Importance of leadership experience when applying for UPT slots
There are a lot of areas that can make you an attractive candidate when applying for an Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) position. Flying experience, work experience, high GPA, athletic background, and high AFOQT, TBAS, and PCSM scores ect... But one of the most important, and often overlooked areas to make yourself an attractive UPT candidate, is leadership experience and potential.
When you are interviewing for a UPT position, squadron commanders are hiring an officer first, and a pilot second. The hiring board is looking for individuals that have great leadership potential and that might be a Squadron, Group, or Wing commander down the road.
So anything you can do to gain leadership experience, DO IT! Whether it be in the military, your community, your college, or your job. This will help you stand apart from your peers. Also letters of reccomendation that can attest to your leadership experience and potential, are just as important as ones that attest to your flying skills.
Cheers!
Stiffler
This is a great point that I think we often tend to overlook; especially in the fighter community. We really want to know if a person will make a good fighter pilot, but if that person can't be a good LT/CAPT/MAJ etc it doesn't even matter how good of a pilot you may be. As I think about the more memorable candidates from previous boards, I can't remember their scores/grades/hours. But I do remember faces and names of whitewater rafting guides, small business owners, and team captains. The leadership situations often lead to unique memorable experiences that can make an impression on a board.
