Q & A Forum

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 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 …

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 will try to keep this short. I set out my goal to become a fighter pilot in the air guard/reservers no matter what. For me this sounds like a dream career with high rewards and no disadvantages. But what really flipped a switch in my head is this very meaningful conversation I had with an old Marine. It all came down to "Speed, guns, and bombs are all cool but are you ready to kill people?". I didn't really think that part through. I was always focused on the path to get in the seat of jet and even though it seemed nearly impossible, I knew I would have a lot of fun even if I were to fail in the end. But now I thought what if I actually make it through. Ultima…

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?

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…

Hey all - dumb question: when applying for an ANG unit, what should I put the required documents in? A manila envelope? I've applied Active Duty before, but this is my first time applying ANG. Everything was done via email for AD. Thanks in advance!

Hi All, Have some questions regarding pilot slots for the ANG/AFR. Up until this point, I was looking to go AD for a pilot slot if I was picked up through a rated board however; I have decided Reserves/Guard may be better suited for me....mostly that I get to choose which airframe to fly. I just do not know where to start. I am currently 27 and retesting on the AFOQT Aug 4th for a higher score. My plan was to then work with the line office recruiter to prep my package for the next rated board, which I believe is this fall. For the Guard/Reserves, what do I need to do after taking my AFOQT and getting good scores? Do I then need to find another recruiter or is it…

I posted a thread over in the medical section a few weeks back. I have had asthma/allergies my whole life and taken medication for it, so I realize my chances of even getting into ANG are slim to none. As stated earlier, I am 23, currently an Engineer (Mechanical Engineering degree) for a large Aerospace/Defense contractor. I love flying and currently have my PPL, working on my Instrument Rating as we speak. I am really considering making flying a career at this point. I have already confirmed I can get a first class medical (for civilian flying of course). Should I go to a local recruiting office and talk with a recruiter? Or even just call one of the local recruiti…

I am coming from another branch and am having trouble finding out what exactly a Form 8 is so I can provide the equivalent copies from the Army. Can anyone give me a description of what this form is used for?

Hey everyone, I'm applying active duty for the 2nd time. My first time was pilot only. I'm on the fence about whether to apply for all officer positions or pilot only again. My recruiter is really pushing for me to apply for all officer positions. I'm not sure I want to. Anyway, I have to redo my medical at MEPS and she has a new form for me to sign before I get there. It says, "I understand that I am going to the MEPS to join the Active Duty Air Force, take the oath of enlistment, sign a contract and I will enter the Air Force Delayed Entry Program (DEP)." I never had to sign a contract or take the oath of enlistment while at MEPS last time I applied for a comm…

Hey guys, I am in a precarious situation, I have the ability to take the AFOQT and the TBAS here in Europe before I redeploy and at the same time, meet the some hiring board deadlines for units. the test dates are 21 and 25JUN. I have not really studied and I don't want to get a bad score to hurt my chances later, in addition to that, I don't know how I can study for the TBAS, as I understand it's more of the motorskills test. I'm also sitting at just shy of 800 hours so I am not worried as much about the stick wiggling part. what do you guys recommend?

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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

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!

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 …

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 …

Navy guy coming up on minimum service requirement. Looking at opportunities outside the Navy. ANG: Active duty, so does that mean retirement pay starting after 20 years? Is part time a thing in ANG ie airline gig and ANG? Or full time AFR: Work a weekend a month basically? Retirement pay kicks in at 60? But full medical after 20? just need confirmation on the basics of each, nothing in depth. Maybe pro con if willing. Thanks for helping

Long story short. I didn't grow up wanting to be a pilot. I didn't go to air shows. As a matter of fact, I have never even seen a jet in real life. I thought the medical field was my calling for longer than I can remember, so all my time and resources went into that. I am now in the second semester of college studying chemical engineering and wish to be a military pilot more than anything. Do I stand a chance with the other aspiring aviators that have been dreaming about this before they could even walk ? There is a whole lot more to the story but I thought it is not helpful to the opinions I am seeking. I have done all the research I could on the process of pilot se…

I'm 28 years old. I've been calling pilots from various units to try and rush them. I've had several lengthy phone conversations which have been great. Being that I am 28 years old, I have been asked by every pilot if I have a fiance or am getting married and starting a family soon. I tell them no and that I have zero kids too. They are always surprised. Today for example I spoke with a pilot from a guard unit on the phone and he said not verbatim. "What does your girlfriend or fiance think you doing this? "I'm single at the moment." "Really?" "What if you get engaged or married before UPT or during." "Not planning on it." He seemed very surp…

Initially I had just intended on applying to my local AFR unit but have since found an ANG unit I am hoping to apply to. I have only been talking to the AF recruiter and was wondering if I also needed to get in contact with the ANG recruiter. I have the AFOQT and the TBAS completed already. Also, all of my LORs reference the Air Force Reserve and not the Air Guard. Should I ask my references for separate letters?

Is living off base a significant disadvantage during UPT? At my UPT base, housing is in short supply both on base and off base. I'm considering renting an apartment around 19 minutes off base for the months that I'll be on casual and at IFT while on the waitlist for something roughly 9-10 minutes off base and moving into that closer housing before or just after I begin UPT. I'd prefer to be off base so my girlfriend can come down and join me for at least part of the time I'm in UPT, but want to get a read on what people who have been through UPT think of living off base.

I tried searching the threads for this but is it possible to become an engineer after flying? For those who have followed this path what is some advice you can offer? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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 just got my UPT orders at OTS and my data sheet has a projected training section with a date and an item that says SV8AS and a grad date. I googled it and IFT is the first thing that pops up but can someone verify what that is? It's like two weeks after I graduate from OTS