Pilot Selection Process

I have heard conflicting information as to whether or not applicants for a pilot slot before attending OTS require or do not require a technical degree. Also, I have heard that there are moratoriums on applicants with non-technical degrees that eventually sunset. If such a caveat is in effect now, will it eventually lapse?

Alright guys, i am currently a civilian pilot and have come to realization that I will be bored doing the same thing till i'm 65. I have been applying to Guard/Reserve squadrons in the mean time. Anyway, I am curious if the AF or Navy has better chances of tracking fighters in the training pipeline? This seems to be a AF heavy forum group so if there are any Navy bros/broettes out there that have some insight that would be great. Calling recruiters to set up the AD process this week. I understand it comes down to luck and the needs of the branch but besides that does the Navy or AF have better chances of tracking fighters in training? Thanks

I'm 27 years old and I honestly have no idea who to get letters of recommendations from. When your young it's easy. You have baseball coaches, teachers, etc. At 27 everyone kind just becomes an acquaintance in life. There is one older guy I attend stick and puck with. He's a retired Maj. in the Army. I don't know him super well and only seem him about once a week for an hour and a half. We make small talk and I have told him about becoming an officer. He tells me about what it was like being an Officer in the post Vietnam years. A good friend of mine owns a successful graphic design business in the Netherlands. I've done some freelance writing work for him and w…

Hey everyone, I am looking at options to increase my PCSM. I am flying as much as I can to build hours and am trying to get my score up that way, but the highest I can get it to with 201 hours is 87. Although that’s a decent number, I am striving to get it in the 90’s, as I am dead set on fighters. I recently retook the AFOQT, nearly doubled my my pilot score, and more than tripled my PCSM. While that’s great, my PCSM with my current flight time is sitting at a 67. Aside from continuning to build hours, my best option at this point, I believe, is to retake the TBAS. My question is for those who have retaken the TBAS. How much of an impact did retaking the…

Hey guys, I was looking at the past couple PSDM announcements for the UFT boards. On last year's PSDM, it said this: B. All applicants who meet eligibility requirements as defined in AFI 36-2205 may apply. However, opportunities may be limited or restricted for some rated applicants in critical weapon systems in order to maintain acceptable operational manning levels. Applicants must meet all other eligibility criteria to apply for UFT. Pilot, CSO, ABM and RPA Pilot Training Applicants: Date of Birth after 1 Apr 1984 (max age 30). Total Federal Commissioned Service Date (TFCSD) after 1 Apr 2009. Does that mean for the last board you had to commission af…

Saw this on Reddit. If I'm interpreting it correctly you no longer need an ETP if you are under 33 and 8 years TFCS

Hey, I looked around and haven't really found any information directly related to unsponsored UPT students who haven't found a unit being assigned a unit. So I was selected with a Primary Unsponsored slot and was under the impression that if an Unsponsored candidate does not find a unit to sponsor them, then the Air Force will find a unit for them. Does anyone know or witnessed an unsponsored UPT student have their unit selected for them because they did not find a unit, how did it work? Were they given a list of units that were critically manned and they choose from the list or did the Air Force email them a set of orders with the Unit on it and that was that (How I fee…

Greetings All, I am an active duty Marine Officer (non-rated) and would like to know if I am eligible to apply for the unsponsored UPT board. One recruiter (AFRC Officer Accession) said I could and the other said I could not since I will require two waivers, for age (just turned 30) and total commissioned time (7 years). I am aware of the sponsored UPT option which I am currently pursuing. I have already taken the AFOQT/TBAS, and got my PCSM. Please share your knowledge, thanks!

Heard some rumble of changes in UPT with things like timelines and evaluations, anyone have any insight? Just curious what they’d be changing to increase production.

