The Hawaii combined board
The 199th F-22, 203rd KC-135, and 204th C-17 are running a combined board. One interview process. Three very different missions. Paradise, apparently, comes with a little bit of a weird interview
For fighter-only applicants, do not let the broad interview throw you. The questions may not feel especially fighter-specific because they are trying to assess whether you fit the Hawaii Guard ecosystem—not whether you can recite BFM theory. Be clear on why the 199th, why Hawaii, and why you are a long-term fit beyond “Raptors are sick.”
For lift applicants, the opposite trap: do not show up sounding like you are mostly applying for beach access. They have seen that movie. Talk mission, contribution, family durability, deployability, and why you will still be committed after island fever shows up.
It is an expensive rush and they tend to hire local. That does not mean do not try. It means make a deliberate attempt.
Pro tip: if you're rushing the HIANG, stay at a Hostel in Waikiki. I ended up paying 32$ a night. There is also public transportation to the airport terminal for 2$. DM me if anyone wants more info!
My feedback from people who have interviewed in Hawaii and Alaska is that the interview can be more about officership, personality, conflict resolution, service, and connection to the community. You may get fewer of the classic aviation-scenario questions: “shoot or don’t shoot,” “your captain smells like booze,” that sort of thing.
That can throw people off because they prepared hard for tactical or crew-aircraft scenarios and were not ready for:
“What does officership mean to you?”
“What does leadership mean to you?”
“Tell us about the best leader you have worked for and why.”
A combined board can put more weight on those broad officer/leader questions because they are trying to understand where you fit across multiple communities—not just whether you know the right aircraft-specific answers.
For Hawaii specifically, make sure your “why” survives beyond “I want to live in Hawaii.”
Is the HIANG planning a rush event? I didn’t see one listed?
Husky does combining boards happen often in the ANG?
reb3lionheart@gmail.com It seems to be an AK and HI thing, maybe because of the distances
Joshua Neas Historically it’s been a by invite combo rush - interview. Not to say you couldn’t send a note and ask to swing by
