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Forum Replies Created
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Airlift/Tanker/Bomber or Fighter?
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This reminds me of the classic interview question, “If we transition to MQ-9’s next year, WWYD?”
1. How would you approach this question? 2. What are some important factors to consider when answering?
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Congrats on getting a phone interview! In the past, JAX has run a multi-stage interview board. From application reviews, to phone interviews to group meet-n-greets to personal video submissions and, finally, an in-person interview typically over their drill weekend.
BogiDope offers 1-on-1 Interview Preparation coaching sessions that can really help you best prepare for this once-in-lifetime opportunity. Good luck in pursuing your dream job!
Cheers,
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I personally know of a couple candidates who received notification that they made it past the first screening, basically the application screen. Sounds like the 157th might be doing multiple screenings before interviews go out.
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Except for extreme one-off situations, I’m unaware of a program that allows ANG units to pick up pilots going through UPT prior to finishing T-6’s. If you were hired ahead of time (pre-UPT) and attend UPT as an ANG pilot candidate, then you’re in the ANG and have a 10 year service commitment (full or part time after graduating UPT.
If you were assigned to attend UPT as an Active Duty accession, you are an AD candidate and will incur a 10-yr AD service commitment, all full-time, after UPT graduation.
We can talk about AD vs ANG/AFRES pros/cons if you’d like but that’s a whole different conversation..
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DJM – Congrats on completing UPT and getting the B-2. Because you went through the T-38 program at UPT, your chances of getting into a fighter unit are better than a heavy/T-1 trained pilot. As far as the age limit goes, that’s not a factor now that you are a rated pilot. Yes, you would probably need an IFF training slot from the fighter unit that would want to hire you. This won’t be an easy pursuit because many of these units will have current and qualified fighter pilots in the CAF to choose from. You would need to sell them on why you would be a better long-term choice! Also, you now have an ADSC of 10 years unless you can Palace Chase (curtail) some of that commitment towards the end. Look for opportunities to cross train into fighters while on AD but I’m not sure what the likelihood of that would be.
Good luck,
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Email me: alex@bogidope.com
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Although technically not impossible, extremely uncommon because the unit that hires you has to pursue a Training Line Number (TLN), from ANG/AFRES Headquarters to send you to a special T-38 course since you didn’t train via the fighter track in UPT. Usually fighter units have plenty of fighter pilots to pick from to fill their rated vacancies. So, yes, there is a path but very rare indeed.
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Chasing down recruiters for this is misguided IMHO. As many have stated on this forum, track down nearby AD or ANG/AFRES base personnel offices that can put you in touch w/ their testing centers and schedule with them. ROTC sometimes will work but some universities will only provide testing services for their own cadets. The problem with recruiters is you are never their first, second or third priority so the “give a shit” factor isn’t always aligned with your interests. Good luck!
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@WAS,
Your feedback is much appreciated! It’s great having someone currently going through the program being able to dispel silly rumors.
ROTC is one of the three commissioning paths to join the Active Duty Air Force after college and serve for 11-12 yrs before deciding whether to:
1. Transition to one of the reserve components (ANG/AFRES)
2. Continue on AD for 20+
or
3. Separate completely from the military
People sometimes get confused by the “R” in ROTC. Don’t misunderstand; ROTC is an Active Duty officer commissioning program. Yes, there are opportunities to direct commission into the ANG upon graduating but those programs/pathways are quite limited and not very common.
If ROTC is your choice, like WAS has said, there are many opportunities for strong cadets to obtain Active Duty pilot slots. If you can’t get a slot in ROTC chances are you’re not pilot/officer material. Or, like I experienced, they didn’t offer slots when I graduated because of “needs of the AF” in which case you can serve in another career field and compete for a pilot slot as a non-rated AF officer later! Round-about way, I know, but with dedication and commitment on your side, dare someone to tell you NO!
Good luck!
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Upon returning from your formal pilot training program, you will be on full time seasoning days for about 2-6 mos at a typical heavy unit (sanity check on this from one of our airlift folks?) and approximately 2 years at a typical fighter unit. Both of these types of units, assuming resources are available (right now, with many pilots chasing the airline hiring frenzy, full time orders shouldn’t be too difficult to obtain) you can continue on full time status to focus further on becoming a credible pilot and build critical experience. During this period, living away from the base would not be wise as you would be full time. When/if you transition to part-time status, you can reassess your living situation but I would STRONGLY recommend keeping your commuting triangle tight (distance between Military – home – civilian job) to help w/ QOL. You will fly approximately 2-3 times per week in a fighter unit and will be busy studying and doing your additional administrative duty in the squadron when not studying/prepping to fly.
Hope this helps.
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Your answer here should be authentic…something you’ll hear consistently from BogiDope coaches. You are pursuing your dream job, flying fighters or heavies in the USAF! It’s perfectly ok to tell them that.
But first, some background info because I’ve been involved, directly and indirectly, in several unit aircraft/mission conversions.
Typically, you can split the group in thirds. A third of the squadron have gotten towards the end of their careers and they choose to retire or otherwise end their military service. One third, some due to family commitments and attachment to the local community, will choose to convert to the new mission and stay in the local area. The final third are typically younger and still want to continue in their military manned-flying dream and will transfer to other units to keep flying.
Now, assuming you fall into this last third, you will want to emphasize in your answer that you plan on working hard, committing the time and energy to become a credible contributor in the squadron, a well respected pilot and someone who has proven their worth to the organization. You hope to gain the trust of leadership so that, if the time comes, they would be the first ones to pick up the phone or email their peers at other units, on your behalf, to let them know how much of an asset you would be as you look to continue your military flying career.
Tell’em the truth!
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Rated boards for you. Palace Chase timelines are dependent on the specific airframe that you are leaving and those decisions are typically made on a case by case basis by the personnel folks at AFPC (your “Porch” guys will ultimately provide guidance). Having said all that, my experience has been no more than 1-2 yrs of curtailment at absolute most.