Q & A Forum

A bro's situation: I'm currently assigned OCONUS and I'm PCS'ing to another OCONUS location. The current location is command sponsored (Aviano), the other is remote (Korea). If I want to maximize my leave, what types can I put together to get the most leave before spending a year away from my family?

Hey all! I was curious to know if there was any information regarding hand signals and what they mean, specially while in the cockpit. I can't seem to find much information.

Greetings all. I'm 17, and a Senior in highschool. (at current, I have been 1st in my class freshman and sophomore years, and was 2nd last year. 4.1GPA, with almost 20 transferable college credits already) I've already been accepted to Montana State University on an early acceptance. I am hoping to get an AFROTC scholarship, and then a pilot slot. So here's the question: Would going to Jump school increase my chances of getting a pilot slot? Or more importantly, would an AF cadet even have a chance of getting in? anyway, maybe it's a silly question. But the only stupid question is the one you don't ask. --TK

Hey everybody, I just had a few questions which have really been concerning me lately. I was looking through the forums and stumbled upon the topic of marijuana usage, and how it will affect my chances on getting a slot. Here in lie my worries, last year in November ( I had just turned 17, senior year HS) I smoked a pretty heavy dosage of marijuana for the first time and definitely the LAST; the dosage was so potent that i broke down and had a panic attack that it sent me into an anxious episode for about 2 months. During those two months I visited the hospital and told them I had a panic attack after smoking weed for the first time, and they prescribed me anti anxiety me…

Hey guys, I attended Army Air Assault school at Fort Drum when I was in ROTC. Nobody (at MPF) can give me a straight answer where that training should be captured in my records, SURF, PRDA, etc. I assume it's similar to going to Free Fall from a records point of view. I wear the badge so I figure I should probably get that in my records one way or another. Anybody thoughts/previous experience? Thanks for the look.

Hey Gents, I know the RPA pilot is a frowned upon position in the Air Force BUT, I have a board this weekend for ANG. Anyone have any gouge on expected Q&A to help prepare for interview? Also (and separately) - any major general cons to consider (unrelated to career field) when deciding whether or not to leave ANG for IMA? Thanks!

I've found my way to the '15 military pay tables, figure '16 won't be much different. The basic pay is straightforward but how do the allowances work? If I'm single/no dependent do I only get BAH if I manage to get off-base housing in UPT? What's the subsistence allowance? Finally, does all this get taxed normally or are some parts exempt? Thanks!

Hello All, Looking for some career advice. I'm a Midshipmen in Naval ROTC getting close to service selection. I need to choose between submarines and aviation. I am drawn to aviation because I want to be a fighter pilot--I love flying and it is hard to imagine a more interesting or exciting job than flying fighters in the US military. I have liked the personalities of most of the aviators I've met and I think I would enjoy and excel at aviation. Of course, there's no guarantee of fighters, and while the navy has other cool planes and helicopters, 10 years (flight school + 8) is a big part of my life to commit to the Navy without having much control over what I'll be…

As a student, are you restricted to living on the temporary lodging facilities (no dependents...besides a dog)?

Background: I'm currently nearing the end of my freshmen year of HS, so I assume I have a bit of time to prepare myself beforehand. My grades are pretty good with usually all A's and one B taking all the honors I can. Both of my parents were in the Air Force and my dad was a helicopter pilot in SOCOM , so I have grown up with this mindset, and a few weeks ago I decided this is what I wanted to pursue. I, of course, would like to go down fighter or, like my dad, helicopter track. I know they are the very select few, and I would be happy flying anything, but that's why I want to start now. I also know that there is a lot I can't do now. Anything that I can work towards, in…

Greetings! I apologize if this isn't the proper forum for this type of question, but I figured posting here would a safe bet. As the title implies, I'm in the process of beginning my career, but I need advice on which route will take me to where I want to be and what I can do to help me along. As of right now, my plan involves getting the Air Force Academy next year as my long term goal is to fly fighters for the USAF, and from what I can gather, USAFA is the direct route to fighters as far as the Air Force is concerned. (Please, correct me if that statement is false, that's just what I've gathered.) If I get in, I want to try for the powered flying team an…

I have been selected for a UPT slot with an ANG unit. I am trying to make the difficult decision of whether or not to seize this opportunity. In other circumstances I wouldn't hesitate to jump right in and sign the paperwork. However my fiance (together 10 years) is a type 1 diabetic and has numerous health problems. She is still young/healthy enough that she can take care of herself for the most part, but I would like to be there as much as possible for emotional support and she would stay behind if I left to support us financially as an engineer. So my question is how reasonable would it be to expect to fly home on weekends while at UPT. Again I would be in UP…

