yerfer

All good points from everyone here. I know it may be coincidence, but over at Luke just about every pilot I've come across graduated from the academy and said they went there because getting a pilot slot was more promising. Also, I hear if you have medical issues they are a lot more forgiving and help you through the door into UPT. Just what I heard, but I could be wrong. What I've gathered from those that did the Academy or are in it right now... 1. Your first year you are going to be very controlled and it gets old really fast. Surprise dorm room inspections on weekends, no time for sleep, friends, women, or anything else that relates to a balanced life. You eat, breath, and sleep the chair force. I hear after your first year you get more freedom. 2. Its good for people who have a hard time pushing themselves. The military structure and knowing that you have zero room to fail will help you get good grades. Don't forget the extra curricular obligations that go with the education. If you can handle stress really well, you will do well at the academy. 3. I went to the academy to assure I'd get a slot. 4. The academy payed 100% of school. These are the main things I've heard, but of course theirs more. I did a year of ROTC and I will say in all honesty, I didn't like it for the fact that it was nothing like the real AF. You have to play the game and befriend all the dorks or they will hate you and make your ROTC life a living hell. When you are doing PT 3 times a week, having LLAB once a week, positions in the wing with responsibilities, you will be seeing and talking to a lot of your peers. The drama that went with it all wasn't worth it to me. School was my number one priority and ROTC was getting in the way of it all. I know some people will say otherwise, but each persons experience is different and I will admit that yours may not be the same. ROTC wasn't my thing and I found that out after a year of being there. Some people absolutely love ROTC to the point of obsession. If you do ROTC and apply yourself, you can do well and get a slot. Not everybody does though, ask around and you'll hear the stories of those who didn't make it. It happens, its life. What I can recommend if you decide ROTC is this. *Take the AFOQT early on and do well on it (the best you can). You have to pass that to stay in and you've only got 2 chances to pass it. Start studying now. A good way to prepare is buying a copy of the ARCO to give you an idea of what to expect format wise. Also study as much SAT/ACT information as possible. Sharpening up on your vocabulary will give you the upper hand on some of the test to, so be paying attention to words and what they mean. *Prepare for the PFT now. When the school season starts, you will take your first PFT pretty shortly and that PFT score of yours will leave a good first impression that you've taken the initiative to take care of your body before hand. *If you can get ahold of warrior knowledge, it will come in handy. For some of our ORI's we were asked to recite certain things that you will need to know. I believe the ROTC website has this? If not, ask around and you should be able to find it. *Learn to be tolerant of all people, because you will most certainly see some weirdo's in your group. If you can mingle with all of them, you will have a better chance of succeeding. *Work hard and never loose your temper, because it will be remembered, I promise. *Don't show up acting like you want to be a pilot. First show your desire to be an officer that wants to be a part of the AF regardless if you get to fly or not. If you show this and do your best, your actions will be noticed and you'll be someone people want to follow. You det should help you get a pilot slot if your what the AF is really looking for. *Stay on top of your grades. Getting behind can be the end deciding factor for not getting a pilot slot. Don't let it happen to you.

I know some will disagree, but I have seen much better results through sprint training. The long distance stuff can really tear up your shins, knees, and feet (yes even with good running shoes). Short distance is not only more intense, It'll help you build up a stronger lung capacity. Long distance running can get really boring if you don't have good scenery or someone motivating to push you through the bore of it all. Sprinting only requires a short distance and a short amount of time. You will be spent if you push yourself hard enough. Try sprint training and see how your long distance time cuts down. You should notice a difference in over all time. For a while in rotc pt we had people suffering to even finish the 1.5 mile run and as soon as sprint laps got in the training, people weren't just finishing the runs, they were coming out with good scores and better bodies. Can't argue with what works... Plus, can we even consider the AF PFT a "long distance run"? Is it just me, or does running on a tread mill indoors make you feel really disoriented and dizzy once your finished?

