How does command sponsorship (unsponsored UPT slot) work?
Congrats to the recent BD member who got selected for this! I'm looking for clarification on the process.
If selected, are you limited to getting sponsored from AFRC squadrons? Can you let your favorite ANG squadron know you've got a UPT slot, not on their "balance sheet," and thus get sponsored by them? Apologies if this idea feels like "gaming" the system.
Thanks in advance!
lord_starscream Good question. The "command" in this case is Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC). This is an AFRC-specific program, so you are limited to AFRC squadrons.
AFRC is given X number of UPT slots each year. If there are unfilled "sponsored" slots, they will run one of these unsponsored boards, which allows them to meet their quota and you to earn an AFRC UPT slot.
You would know that you're going to be an AFRC pilot, but you don't know which aircraft/location yet, so you still have to network and apply to the AFRC squadrons you're interested in. If a squadron doesn't sponsor you before you complete T-6s, AFRC will assign you to a squadron.
To use a football analogy, you've been drafted into the NFL, you can start training camp, but you're a free agent and are still looking for a team to claim you as their own before the season starts.
