Husky
Ace
Exam Ready
AFRC Pilot
USAF Pilot
ANG Pilot
Forum Replies Created
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That’s a touchdown. Thanks for posting!
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Totally possible! One of our (ANG) pilots is off to TPS next month.
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Woof. Yep, certainly not good news but let me offer some context.
1) It’s not just an ANG problem, expect that USAFA and ROTC will take cuts. Usually in the scenarios, it’s least bad for ANG.
2) It’s not just a Boeing problem. There was an engine contract that didn’t go well but is apparently improving. See below.
3) It is only a fighter problem
4) T-7 flying ops (initial cadre) begin in 25. See attached.
5) Other units have different hiring strategies and may not turn off their pipeline.
Expect the USAF to respond too late and too big. I bet it’s tight for 12 months and then the service realizes it overcorrected as T-38 fixes and T-7s come online.
So. Stay the course but maybe understand that all avenues will be more competitive. This will be most true with OTS (+ROTC and USFA); you’ll need to be ranked hiring that usual to get that T-38 track.
airforcetimes.com
T-38 Talon engine repair woes could slow pilot training for months
The Air Force expects pilot training shortfalls through the end of the fiscal year, and that the J85 enterprise won’t fully recover until April 2024.
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Good luck again to all the folks applying to SD! An interesting fact is that the unit has an alert detachment in CA.. Here’s a great photo of one of their jets raging in the sierras. (credits in the link)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mbt-photography/51947359125/in/photostream/lightbox/
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Good luck everyone on those SD apps. Go Lobos!
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Ya brother! That’s a super competitive background. With good scores and some prep I think you’ve got a great shot.
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Also check out the inter-servce transfer page on the Air Force side.
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It depends! But in general, I fly 6-12 times a month.
The most important factors:
1) Type of aircraft (fighters, heavy, help)
2) Sorites available (# of healthy jets vs # of pilots)
3) You!
As a full time IP in a fighter unit 12 was normal; I had a couple of months with 20.
As a part-timer I averaged 7.
It’s so variable from unit to unit that it’s a great question to ask any place you visit.
Get those counters!
Husky
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Definitely what the situation is with resources: can the keep you on full time orders?
I’d also ask how many enlisted folks they’ve set to UPT in the last 10 years. And if you can meet them.
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Ahem. 62 years ago.
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There’s not a lot of hard data for ABM/CSO, but some flight hours signals dedication, familiarity with flight and….that you won’t puke all over the screens…no one wants that. 10hrs? Maybe solo, after that I think the marginal value decreases.
I’ve worked with a lot of CSOs downrange in the stack – they do great work. SOCOM just bought the OA-1K sky warden – that looks like an awesome machine. Better yet the OK ANG is going to be the schoolhouse. I wouldn’t be surprised if the CSOs became FAC(A) which would be super rewarding. Hit My Smoke!
Cheers
Husky
airforcetimes.com
Oklahoma Air Guard base tapped as likely armed overwatch schoolhouse
No other installations are in the running to host the schoolhouse.
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Hey Brother, love the energy here.
– ROTC is a great way to earn a UPT slot. You’ll fly on active duty until you complete your ten-year service commitment and then you can switch from active duty to the guard.
– Enlisting in a guard unit and then competing for a UPT slot can work out, but in practice, it might not be as direct as you think. Most units have several folks interested in flying and often this means you’ll need to ‘wait your turn’ as a new guy.
– Since it sounds like you’re almost done with your degree, consider getting an OTS pilot contract.
– And of course, you could start applying directly to guard units.
That’s a lot of data, but there’s tons of resources here to help. Check out the webinars pinned above. I posted about this topic “differnts pathways” in the USAF a few days ago – have a look at that. And there are great academics available on the site as well. Lots of good knowledge.
Cheers!
Husky
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Certainly possible and I’ve seen it done. Context is everything. Definitely get with a coach 1-on-1 and we’ll set up a bespoke plan for you.
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This reply was modified 8 months, 3 weeks ago by Husky.
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This reply was modified 8 months, 3 weeks ago by
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CJ, I’ve always found fast friends for crazy hobbies in the USAF. Skiing, surfing, rock climbing – there’s always someone in the squadron who is ready to adventure.
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Carson, take heart brother! This is very doable, common in fact. There are plenty of Army and Navy folk who have joined the ANG and become pilots.
Q1: I’m not a doctor, but from what you describe I bet there is a path to victory. We offer a 1 on 1 coaching session with a flight doc who can get you dialed in on the process
Q2: The risk is perhaps smaller than you think. You don’t need to resign your USA commission until after a unit hires you for UPT.
Q3: Absolutely. My unit hired an O3 Army guy to fly F-16s two years ago.
Bottom line. Get a 1 on 1 with the doctor so you know where you stand medically and then rush units while still serving as an Army Officer. If (when really) you get hired into a UPT slot, you can weigh the options and (decide to) make the switch.
Good luck man! I think we’ll be out tank-plinking together in a few years.
Husky
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Ha! Great reference, love that!
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The scramble takeoffs are awesome it feels like stealing.
Lightweight, Max AB. You have to raise the gear right at 190 knots or you’ll blow through 300 in the 15” it takes to retract.
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It’s also a huge resource generator for the unit. An alert mission will usually add 10 pilots and dozens of maintainers.
Why might this matter to you? Well (all else being equal) units with an ACA mission can keep more folks full-time and may feel a bit busier day to day.
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We certainly have always had plenty of volunteers to fly. The (USAF) pilot shortage you hear about sometimes is actually this super wonky programmatic problem.
Just one opinion. I think fighter pilot billets (the number of pilots we need) are stable for the next decade. But production will struggle a bit until the T-7a arrives in force.
What does that mean for you? Fierce competition to get in the door but a great career once you’re in. Buckets and buckets of flying.
Cheers!
Husky
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Howdy back. Bottom Line Up Front: Rushing a fighter ANG and a USAFR fighter is same-same.
There’s some difference when we talk about big wing aircraft and the AFRC UPT program, but that doesn’t apply to fighter strongly.
The big difference is titles, authorities and chains of command. Here’s a diagram. There won’t be a test.
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This reply was modified 7 months, 2 weeks ago by Husky.
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This reply was modified 7 months, 2 weeks ago by
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Perhaps the best advice ever!
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As if on cue!
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Alex! Misty 01 is tally target, visual friendlies. Request my mark with WP, your brief, your control.
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@E.T. Some good data here but some mixed applications.
To clarify. There is now a pretty well-trod DON to ANG path. The cited age stuff is only a factor for UFT – you are considered prior rated so no factor.
At least in the fighter community, there’s no stigma for gold wings. Two of our current SQ/CCs are prior Navy.
Cheers,
Husky