Hello Everyone. I am a recent college grad and newly commissioned Air Force 2nd Lieutenant. I was lucky enough to snag a pilot slot and I am currently at Laughlin AFB in Del Rio, TX and will soon begin pilot training this Wednesday, Oct 1. So, to document this milestone in my life, I've decided to blog a journal on the day to day activities that I will be involved with while going through pilot training. There are many reasons to why I am doing this, but I thought that maybe for those out there who are curious as to what real life pilot training is like, or who may be interested in pursuing a career as a pilot for the Air Force, but never knew where to get started or w…

Afternoon All! Looking to get some tips/advice for a UPT board interview over the phone. I am currently enlisted in the ANG and deployed overseas. I was selected for the opportunity to interview with an ANG unit and they are completely understanding of my situation and willing to do it over the phone. I've interviewed with several units in person and this will be my first phone interview. Any suggestions to help counteract the lack of face time? If you've interviewed via phone please feel free to share your experience/thoughts. Thank you!

Anyone have any comments on why pilots washout at UPT? What factors play into it and what percentage washout of T-37s and T-38s? What happens to a pilot if he can't hack pilot training etc.

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…

I am a pilot select waiting to go to OTS and am wanting to prepare for UPT as much as possible. I am currently working out preparing for OTS but was wondering at the beginning of UPT if I'm wanting to go fighter/bomber do I have to lift a certain amount of weight to qualify? Currently I'm not lifting heavy but will start if I need to qualify

All, Looking at UPT base selection process near the end of October. Curious if anyone has any info/leads on the current status of each base's start dates and the possibility of them being delayed with sequestration. Also, considering applying for ENJJPT (decently competitive) and the possibility of a later start date than Columbus/Vance/Laughlin. Is it worth it to potentially wait a year for ENJJPT or is it better to go to standard UPT with an immediate start date? Thanks to all who reply, truly appreciate it.

I am thinking about applying for the FY21 OTS boards and I just wanted to assess how the acceptance rates will be for upcoming boards. I ask because I have noticed a pattern. ~2012 there was the sequestration and the acceptance rates for anything in the USAF fell to all time lows. A void was created and needed to be filled. 2016-2019, these four years saw acceptance rates rise and peak around the '18-'19. A buddy of mine who was in AFROTC tells me pilots acceptance rates was as high as 90%. The USAF then started having problems with classes being overfilled and candidates having their EADs pushed back creating a ripple effect. 2020, I just a…

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…

I'm looking at enrolling into Utah Valley University's online Professional Pilot B.S. Program this Fall semester and looking to see if anyone has heard or used the program. The program seems to be a good match for me (ground school online and fly at local FBO) with the family/work and any feed back would be greatly appreciated. Also, where can I found out if the bachelor degree is recognized by the USAF? I have attempted to contact the local officer recruiter to verify this, but no luck in receiving a call back. Thank you. https://www.uvu.edu/catalog/current/departments/aviation-science/aviation-science-professional-pilot-emphasis-bs/index.html

I am going to visit a unit soon and would like to know some do and don't during the visit as well as what to wear and bring along with me. Thank you in advance for any advice.

I'm getting ready to head off to UPT at Moody, class 07-13, and I've got a question. In some of the pre-arrival info I received from the registrar, it recommended having flight-suit nametags before showing up. They gave their specs for what they require, black leather, name, rank. However, in the picture and accompanying description, nothing was mentioned about having your jump wings on them or not. Does anyone know for sure if I can have them? Thanks in advance.

I know most guys here going to the AF want to fly jets or c-130s but what if you want to be a helo pilot - u just don't want to go to the ARMY- how hard is it to make it to chopper school?

Does anyone know how the process works for the AD board? The board met yesterday and I heard it usually takes a couple weeks for them to release the results. Do the squadron commanders call us in to let us know if we got picked up or turned down? Or just if we get picked up? Or do we just have to check mypers to find out? Thanks!

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! 🙂

Throughout my training for my PPL I made a variety of mistakes (most of them stupid) that caused me to receive a nice chewing out from my instructor. Most of them were just me not really thinking and doing something like trying to pull flaps out 20 knots over max flap speed. My most memorable one was during a simulated engine failure 2000 ft above a field, and I tried to fly a rectangular pattern all the way out and back rather than just circling to a lower altitude. How often did you guys make mistakes like these during your flight training? Did it cause you to hook the ride? Maybe I have put AF pilots on too high a pedestal, but I have scared myself into thinking t…

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 …