Hey everyone! Just joined BogiDope and figured I'd make a post and see if I could get some advice from people who've been through the process.

I'm 24 from South Florida, graduated from UCF with a degree in Finance, and have my commercial single/multi, CFI/CFII, and around 225 hours.

I've always wanted to fly military aircraft, and I'm looking to get picked up by a Guard or Reserve unit for UPT. I'd love to fly heavies, but honestly I'd be happy flying just about anything.

I'm brand new to this whole process and trying to figure out the best way to approach it. I've taken the AFOQT and TBAS already (73 Pilot / 69 PCSM), but I'm planning to retest and get those scores up.

I'd love to hear from anyone who's been through the process, especially those who got picked up by a Guard or Reserve unit. I'm curious what the process was like for you, how you got your foot in the door, and what you'd recommend to someone just starting out.

Hey everyone! For anyone who crushed the TBAS could you provide any insight into your preparation? I don't want to know anything about the actual test itself or violate any rules in that space. But I'm curious to know what folks were doing to prepare before the TBAS who ended up with 99 PCSMs. I have a 99 Pilot AFOQT, so knocking this out of the park is high on my list towards getting that 99 PCSM.

Anyone who got selected for UPT unsponsored willing to share their package details such as AFOQT scores, PSCM, flight hours, age, etc?

Hello everyone,

I recently joined Bogidope and am looking for insight from current or former ANG RPA pilots, particularly those familiar with non-prior accessions or unit hiring.

A little about me:

• 30 years old
• Non-prior service
• B.S. in Urban & Regional Planning
• Master of Urban Planning
• Currently lead a multidisciplinary team of 22 personnel
• Support National Guard Bureau initiatives and have worked with ANG Wings across the country in a planning and program management capacity

My long-term goal is to serve as an ANG RPA pilot through OTS, with the 163d Attack Wing at March ARB as my primary unit of interest.

The aspects of the RPA mission that most appeal to me are its emphasis on operational decision-making, crew coordination, mission planning, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to a unit over the long term. I can go on and on about my appreciation for the airframe and its operational use.

I am currently beginning the AFOQT process and plan to obtain some introductory flight experience.

For those who have been involved with ANG RPA hiring or selection:

1. How often do you actually see non-prior applicants successfully hired into ANG RPA units?
2. What characteristics tend to differentiate successful non-prior candidates from the rest of the applicant pool?
3. How much aviation exposure is generally considered "enough" for a candidate who is specifically pursuing RPAs?
4. If a candidate has a clear first-choice unit, is it smarter to focus energy there or maintain active conversations with multiple RPA units simultaneously?
5. Looking back at candidates who were selected, what gave the unit confidence they were worth the training investment?
6. Still figuring out how to get off the grown with the application process so insight on that would be appreciated.

I understand every unit is different and that timing plays a major role. I'm simply trying to learn from those who have seen the process firsthand and make sure I'm approaching it professionally and realistically.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

Hello all,

I am 28 and currently in a career transition from law enforcement to aviation. I am working on finishing my PPL at the moment. My goal is to apply to an ANG fighter position next year (2027). If anybody on here is familiar with the 107th, I would love to chat.

I am also open to any career-transition advice. My main concern at the moment is my age. Being 29 at the time of application next year, I worry I might be a bit too old for a fighter unit. I understand each ANG unit differs on what they want for age. I was curious if anybody here had any information specifically pertaining to the 107th.

Thanks!

Hey everyone. So many of you know I was hired as a CSO a couple of years back. I ran into trouble at MEPS. Basically had to wait two years until the unit told me I would have to apply again at the next board. Recently, they invited me to visit again (just me) and told me that Age Waivers are a blanketed no from the big Air Force and they are denying all Age Waivers. They said on the pilot side a few guys they hired recently were very qualified (good test scores, either CFIs or Airline) and were all denied age waivers. One was hired at 35.

I'm 34 so very much in age waiver territory. I know if this door has closed, I'm trying RPA and ABM as well, which I believe RPA you can get hired without a waiver up until 39 (or 40?) I've seen ABM job posts that say must be under 40 (under minimum qualifications). Not 100% sure on there. Maybe ABM is more age waiver friendly?

Weird thing is Googling "Age Waivers Denied Air Force Pilot" I don't see much out cry about people having an age waiver denied. Only one post from Air Warriors (navy) from almost 20 years ago which he was told to apply again. Other than that just 40 something year olds trying to enlist and being told no waiver. But nothing from rated. This does make me wonder if there is more to the story?

Not saying that they are lying but maybe it's a quota thing? Right now they simply having too many pilots/CSOs and too many people trying to go rated and not enough taking the non-rated officer positions? I was offered to change to apply for MX Officer.

Maybe more info needs to be done to look at this?

Hey everyone,

I'm probably at risk of asking a question that has already been answered but here it goes.

I'm looking to brainstorm ideas on how I can better network for UPT applications. I do not have a mentor that could help get my foot in the door to meet and greet/rush squadrons, I have been cold calling and sending emails to recruiters for the wing but the majority of the time I hear nothing back. Are there other ways to tackle this that I'm not considering? I feel that my application is solid but I seem to be getting no traction and I feel like I'm missing something.

Hey everyone! Just checking in to see if anyone has heard back from the Alaska Air National Guard 176th Wing regarding their upcoming join pilot board.

Has anyone received interview invitations, notifications, or any updates on the timeline? I know these things can take a while, but I figured I’d see if anyone has heard anything yet.

Thanks in advance.

Wyatt

Hey everyone,

I’m turning 30 soon. I have 9 years prior service enlisted in the USMC and ARNG. I’m about to take the AFOQT and TBAS, If I can get highly competitive scores, I plan on immediately starting my PPL. At the same time I will start applying to units. As my hours increase I’ll update that into my applications, but I plan to apply right away. I only want to fly fighters (which I know makes it much harder), but I’ll apply anywhere in the country.

I won’t have a PPL until I’m near 31. Do I need to give up the dream to fly fighters? I’ve worked so hard for this already, but I just can’t do anything about my age. A lot of people are already telling me it’s already too late.

Hello everyone,

My name is Austin and I live in Daytona Beach, Florida and I have a strong passion for aviation. Ever since I was 10 years old I've wanted to be a pilot and would stop at nothing to make it a reality. After some hardships and determination I earned my PPL in 2022 and recently my instrument rating this year. I have accumulated almost 300 hours of flight time. However, my dream is to fly in the air force but due to my weight and grades I thought i couldn't do it. Last year i reached out to a reserve recruiter and was denied due to my weight (I was 250 pounds then). Now i weigh 208 pounds and only a few months from graduating college with a 3.3 GPA. What I really want to know is if I have a chance at a guard unit at 29 years old and if my flight experience will help in the selection process? Also, what is a great study tool for the AFOQT? Thanks everyone in advance!