Thank you for this Russ.

This seems to be a big help! Let me know what else you are able to find. Thank you again for taking the time to find this out. This is huge!

Thank you. I’m hoping this is the case since it’s very vague and only lists the maximum age of 33 without a waiver, means their truly is no maximum age waiver for an ETP. I’m sure that means with in reason. It’s far easier (in theory) to get an age waiver for someone 35-38 then say someone 45. Again in theory.

Thank you so much for taking the…

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Understood. I saw this part too. Like you said earlier, it’s kind of vague and nothing specific.

On the “Make Them Tell You No” facebook group, I talked with one guy who said he recently got an age waiver approved at 37 almost 38 for pilot. So I take it that’s good news. My unit seems convinced that there is a hard rule for 35. I’m just…

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Yeah man, hopefully something concrete. I’m hoping 42 is the max age considered. No guarantee but it gives us a fighting chance over 35 being the wall.

I found this in one of those guides you recommended. Does this apply to Rated Officers? Is the Max Age 42?

Thank you for the help and kind words CAGE. I took a look at those documents as well. Also couldn’t find anything concrete. The only thing I could find that claims 35. Was an old post from Airline Pilot forums when the maxim age for UPT was 30. That age waivers up to 35 may be considered. It’s an old post. Everything from the max age being 33,…

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Update: It sounds like the info on the no waivers passed 35 is coming from the enlisted recruiter in the unit. That’s what the LT. Col., the chief nav has stated. But aren’t things different for officers/pilots?

Long story short. I was hired by a guard unit as a CSO in 2024 at age 32. I ran into trouble at MEPS. Couldn’t get passed MEPS in 2025. MEPS came back and said they are willing to grant a waiver in 2028 (I’ll be 36). Recently got back in touch with my guard unit (they were on a long TDY) and they are saying that a waiver passed age 35…

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I’m basically in the same boat. I’m kind of like you. I have struggled financially my entire life. I’m not typically the demographic that becomes a pilot or officer for that matter. My financial situation is how I ended up in this mess. It’s been 3 years since the incident and I’ve been off meds for almost 2. According to the waiver guide that…

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Thank you. I’ve seen Tiger many times. She’s great. Sadly though, no one else has been in my situation so I’m kind of the guinea-pig.

Thank you. It’s been over 3 years. Yeah the initial DQ that was flagged was only a therapist and it was only “16 minutes” later before I went to MEPS I get a full psych eval from a Psychiatrist. I was hoping that would overrule it. I’m hoping my Guard unit can argue that.

Hello everyone, I wanted to start this topic because I know there is a huge stigma around it in aviation, especially military aviation. Talking about a history of “depression” and “anxiety” is probably the biggest taboo in aviation. It’s something that I do personally believe has affected more of us then are letting on and with the…

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all of 2025. It doesn’t matter which coach I click on, every month of 2025, it claims all of the dates are booked. I’m assuming this is an error. I just wasn’t sure of who to contact about this, so I figure I would post it here as a heads up.

Thank you. I’m hoping that is the case. I have read that sometimes a waiver can take a year. I hoping they are will to wait. What makes me nervous is that most units hire alternates and they will just go with them instead.

I don’t remember where, it might have been in one of the Bogidope videos or one of the live meetings on here, that someone mentioned if you are set on Guard/Reserve flying and might have a medical condition or something in your history that needs a waiver, that don’t go to MEPS with an active duty recruiter and get DQ’d, that a guard unit…

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Understood. Should I go ahead and call the Major who is my POC (I don’t have the LT. Col.’s number just his email)?

So back over the summer, a C-130 unit asked me to send in an app for a Nav/CSO position. I sent one in and a couple of weeks later the Major that I sent it into, told me that there will be a Nov board for the first weekend in Nov on Nov 2nd and a Lt. Col. will reach out to me soon. About a month goes by and radio silence. So I text the Major,…

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So what does that mean exactly? If I am reading it correctly that means I just have to be hired by the board before 33 but can start UPT later.

There seems to be a ton of confusion on this. I could have sworn the regulation was you had to be hired by 33 but I’m being told by Guard Units, Reserve Units and Officer Recruiters that you have to start UPT by your 33rd Birthday. Does anyone have a copy of the regulation? Preferably a PDF. I’ve been Googling but can’t seem to find it.

I have tried active OTS in the past with no luck. I’ll try again.

I’ve been applying everywhere. I’m shotgunned a lot of resumes but no luck. I have maxed out AFOQT takes but still have I believe 2 TBAS retakes. It just seems impossible to find anyone to let me retake it. Every liaison says “You have a passing score, what do you need to retake it for?” and just hangs up or ghosts me.

Hey everyone. I’ve been apart of the BogiDope community for awhile now. I’ve spent the last several years rushing units and trying to just get an interview. It’s been about 4 years since I’ve been trying and I haven’t even had one interview. Most of my rejections have been due to age.

I’ve been trying all heavy units. Mostly Tanker units but…

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