Hello everyone! I was selected for a pilot slot on the most recent active duty board and wanted to share some stats that I have for anyone who’s interested.

• I don’t know how many people applied, but there are 82 people in a group chat of all the rated selects (Pilot, CSO, AMB, & RPA) and 49 in a group chat of the pilot selects, so I’d imagine that those numbers are pretty close to the total selected for each group
• Of the 49 in the pilot selects group, 34 have responded so far to a poll about their aviation experience at the time of submitting their application. Of those, 9 had no flying experience, 13 had some flying experience but not a PPL, 7 had a PPL, 2 had a PPL and an instrument rating, and 3 had done the Air Force Rated Preparatory Program
• Some people shared PCSM/pilot scores and flight hours and they are as follows: 97 pilot, 89 PCSM, 1 hour / 99 pilot, 96 PCSM, 24 hours / 94 pilot, 64 PCSM, 0 hours / 99 pilot, 85 PCSM, 13 hours / 99 pilot, 75 PCSM, 0 hours / 79 pilot, 24 PCSM, 0 hours / 94 pilot, 76 PCSM, 24 hours / 99 pilot, 99 PCSM, 53 hours / 99 pilot, 85 PCSM, 21 hours / 99 pilot, 99 PCSM, 140 hours
• Based on a quick analysis of those stats for pilot selects, it looks like a pilot score in the 90s is basically a must, most people had a PCSM in the 80s or higher, but having lots of flight experience is less critical with almost 75% of the people who responded having less than a PPL and 26% having no flying experience at all

I hope that this is helpful for everyone considering applying for active duty as you try to make yourselves as competitive as possible. Of course each board is different and from what I’ve heard, there were actually additional spots added to this board than the original allocations. That being said, definitely shoot to be above the ‘average’ in order to make yourself undeniably the right choice for the board. As you can see in the wide range of scores and flight hours, the Air Force does want people who performed well on the AFOQT and TBAS, but they’re also interested in the “whole airman concept,” so don’t self eliminate if you think that either your scores or flight experience aren’t competitive enough. Keep working on the rest of your application and show the board why you are the best choice.

One final thought: I originally had my sights set entirely on guard/reserve fighter squadrons and wasn’t really considering active duty. I applied to 18 different units and wasn’t invited to interview a single time (despite good scores and a PPL). After shifting my focus to active duty (something that I’m actually more excited about now than I think I ever was about going to a guard/reserve unit), I was selected on the first board I applied to. If you’re not getting traction in the places you think you want to be, don’t be afraid to open up your aperture a little bit and consider slightly different options. Ultimately, I’m now going to be an Air Force officer and pilot, something that might not have ever happened if I wasn’t willing to consider active duty, and I couldn’t be more excited.

I’m more than happy to answer any questions anyone has about the application process for active duty, what my thought process was as I adjusted fire to active duty, or anything else; just comment or shoot me a message! Good luck to you all!