Not a flight doc, but from my experience you will most likely go in for a psych eval and from there you might get a waiver.

Come to think about it, Add 2 more to that list. The additional 2 were both pre-military Air Force. The other guys, no.

That guy is full of crap. Don't sweat it. Theirs more than one cadet in my det that went in as 300's and I know 1 got pilot and the other got nav (he's already finished his bachelors and going for the masters). It's not an everyday thing, but its not like it never happens. What you should worry about is getting your DoDmerb in good standing, and your AFOQT scores. If they are passing but not godly, do NOT worry, it's only part of the whole equation for getting a slot. More importantly be involved in the wing and don't be the tool apple polisher that everybody hates. Good attitude goes far and is noticed by the cadre and your fellow cadets. It can be hard to stay positive with the sea of idiots surrounding you, but maintain the good energy. For the guys who came in as 300's, they were here for a whole year and then left with the 200's this summer. If you don't make it into ROTC, shoot for OTS. Everybody makes it sound impossible, but if people are still making it, you may be one of those people if you apply. If that doesn't work, try the Marines or Navy. Your in a position to apply for an air contract with the Marines OCC (10 weeks of OCS) if you wanted. It's a great deal assuming your in good shape and have what it takes to lead an infantry unit and get dirty. An 85 for AF PFT won't get you far in the Marines. They don't mess around when it comes to physical standards. Train hard if your considering. What det are you looking at?

Excellent photos! Thanks for sharing. Must be some rough living conditions for those people. It's great to be in America!

I went on a base visit with my det to Holloman last year and was told that flying the 117 is like a TDY. Its not a main airframe assignment. We were also told that most N'hawk selects are usually from the Viper/Eagle community. Now 117 instructors...I'm not sure whats going to happen to them.

I'm sorry, but I'd get a doctor to check you out for an appendicitis. I had this EXACT problem and ended up in the ER. I know it sounds crazy, but your symptoms are similar. Heart burn doesn't result to vomiting. Are you having any tight tension in your lower back or butt area? When you push on your lower right abdomen does it hurt or feel full of pressure? If I'm wrong, than I'm wrong, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Imagine being in the air and having your appendix rupture. You don't want that and neither does the AF.

Its amazing the crap thats happening now a days. People are even scared to protect themselves now because of the outcome with the law. My buddy Sage had his face punched in with brass knuckles and the police told him as he's sitting there with a busted face cavity, "You did the right thing by not fighting back." WTF? YGBKM What happened to the old days? During the WWII era, you messed with someone, you'd get your ass pummeled and the law would tell you that you got what you deserved. People today make me sick.

I won't be able to help you with flight school. But I went for a incentive flight physical with ROTC a while ago. I was an idiot and had a Red Bull on my way that raised my blood pressure. Had to wait about 30 minutes to test again to prove I don't have it as a normal everyday problem. If your testing, try to stay away from any stimulants (Energy drinks, caffeine, etc). This probably doesn't help. But take it for what its worth. Good luck to you. Hope it gets resolved.

Before doing rotc I was in the process for going combat control (enlisted). The ending decision to stop that was going for pilot and finishing my degree. I got into rotc and saw a hand full of dudes who wanted CRO or STO. Not one of them got it and I knew that would happen from the first time I talked to each one of them about it. When you get the response that they've had little to no swimming experience you know they won't make it. I did swim team for years in my younger life and I will tell you, the swimming portion for SO isn't something you can work up to easily. You MUST be a great swimmer with a big lung capacity or your going to get flushed. That simple. I work out sometimes with a guy at the gym by my house who was para rescue and he said their were times in training where you literally drowned because of the intensity. There was only 40 guys in his class and only 5 graduated. The biggest flush was in the water training. He said it was the best times of his life but also the most dangerous. Eventually he had to switch fields (AF fire fighter) because he got a girl pregnant and has a daughter that needs a daddy. Being good at running on a track won't get you far in the SO field. If your getting a 9 flat on your 1.5 mile run, don't think your a candidate. Its about water and being able to survive in it. Big props to the SO community. They are deployed year round and deal with the worst of it all. Its a very select program for a reason.

