UPT-hopeful

If you're having problems getting interviews (or simply just worried about it), make sure your packet doesn't suck. Be sure to include everything that is asked and in the form they want it. For instance, one unit I applied to wanted a very simple packet: Plain 8.5 x 11 white paper. A single staple in the upper left hand corner. Fill out these forms and attach. That's it. No more, no less. I can imagine the guys who didn't follow these instructions had their packets tossed in the "no" pile. I've talked with some of the people who separate packets and they have said they can't believe the amount of trash that gets sent in. One unit that requested applicants to send in photos had a guy send in a picture of himself in a pink tutu. I'll let you figure out if he got asked to interview. Use the top shelf crayons when filling out the paperwork. While I was never one to go over the top with my packets and have them professionally bound and all that crap, I let them represent my work ethic and spent time making sure I didn't misspell things or say on my cover letter "I really want to fly Eagles with you guys" when the unit flew Vipers. I agree with MDINC - posting scores is mostly worthless. You'll find people have been selected with all kinds of qualifications (or lack there of). Also, I don't know if it was only lip service, but every board I met said before the interviews "you are all on the same page now. you've been reset to 0 and we're going from there" (in regards to scores, flying hours, etc). [ 09. October 2005, 15:25: Message edited by: UPT-hopeful ]

Although I tried, I was unable to visit the unit I was selected for. However, I would've liked to have visited prior to the interview. Based on the 3 boards that I met previously, I was more relaxed and felt that it helped my interview that the board already knew my name and had seen me before. Of course having face time does not guarantee an interview or selection, but it can help. Interesting stat: I was selected to interview 100% of the time when I visited the unit (all FWs). On the other hand, units that I didn't visit, I was only selected to interview 50% of the time (this is slightly skewed, there were only two units I did not visit that I applied to before being selected for primary). [ 09. October 2005, 15:12: Message edited by: UPT-hopeful ]

My thoughts on all that stuff (keep in mind I know nothing, have never sat on a board, etc. I have met 4 different boards, though) Most of the folks applying look the same on paper. That's great. Instead, worry more about visiting the unit a couple of times. That way, when your packet comes across their desk they can say "oh yeah, he's not a complete tool, let's invite him out." I sent a lot of packets out and the first 3 interviews I got were all from units I had visited previously during drill weekends and had personally dropped my packet off. It was brought to my attention several times that the units looked higher upon those who made the effort to come out prior to interviews. It'll also give you a head start during the interivew -- they'll have already seen/talked to you so the 20 or so minutes of the interview can be better spent. Edit: I realize I didn't answer any of your questions, but that's my point. As long as you're "passable" (the NGB isn't going to question their decision), then the difference between a 92 and a 99 PCSM isn't a big deal, in my experience. [ 09. October 2005, 14:22: Message edited by: UPT-hopeful ]

Congrats on getting alternate. I always said (to myself) that if I ever got an alternate slot, I'd bust the primary's knees myself - Tonya Harding style. Joking of course. I'm not an expert on any of this by any means, but I have heard of several alternates over the past couple of years being sent to UPT for one reason or another. I'd tell the folks who are in control of setting up class dates in the unit that you can leave at the drop of a hat should anything come up. Tell them you have your bags packed and are ready to go. If it doesn't happen this year, yeah you'll have a better shot next year, but of course it's not guaranteed. The governor's son could be interviewing. [ 19. September 2005, 18:55: Message edited by: UPT-hopeful ]

Summa down nah. What would Donna Summer's name look like in the phone book? Summer Donna Just relax. No reason to get all bent out of shape. [ 13. June 2005, 17:12: Message edited by: UPT-hopeful ]

That's the PCSM score website, probably. It's variable on your AFOQT Pilot score and your BAT performance. http://www.aetc.randolph.af.mil/SAS/pcsm/. Your hours/PCSM score isn't linear so you can't break it down to 1hr/2.43 PCSM pts. The earlier hours count more towards your score.

Yes, until you're certified by the FAA to fly the type of airplane, glider, or airship, all logged hours must be from a certified flight instructor. At least until you're endorsed to fly solo. Then you can fly yourself (w/o passengers, obviously).

