Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves

If you had a choice between a Reserve C-130J squadron or KC-46 squadron and location wasn't a factor, what would you choose?

I have a few question regarding applying as an older dude. I'm currently an active duty CSO 34 years old with 13 years in. I have 3000+ hours in the MC-130 and I just recently applied to the active duty UPT board which required both an age and TFCSD waiver (which both were approved). I was unfortunately not selected for UPT (no shocker there) but was selected for RPA. If I decline RPA and apply to UPT from a guard unit will that prevent me from being picked up? Also any advice going forward with trying to get picked up for a UPT slot? Current scores are AFOQT pilot 94, PCSM 85 (will go to 89 after I update my hours), 48 civ hours with PPL check ride scheduled for the 24th…

I am trying to get in on the unsponsored reserve board in Nov. I have not yet gone to Wright Patt for a physical and now my recruiter is telling me that the only way to get an appointment is if you are sponsored. "We were notified yesterday that no one is going to WP unless they are sponsored by a unit. Recruiting Service was paying the bill for the unsponsored to go to WP, and Reciting Service is now out of money for travel." Can anyone confirm this? If it is true, anyone have a good way to get sponsored in a month?

Before I get someone’s guess at my base, I figured I would reach out to the bros on here. We have a Title-10 mission at my base and we get fed man days from AMC and TACC quarterly through the M4S system. Last year I had guys that were on orders the whole year (365 days+) and it got me thinking, if or how could I get them a pilot bonus. Has anyone had any experience getting a traditional pilot on full time title-10 orders eligible for the bonus? I figure this could potentially help retain some guys if I can figure out a way to put some extra $ in their pocket. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

For anyone here who left for UPT training holding only a PPL or similar, what were your civilian ratings / job opportunities afterward returning home and going part time status? From what I read online, it sounds like commercial and instrument ratings are awarded after an FAA proficiency test. I'd love to hear how many hours you all came home with after UPT, air frame training, and seasoning orders. All PIC time? What jobs were available with your experience level? I understand this will vary greatly between aircraft, and even down to the individual unit but I'd like to start a conversation and hear from anyone willing to share. For context, I am applying to units an…

This one's gonna hurt, boys and girls.... https://www.afrc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123288641 Here's a summary of the changes: "Barksdale AFB, La. - Drawdown one Air Force Reserve Command squadron by retiring 18 A-10 aircraft as part of the FY13 president's budget. Also, retire three other A-10s in fiscal 13 that were previously slated for retirement and awaiting to be transferred. Transfer three remaining A-10s to Whiteman AFB, Mo. End the active associate unit that hosts Regular Air Force Airmen and flies A-10 aircraft with the AFRC A-10 squadron The Air Force Reserve unit that flies B-52 aircraft remains operational at Barksdale. Dobbins ARB, Ga. - Re…

I am currently at an airline and in the process of applying to the Air National Guard. From all I've read Officer School, UPT, B-course, and seasoning are exempt from the 5 year USERRA rule. My main question is are there any loopholes in the system that could become problematic later on? Such as being forced to switch from part time to full time? Possibly medically DQ after getting wings and needing to transition to another job in the ANG for your 10 year commitment? The list of scenarios could go on, but I just want to be absolutely sure I am not putting my civilian career at risk by pursuing this dream. Thanks so much!

According to the news today, the NDAA that Congress has agreed on and will vote on later (and which Sen Levin said the Pres will sign) has restored 32 Mobility aircraft and spared 3300 airmen, while cutting the A-10's from Barksdale, Ft Smith and the F-16's at Iowa. It also says the MC-12's would remain in the active duty force. I thought part of Schwartz's plan was to retire the 12 or 13 ANG RC-26B's and replace them with the MC-12's? Anyone know what's in the legislation pertaining to the future of the ANG RC-26's? Did they get spared as well, and if not, what's going to replace them? https://defense.aol.c...icid=apb2#page2

Was discussing on another forum about my chances of going the pilot Reserves route because I'm somewhat hesitant of going Active Duty and not getting a pilot slot (Needs of the Airforce). Was trying to get some feedback on what the general feel of the training pipeline, acceptance, etc. was like. Instead I got a bunch of "If you're afraid of the needs of the AF going Active Duty then you shouldn't even commission". "It's about being an Officer first, not being a pilot." "Reserves isn't here just to get you hours/ratings." Like damn, just trying to gauge the feel of getting a pilot slot thru reserves v AD because 1.) I love flying 2.) I'm interested in servi…

I know it’s early, but any idea if there will be opportunities to learn the T-7 even if coming from a non T-38 background? What are they thinking about doing with all the T-1 IPs? Are they just going to transfer and do something else?

