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Roll call
So I’m a civilian and I just got my PCSM score back and put my application together for the most part… I talked to someone at a unit that I’m very interested in and they are allowing me to go down there on the next drill weekend because the board isn’t open yet and I want to get my name and face down there.
They said I need to “introduce myself” during roll call and told me it will only be about 30 seconds. Does anyone have any tips for this? Should I try to be a little bit funny? I have a feeling this is just a chance for them to rip on me a little bit but I could be wrong…
Other than that all I was told was that I can sit in the lounge all day and try to meet people. Which I’m horrible at talking to people and would also take any tips I can get for this as well!
Thank you guys!
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4 Replies
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Hey CGOM. What type of unit? Fighters? Airlift?
Theirs is a running joke in fighters where you are asked to introduce yourself only to be shouted down. If that’s the case then just play along and be a good sport.
In either case the large group ‘formal’ introduction is not the time to read your accomplishments. If it was me I would just say. “Hello I’m Kyle Martin, (from wherever if I was local) happy to be here. Thank you for having us out to visit.”
Break, Break
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Now for the one on ones realize that anyone who has made themselves available wants to meet you. If they’re busy they’ll be in their office.
Just walk up and say Hi. There will be the initial “hey where you from” and then the conversation sometimes seems to lag. When that happens pivot to activities, not flying.
If it’s a coast unit I’d say. “Hey do y’all fish or boat or surf?” If they do just let them talk about their boat or whatever. People love talking about there favorite things and maybe you find you have something in common. If so strike out on that common thread.
Once they’ve talked themselves out on boats and you established a bond expect they’ll pivot the conversation back to you. “So John Doe what do you want to do here at the XXX squadron” and let it flow from there. They’ll ask you about flying, school and sports. Answer the questions but try to focus on what your enjoyed vice your accomplishment.
“Hey so do you get to fly much GA? Do you have your license” “Ya it’s been great – I ramp rat at the local FBO to get hours. I was able to scrape together a PPL in the mighty Cessna and now I’ve saved up for some foggles so I think the instrument is next; (now pivot the convo back) where did y’all get your start?”
Break
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Why this dance of pivoting the convo back?
The squadron folks are getting a sense of you are qualified AND if you are fun to hang out with. You know you are qualified so you don’t need to power sell your resume. Rather let people talk about all their favorite things in your presence. Connect when you can. They’ll remember you as a good dude.
Cheers!
Husky
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CGOM
To pile-on to Huskys great advice, here is the most common refrain I have heard from units regarding informal/formal events with UPT candidates: “This dude just wasn’t authentic”. A crowd like you’re describing isn’t really out to evaluate you, but get to know you a bit. Don’t tell people what you think they want to hear, just be yourself. They can sniff out people playing a part very quickly.
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