fadeawaydave

What is the current status with ‘hawg retirement? I have heard various opinions such as they are re-winging all 281 aircraft (implies non of them are going to be retired). I’ve also heard that they’re planning on retiring about 40 or so aircraft, and several of those will be from guard units. Any concrete answers out there? Or is it a constant variable depending on politics and current day events? Fingers crossed they’ll keep all 281 🤞

I actually had vipers as my number 1 up until about a year ago when I got the chance to meet some hawg pilots. Between them, and hearing from some friends what the A-10’s are doing in current conflicts made me place it number 1. Tbh F-16’s are probably 2 or 3. The point of the post, was to get feedback from other people on RPA’s, and whether I should look into active duty at this stage of my application process. I know things change regularly in the Air Force so that’s why I was asking about it.

Thank you for your honest feedback. I understand how saying those things could come across as not being congruent. I, however, would say that I have done my research, and I am not being dishonest. I simply know what I want and what I feel a passion for. It may not make sense to some, but it makes sense to me. I like manned piloting. I like aerobatics. I love the mission of CAS. I also like Air-to-Air. Those are what speak to me as a person. That’s not to say I don’t or won’t consider other options. I really do appreciate your advice! Since it comes across in ways I’m not intending it to, I probably won’t bring it up again. Like I’ve said before, I do not know everything. I am not perfect. I am not a military pilot, so I don’t know things that the majority of you all may know. I appreciate you taking your time to help me out, and I hope I’m not coming across as ungrateful, because I really appreciate you pointing that out to me! Thank you, I agree...maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned it. It’s “something I’ve wanted to do for my whole life” and leave it at that. I just hate the stigma of wanting to do a popular specific mission and then getting crapped on because people (who have never met me) think my intentions are wrong. Maybe some of my best friends are actually on the frontlines and I want to be the guy physically there to help them. So they KNOW I’m right there with them. People don’t really think about things like that I suppose.

I’ve been trying for about 2 1/2 years now. I redid my tests which gave me my 86 PCSM (96 max PCSM) last January. So I guess you could say I’ve been competitive for a year and a half. I’ve been to a couple fighter units who gave me some constructive feedback. I’m looking over my notes: UNIT #1 “Strong candidate, just about perfect application. Cover letter is good, just remove this sentence. Make it more specific to our unit” UNIT #2 Likes: Scores, GPA, good answers in interview, understanding of pipeline showed commitment Improve: Make more of a passion for it, be slightly less informal during interview “Based on your packet, interview skills and personality, I have no doubt you WILL be hired at a fighter squadron. Perseverance is key in this process.” Upon reviewing, maybe I’m just becoming impatient.

I really appreciate all of you guys input. It’s super helpful, and I know it’s hard to quantify that in the internetsphere, but I am a real person. Someone who’s had a dream since he was a little boy. I’ve worked my ass off for 7 years and I’m just doing the best I can to attain it; I know I’m not perfect. I don’t know everything, as much as I wish I did. I think my year-long plan is to move close to a unit, and do my best to show up for every drill. If that doesn’t work for a year then look more in depth at AD. I don’t mind being in a heavy. It’s the second best job on the earth. I could get my hours and get into the airlines, make a bunch of money and have a great life. I’d enjoy every minute. However, I have a pull towards the fighter lifestyle. I can’t explain it. I would always have a little ache in my stomach not doing exactly what I set out to do. I may get there, I may not, but I’m going to do my damndest to do so.

I just want clarification in case I’m not correct. AFRC basically means you apply to go through UPT unsponsored. As you’re going through, you hope to get picked up by a reserve unit? Sponsored AFRC means that you were selected beforehand by a specific unit? Is this correct? I’m starting to look into different avenues, as applying within the units doesn’t seem to be working out with so many applicants nowadays.

I am in the same boat as you. I remember applying about 3 years ago to a fighter unit and they said they had a record number of applicants. It was somewhere around 40 applicants. If only my application were half as competitive then as it was now *sigh* Active duty is looking more and more enticing especially considering they’ve apparently made the drone track separate from the manned track. I’m going to take a few weeks and study up on it, I’m getting impatient to get in. I would recommend looking at it as well.

Perfect response, thank you so much. I was not aware that RPA’s (tentatively) were a different program. From the thread, it seems there’s a decently high chance of getting t-38’s. RPA’s are almost non-existent! Okay thank you. I wasn’t aware that it was such a low chance. I’ve poked around and it seemed like there was a high chance of getting RPA’s, so that’s why I was so worried. Appreciate the info!

Maybe I should clarify. My goal is Manned Fixed Wing, then CAS. The F-35, I’m sure you’re well aware of, has a CAS mission. From my research, the unmanned community is EXTREMELY unhappy. And actually being a current pilot, I know for a fact I wouldn’t want to fly drones. Better than sitting in an office? Yes. What I want to do for the rest of my life? No. I’m not completely discounting helicopters, especially Attack, it’s just not my first choice with my long term goals.

Hey guys, Really appreciate all the information I’ve learned from you guys over the years. I’ve been applying left and right to Guard/Reserve fighter units for about two and a half years now. I’m getting impatient and am starting to consider AD. My scores are relatively good and I’ve been told several times by a couple units “You’re a great candidate; there’s not really anything you can do to make your application better. Just keep trying.” 28 years old, Pilot: 90 / Nav 85 / PCSM 86 w/ 73 flight hours, Max PCSM 96. I played college sports, graduated on the honor roll, have my PPL, etc. My question is this: should I go AD, what are the odds I get drones or helicopters? My top 3 list would be something like 1. A-10/2. F-35/3. F-22. I’m hugely passionate about attempting to become a fighter pilot, not for the “cool” factor but because I truly feel an intense passion for the mission, especially CAS. I understand there isn’t really an EXACT answer since “needs of the Air Force” but I’m just curious if any of you all have heard about Active guys and typically how many drone and helo pilots come out of a class at UPT. I REALLY don’t want unmanned. Thanks guys. *I haven’t posted before, so I was hoping this was a good place to ask. If not, I apologize. *Also, if you have tips to improve my package, that would be very welcome as well!