Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves

I was just wondering if anybody got into a situation of being offered a slot before interviewing with your prefered unit. By prefered, I mean a unit with your ideal airframe, location, or maybe a home unit for prior-enlisted.

After the hornets nest was stirred in the Bonus thread, I thought it might be a good idea to start a thread where we can track this threat. We've been hearing talk of non-vol 179/365's coming down to the ANG at my unit (C-17), but so far it's only been talk. With the Active Duty ranks decimated over the last 5 years, it only makes sense they'd come after us next. It's been discussed at length within the walls of my squadron, but if involuntary mobilizations start rolling out to Traditionals, there's going to be a mass exodus of guys who really don't feel like that monthly check from Uncle Sam in 25+ years is worth the QOL hit today. If you've seen this happen fir…

Just got picked up (HC-130 106th RQW) are there such things as a pilot signing bonus?

Hi all, Recently separated from active duty and plan to be a guard bum with the 112 AOS in Pennsylvania. I just have some general questions I am hoping I can get some answers to (I think I know the answers, I just want to make sure I'm not thinking something dumb...) First money: As I understand it each day I am on orders I will get- 1 day of: base pay, BAH type II and BAS plus any additional extra pay (for example flight pay). Also I am told BAH and BAS is tax free. Is this true? In addition, if I am on orders away from my unit I will get per diem for each day based on where I am. Is this correct? Just to be conservative I used the partial rate for each pla…

Does anyone have a comment on the relative attitudes of the Reserve guys vs the Guard guys? I'm specifically talking about heavy units. I wondered if the Reserve guys were more locked on than the guard guys. Do they know how to have a good time? Thanks-

I am currently in ROTC and will be going to field training this summer and commissioning in 06. I was wondering if anyone knew what my options are as far as going ANG after commissioning or if thats even possible. Any input would help.

Anyone know where I can find an up to date AF Form 24? Some units provide one on on their website but they are all expired. Probably doesnt even matter but just trying to make my packet look good.

I am currently in the process of rushing units, and have submitted an application to the active duty rated board. It may seem like I am getting a little ahead of myself with this post, but I am thinking about what goals I would like to achieve if I can be hired to fly for a guard unit. I have an interest in going back for an Aeronautical Engineering degree in order to qualify for Air Force Test Pilot School eventually one day. I didn't rediscover my passion and enthusiasm for aviation until I was into my final year of college. Is this possible to apply for USAFTPS if you are a Guard pilot with all of the educational qualifications? Or is only available to AD pilot…

Hey all, I'm wondering if there is any info on the 200th Airlift Squadron? I'm currently a tanker pilot out east, but I am interested in moving to Colorado with my family to settle down. I was a maintenance guy with the 140th Maintenance Squadron for 8 years, but left to pursue an aviation career. I have done a bit of reasearch on the internet machine, but can only find fact sheet type stuff on the 200th AS. If there is anyone who is a member of the 200th that could shed some light on hiring/lifestyle/ops tempo etc I would be very grateful! Cheers, Velo

I finish my Bachelor's May 2020 and will be rushing units beginning then. I currently pay the bills with single-pilot corporate flying and contract gigs, but I wonder if I should sign on with an established company after I graduate but before I'm hired by the military to make the most of my USERRA rights. I could continue to be a contract pilot which would give me the option to rush units on my own schedule (but my job wouldn't be protected through USERRA). Or try to join a regional with a flow program to one of the majors. Or join a large charter op such as XOJet, which also seems to have flow to the majors now. What are your suggestions/experiences?

I've heard of dudes doing their seasoning at locals other than their guard unit. My particular unit (A-10s) says they guarantee a two year seasoning period and lately I've been tossing around the idea of trying to do a year of that seasoning in Korea or Germany. Any thoughts from more experienced guys than myself on this?

I’m a MAF guy and my goal is to get an AD retirement at this point and just looking for opinions on what I should do. Have a few questions as well if you have time Does getting passed over twice for Lt Col affect me geting in the guard/reserves? Is it easier to get an AGR position in the guard or reserves, or at certain bases, etc? Is it worth the hassle to rush a unit, trough/bum, then be an ART with the hopes of getting an AGR position or should I just stay AD and ride out the next 5 years Anyone know anyone who got out after being passed over twice and regret it and/or wasn’t able to get a 20 year retirement that wanted it. Thanks!

How is the crew chief position in the ANG? Anyone willing to provide some info on what the job is like. My local unit flies fighters but I'm looking for feedback from any airframe. I've read the info listed on about.military.com I'm just looking for someone's opinion on the job. The good and bad. Thanks

Am I correct to assume it is business casual dress code when invited to visit during a UTA weekend?

I recently separated from Active Duty AF to finish my degree, BS in Aviation Flight, with the intention to apply to AF Reserve/Air National Guard units and compete for a pilot slot. Up until this point I have only been exposed to transport/cargo/refueling aircraft and pilots. The lifestyle of these pilots is very appealing to me, 3-4 month deployments, they can rack up hours a lot easier then a fighter/attack/bomber pilot could, possibly gain more relevant experience for the airlines with the utilization of CRM and working with an aircrew and even possibly be flying a militarized version of an aircraft utilized by airlines, Example: C-40, DC-10. My question is…

For about the past year, all I keep hearing back from units is that they are seeing record numbers of applications for their boards. I am starting to wonder if board applications overall are increasing, and also what affect that is having on odds. You can have great scores, great experience, and show up on drill weekends, but if there are consistently 150-200 applications each board the odds can still be rough. This may be anecdotal, but I started applying to fighter units approximately 3 years ago. The first year was great - I had a few interviews and got really good feedback from them. Then it all dried up, even though I increased the number of boards I applie…

Quick question. I am currently a new LT in a unit that is being BRAC'd to close. I know that I need to look for another unit to pick me up pretty soon since my unit gave me the blessing to start scouting out other units. However, I have strongly considered joining AD. I really enjoy the unit that I am in and the mentality of the guard/reserves, however, being a bum is not what it used to be with all the furloughed guys. When I first got hired, I didn't want to get a full time civilian job for the first few years so that I could be a dedicated bum and learn the ropes of flying with my unit and be dedicated to my unit. And I feel that if I did get a full time civilian…

I'm planning on applying to Guard and Reserve KC-135 units. Can somebody please let me know what the ops tempo is like for the Guard/Reserve -135's? Thanks.

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…

I just did my first PME course since the switchover to ASU happened about a year ago. Anybody have experience with points posting to PCARS with ASU yet? Do the points show up with each course you do (ie no changes)? If the points don’t show up, what proof do you have to give the PCARS people since AUSIS is now shut out of the process?

Hey ya'll, Has anyone heard of or known anyone to go to graduate school while flying part time in the ANG (specifically a fighter unit and a technical degree). If so, did they get an assistantship or fellowship or financial aid for grad school? I'll be graduating in May with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and would like to pursue a degree in Biochemistry, but would also like to fly for the ANG. However, a Ph.D before UPT would probebly be out of the question due to the fact that I turn 24 that June after graduation. I am afraid that after UPT/RTU/Mission Qual and flying part time, it would be hard for me to get into a grad school due to having to miss t…

I'm currently putting together my packet for the applications, and I had a couple questions about the letters of recommendation: 1. I know (very well) a retired Vice Admiral F/A-18 pilot, and regularly interact with F/A-18 pilots (I know, I'm very lucky). I also know a retired F-16 ANG guy pretty well, and a retired C-130 pilot (AD and reserves I believe). So I'm most likely going to choose the Vice Admiral and the F-16 pilot since I'm rushing fighter squadrons, but who do I choose as my third? Would a squadron be more interested in the F/A-18 pilots I work around, or a C-130 guy that I know through my dad, and happens to be a really good guy that helped talk me into…

I just found out that I was selected as an alternate. I'm happy (I guess) because the board just could have said "No Thanks". But, what are the odds of me actually becoming a primary canidate? and would my chances increase of getting selected next year with the same unit? (Believe me, I'm not hoping one of the primaries fails their FC1 or anything like that. I believe they worked just as hard as I did) But any info on the subject would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

First some background; I've been applying to almost every fighter board since 12/19, with no interviews, no feedback, no nothing. Fighters is the dream, specifically in the Great Lakes area (with the 115th being my "dream unit), but I'll go anywhere if hired. I saw the 115th posted a UPT board on their RC-26's, and I'm considering applying. Hypothetically, if I was hired there, would it be possible to prove myself as a pilot in the unit, and then possibly transition to the fighter side, or would I be locked it? Should I apply, or pass on this and keep pushing fighters? Abridged credentials: age 24, PCSM 94, Pilot 99, Nav 99 (rest of the scores are eh), BS with …

Hi guys, I'm 20yrs old, 2nd year of college and I want to become a pilot but am not sure which route to take. I have the opportunity to attend AFROTC as a cross town student and take extra classes to catch up since I would have already missed my first year. I do understand that pilot slots are very competitive in ROTC, and that coming in as an AS250, I would have to be sharp in order to have a good RSS (Relative Standing Score) since the commander would have a shorter time to get to know me. A couple weeks ago, I spoke to an air force C-17 pilot (reserves), he made me realize that perhaps the Air Force Reserves was a better option for me since I would be able to f…