Pilot Selection Process

There are often new threads that don't need to be started since their information has been covered in the past and needs only to be revived and possibly updated. Here's the ROE on searching and starting new threads. 1. UTFSF: If there is a remote chance that your topic has been discussed, use the search function to find it and re-open that thread. 2. Get something close: It doesn't matter if your specific question was not answered - find a thread that is close and ask your question there. The intent is to consolidate discussion as much as possible so there are a minimal amount of threads discussing the same topic. 3. Disclaimers are unneccesary: You don't need to st…

Hey guys, I was wondering if I could get some input on what specific aerobatic maneuvers you do in UPT? I am doing aerobatic training in a Pitts just to get used to rolls, loops etc, and to better my flying, but I would also like to at least get a feel for some of the UPT maneuvers that are currently being used. Thanks, Aces

Drelyn8, You brought up a good point in the fact that a lot of us throw around terms like Formal Release and people not yet in the military or at UPT/UNT may have no clue as to what they mean. Here's a few terms off the top of my head... FORMAL RELEASE - This is an Air Force thing. You don't leave until you flight commander releases you. Usually at the 11 hour and 59 minute mark, unless that doesn't give you 12 hours till the next days events, then it may be earlier. This usually ends at the end of final contact, about 6-8 weeks into Phase 2. It happens again in T-38's and T-1's. It sucks. FORMAL BRIEF - Usually happens first thing in the morning in Tweets. Th…

Before you comment “AFSOC doesn’t let its people go” let’s just say it’s a strong likelihood that they may in the next year. With B-2s hiring this year I’m thinking of throwing an application that way, does anyone have any tips or applied from other units on how to improve your chances for an interview? Also how that interview process works. Lastly: how the change in commands/mission has been for you and how satisfying has the mission been when going from small teams in direct contact with the ground team to big Air Force? Thanks!

A place to share information and talk about the FY26 UFT board. With the dropping of the FY 26 PSDM Today, this forum will be a good spot for us to muster and bolster our packages as a team. Expect more to follow, until then - Rob

A place to share information and talk about the FY25 UFT board.

Hola, I've heard some talk about abysmal T-38 track rates at UPT recently (sometimes none at all), can anyone confirm? I'm currently in limbo trying to decide between an active duty slot (if I get one) or go all in on a guard fighter squadron that is my dream unit. I'm only really interested in fighters, which obviously makes UPT even more competitive and makes guard more alluring to me with the airframe guarantee. If UPT classes are hardly dropping any T-38's then that's a little dissuading for guys who are shooting something you might not get just based on availability. Of course, even if I got an AD slot I wouldn't be at UPT for a year or two so everything ca…

My boy wants to be a pilot (god help me), and trying to get some current information but I am obviously MANY years removed from the process. He has the grades and other resume items and we have been told he will likely get a nom to USAFA next year, obviously still has to be selected. He has a lot of schools chasing him including two Ivy league schools (MIT and Brown), which is where I would prefer he go but I don't want to selfish and want him to have the best chance at achieving his dream. I did ROTC and was the only dude in my class that got a UPT slot, the year prior they had six fall out slots and were literally walking down the hall asking the seniors if anyon…

haven't seen this one on the forums yet and was wondering if anyone has every heard of this?

Good afternoon aviators! As mentioned in the title, I was curious if there was a specific order that would maximize test scores. Hoping to get picked up for pilot, I need to start working on getting my PPL, taking the AFOQT, and the TBAS. To go more in depth, I will be starting full time college in a couple months (freshman) and part time enlisted in the guard. My plan so far was to work on the qualifications during summertime, because I think it would be hard to juggle college, work (ANG), and studying for one of the three. (PPL/AFOQT/TBAS) Is it a good idea to attempt one of the three only in the summertime to give my full attention to the tests, or is it possible …

Good evening aviators. Been reading forums, and I couldn't find specific info for these questions, other than do your best and the scores will handle themselves. When picked up from an ANG unit for fighters, are you guaranteed to track select t-38's? I understand that you can be forced into t-1's from t-38's if you arent making "fighter grades" in UPT, but how badly do you really have to be doing to get switched tracks? is it possible to get picked up by a unit for fighters, make fighter grades, and not track t-38's because there's not enough t-38 slots in a class? I am a long way from UPT (not assuming i'm even going to get picked up by a unit), but I…

