Whats my chance (ANG, Reserve)?
- Hello Everyone, newbie here — currently a civilian, looking for either heavy or fighter (preferably fighter).
- Age: 24
- Education: 3.6 GPA in Psychology
- Flight Experience: PPL with 101 flight hours
- AFOQT:
- 1st attempt: 45 Pilot, 21 Nav, 8 Verbal, 14 Quantitative (yikes)
- 2nd attempt: 95 Pilot, 70 Nav, 25 Verbal, 14 Quantitative (still yikes but better)
- PCSM: 1st attempt 27 with max hours and 45 pilot; 2nd attempt 54 with 45 pilot. Now 85 with 95 pilot
- Background:
- English wasn’t my first language when I came to the U.S. (now fluent, but Verbal/Quant still a challenge)
- Work/Experience:
- Research Associate at University of Michigan
- Substitute teacher (couple of years)
- What I’m looking for:
- Advice and tips on improving my chances
- Opinions on my shot at fighters (but I’ll apply regardless).
- Is there waiver requirement for TBAS 3rd try?
Thank you!
- 2 Replies
If you haven’t watch this podcast yet, its pretty insightful in what a board is looking for especially if you are looking at fighters. From what I gathered from the podcast, if you are not a nepo baby or a USAFA graduate. Getting into a guard unit as a civilian is going to be very hard, almost impossible. They mentioned in the podcast they prefer hiring rated applicants over off the street applicants, for obvious reasons. Basically I would relate this to joining a fraternity/sorority (or even dating); very subjective unfortunately. In the podcast, they mentioned going either Active Duty or enlisting with the unit you are interested in to help boost your odds.
As far as your test scores goes, no one can really answer if your scores are good or bad. Unfortunately, everyone likes to compare their scores like a dick measuring contest. There’s alway going to be someone who will have a higher score or a lower one. On the bright side you already have your PPL, so good on you! I would recommend reaching out to a recruiter or a ROTC detachment commander on getting a wavier to take the TBAS again.
bogidope.com
How to Get Hired to Fly Fighters in the Guard/Reserve [Hiring Board Debrief] | BogiDope
How to Get Hired to Fly Fighters in the Guard/Reserve [Hiring Board Debrief] | BogiDope
Hailemicael and Randy,
Thanks for the discussion. Randy, thanks for the point out to the Afterburn episode. Flash and Rain do an awesome job explaining the process, as well as tips and tricks.
Just to clarify a few things to ensure the right data gets out into the BD universe:-The hiring board process can take many forms, but not all boards are the same. First, units will host local and national boards. Local boards are usually internal to the unit, the wing, or invite-only. They allow the hardworking members of the unit to get a harder look. To address the “nepo baby’ aspect; yes, family members may be hired by a legacy unit. They still need to meet the requirements of the board and pass muster in rush events, interviews, scores, etc.
-For national boards, they can be split into two categories: rated (experienced) or non-rated (UPT). These usually do not cross streams at all due to the nature of the candidates. A USAFA graduate would very rarely show up to a UPT board. Even then, the USAFA aspect may not matter much. For experienced boards, the USAFA pedigree matters even less, as most applicants have already established themselves outside of the collegiate environment.
-For scores, you anecdotally want 90+ for a PCSM and 90+ for AFOQT Pilot suscore. The quant and verbal scores matter far less in the eyes of a board.Smack
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