JohnClark

I'm leaning towards trying the Guard to get a fighter unit but I was told by an active duty recruiter I have a great shot at getting a pilot slot for OTS. A few years ago, I remember talking to an airline pilot who said he knew a guy that was able to get guarantee a T-38 slot through OTS/Active Duty. I'm assuming this means he got ENJJPT. Is it possible to do this? I really want a fighter slot. If I don't get a guard one, Active Duty is my backup option. But I would consider this.

Hell yeah man. Here's to moonshine. I couldn't resist.

I'm 28 about to finally finish my undergrad (took me six years). I didn't go to college at 18 because my high school math grades were subpar and was told by everyone I needed an engineering degree to be a pilot. .

I'm actually a college senior in my last semester about to graduate with a degree in Criminology. I was non-rotc for a bunch of reasons but that's another thread. I'm 28 years old, I wanted to be a pilot when I was younger but I always struggled in math when I was young even with tutoring. I worked a bunch of odd jobs for years even one really cool one (automotive journalist) and after I was laid off from that job, I couldn't find another journalist position to save my life (even 6 years later) but anyway in 2014, I began watching a lot of documentaries about fighter pilots on youtube and began learning about the Guard/Reserve and realized I wanted to be a pilot. I also learned I didn't need an engineering degree. So I majored in Criminology and Minored in business. Due to the crappy economy of where I live it took me six years to finish college. Now I've been trying to take the AFOQT for almost a year and there was a waiting list everywhere I looked. I was suppose to take it in mid March but it was cancelled due to COVID. Now I'm not sure when I will be able to take the AFOQT.

Sorry, if this has been mentioned before. I did a search and nothing came up. Myself, like a good portion of people have heard the myth growing up that you need an engineering degree to become a military pilot. I know this isn't true but I didn't even though that until 5 or so years ago. Growing up I heard from enlisted personal, civilian pilots, teachers, guidance councilors, my parents, other civilians, etc. I know most pilots probably have business degrees or something. I know Robin Olds had a history degree, I believe Dan Hampton who wrote Viper Pilot had a degree in Architecture and I read a while ago about an A-10 driver who was an 0-6 during Desert Storm that brought back his A-10 that was heavily damaged he had a degree in Forestry. So where did this myth come from?

My AFOQT and TABS testing dates were again both postponed indefinitely. I've been on a waiting list to take them at the MEPS center since Summer 2019. The colleges in my area only let a few non-cadets take the AFOQT and they fill up fast. There is also waiting lists.

I'm going to do that. Thanks.

I'm wondering because more than likely I won't be able to take the AFOQT until April 13th. I've been trying to take this test since last year and I've been on a waiting list since June. (The testing location only allows 6 tests every few months). I was called today and told April 13th was the earliest they could get me in. I'm going to take it for now and keep trying ROTC units. The reason I ask is my top unit choice's application deadline is April 20th. When I took the ASVAB years ago, it took the MEPS center over a week to send my scores to my recruiter. Is the AFOQT the same?

Thanks for the advice man. I'll trying calling again and ask to speak to a pilot. I've been trying since fall of last year to get a chance to take the AFOQT. I did try contacting my college's AFROTC unit but they said I had to be a cadet to take it. I've called the AFR 1-800 a dozen times and kept dialing the Air Force officer recruiter number as well. Finally a local enlisted recruiter gave me the number of my state's officer recruiter and then it took him months to finally answer the phone when I called. (It would always go straight to voicemail). I'm interested in both Heavies and Fighters. Anything but drones. Another thread I started months ago, a few people said most units higher twice a year. I know a ton of units had a deadline back in April-June. Do most of them usually start posting on Bogidope? My back up plan is to go active duty but I would love a Law Enforcement career so I am leaning towards Guard/Reserve.

Thank you for the info. I'm about to be a senior in college and will be graduating in May. A lot of the old threads I read said begin applying your Junior year. Only recently, was I finally able to get in contact with an active duty officer recruiter. I filled out an Officer Prequalification sheet to take the AFOQT and TABS. I've been trying to get in touch with this recruiter since December of last year.

I've read through a ton of older threads on here. Maybe I've read to much that I've jumped the gun and confused myself. So older threads on here I found my 2008 or so, say the way to start the hiring process is by rushing a unit. I'm suppose to call a unit, ask for the pilot's ops desk and schedule a visit. I also fill out a packet and send it to the unit. If they like me they call me to the hiring board. When I call units one of two things happen. Either A they don't know what I am talking about or B. They redirect to a voicemail box that is either full or I leave a message and never hear back. The units that say they don't know what I am talking about never heard of the pilot ops desk and apparently don't have that number. Today two Heavy units told me I have to go through their recruiters. I talked to the recruiter of one of the heavy units. They told me I need a pilot's license and already have to be graduated from college to even be considered for the board. Another Heavy unit told me I need a minimum of 45 flying hours (I have seven currently) to even be considered. Has anyone else run into this trouble when trying to get in touch with units. It almost feels like dealing with the DMV at times.

I'm having the same problem one of the guys on the second page had in 2008. I'm having trouble getting in touch with the Pilot Ops to try and setting up a visit with the unit. I get transferred to a Lt. Col.'s phone and it always goes straight to voicemail. I have left messaged but haven't heard anything.

I'm definitely going to rush and get in contact with the 305th Air Mobility out of McGuire. Ideally, if I could live in Sussex County on a acreage property and either work as NJSP, Sussex County Sheriff or even NYPD that would be great. Do you think Sussex County is too far of a commute to NYC? Then again I new people who commuted from Ocean County to NYC every morning. I also do have family in the city. Every borough except Manhattan. The only place in Manhattan I have ever been to is MSG to see the Rangers. (We took the train from Jersey). Also Upstate New York is gorgeous. Going to Cooperstown as a kid is my all time favorite vacation better than Disney. I also have family in Utica, Rome and a few other places Upstate.

