Age Limit

[Colin]

Impossible to say what your odds are specifically with the information provided. Age is a poor determinant alone but typically, the closer to early to mid 20s, the better. I’d say unless you’re famous, have effusive charisma, or have close ties with a fighter unit, your odds of a fighter are close to zero. However, heavies are very much in play! Obviously put in your app with fighters if your heart is set on them, or even try for Active Duty and crush UPT and fly fighters “the hard way”.

All this to say, it’s not “too late” realistically or technically. I am 32 and was recently picked up by a unit with a private pilot background. I’m nothing special, but studied like a psycho for the AFOQT, and tried to make a genuine connection with everyone I met. Rushing units is somewhat a skill and artform in itself.

Before any further consideration or rumination on your part, knock out your AFOQT and TBAS if you haven’t already. Without your test scores, units won’t spend a lot of time on you or your application because there are too many unknowns. Most everyone else will have this accomplished. The total process can take months. No harm in making connections with folks in units you’re interested in, but, you just realistically can’t apply until all requirements are met. Another good thing to knock out will be your MEPS physical. AFR or AD recruiters are a good resource for this. Wouldn’t overly stress this but, the Active Duty and Unsponsored Boards require this as part of the process.

BD is a great resource for putting together your general application. Since time is not entirely on your side, you need to consider where on the spectrum of “fly for the military at any cost” and “I’d to fly for my hometown unit, but if that doesn’t work out I’ll stay local, get my commercial, and instruct” you lie. I realized all too late I fell into the former and got very lucky by getting picked up by a good unit. They weren’t local to me and by sheer chance their posting came up and I decided to visit and made a personal connection with the POC. Was falling everywhere else, including my “local” unit.

Tl;dr, if you really want to fly for the AF, apply everywhere, rush as much your wallet can tolerate, and put yourself in for the AFR unsponsored board and the Active Duty boards. This will bring the math in your favor. If you overly focus on one unit, you may be disappointed. Be sure to read the room! If there’s 100 people at a rush event and you’ve had several empty elevator pitch conversations, they likely aren’t the one! Keep an open mind and absolutely kill the interview when you reach that point. It’s hyper competitive right now which makes it tough to stand out. Probably a lot of info I’ve thrown at you, but I’m bored on my lunch break. And feel free to hit me up with any questions. Also, just my two cents, so I’m sure some of the much more experienced folks on here will have different opinions. Good luck!

[CAGE]

Cody,

As far as age goes, it’s just a number. You can get hired at a unit at 24 or you can get hired at 31. I’ve seen and been a part of boards hiring people. Most important thing is to be all in because you have such a shorter window than most. You’ll have to sell yourself to units why your age isn’t a factor they need to think about. As I tell most, don’t expect age waivers in the guard/reserve. It’s not impossible but when you have 200+ applicants it’s hard for a unit to try to push one through. Again nothing is impossible but if you really want it go for it! Good luck!