Hey Bogie Dope, I am a freshly graduated 21-year-old looking to get an Air Force Reserve pilot slot at a unit based here in my hometown. I have my PPL and instrument rating. I am studying for the AFOQT, but I keep hitting a wall and am not sure what being "Ready" looks like. Any tips on how I can optimize my studying and also what to focus on (especially math-related) would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
UPT Hiring Board closes 1 October 2026. Join the Duluth Vipers!
ff-02e56d0b36bc5f6b79014730d751bfea-ff-148FW-UPT-Announcement-2026.pdf
Pro and Elite members: we just opened the closed beta of something we've been building all year, and we want you in it first.
Meet your ACE Score
For years, the number one question we get from members is some version of "how competitive am I, really?" You could ask in the forums, book a coach, or squint at other people's applications and guess. Now there's a straight answer.
The new dashboard is built around your ACE Score — a 0–999 read on how competitive you are for a UPT slot in the Guard or Reserve. It's compiled from dozens of factors across four pillars (testing & academics, aviation experience, your application package, and whole-person fit), pulled from your questionnaire and application data, then benchmarked against a real pool of 1,541 published applications from selected pilots. Not vibes. Not a guess. A number, with the "here's exactly what to fix next" list to go with it.
What else is in the beta
- Climb Rate — your momentum score. Tests scheduled, units rushed, courses finished, apps submitted. Squadrons can't see this stuff on paper, but it's what actually moves your score — and it updates every week you put in the work.
- Ranked Next Moves — your action plan, ordered by what moves the needle most for your situation.
- Ask ACE — an AI coach that already knows your questionnaire, your score, and your applications. Ask it anything about your path and it answers like a coach, not a salesman. (Big decisions still deserve a human coach — that hasn't changed.)
- AI Application Review — upload your resume or cover letter and get graded feedback in minutes, with a history so you can watch your drafts improve.
- Live job intel — current hiring squadrons and postings, wired straight into your dashboard.
How to get in
- Head to your dashboard — you'll see the beta invite banner at the top. Hit "Try it now →".
- If you haven't done the questionnaire yet, that's step one. It takes about 4 minutes and it's what builds your initial assessment. Your MilRecruiter application automatically syncs to the new ACE Score so any updates you make are live.
- Poke around. Try to break it. That's the whole point of a beta.
Changed your mind? The "Back to Classic Dashboard" link at the top puts you right back on the old one — no harm done, switch back and forth as much as you like.
The fine print
- It's a beta. You will find rough edges. When you do, use the feedback button — it goes straight to us, and it's the fastest way to make this thing great before the full rollout.
- Already rated? You'll notice we don't show you a score. ACE measures the path to a cockpit — you're already in one. Everything else on the dashboard is live for you.
You've told us for years you wanted a real answer to "where do I stand?" This is it. Go find out.
See you in there.
Hey BogiDope fam. Has anyone gone through the AFRC UPT unsponsored program? Or do you know someone who has? One of our members is looking to ask a few questions about the process.
Thanks!
Interesting read on expanded A/A missile development for the fleet.
https://www.twz.com/air/tiny-air-to-air-missile-in-development-for-stealthy-u-s-navy-combat-aircraft
I just turned 31 and am an attorney. I have the opportunity to fly in the Navy, as I have an ISEL qualified packet (3.9 GPA in law school and undergrad, ASTB of 65 9/9/8), but I also have a family now: wife, an 18 month old, and another one due in February. All advice is that Air Force AD is a significantly better family life than the Navy, so I'm considering not submitting the Navy packet and attempting to land an OTS slot AD (also interested in Guard/Reserve -- I'm fine to fly heavies). I haven't taken the AFOQT or TBAS, but I believe I can do very well on them given my ASTB scores. Also, I am just now getting started on flight hours (I have one discovery flight under my belt, and have a lesson scheduled for this weekend).
Are the chances of an Air Force slot via OTS slim? Should I just take the bird in the hand?
For those BD’s fortunate enough to get invited to an interview weekend (successful or unsuccessful)- what did you find to be the most challenging aspect of the weekend for you?
BogiDope, the 100th Fighter Squadron (F-35) is holding UPT boards with expected interviews taking place February 5-7, 2027.
Due Date for Application: October 31st 2026.
This UPT board was posted through some fights pilot social channels and is currently NOT being advertised on our Job Board, however, we will update accordingly. Also please ensure your friends and fellow BogiDope peers have access to this information.
Squadron Rush Information
Available visit dates:
- September 12-13, 2026 (20 rushees maximum first come first serve)
- October 3-4, 2026 (20 new rushees maximum first come first serve)
- November 7-8, 2026 (20 new rushees maximum first come first serve)
- January 9-10, 2027 (20 rushees invitation only)
Please check out their official website for additional information!
https://www.187fw.ang.af.mil/Careers/Undergraduate-Pilot-Hiring-Board/
Fights On!
