UPT age limit
Hello, I am looking for some guidance regarding UPT. I am currently 33, and will be turning 34 in a few months. As of this moment, I am pretty much from starting point in this journey of becoming a fighter pilot/or AF pilot in general. I plan to join the reserves. I have a BS and MS degrees in aerospace with GPA > 3.0. I do have some flight hours on my belt < 40 hrs. Also, I am a veteran, USMC (discharged back in 2015). Also, I worry that my disability rating (90%) will affect my medical status.
My question for the community is, before I fully dive in this route, I would like to know honest opinions and advice if this is dream of flying for thr AF can happen, or its all wishful thinking at this point.
Thank you all in advance.
kevtryfly, ThatMuscleCarGuy and hunter-shaw8 Comments
Hey I wish I had more advice for you. I will see this. I was hired by 2 guard units back to back at age 32 after years of trying. I didn’t think it would be possible but I did. Sadly, I am waiting on a difficult waiver and not sure what is going to happen to my slot. I know for sure I can get a waiver in 2028 at 36 years old. Not sure if my guard unit is willing to wait. But it is possible to get hired over the age of 30. Many units won’t give you the time of day but a few will after some persistence. I say give it a try. I wish I had better advice for you regarding your disability rating. I’m non-prior and like I said I am stuck in medical waiver limbo.
Like the old saying “It’s better to have loved and lost, then to have never loved at all.” Captain Picard or Michael Scott or someone famous said that.
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@ThatMuscleCarGuy Greatly appreciate you for sharing your current situation. I somewhat feel relieved to hear that the age issue has possible chance. This gives me more motivation to go ahead and give it a try! Much appreciated and good luck on your endeavors as well! Wish you the e best.
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@zii-man You are welcome. Keep trying until you can’t try no more.
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@zii-man Getting an age waiver will certainly be a challenge in this environment, but second what MuscleCarGuy said… Keep grinding! I’d start by reaching out to some units and seeing if you can rush. If you can get a foot in the door, make a great impression/build a relationship, they might be more willing to consider the age waiver.
Cheers!
-CHAOS
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@CHAOS the harder the challenge the more worth it will be! Thank you for your advice. I have been reaching out to some units I would consider and waiting for some to respond back. One of the units I contacted did say they are willing to consider a candidate that would require a waiver if the best selection for the unit. I am staying positive and just willing to go through the whole process and keep trying.
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@zii-man Happy to help, and nice work! Keep rolling up those sleeves and getting after it. Definitely try and get your foot in the door at that unit that reached back out. Good luck and keep me updated!
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@CHAOS I have a quick question if you could provide me your two cents. Just finished talking to our AF officer recruiter here. Upon reviewing my submitted questionnaire he requested me to fill out, he said, my age and disability rating, prohibits him from requesting for me to take the AFOQT and TBAS. According to him, the only way for me to be able to take those tests if I could get a unit who is willing to hire me to contact him to set up the tests. Is this the process I would have to go through since I am over the age limit and would require a waiver?
Thank you for your guidance
Zion
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@zii-man That seems rather odd… I think I would try to find an alternate source to schedule the tests. If you have any universities near you, you can often schedule tests through an ROTC detachment or you can try any military base’s education office. I don’t see how either of those factors would prevent you from taking a test.