I tried searching and couldn't find anything on how often do units hire. Is it every year or is it once every few years? I'm a 27 year old junior in college and New Jersey is my top choice (I'm originally from there). Ideally, I would love any unit in the Northeast, Great Lakes States or even Idaho or Wyoming. I love cold weather, four seasons, lush forests, mountains, hockey and snowboarding. Right now I live in the south and it's not for me. I would prefer a fighter unit but I am fine with flying heavies. The other reason I would prefer to move back is I would like a Law Enforcement civilian career. In the Northeast and Great Lakes states, the police unions are stronger. Up there the police are paid better and have more off time. I also have family in New Jersey, New York and PA that work in Law Enforcement that can help me get a job. I'm hoping I can get the AFOQT and TABS done by April 15, so I can apply to New Jersey. But there is a chance I might miss the deadline. I know Wisconsin is hiring for 2020 and I missed New Hampshire.

I asked my ROTC unit back in January. The Captain told me only cadets can take it in the fall due to limited slots. I want to apply to the New Jersey Air National Guard. Their deadline is April 15th. I've been trying to take the AFOQT since January to get a packet in to them. How often do units do hiring? Is it every year or is it once every few years?

I've been trying since January to take the AFOQT. I have the study guides, I've taking the online practice tests, etc. But I can't seem to get anyone body to let me physically take the test! The threads I read on here say to contact your look AFROTC Detachment. I did and they told me they only allow non-cadets to take it once in the fall during the beginning of the semester. Only cadets can take it any time. I've gone to almost every Air Force recruiting office in my metro area to try and schedule a date to take the test. All of them say you have to be putting together an officer packet before they let me take the test and I don't have enough college credits to start putting together a packet. (I'm a Junior in college). One of the recruiters did tell me about a line officer recruiter. He gave me there number and they are two hours away. I've tried calling but every time I do the phone just rings. No voicemail, it will ring for 10 minutes straight if I let it. I've also tried calling the Guard units I'm interested in rushing but I can't get a real person on the phone. (I have emailed them with my intentions of one day being and officer and flying for them, just haven't heard back). Any advice on what to do?

I understand what you mean by not wanting your boss to know, they probably assume you will leave right away. I understand unstable industries too. I was in Auto repair as a lube tech for awhile. I started a new writing job only a few months ago and I don't really know my editor very well yet. I'll try my Dutch friend who owns his own graphic design business and I may try the one Army Major I play hockey with. It can't hurt to ask.

I'm 27 years old and I honestly have no idea who to get letters of recommendations from. When your young it's easy. You have baseball coaches, teachers, etc. At 27 everyone kind just becomes an acquaintance in life. There is one older guy I attend stick and puck with. He's a retired Maj. in the Army. I don't know him super well and only seem him about once a week for an hour and a half. We make small talk and I have told him about becoming an officer. He tells me about what it was like being an Officer in the post Vietnam years. A good friend of mine owns a successful graphic design business in the Netherlands. I've done some freelance writing work for him and we have been good friends for 6 years or so through Skype and PSN. Would he be good choice? He could as the owner of the company write a letter saying I've worked hard and am an excellent writer. I did work as an Automotive Journalist for a car magazine for three years from 2012-2015. Out of the blue before Thanksgiving me and a whole bunch of staff were laid off in late 2015. The job was based in California and I'm on the East Coast. I've tried hunting down my old editor in the past. We only communicated through our old work emails (no longer have access to the account) and through a work phone number. He was an older baby boomer and as far as I know he doesn't have Facebook.(I've tried looking for him). He would have been the best option for a letter.

I'll make some phone calls in the morning.

I see that Vermont is hiring for F-35 pilots. Vermont is one of my top choices for a guard unit. I have 90 college credits because I changed my major after my sophomore year and had to repeat my sophomore year to study the survey courses of my new major. Also I transferred from Community College to a University and they had a few more gen eds that community college didn't require. Even though I won't likely get hired, I was wonder if it's worth applying so they will get to know me and then after my senior year I can apply again to get hired. I plan on taking the AFOQT in the next month or two. I know the deadline is March 31st.

I am currently a junior in college and here is my breakdown Age: 26 about to be 27 in a month (will be 28 when I graduate college) GPA: 3.68, Criminology Major/Business Minor Flight Hours: 6 (just started taking lessons towards my PPL, hopefully will have it by summer). I practice with my college club hockey team and I will be practicing with my college baseball team and I will be playing MSBL. I also work full time as a writer and I have previous experience working as an exhaust tech/lube tech/mechanic's apprentice before I went to college. I haven't taken the AFOQT yet. Last time I talked to an Air Force recruiter when I was beginning my sophomore of college he told me I needed to be graduated or near graduation to take the test as I need to be filling out an officer packet. I'm looking to go Air National guard, I would prefer a state like New Jersey, Vermont, Idaho, Michigan, Wisconsin, Maine, etc. Somewhere up north where it's cold and has mountains and cheap land. I prefer fighters but I don't mind heavies, I will apply to everything. I would like a Law Enforcement career for my civilian job. I have lots of family in New Jersey and New York that are in Law Enforcement that can help me get started on that end. I wouldn't mind going Reserves or Active Duty as well. The only question I ask is, how should I get started? Should Is start calling units now to see if I can visit them in the summer? (I see a lot of threads saying you should attend meet and greets).