[SkyDaddy]

All:

I reached out to every squadron that has a POC on MilRecruiter, whether it was email, phone number, or both.

Here’s my experience.

To start, most squadrons have out of date contact information on MilRecruiter. The ones who do have information posted have said that the best way to keep an eye out for recruiting posts is to keep an eye on the squadron pages (af.mil type)

many squadrons right now are not hiring for a few reasons.. The most common is the Air Force is switching many airframes and they won’t have UPT slots open until the unit has a training program established AFTER the transition period.

The units that are maintaining their current airframes are having issues getting people through the UPT pipeline due to active duty soaking up school slots. Some UPT candidates have been selected and have been waiting to go to school for over 12 months.

that being said, every recruiter that I’ve talked to has said persistence is key right now. Slots WILL open, there’s just no forecasting when. Do not get discouraged! If this is what you want to do, make it happen.

[SkyDaddy]

So far, I was put into contact with an Air Force recruiter and he gave me a packet to fill out. Some of the things included are:

conditional release

PCSM score

SGLI paperwork

Several questionnaires

basic recruiting paperwork

I HIGHLY recommend studying for the AFOQT. It’s quite different from the SIFT

If you don’t already know, there is a free resource for practice tests that are very accurate on MWR libraries (I didn’t even know this website existed before, great for online tutoring)

TheTBAS is a stressful test. The best advice I could give for this is to watch some YouTube videos on it, and during the test remember that mistakes will happen. Don’t panic, keep your cool and stay focused on your 5 meter targets.

the recruiter also sent me an excel spreadsheet on unit level staffing for pilots, who is in deficit and who is full.

But when comparing that to MilReceuiter and BogiDope, some units are not advertising on all of the source. I would recommend checking all three as you move through the process.

from my understanding now, once I get my packet finished, I am able to start applying to the units directly.

[SkyDaddy]

good info!

looks like I barely missed summer hiring, bummer. Silver lining, I was getting worried that training was being universally shut down due to the trainer issues. a few units got back to me and said they’re suspending UPT for the time until several issues get resolved..

[SkyDaddy]

Just wanted to see if you’ve made any headway in your transition

[SkyDaddy]

yes, I contacted several at first and they all said they needed AFOQT and TBAS testing.

after taking your AFOQT, you can then take the TBAS. Bring your logbook and college transcript to the TBAS test.

they will then compile all of your scores together, and give you a PCSM score. That score is out of 99 points that reflects your chance of success in flight school.

[SkyDaddy]

Sorry, I PM’d you instead of replied on this, oops.

so that everyone can see, I was wondering if you could give a brief play by play of what the process was like, starting from getting your release from the army, to integrating into your unit after finishing flight school.

what are some challenges you face in the Air Force that didn’t exist in the Army

Do you have any words of wisdom for me as I start this process?

From what I understand, getting into a unit is sort of like rushing a fraternity. You submit your application, they do an interview on you, then if they like you, an invitation is extended to come for a unit visit, if the unit visit goes well, they “sponsor” your flight school spot, meaning they’re sending you there with full intention of putting you in the airframe you interviewed for in their unit. Is this accurate?