Friends, Trying to get advice on the best way to handle my travel plans. The background: I'm currently OCONUS accompanied. We've been assigned to a CONUS location next. My DEROS is December. My RNLT is mid December. I have orders in hand for PCS. I'm competitive for a TDY en route (SOS) in November, but I don't have official notification on that yet. What I'm trying to accomplish: Send wife/son early to occupy the house we're buying. I'd like them to be in place the second week of October. I'd also like our hhg to arrive sometime relatively shortly after they get there (within a few weeks) What advice do you have to help me accomplish this plan? I…

STUPID QUESTION ALERT: I just wanted to some of the guys who have been interviewed/hired for the ANG/AFRC... Have you ever submitted an application package that was less than ideal? I have had my eyes on a squadron that isn't necessarily close to where I work (about a day's drive), but it is in my home state and just seems like a good fit for me. Here are the following issues: 1. My PCSM is below the minimum for my flight hours (34). When I contacted them about it, they told me they look at the 201+ column, and to submit my application anyways. 2. I only have a class II, and not a class I medical (yet). I have amazing eyesight, and have been told that the class I thin…

I know AETC goes on exodus over Christmas (10 duty days). What's the word on how that works for new studs who are pre-solo/pre-flight line? I start in one of the Nov classes. Will we be allowed to take leave and head home for exodus? Thanks!

I am curious as to how long after I arrive at my UPT base that I can take leave to go back to my previous base to pick up my wife and kids and drive them to UPT. We currently live in WA and either way it's going to be a hefty drive for her and 3 kids so I'd like to come back to help out since I know I'll be on casual for a while anyways. Any answers would be greatly appreciated thanks. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey guys, I know almost nothing about GoPros. I've just started looking into one to record some 38 flights and whatever my next plane is. Any recommendations on which one to get? Thanks.

Wondering if anyone has any gouge or experience with Border Patrol Aviation. A few google searches haven't given much information as their website isn't user friendly. Synopsis: I recently graduated from Air Force UCT as a qualified CSO. Shortly after graduation I came into some mental health problems and its looking like I'll be honorably discharged. So now I'm looking for a different job. I'be been looking into different aviation jobs that could use a CSO with not a lot of experience, and it's come down to flight planning or possibly Border Patrol. Pretty interested in their sensor operator positions as it's something I would be qualified to do. Some of…

Hey guys I'm a junior in high school and very interested in applying to the AF Academy this coming year. My long term goal is to earn a pilot slot at either the academy or through ROTC. My question is, what does the academy look for in a high school student, what can I be doing right now to improve my chances of getting in, and what's the best way to get a nomination? If anyone out there is a graduate or current cadet I would love to hear what you did to get in and if you recommend it! As far as ROTC goes, which ROTC programs are well known for their members getting pilot slots? Ive heard a lot about ERAU and VT, but wonder if there are others out there or if it real…

I'm not really sure why I think I want to know the answers to these questions. Perhaps it's still my fantasy of being the next Tom Clancy. Question #1: In a flying squadron (or what AFI 38-101 calls an Operations Squadron), are there normally any officers who are not "rated" officers? Question #2: In a flying squadron, are there generally any enlisted personnel (other than flight crew) who are under the command of the aircraft commanders or flight commanders? (So, not people under the Ops officer, etc. See AFI 38-101 Figure 3.8) If yes, can you tell me about them? Thank you for indulging my curiosity, and I apologize if this is an inappropriate question fo…

I did my flight physical yesterday and it went well. It looks like they are still filling OTS classes for FY17. My second child is due June 30th what is the possibility of requesting my OTS date be to the right of June 30 and it happeneing.

All, For all of us Army Helo drivers that are planning on making the transition over to the "dark side", do you know if our SERE-C and/or Dunker quals make us "SERE and/or Water survival bypasses" when we attend SUPT?

Just had a quick question about the DD2807-2 you have to fill out for MEPS. There is a question that asks if you have or have any history of being arrested or other encounters with law enforcement. I'm guessing they left that part ambiguous as to try to elicit as much information as you remember. I know for the medical and criminal history I was trying to remember ANY time I've even spoken with a doctor or police officer. I put down as much as I can remember, but I'm wondering what they're actually going to be looking at. I am not so much concerned about my history as much as I am me forgetting about something that is a non-issue that I just put in the back of my mind. …

Hello aspiring AFRES pilot looking for some answers. I have a solid background in computers, and have started down the cyber security career pathway. I have an interest in joining the AF cyber team for the experience and training, but flying jets has always been a lifelong goal. I am attempting to have my cake and eat it too by having a civilian career in cyber as well as being a pilot in the reserves. Whom has a better chance of being selected, with all qualifications being equal, an AFRES cyber warfare operations officer or Joe from the streets? Would being an officer in a technical field harm my chances? What are some current study guides for the AFOQ…

There has been a rumor that if you have your PPL you have a choice to attend IFS/IFT (whatever it's called now) and if you do have the choice, is it worth it to hold off on the PPL, or just go through with it? -Sophomore-Embry Riddle Prescott-about to attend FT/LEAD. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums