bottlerocket

12-14 drop night results 3x F-15E Seymour-Johnson 3x U-28 Hurlburt 1x KC-135 McConnell 3x C-130 (1 of which was AFRC) Little Rock 1x EC-130 Nav Davis-Monthan 2x B-52 EWO Barksdale 2x RC-135 EWO Offutt 1x RC-135 Nav Offutt 1x B-1 Dyess 1x AC-130U Hurlburt 1x MC-130 Nav Cannon 1x AWACS Tinker

No I'm not looking for a magic answer. I'm just looking for something that isn't the same thing that in reality gives me nothing. I don't mentally have one foot out the door of UCT, I am just trying to plan ahead and anticipate what is down the road. Yes I understand I need to do well here, yes I know I need to do well at my FTU and at my MWS, there is no reason to talk down to me. If you feel the urge to do so again, I really suggest you take it elsewhere. I really don't have time for useless ignorant posts such as this. I made the mistake of not planning for the future when I was in school and when I realized my mistake, it was too little too late at the time, there was nothing I could do that could alter my course and get me to UPT. I do not want to make the same mistake twice. So that being said, and other than the glaringly obvious advice, I am curious as to other's actual experiences. Not rumors or other BS. I was told about a year ago by an F-15E pilot that he tracked WSO and upon arriving immediately went to UPT and that roughly 1 in 4 had the same opportunity. I am not sure if this sort of thing happens any longer, but things like this is what I'm looking for, trying to gauge my odds of making it. If there is a zero-percent chance that I will make it doing it the "normal" way, i.e. 3-4 years in my MWS, apply to the AD boards and pray for a waiver, etc, then I would rather go Strike Eagles and hope for UPT from there. Its those sort of things that are other options separate from the "hey put on a smile and enjoy your fate" sort of thing. And yes, Rainman, I can face a brutal truth. But there is no brutal truth here, only rumors and speculation.

Thats one of the most unfortunate things ever. Kinda goes against the whole point of my post. So you're saying if I'm happy with what I'm doing and not focus on being a pilot, it will magically happen? Wow, some people here are really good at completely and totally destroying dreams. So in your opinion there is 100% no way for me to have a shot, is that what you're getting at? Because I find that hard to believe. With the options like Palace Chase, AD boards, etc, there has to be some way to get in to UPT from where I am or where I'll be in the future before I turn 30

Everyone who is going, you MUST try the Steve's Special as a patty melt. Soooo tasty.

So this thread took a turn for strange... I guess that kinda sucks for me then. By the time I'm in my MWS for 3-4 years, I will be over 30 and beyond the cutoff for UPT. That was the whole point of this post to find out what else is possible. Hell even a reserve/guard spot, whether part or full time, would be just fine for me. I have every intention of working my butt off here and at my FTU. Its not like I'm slacking off at all, I'm working hard and taking every bit of info in that I can. I am just trying to find out other's experiences beyond "work hard". I'm speaking of other avenues to accomplish my goal or any other advice. Those terrify me. But honestly, I'd do it if it means flying. Greedy? Gotcha, ok well if I am ever an Eagle WSO and you happen to be flying some heavy, gimme a call and I'll trade you. I do not see it as being greedy. I see it as having a goal and knowing what makes you happy. We only have one life to live, if you're not doing what you're passionate about, you're wrong. Thats what I'm trying to get at. Sorry if I'd rather be in the front seat than the back. You're entitled to your opinion. They are all "interesting" in the way that intro to chem was interesting back in college. Its ooohs and ahhhhs, but its not the "holy crap this is amazing $*** that I want to do every waking moment for the rest of my life and sleep when I die" stuff. Thats how flying feels to me lol. I really appreciate all of the input here, but the sad fact is like I said previously... after finishing up here I do not have the years left to be able to apply to UPT. What really brought this on is me starting a family, getting married soon (no kids in the near future), etc. I am trying to think down the road at what happens next. Sure I'm happy as long as I'm in a jet, but being a CSO won't enable me to fly later on if the air force decides my services are no longer needed or something. Its not like I can go to the airlines or a charter company and be like "hey, I used to be a back-seater. Can I be a nav for you?" Yea, we know how that would turn out. It might be looking at the negative side of things, but I'm sure those of you with families can at least understand my perspective. Thats why I'm asking for advice specifically regarding my age and timeframe I have to get into UPT.

