[wikz]

hey Edward, I just finished talking about this with one of the pilots from my squadron. he told me that its always good to apply young, and you can even do it your senior year in college. like CAGE stated, getting that letter or a copy of your transcripts showing them that you’re on track to get your bachelors will suffice. I was thinking about doing the same, but just make sure you get the rest of the requirements checked off as well. best of luck!

• This reply was modified 3 weeks, 4 days ago by  wikz.

[wikz]

funny thing is, I didn’t even know about alert until my last drill when one of the guys from my shop took me their to go get some work done and also check it out. definitely something I am glad I learned about; its so sick.

[wikz]

thanks for sharing Chaos!

[wikz]

not a mil pilot so maybe I don’t have the right to discuss, but what do you think husk? it seems like there’s been A LOT of drone kills recently (possibly deteriorating the speciality of an “air to air kill”). no disrespect to the eagle guys, marvelous job on their part.

[wikz]

no problem and good luck!

[wikz]

yes, to join any military branch you have to take the ASVAB as one of the first steps to getting in. your score decides what jobs you qualify for.

in regards to studying, their is an app on the iPhone called “ASVAB for dummies.” It’s pretty useful.

you will all learn about this when you get in contact with a recruiter.

[wikz]

Maashole is giving some pretty sage advice, but you dont have to enlist to be a guard pilot.

Im attempting to to go the enlisted route. (here’s a demo so you can get an idea of how to as well).

Currently a freshman in college. (need a bachelors to apply).

I enlisted last week into my unit. (helps get your foot in the door)

I am currently waiting to do my PPL after college because I dont have the time or money as of right now during semesters and summers. I want to do it without intermittent’s to save money.

Im also waiting to do the AFOQT and TBAS after college because I feel I won’t have enough time to study in the summers to really do well. (you can only take the AFOQT 2x and once more with a waiver and the TBAS 3x and once more with a waiver). I believe you have to contact your unit to set up a test? someone please correct me if i’m wrong..

once you have all qualifications, you wait for the unit you’re interested in to post a UPT board, apply and hope you get an interview. if selected, you interview with the board and they decide if you’re hired or not.

if you dont want to go the enlisted route just refer to my plan but cut out the enlisted part. (you can also take the tests or PPL whenever you want, this is just my way).

• This reply was modified 11 months ago by  wikz.

[wikz]

As you mentioned, yes ive also heard stories of airline pilots doing exceptional too. main thing is be humble and be open to learning the mil way.

When you mean spent the money, do you mean on a CFI or ATP? getting your CFI is awesome, I wouldn’t go any further than that if you haven’t spent any mula on an ATP.

[wikz]

That’s a great plan, but I must warn you. ive heard so many stories of airliners getting hired and flunking UPT. The airlines teaches a different way of flying than the military does which can result in habits that are detrimental to your flying in pilot training. This also ties into humility. just because you’ve got a thousand more hours than other studs in UPT doesn’t mean you will do better. Anecdotally, people with just a PPL do better than airline pilots sometimes.

Going for a CFI and an ATP will show that you’re committed to aviation; however, the more popular route is to just get a PPL. Instead of breaking the bank, Uncle Sam will pay for your flight hours in UPT. if and once you pass all flight training, you go through seasoning in your unit which will accumulate enough hours for you to apply for the airlines after. Main idea is you could save a butt load of money if you just have the military pay for those hours.

Take this information with a grain of salt. Don’t let my 0.02 cents affect your goals.

[wikz]

your recruiter is correct, it is definitely worth it.

I just enlisted with my home unit, the 199th fighter squadron and chose AFE as my MOS. although I haven’t attended my first drill yet, I scouted the AFE shop before choosing that field and they also get daily pilot interactions. when I was visiting the base, one of the pilots I was introduced to was also prior enlisted.

as mentioned, you do get college paid for (full for community and half for university). However, the big benefits is the connection you build with the pilots. When that UPT board roles around, they will much rather hire the enlisted guy who they have a relationship with instead of some random off the street (YMMV). just make sure you build a good reputation!

the only cons that I was warned about is being enlisted can make your college rodeo longer.

ie: you have to deploy and miss class possibly taking an incomplete or dropping the course, or going to basic + A school and missing a whole semester.

from all the info and advice ive received, it is a good deal.

• This reply was modified 11 months, 1 week ago by  wikz.

[wikz]

gotcha. thanks snip!

• This reply was modified 1 year ago by  wikz.

[wikz]

Got my ticket punched to attend BMT, but before I can leave, I need to choose my job for the next few years. With the goal in mind to be an f-22 pilot for my unit, I am looking to work in a field that will give me exposure to the pilots.

Unfortunately, I was one point off the mechanical section to qualify for crew chief (I can always retest) which leaves me with these options:

I am leaning towards AFE and have a meeting with the squadron on the 20th. Anecdotally, Ive heard of some ATC and AFE guys get picked up, but I am looking to get some insight of which job you guys feel would give me the best shot at a UPT interview in the upcoming years.

I appreciate any advice, thank you and happy Hollidays! :)????

• This reply was modified 1 year ago by  wikz.

[wikz]

appreciate it snip!

[wikz]

Hey @Snip

Thank you for the reply. I don’t have much leadership experience other than kind of (long story) team captain on my high school soccer varsity team – I was given an award before graduation for “best in the class” dedication and leadership wise – but other than that, I don’t have any hard evidence of leadership experiences.

I was hoping community service for the unit and joining a leadership program during college would meet the requirements, but I now see that the more the merrier. I will look into clubs and possibly tutoring positions.

In regards to leadership opportunities for work; if and when I work as an AFE or crew chief, will there be any?

[wikz]

damn boeing… :/

[wikz]

anecdotally, there is never a shortfall of people who want to be a fighter pilot; however, our numbers of actual combat ready fighter pilots have been low. I think the problem like the article states is the decreasing amount of metal.

Im not sure about what the AF has been doing to remedy this problem, but they have made adjustment to training durations, making them shorter to produce pilots faster.

[wikz]

she hit the nail.