In that case just keep your mouth shut. If your not having problems the majority of the time, its not worth noting or saying anything about. Say anything about allergies and your sure to run into problems. I say stay away from the Claritin and try eating differently. It could be something simple like the milk your drinking. No joke. If you are to "in tune" with your body and notice the smallest things, you are going to have problems if you get a slot and get a flt physical. Others may correct me on this, but from my experience, the smallest things can hold you back. So beware.

Your right. That stuff isn't a joke. I met a Hornet driver from the Marines a couple months ago that said he was coming over Phoenix and his WSO in the back said, Hey isn't it getting a bit cold in here? So he pulls one of his gloves off and looks down at his fingers and notices the blue underneath his fingernails and immediately pitches the plane down in a rapid descent. Some people get really messed up. Anybody read the story about Yeager trying to help his friend that was hypoxic? Guy was laughing his ass off hysterically and Chuck couldn't get him to descend. Actually, the guy sitting across from me in the chamber wasn't responding to any of us when we were telling him to put his mask on (vocally or with hand signs). The type of dude to show everyone how "fighter pilot" he was. Tried to fill out his whole sheet but was obviously fixated on one question. It was funny. Crew chief stands up, Hey who wants to fly with this guy someday? No raise of hands... Eventually he had to put his mask on for him.

Chamber visit to Holloman was pretty cool. The 6 hour briefing is interesting and boring. I couldn't help but feel like I would need most of it someday, so I stayed awake. Thank goodness the flight physiologist was a cool dude with lots of funny stuff to say and cool stories. Its important you come clean with them about any sinus problems. I remember them asking boldly more than once if anybody was experiencing any sinus or nasal congestion/pressure. They also mentioned in case someone had a problem with pressure in the chamber that they had a container of Afrin (spl?) on hand. Also, if you've recently had any work done on your teeth, let them know. A cadet from my det had severe pain because she had an air pocket in one of her teeth. I remember the rapid ascent to 9k while breathing oxygen. Your ears will adjust very quickly. Some people in my flight had pain, some didn't. As soon as we gave the thumbs up that everyone was cool we stayed there for 30 min. breathing oxygen and watching some lame comedy on the tv's inside the chamber. Let me note the chamber was packed (I think it fits 13?). All seats were loaded and you don't have much elbow room or space to sprawl out. So if your claustrophobic they'll have you go in before they start to see if you'll be able to handle it. Once they start they aren't going to open the door and let you out. If you need to drop a load or take a piss, do it before hand. I can promise you the constant change in altitude will mess with your stomach if you've gotta full tank of gas. They actually said let it out if you need to, we don't want people passing out on the floor (supposedly its happened). After breathing oxygen for a while we went up to 18k and they said, take your masks off and start breathing and grab the clipboard on side and begin filling out the questions, if you have more than 2 symptoms of hypoxia on the chart mark it off gang load your oxygen and give us the thumbs up your okay. From 18k they gradually brought us up to 26k. Hypoxia is said to sneak up on you, but I could honestly feel it as soon as we reached around 20k. I was actually sitting next to a guard pilot who clocked out the same time as me and said he could feel it to. Tingling of nose, hot & cold feeling in hands, and slight blue coloring in the finger nails (you can't look at your own nose). Anybody else do the lights out color wheel at 18k? That was trippy. All in all it was a great experience IMO. The whole ride in the chamber was about an hour long and by the time its over, your ready to get out. About the ASU chamber at Williamsfield campus. It was left behind from when the Air Force use to be there. My geology teacher mentioned he tried to get permission for a ride but was declined due to insurance reasons. Check it out though.

I'm not. If someone goes up and see's that flying isn't their deal, they won't apply for a pilot slot. If they go up and love it, maybe that'll be their extra boost of motivation to do better in school and rotc to get it. I heard some kid from the academy came down for a ride. Super stoked on becoming a fighter pilot, already had his pilot slot. So there he is, ready for his first incentive ride in a fighter. The dude freaked out half way through the flight and turned down his pilot slot afterwards. Happens. Incentive flights are a great way to see if flying is a real interest. JMO. I've seen cadets come back from rides more pumped than before about flying. I've also seen people come back acting like it wasn't a big deal or something they want any part of.

Being that Luke AFB is only a 30 minute drive from our det, we get some good hook ups with incentive rides. Its pretty strict for us. Gotta have a passing DoDmerb, egress, incentive physical, a retarded order of merit set up, and you've gotta be chamber certified (done at Holloman and coming out of your own pocket) to go above 18,000 and because its not like some airmen thats getting a custom flight set up for him thats below 18k, we take what we can to stay out of the way of training and the missions. So its, "Get in, sit down, shut up, and hold on". Not a bad thing though considering your going for a ride in a multi million dollar fighter that most airmen would kill you over if they wouldn't get caught. The looks we get while on base from the enlisted airmen are scary enough.

I'd probably cut your hair. When I went in for my first orientation my hair was a full on crazy mullet with grooves cut in the side. Looked sick, but it probably gave off a wild impression. Cutting it won't hurt you. Getting psyched out is a waste of energy. School and ROTC will drain you enough, so focus more on the things you need to work on than worrying. Pilot selection is competitive, but if your doing what you should be doing your chances are good.

In my experience, being a cross town student has been good and bad. The good news is I get a better education at the community college and its a little closer to home. The bad news is I have to hop from one school to another and find parking there (which is a PAIN here). The other bad news is not being able to put in as much face time. Most of the people who live around campus hang out around the det pretty often and have that reputation advantage. However, theirs a fine line with this in my observation. To much face time and you'll just look like a tool. I consider myself very fortunate. We've got a few cadets that drive almost 2 hours one way. They have to leave at 4 to make it to PT and LLAB on Thurs. One of them had to drop because he was driving OVER 2 hours and the mileage was killing his car and wallet. Great cadet, but the situation wasn't practical for him or his family. He'll probably go OTS later. Unfortunately, you'll have the disadvantage of having to crush your time management skills even tighter. If your getting to bed really late and getting up super early, your going to put a big toll on your body and mind. Your PT will suffer, and worse...your grades. So be wise with the time you have to get stuff done. Good luck to you. Your devotion to anything you do will show. Work hard.

Oh yes, the female pilot scene. Reminds me of a time back at the air show over here at Luke. At the time my girlfriend was interested in being a pilot for the AF and noticed a female pilot (F117/Viper) walking around. So she thought, I'll go talk to her and see what it was like as a women going for a pilot slot. Let me back track. Earlier that day while I was by myself I spoke with this woman and she wasn't to friendly about talking pilot details (at the time I was just starting the rotc route and had some questions). I eventually got the red flag that she didn't care much for conversation and so I bailed. Back to my gf wanting to chat with said woman. We both walk up to her again and my gf introduces herself and says, Hey I'm interested in getting a pilot slot through ROTC. What can you tell me about it? So this lady lifts her eye brows in sheer excitement and turns to me and gives me a dirty look, like bug off. She pulls my girlfriend off to the side for a half an hour and lowers her voice the whole time so I can't hear a dang thing. WTFO? Turns out, she gave my girlfriend her personal cell phone #, e-mail address, and account information to an "all girl online pilot forum" so they can stay in touch as 'girls'. Ridiculous.

Awful. I did officer shadowing through the 62nd.

Don't sweat your push ups so much. I maxed at 75 this last PFT (62's the limit) and then ran a 10 flat on the run and came up with a 95. The run should be your biggest priority. Most of our cadets have zero upper body strength and yack around 50 push ups, if that. But when it comes to running, we've got some real sticks haulin butt. Makes no sense to me, but I guess the Air Force likes runners...