So I sit here now in Pensacola at UCT (do they even have an official name for this training yet?) and I feel its time to really start figuring out which road to take that would best get me to UPT. I have roughly 150 hours of flight time, instrument rating, 98 PCSM, etc, but a crappy semester from my freshman year is what killed it for me (that, and a brand new PAS at my det for the semester of boards, but I can hardly shift even a majority of the blame). As of right now I'm 26 and will be finishing up UCT later this year and thats (hopefully) where the process starts. I, like many on this forum, am dedicated to making it to UPT. I spoke with my Flt/CC about this because he went through the same deal. He asked what I thought I would be, a pilot, a fighter pilot, or a pilot who flew fighters (he drove the A10). I wanted to make that snap decision and say fighter pilot, I mean who wouldn't? Its badass and that childhood dream kind of stuff. But then it occurred to me that even in the T6 I wasn't enjoying it like I should. I absolutely love flying and everything about it, but I don't know if its a control issue or pride or what, but if I'm not the one flying, its just not right to me. I've come to the realization that I would just be a pilot (in answer to his question). I can whole-heartedly say that I would RATHER fly a C-5, KC-135, or whatever is the most opposite end of the spectrum from a fighter, than be a WSO on an F-15E. I'd rather be in control of a heavy than ride in the back of a fighter. Thats not to say I wouldn't prefer flying an F-16 or something of that nature, but hopefully you get my point. Time to get off my soap box now and get down to it... Like I said, I'm 26. When I graduate I'll almost be 27. That scares the crap out of me due to the age limit of 30 for starting UPT. Sure there are waivers, but in today's Air Force? Really? So where can I go from here? I do not want to try to blow my own horn here (sts) but as I sit now I am right near the top of my class and probably have the choice of airframe to go to provided its in the drop. Right now my plan is to go C-130 since that has the shortest FTU so that I can become operational and try to apply to the AD boards right away, instead of going F-15E WSO and having nearly 2 years of follow-on. So any of you guys out there have any knowledge in this matter? Any idea the earliest possible I can start applying for the boards? Or should I even now start networking at some of the reserve/guard units so I have options on the other end of training? And is there even an option for a switch mid-training? Hell if they ripped me out of UCT today and said I was gonna start UPT in a week and pack my crap and get going I would be at U-Haul within the hour. But thats not happening. If you've stuck with me this far I appreciate it, and any advice you may have to offer. I just hoped to express my desire to make it to UPT and not come across as some bitter kid who didn't get what he thought he deserved. I want to earn this.

Well getting in touch with anyone worth while at PCola is almost impossible. Damn place doesn't even have a base operator... I talked to Shelly over at Balfour Beatty and it sounded promising. She actually clarified that for the CSO students they DO have openings at the on-base townhomes (what they called them) that the Air Force specifically went to them and reserved for their students. The entire place used to be open to first come-first serve type of reservations, but when the AF moved down there they laid claim to a number of condos just for us. She initially told me there was quite a wait for housing for PCSing CGOs, but after she found out that I would be going to AF CSO school she informed me that I could get in easily. I also asked about living off base, which she told me was an option. I went further to clarify if I could only live off base if the on-base housing was full and she said no. I was informed that you have the option for either and are not forced to live in the townhomes. I plan to live in them anyway as I have several friends from my FTU as well as my ROTC Det that will be down there that I can room with. Even with a 3br townhome with only one other roommate, its only ~$700/mo and you keep the rest of your BAH. Pocket $300/mo? Yes, please