Hey guys and gals. I’m a prior service army dude looking to convince someone in the Air Force Guard or Reserves to pick me up and send me to UPT. Big preference on fighters, however, I’d be happy flying a cardboard box so I’m open to heavy’s or anything else except UAS. I’ve had my fair share of deployments so if I could return to war in something designed to fight, I’d be pretty stoked. So to keep it as brief as possible, here’s a quick synopsis of my current qualifications:
PCSM – 98
AFOQT – Pilot 99 / Nav 97 / Acad 66 / Verbal 76 / Quant 52
Flight Experience – I have over 3500 hours in 23 different aircraft that include anything from military helicopters to a multi-engine seaplane to commercial airliners. An additional 250 hours in full motion simulators. Of that, I have provided over 440 hours of instruction that took place in 6 different airplanes and helicopters. I was also an Army UH-60 instructor pilot.
Flight Hours
Total Time – 3500+
CFI/II – 440+
NVG – 465
RW – 2384
FW – 1150+ (over 800 ME Turbine)
Combat – 941
Imminent Danger – 214
FAA Certificates
RW ATP/CFI/CFII
FW AMEL ATP
FW CFI/CFII/MEI
FW Comm AMES/ASEL/ASES
Advanced Ground Instructor
Instrument Ground Instructor
Army Schools
UH-60 Instructor Pilot Course
Tactical Operations Officer
PR 290 Joint Personnel Recovery for Command and Staff
SERE C
A few more military schools but none that are really relevant
Education
B.S. Aeronautical Science w/ minor in MGMT
GPA 4.0 Honors: summa cum laude
M.S. Human Factors in Aerospace (6 out of 30 hours complete)
GPA 4.0 so far…
Deployments (4 separate trips)
12 months in Iraq
9 months in Afghanistan
9 months in Kosovo
Current LORs
AF Col Ret. (Former FS Commander)
AF Lt Col Ret. (Former FS Commander)
Army Col Ret. (Career in JSOC and a Navy Test Pilot Grad)
Potentials LORs I could possibly get if I sacrifice my first born child...
Congressman (Representative)
Army Brigadier Gen. (Guard Pilot and state chief of staff)
Volunteer work at a school for children ages 6 and under with special needs
Future looking at upgrading to CPT at my regional airline this summer and maybe adding a glider rating to my FAA certificate for the hell of it
My problems…
I’m 32 and given what seems to be the average 1 year time span to start UPT, I’ll need an age waiver.
I also may possibly need a H2 hearing waiver and from what I’ve read in the waivers guide, it’s possible but also challenging for a FC1.
I think that about sums it up. My apologies for the length. I know waivers can be difficult but I feel I have a fairly competitive packet for at least something that flies. I’m looking for some recommendations on how I could strengthen or improve my packet whether it be through LOR’s such as a congressman or better scores (my last resort). I plan on rushing every unit I apply for and showing up with a gift of sorts for their bar.
Finally, I have gotten a lot from this forum already so Ill do my best to contribute. For anyone with questions about the post 9/11 GI Bill and using it for flight training, feel free to PM me. I’ve used it for a few FAA ratings along with my degree and I believe there’s a form to use it for civilian DPE fees as well which can run $600+ a pop. Additionally, for guys already in the service, if you don’t already know, you can take your FAA written exams for free (including AMEL ATP) at many Air Force bases. I can post a link to a website with all the testing locations. I’m a regional airline and army helo pilot with 13 years in the Guard and going on 1 year in the IRR. If you have any questions that pertain to anything I do, PM me and Ill do my best to answer or point you in the right direction. Thank you for reading and any comments ahead time. Take care
V/R
- J