Q & A Forum

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?

Hi all, If selected for a Guard F-16 unit, after RTU, in the two years of seasoning, can you go to a reserve F-16 unit to accomplish that seasoning? Or does it specifically have to be a Guard unit that sponsors your seasoning? elvis

I am a permanent resident in the U.S. and a junior in college. I will be applying for U.S. citizenship in summer 2020 as that is when my time required for naturalization becomes fulfilled. Once I become a U.S. citizen, I plan on going through OTS for commission and becoming a pilot in the USAF. I have heard that background check on an individual who has spent a significant time abroad can take much longer and could result in rejection at the end. I had moved back and forth between here and South Korea until high school, which was when I permanently moved to here. Could someone please elaborate on this information about background check on recently na…

Hey everyone, I would like to start by saying that I am new to the forum, so I apologize if this has already been answered before. I tried searching for the answer to no avail. Quick background on myself. My father flew T-38's, C-130's, and is now at the airlines. Currently I am doing my pilot training in the civilian sector working towards my Commercial check ride as of current. I would like to stay local so guard/reserve are my preference I am familiar with three separate units that fit (2 units fly c-130's, and 1 flies f-16's). As many would say, I think flying fighters would be right up there with the coolest experiences you could have, and think I would like to …

I've been told by a few enlisted vets I know that they have never met a fighter pilot that wasn't a big drinker and all teetotalers end up in Heavies. If I apply to a guard unit and during the interview I tell them I don't drink would that be a deal breaker? For the record I am not against drinking, Jeremiah Weed is my favorite Dos Gringos song, One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer by George Thorogood is one of my all time favorite songs, I love Trailer Park Boys and It's Always Sunny. I'm not super religious I don't drink more due to family issues. A large portion of both sides of my family are alcoholics and live crappy lives. I know I have tendencies addictive and pr…

Is it weird or a bad idea to reach out to current pilots in the Air Force Reserves or Air National Guard through LinkedIn to try to network? I’m a CFI with about 400 hours and just had lasik to hopefully be picked up by a unit after the 6 months recovery time is up. I know rushing is huge part of applying to different units, but I’m not sure if that’s really a thing right now. I’m studying really hard to take the AFOQT to get 90s across the board and 99s for pilot/nav. Where I think my application will lack is my LORs and not having any connections. I was searching LinkedIn and there are a lot of pilots on there who are currently with Guard or Reserves. I want to take the…

I understand High-3 is the average of the highest 36 months of base pay. Turns out replicating that calculation to match DFAS turned out giving me more headache than anticipated. First, I grabbed base pay amounts from the DFAS tables that covered my last 36 months of service: '18, '19, '20, '21. Then, I created a spreadsheet that calculates retired pay as follows: From Date: Date I started receiving a certain base pay To Date: Date that base pay ended (i.e. new calendar year w/NDAA-directed raise). # Days = From - To. …

AD AF non-rated LT looking at possibly applying for a guard/reserve pilot slot down the road. I would've thought that being an O already would be a benefit, since you wouldn't have to go to OTS and could go to UPT and subsequently be back at the squadron flying quicker than off the street hires, but in talking with some other folks it sounds like this may be the opposite? Any folks who have sat/currently sit on hiring boards have any insight? I wouldn't let this dissuade me if I decide this is a path I want to pursue, but I am curious on yall's thoughts.

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.

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 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 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.

So i am in a little bit of a dilemma (a good one). Currently 26 years old and I was recently accepted for the previous UPT board and am stoke, but during the dwell time I was applying to some guard units that I could see myself in if the active duty board didn't pan out. Ultimately, I haven't accepted/declined the Active duty UPT yet (because I haven't received any orders/RIP), and I just got a call from a Herc guard unit offering me a position flying with them. (Still no certainty that its an AGR gig). I have a wife and no children, and honestly the thing about active duty that irks me the most is the qweep associated with the job (Intel). What would you guys do and why?

Hello all, I've been floating around the forums for a couple weeks now and finally have a question that I can't seem to find very good answers to. Which branch would be the best to apply for and for what reasons? I personally am talking to a Navy Officer recruiter right now and about to begin the application process for a pilot slot, but now I'm having cold feet on whether the Navy would be the best branch to go into. The main qualm I think I have now is the realization I could be spending months at sea, whereas I could possibly join the Air Force or even National Guard and have a closer gig. Then again I do want something more serious than an ANG job (not to berate…

Long story short. I've been accepted for CSO for the Active Air Force after being forced to pick it as an alternate choice to Pilot. It's not what I wanted, but it's still an honor to be selected, and I've heard from friends in the Air Force that it's not uncommon to go from CSO to Pilot once you're already in for 3 or 4 years. Problem is I'm currently 28 with 5 years prior enlisted service and I might need an age waiver if I want to switch to pilot. I ALSO have an Active Duty Package in with the Navy. The board is set to meet the 3rd week in May 2020 with the results being released the 4th week. This package is only for pilot. I have a pretty good chance of g…

I’m sure I’ll get backlash for this, but has anyone gotten a vasectomy reversal? What procedures did you take, did Tricare cover it, and was it successful? Thanks.

I'm just curious... When I went to UPT, we did a winging ceremony on Friday in the base theater with family, and a mess dress dinner at the Club. It was a large time. I've heard that has changed quite a bit. What is being done now for UPT graduation? And how did it look 2 years ago before the Wu-Flu changed things?

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…

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

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…

The unit is picking up a Navy O-3, now AF O-3, with prior Army enlisted time. AF major board this year. No AF OPR or training reports, won't have either before board. Their options?

In your opinion, is bogi dope worth the $$$? I'm thinking of having them review my packet.

Hello, My name is Savvy and I am 26 tomorrow I meet with a recruiter to discuss my career pathway to becoming an officer. I have a BA in English and an MS in Criminal Justice. I wanted to join Security Forces and maybe eventually OSI. I just wondered if anyone had any advice in terms of what my chances were into getting into Security Forces is and what kind of things they would be looking for in my background. I have never been in trouble but my family has and I know I was asked about going to therapy or counseling as well which has me a bit worried because I have attended it in the past.