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Air Force / ANG / AFRC

#Guard #OTS

NGB Approval Timeline

Does anyone who has recently gone through the process of getting hired know the timeline for approval from the NGB? My recruiter submitted my packet roughly in the middle of May, and I want to understand the realistic timeline from now to FC1 and OTS. Thank you in advance.

  • 1 comment

SMAX

Ajohnson307 ...first of all, CONGRATS on being selected! That's awesome, we are ecstatic for you. From my experiences hiring several folks, I'd say approx 9 months is a reasonable timeline from packet submission to OTS start. Some units do it faster, sometimes you're lucky with the timing, and sometimes it takes longer. One driving factor can be when the unit has a pilot training slot available to you. I'd recommend getting it all knocked out as soon as possible so you are waiting on UPT as an officer...and not waiting as an enlisted member (for pay benefits). There's usually wiggle room several months out to plan your OTS date so it works for your life. However, don't pass up a UPT date!

  1. NGB processes the accessions packets "in the order they were received", haha. So it definitely depends on how many folks are in front of you. Hopefully someone that's been through recently can pipe-in to provide a recent example.
  2. Anecdotally, once the recruiter submitted a packet to NGB we would receive the approval within 2-3 months assuming there were no errors in the paperwork. If there were paperwork issues, at least you know that NGB is looking at you and you're getting close. Also, if things have to be resubmitted you don't lose your place in line so it's not like you have to start over.
  3. Once you are "approved," the recruiter will reach out to the squadron and say you're approved to be sworn-in to the unit. That timing can be as quickly as you guys can coordinate (and can be done virtually via Zoom/Facetime call).
  4. Once you are sworn-in to the unit, I'd say it's another month or two to get fully "gained" by the unit, complete some of the admin items (see Block 6 of the BogiDope Dashboard checklist), and get scheduled into a FC1 slot.
  5. Once you complete FC1 and any waiver items are addressed/approved (medically cleared to fly), then you are eligible to attend OTS which is again...2-3 months down the road.

SHAMELESS PLUG...If you haven't done so, please fill out a "Interview Debrief" HERE to pay it forward so others can learn from your experience on the interview process. It is an anonymous form, but gives the BogiDope Community insider knowledge of what to expect at the interview! If you don't want complete the form, feel free to email me your interview debrief at wyatt@bogidope.com and I'l input your responses.

I hope this helps and again, congrats!