away it seemed too distant for my reach. But as we said there’s multiple paths to flying, and in the end every pilot goes to the same training. Hope this helps somewhat, and good luck to you! Give ’em your all!????
-C.R.
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True, ROTC pilot slots are hard to come by. there is a limited amount of slots given every year and you best be a preeminent cadet in your detachment if hoping to receive one. not sure what the waiting for years to step in an aircraft is about. maybe someone can clarify.
Regarding applying to guard units, you can apply for a pilot slot as early as your senior year in college.
Getting a PPL is almost a mandate when applying to Guard units. the hiring board wants to know if the applicant has a determination and an interest in aviation, and not just Timmy who watched top gun and thought it would be bad ass to fly planes.
I see where you’re going withe the academy idea. the academy does get more pilot slots than ROTC and OTS etc. I understand the urgency to increase chances, but like everyone says don’t stress it for now, there’s not much you can do being in high school. take it step by step. once you start college, that is when your journey truly starts.
If you really wanna get more info or improve your chances, I would read the articles bogidope has to offer. im sure most of the questions your’e asking can all be answered there.
Good luck!
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Hi, I’m currently in ROTC and just finished IFC at WPAFB. They’re announcing our rated (pilot) board results in Sept.
It’s not extremely difficult to get a pilot slot in ROTC. All the cadets I know that work hard and have good grades are competitive. Nearly everything that will earn you a pilot slot in ROTC is in your control which is nice (grades, field training, PT, Det Commander’s ranking, PCSM). Of course the needs of the Air Force vary but if you’re in the top 30-40% of cadets you’re typically in good shape.
As for the wait time, our most recent class of grads (commissioned in June) had 3 pilots and all of them are already at their training bases. You may do a few months of “casual” status before starting with a class but I wouldn’t expect “years” as you were told. Happy to answer any other questions you have about the ROTC route.
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Thank you! Do you think I can do ROTC even with my gpa being a 3.2?
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Yes, for ROTC you just need to get accepted to the school of your choice (or an affiliated crosstown university) and enroll in the ROTC classes with your local detachment. There is no minimum HS GPA to start ROTC, however there are minimum college GPAs to remain in good standing and be competitive for scholarships. Since you’re still in HS I would recommend searching and applying for the AFROTC HS Scholarship Program (if deadlines haven’t already passed). If offers fully or partially subsidized tuition assistance depending on your school. There are in college scholarships too if you don’t get one out of HS.
Once you’re in the program, the ball is really in your court. Your PT, GPA, Det Commander’s ranking, etc. will determine your competitiveness for an enrollment allocation (basically a conditional job offer to commission once you complete your degree). You will receive that during your sophomore year. You will compete/meet the board for a pilot slot during your junior year and by the time you’re a senior you will know your job and base.
Happy to answer any other questions you have!
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@WAS,
Your feedback is much appreciated! It’s great having someone currently going through the program being able to dispel silly rumors.
ROTC is one of the three commissioning paths to join the Active Duty Air Force after college and serve for 11-12 yrs before deciding whether to:
1. Transition to one of the reserve components (ANG/AFRES)
2. Continue on AD for 20+
or
3. Separate completely from the military
People sometimes get confused by the “R” in ROTC. Don’t misunderstand; ROTC is an Active Duty officer commissioning program. Yes, there are opportunities to direct commission into the ANG upon graduating but those programs/pathways are quite limited and not very common.
If ROTC is your choice, like WAS has said, there are many opportunities for strong cadets to obtain Active Duty pilot slots. If you can’t get a slot in ROTC chances are you’re not pilot/officer material. Or, like I experienced, they didn’t offer slots when I graduated because of “needs of the AF” in which case you can serve in another career field and compete for a pilot slot as a non-rated AF officer later! Round-about way, I know, but with dedication and commitment on your side, dare someone to tell you NO!
Good luck!
Snip
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Thank you for the detailed response! I’m still learning a lot about the different paths. Is OTS a good option if I want to get my degree first? I don’t want to close any doors on myself if I take a specific route.
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Thank you for clarifying. What quality does the hiring board search for to distinguish from your peers? Do you have any tips for remaining
competitive in the class?
Thank you,
Tommy
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If you’re looking to go the Active Duty route, and you still don’t have a degree, ROTC would offer a higher likelihood of getting a Pilot slot. Active Duty OTS boards have been very competitive in recent years and see a much smaller number of rated career drops (Pilot, CSO, ABM, RPA) than ROTC and the Academy. Additionally, you’re often competing against many enlisted airmen who have completed their degrees and are looking to commission. If you get hired by an ANG or Reserve unit as a civilian you will go to OTS after you get hired and before you go to pilot training since you have to commission as an Air Force Officer. As @Snip mentioned, it’s important to determine whether you want to go ANG or Active Duty as this will change the paths to wings. There are currently programs to go Reserves from ROTC however the slots are competitive (10-12/year) and it’s always a question of how long those programs will last. From my own experience, I’ve applied to ANG units as an ROTC cadet and got approval from my chain of command to get conditional release from my Active Duty Service Commitment if I was able to get hired. This isn’t a route I would plan into your career path since it’s atypical and not clearly defined, however it aligns with the “make them tell you no” attitude everyone speaks about.
Regarding your second question about staying competitive for a Pilot slot in ROTC, you can distinguish yourself by maintaining a 3.5+ CGPA in college, scoring 95+ on your PT tests throughout your time in the program, graduating in the top third of your class at Field Training (2-week basic training between your Sophomore and Junior year), optimizing your PCSM score (ideally 90+), and ranking in the top third of your Detachment Commander’s ranking (basically an assessment of general leadership ability, likability, and performance during your time in the program). Anything above that just increases your chances. You will see similarities no matter what path to wings you take – generally speaking being a good wingman, working hard, networking, and understanding the steps you need to take to get into the cockpit will take you a long way.
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