Age limits and prior service
I’m not sure if this is the right place to ask, but at this point in my life, I feel like I’ve pretty much missed out on my chance getting the fly jets. I’ve always been interested in aviation ever since hearing my grandfather talk about flying planes for the Navy in World War II. When I started college, I knew that I was going to be struggling with the academic side of things as for most of my life school was always difficult to get higher grades.
I’ve always wanted to be a jet pilot, but I knew that I likely would not be competitive in Air Force ROTC or Navy ROTC to get a pilot slot, so I chose to go to the army route instead because it provided me with a lot more options as an officer for career paths that I would enjoy. Long story short, I ended up not completing ROTC and enlisted in the army National Guard instead for a chance to deploy Afghanistan. That was back in 2018, and I have now since transitioned out of the army national guard.
To get to the point of my question, I am now 33 and will be 34 in March of next year. Having been prior service but also from what I understand a good bit over the age limit, at this point is it even possible for me to achieve that goal of being a fighter pilot? I had a discussion about this to some extent with an Air guard pilot that was in one of my classes for my masters. He said that when he went to flight school, that there was an individual that was 39 in his class. So I guess I’m just wondering how realistic it is to achieve a waiver and realistically what is the absolute age cut off even for a waiver?
I’ve been kicking myself for years for not going that route earlier and not following my dreams and settling for less than what I really wanted.
So I guess right now what I’m wondering from people that have acknowledge and experience with this process, is it even possible for me at 33, no PPL at the moment, 7.5 years prior service experience, 6’5 and 180~ lbs to still potentially achieve that dream of being a fighter pilot in the Air guard or Air Force reserves at this point? From what I understand with talking to a few squadrons a year or two back, the private pilots license is basically a must. Considering how much time and how costly that can be, that puts me at a greater age than I am now if I can get that done. Any advice that anyone has my situation is greatly appreciated.
josh-radermacher Thanks for opening up to the crowd and asking the right questions! BogiDope was initially started with one goal in mind: bring clarity to the process and provide options available for getting hired by the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
Age waivers are possible, if the squadron is willing to put their faith in you and push the paperwork. The reality outside of any unit's control is whether it will be approved at the NGB level. Their willingness to approve age waivers is always changing and is dependent on many factors. While there's not a published "cut-off" age, the further away from 33 you are, the harder it gets. So delaying is not your best strategy!
If flying for the military has always been a dream, then don't give up on it and risk regretting never trying. Becoming a fighter pilot is incredibly challenging and the ANG/AFRC route is a competitive one. But you never know until you try. And along the way, as you gain flying experience you may realize that you are open to flying other military platforms. In general, more age waivers are granted in the heavy community so it becomes a strategic decision on how you sell yourself.
Our coaching staff would be happy to dive into a 1-on-1 session where we talk through strategies to maximize your chances. But if you don't try, you'll never know!
Smax
