How One Email Led to an Interview

BD,

It always excites me to compete and not withhold information so I can be the only one succeeding. One thing I’ve learned through this process is that simply reaching out to units and introducing yourself can go a long way. I recently sent an email to a C-17 unit sharing a little about myself and my credentials — Ethiopian-born adoptee, college athlete, assistant soccer coach, substitute teacher, PPL with 100+ flight hours, and strong Pilot/PCSM scores (both mid 90s). The Chief Pilot personally requested a phone call, and we ended up talking for about 40 minutes about leadership, approaching situations, and squadron culture. Without even submitting a formal application — and before their application window had even opened (still not open) — they invited me out for an official interview!!!!

One thing that stood out to me was that they asked very little about my AFOQT because they saw I had taken it three times. I failed the verbal section twice, scoring an 8 both times. English not being my primary language definitely caught up to me there, but on my third attempt I earned a 41 and finally exceeded the minimum. What surprised me most was that they seemed far more interested in my approach, mindset, and perseverance than the actual scores themselves.

I told them honestly that I would not go back and change the fact that I took it three times because I learned more through those failures than I would have if I had succeeded the first time. I also explained why quantitative section of 14 was low. I simply said, "order to give myself a fighting chance, I was willing to sacrifice a lower quantitative score if it meant passing and exceeding the verbal minimums and If that lower score comes back to bite me later, so be it,” because at the time the mission was finding a way forward rather than making excuses.

Just wanted to encourage everyone here not to underestimate the value of authenticity, ownership, and building genuine connections early. Units are not only evaluating scores — they are evaluating character, humility, resilience, and whether they can trust you to fit into their culture for the next 10–20 years.

As a general rule of life, you will make mistakes and possibly fail and that might happen at UPT, but how do you approach an unforeseen circumstances that may or may not be in your control?

Sorry for the tangent, but my whole point is this: send the darn email. Don’t talk yourself out of opportunities before the unit even has a chance to know who you are. That one email could be the very thing that opens the door to your opportunity.

Good luck!!