Q & A Forum

Howdy folks, I just graduated from school and I'm on my way to Laughlin to Await Pilot Training (APT) pending an IFT/UPT class date. I'd sincerely appreciate any and all wisdom y'all have on PCSing, inprocessing at a new base - especially Laughlin/UPT, the IFT/UPT pipeline itself, etc. Thanks a bunch! - Ike

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

Considering applying to my home guard unit to which I feel like I have a high likelihood or being hired based off previous conversations provided I don’t totally tube the AFOQT & TBAS. I’ll require an age waiver as I’ll be turning 33 in the fall when the board will most likely happen. I’ve been holding off my PPL as my Wife a I have been discussing this. She is an RN and loves the floor she works on which took her many years to get hired on to so she isn’t real keen on the idea of quitting. She can go to an ultra part time status and travel to see me while in training every couple months. The tough part is we have a 3.5 year old son and leaving that dude behind …

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 everyone, new to the forums and trying to absorb all the great information here. I’m a current AD Navy guy trying to get into a Reserve/Guard unit. Anyways, I looked around and couldn’t find a specific answer to my question. Since I will Be basically shotgunning resumes and application packets to several different units over the next year, my question pertains to formatting for the LORs. I’m in the process of gathering my letters from multiple sources, however, I am unsure of how to format and address them. Obviously I know I need to put the specific fighter unit and/or squadron commander on it. However, since I am using these letters to send to multi…

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…

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 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…

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. …

Looking for any 2.5ers who have 'graduated' and/or finished phase 3 and hit up the FAA for those Commercial/Instrument tickets. Any issues with the FSDO not liking the new syllabus/documentation? Trying to stick you with a ASEL instead of AMEL? Good gouge on what exactly to bring with (aside from the written test cert)? Thanks all.

Ya authorized a stupid question..so here's one.......I was trying to get some storage under control and found some truly classic crew dog T-shirts One from the FIRE EMPIRE ...one form GEORGE the CROOKS (Pria) and one from THE GREAT ALASKA BUSH COMPANY where we took our class trip...supervised with at least two full birds of course.....ANYBODY got a truly classic T-shirt they want to mention?

Good afternoon aviators. apologies in advance if this is a dumb question, but I am looking for some Navy and ANG pilots to shed some light on this topic. I am a senior in high school, and am stuck choosing between which branch I want to create a career in. Like every other person in this site, I want to pursue jets. I love the Navy's mission and I was inspired by the Blues at a young age. It would be a dream to inspire others like I was. But acquiring jets in the Navy is like "dark magic" such as where your placed for primary, your NSS, or how ever many slots are open in your squadron when you select that week, etc. (Needs of the navy). I dont know much abou…

Navy fighters to ANG fighters...Navy does swim phys every 4 years. Same for ANG? Navy swim phys carry over to ANG? Helo dunker as well in ANG every 4 years? Thanks.

I am a civilian off-the-street pilot select for an ANG unit. I've been transferred to an enlisted recruiter because he said I need to enlist first to go to MEPS and then go to Wright-Pat for FC-1, and then my packet will be sent to NGB. I was wondering if this is an aberration or if this is typical. I will be going this route regardless, I am just curious. Thanks in advance.

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.

Just to make this short, some ADHD/mild depression stuff is in the Air Force system for me due to a rule change, so I'm looking at enlisting in other branches just so I won't have to risk it with waivers. The question is, when I get my bachelor's and PPL and start rushing squadrons in a few years, how would being enlisted in an Army Guard or Navy Reserve unit affect my chances with fighter squadron UPT boards as compared to someone who was already enlisted in another fighter squadron or even that same fighter squadron? I have a lot of respect for helo people, but flying fighters has always been my dream. Thank you in advance to anyone who can provide some advice or insigh…

Is AMS still a thing? Or do ANG pilot hires just go to standard OTS now? All the info I have currently found is several years old.

Share your recipe for putting together a physical packet to be sent in the mail. What kind of paper did you use, resume binder, envelope etc. How did you build it? Go.

Question on providing the correct # hours to the PCSM folks. The PCSM worksheet requests "instructional and/or pilot in charge private flying hours". The "instructional" here refers to hours where I have been instructed, correct? Not hours where I have instructed someone else? (The latter wouldn't make sense to me as your logbook doesn't track hours where you are instructing someone, and the former does make sense since your logbook tracks ground / flight training received.) Want to confirm so I provide the right figure. Thanks!

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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 …

This is a total spitball question just because I’m curious, but what hypothetical pathways exist to eventually get in a B-21? Current B-2 pilots? B-52 WSO’s? I have no idea and I don’t know if anyone on here does, just thought I’d throw it out there.

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

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…

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?