Q & A Forum

I'm preparing my application for a UPT position. I commissioned via AFROTC about 10 years ago, did my active duty time, separated, and am now looking to apply to the guard / reserves as a pilot. As part of the application, they're asking for a "Certificate of Air Force ROTC completion". I don't recall ever being issued a certificate for completing ROTC, and haven't found anything in all my military records. Has anyone heard of this, or know where I could get one? I called my ROTC Detachment, and they had no clue what it was either, other than possibly the AF 133 (oath of office). They provided me with a screenshot from one of their admin systems showing that I w…

Pair of truly bizarre questions: could I go to: UCT as an AD 11x? (I get the "why the hell would you" is another matter) I'd guess most of the "well over 30s" in UCT are guard/reserve types like UPT. Is there: a.) a path b.) no path because no one has tried, or c.) no path because there isn't supposed to be one or could i go to: The Navy to be an NFO if I'm already a rated USAF pilot? I know their max age is 26 waiver-able up to additional 48 months for those in the military (I'm older than that). It's not a 1:1 change, pilot to pilot, so i would need their version of UCT correct? probably just have to keep being a pilot right? …

I am a Captain and AH-64 pilot in the Army and have reached the point in my career where it is time to evaluate my options for continuing to serve and fly. I have visited the Air Force IST website and understand the procedural steps required to submit an application for a service transfer. However, what I really need to know is if it a realistic and feasible option to consider. I understand that a fixed wing slot is not an option and I am just fine with that, I love flying helicopters and want to continue to do so. If there is anyone on this forum who has direct knowledge of the IST process (specifically for Army rotary wing transferring to AF rotary wing) your input and …

On average how many from a UPT drop rotary wing? Are those slots hard to drop/ highly competitive? Need to be top 3 in your UPT class?

Hey Guys, I had a few questions regarding lifestyle after a pilot completes seasoning orders in a fighter unit. I figured having this all in one thread might make for a useful resource for everyone in the future to use. The situation would be that a new fighter pilot just finished seasoning orders, no AGR or full time spots are available, and the pilot has to get another job: How many times per month will your unit require you to fly on average while on part time orders (I am guessing 8-10 days/month)? If you commute to your guard base, will the USAF pay for your airfare to commute to the guard base every time u commute? (assuming you can not…

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 …

Hey all, I'm looking for some opinions/advice. I'm 22 yrs old, just graduated engineering school in the spring (3.3 GPA), and am currently working as an engineer. I have my PPL with about 150 hours TT (80 Tailwheel), good pilot scores, and I own my own J3 cub. I'm just getting to the point this year where I have checked all the boxes to apply to guard/reserve units (I didn't go the ROTC route because of collegiate baseball). I have gotten one fighter interview so far at my hometown unit that went well. They had all good things to say and didn't have any feedback for me other than they didn't know me well enough. Long story short, they hired all prior enlisted (Crew Chiefs…

I am 24 years old with a bachelors degree and my AFOQT scores. I am currently finishing my private pilot license and hope to have it finished by December. I have been advised to go ahead and start contacting bases and units to get information on meet and greets or any type of visit to show interest. However, I am worried about contacting bases prior to being finished and not being ready to apply because it seems like contacting them asking about hiring boards and meet and greets would be jumping the gun prior to finishing my license. Or is it a good idea to go ahead and contact bases and try to make some contacts to see when their hiring boards are and to show interest in…

I'm very sorry if this has been talked about here before, but I cannot for the life of me find an explanation in the search. Basic background: Enlisted aircrew (E-5) with the CA Air National Guard and I am looking to apply for ANG/AFRC pilot positions. I am seemingly ready to submit my applications. I have my degree completed, AFOQT/TBAS completed/PCSM generated, over 100 hours of flight time (with PPL), and three letters of recommendation in hand. But I am now finding out how little I know of what exactly is contained in an application package? Is there a guide available for building one or do I just need to send scores/resume/letters of rec into the units I'm …