I was selected at a fighter unit in 2020 at age 26. My father also served in the AF so the AF had all of my medical records since I was born. This made the process extremely long, and I was only able to get to my IFC1 in 2021 (17 months after selection). To my horror, I contracted Covid during the IFC1 and was unable to complete the physical. My unit did everything they could but obviously they couldn't do much with the failed IFC1, so I was dropped and lost my slot. I didn't do anything to leave on bad terms in my opinion and everything was amicable. Here is where I am at now. Age - 28.5 AETC told me to resubmit medical documentation fo…

I know there are old threads on the subject and I've read them. Most don't go into too much detail and simply say "Don't be an idiot" "don't be an @ss" "have a firm handshake." I'm an older applicant and I know time is not on my side. There are a few units I have rushed, non have had interviews yet but two have told me to turn in an app to keep it on file. One of the units, I have visited them three times. All three times, I just walk all around the squadron and try to make myself known by everyone. I shake hands, I talk to pilots and non-pilots alike, I try to bond over the military, aviation and even non-flying things like music, cars or literature. This unit, I even go…

With the new reg that was published sometime last year, we are now allowed to do 24 AFTPs per quarter and a max of 72 per year. Unfortunately the finance system apparently couldn’t handle that minor change and all additional AFTPs past 16 had to be done by hand through CMS. So I have 8 AFTPs that still haven’t paid out since Aug/September 2019... and another 8 that haven’t been paid since October/November... I run to my finance office yesterday to ask what is going on and I am told that the have stopped processing additional AFTPs until the finance system gets fixed. Does this check with what you guys are hearing at other ANG bases? Sent from my iPhone using B…

I'm trying to keep this short. I think as many may know for most of the last 2 years, it was very difficult to get visits/rushing opportunities to units due to COVID. It seems like by summer of this year, units started to soften their restrictions and begun allowing rushing opportunities. Anyway, I've been trying to rush Heavy Units largely in the Northeast. That's where I am from, plus I play hockey and love the fall/autumn. I have had two units where I had multiple visits with and turn an app but not selected for an interview. Neither unit was able to give me feed back. Both basically said they had received too many apps and can't give everyone feed back. Now this …

30 year old male. What would be chances of applying for a guard or reserve spot if disenrolled from ROTC > 10 years ago. I currently am a CFI/II/MEI with hundreds of flight hours and fly helicopters, airplanes and gliders. I am in a profession that required graduate school and am burnt out. Flying is my real passion. I can get many strong references. Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi all, I'm looking for some detail on the "type" of orders that would come with the 3-4 years of pilot training + seasoning in a guard unit. I'm a guard off the street hire anticipating starting the OTS/UPT pipeline next year. I'm currently in the process of switching civilian jobs in the meantime, and am reviewing prospective opportunities. As one would expect, I'm looking at applicable military leave policies as well. The company I plan to sign on with provides paid military leave for employees that are "deployed for an active duty tour for a declared military action (to include Homeland Defense)." This is what leads to me to the above query, as all I kn…

Currently I work for a company that does machine learning and AI. It's my first tech job right out of college and I've been hear for less than 6 months. My job has been talking about Layoffs for the last 3 months, I've been applying to other jobs like crazy while trying to rush guard units. Today my job announced layoffs. I wouldn't be surprised by the end of the week if I'm gone. The tech industry is in a real rough place. Lot's of layoffs at all levels. I know I can get a retail or fast food job quickly and keep it to pay bills. Would that be looked down though by Guard Units that I apply too/rush? Would they see my Resume and wonder how I went from tech to flippin…

Any insight on how difficult bumming is currently on the heavy side?

Anyone have any info on what UCT is like and more specifically what being a CSO on the C-130 entails? I was recently eliminated from UPT (didn't pass formation in the T-6) but I am being recommended for CSO and considering finding a reserve unit to sponsor me. Are there reserve fighter units that higher back seaters? Any info would be helpful!

Hi all! I was recently picked up for a slot flying CSAR helos at (unnamed unit). I’ve been super excited for the mission but it appears there has been a major drawdown in CSAR activity. Does anyone have any insight on the likelihood of full-time orders after training/the amount of hours per year one will likely fly? I want to be sure I have realistic expectations and a plan to have a civilian career in case a career flying helicopters becomes unlikely due to lack of hours. Any insight into that community would be hugely appreciated. Thanks for your time!

I have a friend who is a rated fixed wing Rescue Pilot on the HC-130J. If he wanted to one day transition to another airframe in the Reserves what would that process look like? Is Rescue to Bomber or Rescue to Fighter/Attack possible?

Bros, I am a 135 co wondering if there is any gouge out there for a planner role or some type of orders longer than a month to England, Germany… or anywhere really. With the rainbow gone, the Deid drying up, and LTMPA slots being inconsistent, I want to know what else is out there for tanker bums to take advantage of. I know if there’s anything out there… it’s probably for an IP, but will settle for an AC, with the final saying being “nobody wants a co”. Thanks in advance. Cheers Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Sorry if this topic has already been discussed, I can't find a thread about it. If you go through a civilian AD hiring board, my understanding is you must go to OTS first before going to your MFS at WP. Obviously because of my age (I'm pushing 33), I am applying to this upcoming AD board. The deadline is Sep. 12. Are you able to secure your IFC1/MFS through AD and hypothetically keep rushing guard/reserve units and get hired by them? Or are you blood sealed to AD at that point?

Hi folks, I was planning on retiring in January, but with the current state of affairs, it seems that would be an ill advised move. However, I am in a pickle. I am an AFRES O3 with 19.5 years of service. (8 yrs enlisted) I was passed over for O4 last year because of a lack of recent award, as well as a referral OPR from 2015 for a failed FTF. The career development section in my wing failed to inform me of when the 2020 O4 board was being held, and I again failed to obtain a recent award. (totally my fault, I was very blinded by my upcoming retirement) Now I am afraid that I will be passed over again. My question is this: What are the repercussions for being pas…

C-17 and KC-135 EP O-5 AGRs at Robins. Open 'til filled. Three year order with possible one year extension. Great way to Palace Front or beat the first year pay blues. PM me if interested.