When I was 17 I did a 6 month cycle of Accutane. Blood tests once every month, small hair loss, blurred vision, easy bruising, muscle and bone aches, and EVERYTHING dried out. My skin sure cleared up...for about 6 months, and then came back. All that hell for nothing. Accutane was miserable. I don't recommend it to anybody. Isotretnoin is extremely strong stuff and can mess you up in the long run. Not worth it. In the long run I came across a program that was natural and actually worked. It has to do with balancing your bodies hormones, lowering candida, and taking healthy bacteria (L-acidophilus) to keep your colon from storing toxic material (candida being a big one). Dude, its not worth it. Get off the Accutane (be sure to let your doctor know your going off, I know someone who went off it cold turkey and had some severe side effects), be happy, drink more water than usual to get you back to normal. The acne will pass. If you have any questions, PM me.

As far as I know, you can go ROTC right now. I don't 'think' you have to be off the medication for a year for normal GMC (General Military Cadet). Just can't be on it when you join ROTC, from what I've heard. DOUBLE CHECK that with whatever detachment your thinking about joining. Now, for swearing in as a member, I'm pretty sure you've gotta be off meds for a year, minimum. Correct me if I'm wrong guys. But, I know this is the case for Marines. I never said you can't get a military scholarship for this problem. Just know that they are competitive. They will take a look at your high school GPA, and I think your current college GPA (if your in). You will also need to take and pass the AFOQT (you've got 2 shots). You will take it before you get the scholarship. You will also swear in after you go to MEPS and hopefully pass (military phsyical). THAT is where you'll possibly run into trouble. But don't take my word for it. For flight physical......That's a long long ways away from now. So focus on the here and now. All in all, I would search the website of the exact detachment of whatever ROTC wing your looking at joining and read through the site details and if you can, make a visit and further investigate your options. Just don't be an overly desperate spaz. Thats usually a red flag that your a no go. Never pass up the opportunity to use the search engine here. Good luck.

No, you do not need a medical background check to get into ROTC (assuming you won't be going in under ROTC scholarship). However, Any civil or criminal offense stuff is expected from the beginning. Other than that, you go to a simple physical to assure your fit for PT (physical training) which is 3 days a week. Air Force doesn't just wanna see that your doing well in school, work or sports. They want to see stable human beings that behave professional no matter where their at. ROTC is going to require you to not just do well in school, and physical activities, but leadership as well. You will further your leadership skills and responsibilities as you move up each year. You'll also be given personal assignments (squadron/flight stuff). Bottom line. If you don't get off your medication and learn to do life without it, your doomed for a career in the Air Force. If you can't do that, Its no big deal. The military isn't for everyone.

Not a flight doctor, but I will tell you, I am in the same boat. I've heard mixed things from people (couple different flight doctors to). If I were you, I'd look ROTC route. One of the biggest parts in getting that slot (ROTC) is CC recommendation. If he/she can see that your normal and worth the Air Forces time, you'll probably be fine. I can see OTS being a problem since they don't have much to base your issue off of. ROTC allows military personal to view your behavior under stress and how you work with a team. Do good in school, ROTC assignments, CC ranking, PT scores, and if haven't already (wouldn't hurt) get some flight time/knowledge to add to it. Do everything you can to show your gold and I think (IMO) that you'll be alright. Get off the med's if you haven't already. I believe its 1 year minimum if your applying OTS. Mood disorder isn't that big of a deal. Everyone pretty much has it. Now if you were Bipolar or Skizzo, then your in trouble.... From what I understand, it is a vague diagnosis. Who doesn't have stress brought on my situational challenge? But know this, if you present yourself like your worried about it, you'll probably run into more hurdles. Present yourself like an Officer and stay relaxed. I've spoken with pilots who got waivers for some really funky stuff. Stay positive. You wanna ask me any questions about my situation, PM me.