Husky
Ace
Exam Ready
AFRC Pilot
USAF Pilot
ANG Pilot
Forum Replies Created
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Totally possible! It’s uncommon and you’ll need to guide the process along but you can definitely get there.
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Not a show stopper but expect to talk about it in the interview. Your squadron won’t want a teammate that is a liability to their mission or reputation.
But fear not. Someone on that board will have a similar experience and it’s easy to pivot your heavy foot into a strength. Airspeed is life right?
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Bryan, dude congrats on getting picked up for that program. Getting more flying experience will make you an even more competitive applicant.
I’d encourage you too keep your apps hot. Here’s why:
1) if you get hired it may be a while before you actually swear in. That may give you the time to complete a commitment.
2) There is a ton of legal protection to enable guard and reserve members to defend America. While I can’t speak to the specifics on your situation; there’s ton DOL info on USERRA. Here’s the link:
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Darrell,
Brother, I’m flying the F-16, married, 3 kids. It’s a blast. I was on active duty for 12 years and I’ve served in the guard in both full-time and part-time status.
I think the biggest factor is your spouse’s employment. Active duty is going to move you every 2-3 years; that can be a struggle for your SO’s career.
I can’t speak to the big-wing lifestyle but in the fighter biz, we talked about deploy to dwell. According to this link below it’s 3:1. That means you’ll be home for 18 months; then deploy for 6 months; then be home for 18 months again.
During your 18 months at home, you should expect to hit the road for 2-3 short training trips. Three weeks at Red Flag is the most common.
Hours…whatever it takes! Right? Well…I’d say 45 hour weeks is the norm. When you’re in an upgrade…50-60 hours a week is common. UPT will be that 60ish hours.
You’ll certainly put in some hours. But most of the pilots I fly with are happily married with kids. It’s an even mix of single-income and dual professionals.
Hit my smoke!
Husky
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Hey Tommy dude there are lots of paths to the dream.
Don’t rule out USAFA; there’s a prep school option if your grades aren’t quite there.
Also ROTC. You can get a full ride especially if you’re willing to study a critical degree.
Then OTS. Get your degree on your own and get a pilot contract.
And Guard/reserve of course! Biggest thing managing the timelines.
Keep all your options open!
Cheers!
Husky
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Learning the mindset!
You’re swimming in a new pond. Everyone at UPT is highly successful, the standard is high and it’s served up by with fire hose.
You’ll get negative feedback daily (it’s like you’ve never done this before) and you’ll be vaguely aware that someone is adding up all these scores to build a rack and stack.
Now here’s where that type A personality can work against you – if you’re too hard on yourself you’ll get into a tight mental space and second guess yourself. That can lead to poor flying and a bad attitude.
So you gotta find that head space where you are disciplined in you preparation yet confident in your ability to rise to the situation. And you gotta be able to bust a ride, take the feedback and still stay loose and confident.
What worked for me? Friday: hit the bar with the class and blow off steam. Saturday: rock climbing or mountain biking – mentally immersive flow experiences that had nothing to do with the USAF. Sunday? You better be studying!
Husky
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Had a piper lance for a few years – loved it! Currently scrolling trade a plane for a new financial liability.
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Actually in a way you can! And if you’re really into aviation it’s kinda a dream.
So as a part time guardsman Monday through Friday I would fly my B767. Then on the weekend I would commute to my guard unit in my piper, park it on the other ramp and then walk over (brief) and fly my F-16.
I loved it! Each type is so different and the diversity makes you a better aviator.
Hit my smoke!
Husky
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Anytime!
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Has to be the Viper! Single-seat, 9G, Mach 2, Wild Weasel, Fast-FAC, multi-role victory machine. Undefeated in aerial combat (74:0).
But I might be biased…or just flat-out right.
Cheers!
Husky
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Good Luck Jon that Viper-shaped death machine is an awesome war chariot!
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Great Tommy! Good luck brother. Just to clarify I was referring to the on-campus prep school at USAFA.
Don’t count out ROTC. My guard squadron is about 25% ROTC folks, 25% USAFA folks, 10% OTS (Active Duty -> ANG) the remaining 40% are true guard babies.
Lots of paths and lots of timelines. What’s important is a structured plan that maximizes your chance at each on-ramp. It seems daunting, but you only need to win once and you’ll be supersonic.
Cheers!
Husky