cerealsine

If there are no UPT slots left in 2018, could still start training earlier than Jan 2019, correct? For example, you could theoretically begin training in September 2018 with OTS (2 months) -> IFT (1 month, nov/dec) -> UPT Jan 1, 2019? Or maybe go to SERE as well and start mid Feb?

Do they take your preferences for which base into account? I mean what would a "legit reason" to prefer a particular base be? Family nearby? Or what?

At what point during this whole waiting process are people receiving their dates/locations for UPT? A better question, when will I be able to tell my wife which lovely city she will be getting to accommodate me to? Enid, Del Rio, or Columbus?

If you only have 4-5 days of academics, and only fly 16-18 hours, what do the rest of the three weeks consist of? Maybe I'm overthinking this and getting nervous about this for nothing. I was told the best thing you can do for IFT (and OTS and UPT and certain military things in general) is just have a positive attitude; yes there are sucky, miserable parts, but everyone is going through it. Just commiserate together, cooperate and graduate.

Dumb question: Whats formal release?

I'll be heading to IFT in a few months out in Pueblo, CO. I have heard more than one person refer to it as "DOSSchwitz." I have been told that when it was first started it was very rigorous and was a huge "weed out" program, but I've heard others say that this is not true and in more recent years the attitude there has changed slightly and their washout rate has decreased significantly. Has anyone gotten through the training in the last year-ish? How did you feel it prepared you at UPT compared to your classmates who did not attend IFT? Whats the lifestyle like there? 10-12hour academics mon-fri, then eat/workout/study in the evening? Is that it? Or is there other parts that I'm missing that make it particularly miserable? Do you get your PPL while you're there?

Ive heard differing information on what makes someone exempt from IFS. Is it simply having your PPL?

Did you get your FC1 scheduled four months after hire? I was told it would take four months to schedule, and then it is scheduled another 4-6 weeks out.

Just got hired 9 Jan 2018. My recruiter told me that guys are having to wait up to 4 months just to schedule their FC1? Whats the holdup in scheduling that?