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AFRC Unsponsored Board
Hey folks,
I was looking to connect with someone who’s gone through the AFRC Unsponsored board process. The recruiter I’ve been working with mentioned it to me in passing, and I’ve read about it on MilRecruiter, but I’ve got some questions about actually finding a unit if you get selected unsponsored and how that process works.
Specifically: how receptive are units to bringing on unsponsored folks? Do the units have to have a current or upcoming hiring board, or can you essentially go anywhere because you have the UPT spot already? And how long it takes to get an OTS/UPT if you take the unsponsored route.
Thanks!
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16 Replies
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I’ve worked unsponsored AFRC as both a coach and as a hiring manager (before coaching).
Knowledge of the program is super variable amongst the ANG/USAFR units. The ANG hasn’t done a great job of educating units on the opportunity sponsorship offers. But there are a few units that will definitely sponsor candidates.
My recommendation is to have the conversation with prospective units first (before applying to USAFR UFT.) The best way to set up this convo is as an alternate or non-select.
“Hey Johney you were a great candidate but competition was fierce. We would have loved to hire you but right now you’re our alternate.”
“Okay totally understand, we’ll What if I got a USAFR UFT slot and you all sponsored me? Would you be willing to bring me on that way?”
“Absolutely!”
“Okay I’ll send you some background information on the program and I’ll get the paperwork ready. Do you have time next week to reconnect?”
“Wednesday at the golf course.”
“See you there!”
Cheers!
Husky
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I think this is right in line with what I expected and my course of action moving forward. I’m just about wrapped up with my application and will be putting in for individual units, but as things shake out with rush/interviews, unsponsored may be the good move later down the line
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This is a really good way of looking at this opportunity and something I wish I knew about when I started my search! Great insight here.
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Someone else might be able to jump in here, but I had heard the USAF was having trouble with funding for the FC1 Physical for Civilian applicants hoping to go to pilot training unsponsored. If you already have the FC1 Physical, then there is no issue; but for off the street applicants, you need the FC1 before going to an unsponsored board
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I just applied to the last board in October as an unsponsored candidate, still waiting for those results. But my recruiter said I had to wait until after potential selection by the board to go get my FC1, but maybe that varies case by case. All I had to do was MEPS and all the paperwork.
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@luke.beer This is in line with what my recruiter has told me as well. Best of luck on the most board!
Have you started rushing units yet? I would love to hear about your experience unsponsored if you’ve started
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What are the requirements to be eligible for the Unsponsored Board?
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According to milrecruiter, it is this: minimum PCSM score of 90, no exceptions to policy, and willing to fly any AFRC tanker or transport aircraft at any AFRC location. Unsponsored candidates are not eligible for fighter, bomber, or special-mission aircraft.
Would have to confer with your recruiter just in case.
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@luke.beer Can you please provide the link to where you see these requirements listed on MilRecruiter? Those requirements seem a bit different than I remember them. But things are always changing, so I could be wrong. Regardless, I want to make sure we’re putting out accurate info, so if you can link to where you saw that, I’d appreciate your help clearing up any confusion floating around about this. Thanks!
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SLAP,
I found them here: https://www.milrecruiter.com/afrc-uft-selectionboards/
5.4: “…Unsponsored applicants may apply to a regular (non-ROTC) selection board if they meet the following requirements: minimum PCSM score of 90, no exceptions to policy, and willing to fly any AFRC tanker or transport aircraft at any AFRC location. Unsponsored candidates are not eligible for fighter, bomber, or special-mission aircraft.”
V/r,
Dylan
milrecruiter.com
AFRC UFT – Selection Boards - MilRecruiter
5. Selection Boards 5.1. Overview. Air Force Reserve Command UFT Selection Boards convene quarterly at HQ AFRC, Robins AFB, GA. Regular (non-ROTC) boards usually convene on the second Tuesday of October, January, April and July. Applications may be submitted per … Continue reading
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I was in Wright Pat in September and met someone who was going the unsponsored route. He said the Reserves were funding everything for him until his completion of UPT. From there he was responsible for pitching himself to a unit. The FC1 portion may vary case by case, but he was a civilian off the street and had no problem getting his funded.
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MilRecruiter has a list of all the selects for AFRC for the last few years. They have quarterly boards, it seems like every quarter has about two selects. One of them I cant remember which had a bunch of unsponsored selects. Honestly, I think this is a good way to get your foot in the door. Your essentially a free agent that a unit is not funding. Worst case scenario your assigned to an undermanned location and your still a reserve pilot.
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Makes sense! Yeah, I went through all the old board results and it looks like there were around 20 unsponsored selects over the past calendar year. I’m not sure of total number of applicants to know the what that selection rate is but it feels pretty decent.
I’m not super picky on airframe, but my wife has asked me to try as best as possible to stay on the east coast. So it’s a weird spot where I would definitely take what I can get, and if unsponsored is an easier path, then so be it, but I want to avoid ending up somewhere undesirable. But also beggars can’t be choosers!
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I would keep shooting for any possible options to get in. I was applying Guard, Reserve, and Active duty. I think East Coast would be tough if you are not sponsored if you get in. However, I have 0 knowledge to stand on when I say this. I would just pick a few key locations and then keep visiting. Then when your selected by them – great. Or if you are selected Command Sponsored, you have the peace of mind that you are in and can keep rushing and getting to know locations with a bit less stress. Good Luck!
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Even if you can’t get that dream job on the first try – realize it’s pretty easy to swap units and also aircraft to some extent.
Let’s say you ended up getting assigned the March 135s (California), it’s a relatively easy thing to transfer to the 135s at Seymour (NC). Transferring amongst tribes is pretty easy as well (KC-135<->KC-46s, or C-5s to C-17s), and big wing to big wing is also pretty doable (C-15<->KC-46). Switching from fighters to heavies is possible, but heavies to fighters is a challenge.
You can also transfer from USAFR->ANG. Certainly after your 10 years pilot ADSC but also maybe before (I was able to transfer from a USAFR unit to an ANG unit while I still had a service commitment with the USAFR).
So that east coast location might be a destination and the journey might take you through some other places. I really enjoyed flying with different units along the way.
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