Flying Opportunities in the Air Force Reserve
Article by: Gordon “Patch” Olde, AFRC UFT Program Manager
Whether you are currently active duty in the Air Force, a sister service, or you have never flown a plane before, there are flying opportunities for you in the Air Force Reserve (AFR). The Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) Undergraduate Flying Training (UFT) Guidebook contains a wealth of information about flying the AFR as well as how to apply. Below is a brief summary of the AFR and how to join.
The Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) is a major command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force, headquartered at Robins AFB in Georgia. AFRC consists of over 70 different flying squadrons organized in three Numbered Air Forces (NAF). The 4th Air Force controls AFRC’s mobility air forces and is headquartered at March AFB, California. The 10th Air Force consists of AFRC’s combat air forces with its headquarters at Naval Air Station (NAS) Joint Reserve Base (JRB) Fort Worth, Texas. The 22nd Air Force includes all of AFRC’s tactical mobility and flying training assets, headquartered at Dobbins Air Reserve Base (ARB), Georgia.
Reservists serve in a variety of different statuses, both part-time and full-time. Active Guard/Reserve (AGR) and Air Reserve Technician (ART) are full-time statuses, while Traditional Reserve (TR) and Individual Reserve (IR) statuses are part-time. Reservists receive similar benefits to their active duty counterparts, including base access, health care, education and tuition assistance, and retirement opportunities. Flying positions include pilot, Combat Systems Officer (CSO), Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) pilot, and Air Battle Manager (ABM).
If you are interested in joining and you are not already in the AFR, you will need to contact an AFR officer accessions recruiter. Your recruiter will assist you in completing all required items, including forms, tests, flight physicals, etc. If you already serve in the AFR, your servicing Force Support Squadron career development team should assist you with the application process. Once determined to be eligible, you will meet an Undergraduate Flying Training (UFT) board for selection to UFT. During this process, you must decide what aircraft you would like to fly and where, since you will need to be sponsored by an AFR non-training flying unit at some point prior to UFT track selection.
When the AFR UFT board meets and reviews your application package, you will be evaluated based on the whole-person concept. Parameters such as flight time, sponsorship status, academic grades and test scores are taken into account. If you are selected for a flying training slot, you will be notified by your commander or recruiter and will enter the training pipeline usually within 3-4 months. If you are not selected, you have the opportunity to re-apply to the next available board, provided something in your application (e.g. flight hours, test scores, etc.) has changed. If serving your country as a rated Air Force Reserve officer appeals to you, we encourage you to review the AFRC UFT Guidebook and submit an application package.
For questions related to the AFR UFT Program, please contact Gordon Olde at gordon.olde.1@us.af.mil.
Note: The United States Air Force and Air Force Reserve Command are not affiliated with BogiDope.com. Information provided to BogiDope is intended to increase awareness of AFR flying opportunities and help clarify the application process to potential AFR UFT candidates.