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…

So I've heard that the C-17 has some of the best bases in the country for AD, ANG and AFRC squadrons. Which of these bases have you heard to be fantastic to work and live at? I'm curious to know about life on and off the base, like what the town/city is like, what there is to do and what the schools are like. Just a quick reminder of current C-17 bases for AD, ANG and AFRC: AD: Charleston AFB, SC JBER, AK Travis AFB, CA Dover AFB, DE JB McGuire-Six-Lakehurst, NJ Wright Pat AFB, OH Altus AFB, OK JBLM, WA ANG (Excluding any previously listed) Jackson Intl Airport, MS Eastern West Regional Airport, WV …

So I have lurked around this forum for a while and have never posted until I noticed this Q&A section, so I wanted to put my situation out there and see what kind of feedback I can get going forward. I read through some of the other questions but none of them really matched up to my situation, so any help that can be provided is much appreciated. I am currently an enlisted Comm guy stationed at Andersen AFB. I extended for this assignment and my DEROS basically matches my end of service which will be summer of 2021 giving me just under two years to get my ducks in a row. I’m about 80% complete on my degree, which I will obviously have completed by the end of this …

Hello, I'm currently AD and looking into the ANG as a career to allow me to continue to serve to 20 years or more. I have a unique background that has generated a broad range of questions I have yet to find the answers to and I was hoping I could get pointed in the correct direction here. These questions involve the application process, rushing squadrons and how time in the ANG is counted as far as time in service goes. If you knowledgeable on any of these topics, please message me. Thank you, Checkmate

Is there a standard, generic nametag design/colors used for the flight suit? I commission in a few weeks and I need to get one made before I report to Altus. I saw this on the RamaWorld website. https://www.ramaworld.com/name-tags-1/squadron-name-tags/af-standard-name-tag-af-blue-bg-af-yellow-border-rama-world-inc Is this legit?

I'm thinking of applying to the 446th AW at McChord as a C-17 pilot and want know how many times a week C-17 pilots drive to and from work. I'm thinking of living up by Seattle and the drive to McChord is roughly an hour, so if C-17 pilots are going into work almost every day then it may be too far. However on the other hand if you're driving in 2-3 times a week, that would be more doable perhaps. Thanks!

Hey guys, I have just one issue concerning my transcripts. I have taken flight courses at my college to get my PPL and now working on my other ratings, but due to crazy weather and aircraft maintenance (The 141 program required that you did not have more than 7-8 days between training sessions, or you had to repeat the previous session), I had to get extensions for 2 semesters of the last section of private flight (Yes, I do now regret that I did not complete this on my own outside of the university.). I now have 2 F's on my transcript for (Private Flight II), but they do not affect my GPA because I got the grades supplemented when I completed my PPL and received an A for…

So far my wavier has been processing for 6 months. Has anyone else done this? Have any insight on why it has taken so long ? (IFC1) Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

...and put on orders if you are already commissioned and waiting for UPT on other than drill status? I’m trying to find regs that say if some one can or cannot be put on temp AGR, or ADOS, or other types of pay status for full time orders or tech work at the unit while waiting for school. (Air Guard context)

Anyone know if water survival training (initial qual) is all consolidated now to Fairchild AFB?

I’m currently in the process of getting my uniforms ordered by my unit before heading out to UPT but there are hardly any more sage green boots left from manufacturers. Are coyote brown boots authorized for flight suits?

Hello, This is my first time posting in this forum and am looking for some career advice. Currently I am an active duty SSgt Aerospace Propulsion Specialist on B52's. I love the Air Force and have enjoyed my experience so far; even considering that I have only been stationed at Minot AFB. Unfortunately my duty as of late has made me feel burnt out. Without any job rotation in the past five years I feel like I am not growing anymore. I am considering many options as I near the end of my enlisted service commitment. Like many others, I caught the flying bug late in life and have discovered flying aircraft is much more challenging and enjoyable than working on them. At…

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

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…

Hey all, This will be a little lengthy and explaining what I've been through to get where I am right now. For those of you who have an answer to any of my questions, I thank you in advance for reading through everything. If anyone knows who I am personally, you'll probably know this is me based on the specifics I'm providing. I just ask you don't say anything personal about me on here. Thanks! I'll start from the beginning and end where I am now: I was allocated a pilot slot in my junior year out of AFROTC. I have really competitive scores (AFOQT Pilot 99, PCSM 89, 140 hours, never below 99% on PFA, good GPA, etc.), so I was not too worried going into …

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?