Yes, a private certificate is going to run you around that much. Feel free to shop around your local area for better rates/deals. You can pay per hour. Most flight schools/clubs offer [at times significant] discounts for purchasing block hours. They usually want $500 - $1000+ upfront, but you can possibly save $10 - $20+/hr for the rental of the plane. If it fits into your budget, for the same price you can squeeze a couple extra hours out by doing this. Key and Sallie May both offer loans that you can pay for flight training with. Kind of like a student loan. [ 01. June 2005, 08:54: Message edited by: UPT-hopeful ]

What gain would you have by telling him you're going after a guard slot? It's none of his business as far as I'm concerned. The whole game is to make everyone you talk to (the guard units and the ad recruiter) think that they're the only one on your mind. Of course I'm not telling you to lie, but there is no need to offer up information that he doesn't need to know. Plus, if he asks you, you can just dodge it. "I've thought about applying to a couple guard units... I heard OTS slots are getting harder to come by and I just want to fly for the Air Force!" You don't have to go into specifics. None of this is based on experience... just my thoughts on things.

You can. Those positions are hard(er) to get, though. [ 02. April 2005, 14:10: Message edited by: UPT-hopeful ]

My cousin flew Harriers in the Marines for a while (just moved to another airframe). He only averaged a little over 100 hrs a year. Talk about suck.

http://www.f-16.net/f-16_news_article1333.html UAVs fun times.

FYI for Mustang fans: http://www.mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/p51sh...6/gmlhome.shtml

Dudes, I don't think he wants how to use the whiz wheel in practice. He wants the mathematical formula so he can make an Excel spreadsheet out of it (at least thats what I got from the post). And if that's the case, xwind stuff on the whiz wheel is just a visual representation of vectors.

It's just vector algebra (with trig), I believe.

Depends on what you want to fly... I'm working towards a fighters through ANG and it's pretty freakin' tough to get those slots. Probably easier to get an OTS slot that way. I don't know much about the heavy side of things in regards to ANG/AFRES Dude, also no need to slam every topic with this post... We'll see it and get to it. [ 18. February 2005, 13:02: Message edited by: UPT-hopeful ]

If you're using FireFox try this... First, click: http://www.ejbdotcom.net Then, (this is important) in that SAME window, paste the link below and you'll be able to download it then. If you don't, you'll get perm denied (you need their cookie or something.. I haven't done much research into it, but this will work if you do it correctly). http://www.ejbdotcom.net/humor/videos/file...rybodydance.wmv [ 10. February 2005, 22:44: Message edited by: UPT-hopeful ]

c17.. GA Tech doesn't count! Everyone knows that Tech's stats are pretty crappy for trying to get some strange. When you take into account the fatties and uglies, it only gets worse. Why else did I go to State?

Fort Rucker. Alabama. http://www-rucker.army.mil/

If you apply for OTS as a civilian, you know before hand if you're going to UPT or not. Also, individual guard units have different due dates for their packets based on when they're having their selection board. You'll need to contact each unit you're interested in to find out that date. [ 02. January 2005, 12:26: Message edited by: UPT-hopeful ]

I agree with all of that TUG, but my problem is some units say "we don't allow you to visit prior to being interviewed". I love it when some units say "come on down!" and I take them up on that offer. It's the ones that don't allow visits that I'm worried about. Thanks for the feedback!

Some units allow (and encourage) off the street folks to come visit prior to board interviews, which is cool. Other units strictly don't allow it. Is that their way of letting us know that they pretty much only hire within? Seems to me the chances of getting picked up to work with a unit for 20+ yrs based on a 5 page packet and a 20 minute interview are pretty slim. Thoughts?

You may not have the correct codec. Are you using Windows Media Player 9 or 10? Those should work just fine. [ 09. December 2004, 17:58: Message edited by: UPT-hopeful ]

Yeah, that's because you dudes already blew through the bandwidth quota I set on that account so I didn't go over my own. How many people d/l this thing? I've given that acct a couple more gigs of bandwidth. It has about 4 gigs left for this month, but once you guys blow through that it will have to wait till next month until I reopen it again. Make sure you people right-click save as so when you want to watch it you don't have to stream it again. It'll be more enjoyable for everyone that way! Cheers!

YEAH, I know. Only took a couple of days last month for 300+ people to download that 75 meg file and blow through my bandwidth quota [ 08. December 2004, 22:20: Message edited by: UPT-hopeful ]