Rush Event Networking

[Chainsaw]

I’ll be attending the 122 FS. If anyone on here is going, PM me and we can get to know each other before going!

[CHAOS]

Chainsaw,

Great thread! It’s super beneficial to make connections during rush events. While you all are competing for the same job, collaboration is still the key to success. I still talk to some of the bros I met at rush events back when I was on the circuit. Learn from each other, share ideas, costs, etc! Say hi to the bros in Nola for me.

Cheers!

-CHAOS

[D.J.]

I agree with CHAOS on the networking piece. You never know where you are going to see the people you “rush” or interview with again.

Take every opportunity to meet as many people as possible, get their contact information, and stay in touch.

Aviation is a very small community. I can’t tell you how many times I have spoken with different people I’ve met about different issues or concerns that may have come up on my journey.

Even today, I still try to network and learn as much as I can from others as well as their experience.

Another thing to remember, especially when “rushing” is be nice and respectful to EVERYONE! That includes the front desk at the hotel, the people who meet and greet you in the squadron, or anyone else you come in contact with. You do not know what all the relationships are in a Unit. Think of it this way, anyone you come in contact with could potentially effect the outcome of your interview!

Best of luck!

D.J.

[Dadams09]

Hey dude! When is that rush event going down? Is it invite only or is it open to whoever would like to head out there? I’m still putting my packet together and won’t have my AFOQT done until the end of the summer; but I wouldn’t mind making connections and chatting with dudes early on!

[C.J.]

Last month’s Rush Networking video is up in the video library! Good stuff, highly recommend diving in on it and getting in on the next one!

[Dadams09]

All good dude! Thanks for the tip!

• This reply was modified 3 months ago by  Dadams09.

[Dunce]

Chainsaw and I are going to rush the 122nd FS at NAS JRB New Orleans. Unfortunately it’s invite only, but I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt to reach out to the POC and see about future rush opportunities!

[Beav]

Chainsaw, I also encourage people to start the networking process pre-rush. Our aviation communities are smaller than you think. You run into each other at Red Flag, Cope North and other exercises, not to mention at the airport lounge.

Always think networking!

-Beav

[Bobby3]

Hey man, I’m a crew chief in the unit. I’ll be there attending rush as well

[Chainsaw]

We just got in. Looking forward to seeing you there!

[Wright]

You’re invited to my new group ‘ANG/AFRC’ on GroupMe. Click here to join: https://groupme.com/join_group/101252924/HwfzbO3F

[Beav]

@Chainsaw and @Dunce and @Bobby-Ridenour we look forward to your feedback after the event

Was it what you expected?

Reach out for a phone call!

• This reply was modified 2 months, 4 weeks ago by  Beav.

[CHAOS]

I hope everyone had a righteous time down in Nola this weekend! Feel free to share your experiences down there and any lessons learned. Good luck to those who visited; hopefully some interview notifications in the near future!

-CHAOS

[Chainsaw]

FOLLOW UP NOTES:

Nola was a blast. The whole unit is a tightly knit community and all of the people there were very welcoming. Having talked to other applicants before applying helped to take some of the awkwardness out of having to get to know 50+ candidates, pilots, etc. My biggest piece of advice is to be humble and be yourself. I hope to get the chance to head back out to Nola.

Thanks for reaching out and following up.

@CHAOS @Beav @Bobby-Ridenour @Dunce

[CHAOS]

Thanks for the follow-up @Chainsaw! Glad you had a good time. From what I’ve been told, they had close to 600 applicants. They used the invite-only rush as their first way to trim candidates based off of AFOQT (All categories) / PCSM / Age / Resume. For those that made it to the rush, you should feel confident that your application is very competitive for Fighter slots. For those that didn’t, think about reaching out to those that did and compare your applications to see how you can improve.

Cheers!

-CHAOS

[dylan-t]

CHAOS,

Thanks for the details! Do you know what the AFOQT cut offs were for aa, verbal, and quant? I’m trying to get a baseline not only at NOLA but other fighter squadrons as well. I have 99 AFOQT pilot/ ABM, 85 CSO, and a 99 PCSM. 3.94 CGPA from an aviation college (with flight training done at the university). AA, Verbal, and Quant afoot scores are my weak area at the moment (low to mid 60s).

V/r,

Dylan

[Chainsaw]

For reference,

My scores are pilot:99 CSO:96 ABM:99 ACAD:91 Verbal:75 Quant:95 PCSM:99. A lot of the other applicants had similar scores

[TEXAStooTALL]

Do you have your PPL already? How much did previous flight hours factor in for the selected candidates?

[Chainsaw]

Yes, I have 79 flight hours and a ppl. It’s safe to say that everyone there had prior flight experience.

[dylan-t]

TEXAStooTALL,

Previous flight hours seem to only slightly factor into selection. You want at least 60 for the PCSM boost that it gives you. This should get you to the end of your private pilot’s license, plus or minus a few hours. Once you get to 60 hours, anything is fair game. I’ve heard of local candidates getting interviews (at fighter squadrons) without their PPL (still with a few hours of flight time). If it’s a financial concern for you, my recommendation would be getting 60 flight hours (and if you are close to getting your ppl, go ahead and finish it off), after that, transition to AFOQT study/ tutor sessions and work on getting those composite section scores up. I have Commercial ASEL/ AMEL and Instrument rating (300 hrs), with the above scores and CGPA, and haven’t received an invite. In NOLA’s case, with 600+ applicants, AFOQT composite scores become a very easy way to narrow down the number of applicants to something more manageable.

-Dylan

• This reply was modified 2 months, 3 weeks ago by  dylan-t.

[dylan-t]

Chainsaw,

Thank you!

[CHAOS]

Has anyone who rushed recently received any feedback from the units?

It’s super important to try to solicit feedback after the fact. If it didn’t work out at one unit try to gain some insight and improve for the next one!