Good Morning Aviators! I am a senior in high school, and I want to pursue a fighter pilot career, but have some questions. I am planning on enlisting into my local ANG unit to give me a leg up when applying for the UPT board. Reading these forums, i've seen that the best enlisted jobs to have to get close with the pilots and learn about the aircraft would be crew chief, LM, and life support. I am looking for some insight on these jobs (been there done that). Is there a way to attend tech school and go to college (taking online classes), or am I going to have to do a gap year for basic and tech school? What is tech school like for any of the jobs/ how long…

PSDM 23-54 has dropped! Deadline: 03 October 2023. Last day for application updates: 03 November 2023. "3 November 2023 (1)ETP Suspense for medical disqualifications.(2) Application Update Suspense: Updates to applications including AF Form 215 data and PCSM scores can be submitted up until this date. Please submit a signed MFR from the applicant’s direct supervisor containing the updated information. Additionally, include any appropriate attachments indicating successful completion of the update (i.e. copy of PPL, copy of updated PCSM, updated AFOQT scores, etc.). Be brief and concise. There is no need to obtain a new updated/signed/coordinated AF Form…

I'm getting ready for my TBAS retake after doing pretty poorly the first time around, despite some preparation. Can anyone here verify if the baseops link below is accurate, specifically regarding the combination of listening and target tracking? It also mentions an "emergency scenario test". I have no recollection of either of these and I'm trying to figure out if I accidentally took my headphones off too soon or something. https://www.baseops.net/militarypilot/tbas.html

PSDM just dropped, 4 Oct application date. Let’s get it!

Hello! I have been interested in fighters for a while, I'll be fresh into highschool soon, what can I do to prepare and get a slot? Thanks! 🙂

Hey all, Been rushing for a few years and I'm not getting the results I hoped for so I’m looking for feedback on my packet. I know bogidope exists but it's outside my price range. Are there any other services available for packet review? Thanks, WW EDIT: My scores are good, so that's why I'm thinking my resume/cover letter may be at fault.

Removed.

Hey guys. I am an AD OTS/Pilot selectee, awaiting an OTS class date. At what point during the process does one find out their a) UPT base, b) IFT date, and c) UPT date? I ask because access to that information will inform my decision of when to PCS my family back from OCONUS. For instance, if I wont find out my UPT base until halfway through OTS, then clearly I can not PCS them beforehand. Thanks!

The new PSDM just dropped today with a 5 October 2021 deadline and the board meets 16-18 November. Best of luck for everyone applying!

Just curious of those of you out there who got picked up after applying and interviewing multiple times at the same squadron and eventually got picked up? I’ve read some of you applied 3, 4, even 5 times before being hired. I’m seeking inspiration to do the same. Care to share any of your success stories? Thanks!!!

Can anyone confirm whether this is true or not? I had recently heard through the rumor mill that your best AFOQT scores (except pilot and nav) will be the ones that count after your second retake. Has anyone else heard this? Meaning if you scored a 50 on verbal your first test but a 30 your second the 50 will be the one that counts.

I saw a couple of forum post on Reddit about the Airforce recently allowing AFOQT Super Scores, meaning that if you do a retake they will take the higher scores between your original attempt and your 2nd attempt. Reddit forums seem to show conflicting information as some say super scores only apply if you fail verbal and/or quant and will only be applied to those sections. Others forums seem to imply that it applies to all sections. Does anybody know how these AFOQT super scores work? Here's a link to the Reddit post for reference: Can the AFOQT be super scored? : airforceots (reddit.com) Thanks!

After pursuing the whole "Guard is the best kept secret" route to earning my wings with no avail for the past year, I bit the bullet and called up the line officer recruiter to put in an app for an OTS pilot slot, reason being is AD is so backed up, rated board in June of 2021, OTS dates not until Summer 2022, UPT probably Fall 2022, I wanted to get that clock started in the background while I continue shot gunning apps to Guard/Reserve units. I told the recruiter I had applied to a couple UPT boards with the guard and he said he can't push my AD application in that case, it has to be one or the other, and essentially if I get picked up at the rated board there's no…

BL: Do RPA selects for the UFT boards have any say for their follow on assignment since the RPA pipeline ceased doing drop nights? I’m applying for this years AD UFT board and was wondering what input the member has to their follow on assignment. I only qualify for RPA and with the new assignment process—if I’m tracking correctly— you get your follow on assignment first and then TDY to your training pipeline courses. It would be nice to have some say to the matter. Thanks for any and all responses!