JBueno

One member of the board went through a brief list of "Have you ever ________" Gotten a speeding ticket, been arrested, had an FAA violation, etc. They're just looking for trends. Just sack up and say you were speeding. It won't kill your pilot slot. If you failed a check ride, be prepared to explain why you failed, what you did wrong, and how the re-check went. Most importantly, tell them what you learned. At another interview, with a unit that 95% of the time doesn't fly into combat areas, one member of the board asked me how I'd feel about "stepping out of the plane, taking a rifle and blowing some motherf*****s away." I'm pretty sure he was just messing with me, since the rest of the board stopped him and asked what he was talking about. "If both units you're interviewing with offer you a slot, where will you go?" "Where did you get your sense of patriotism?" "You're 28. Why didn't you do this sooner?" "How did you prepare for the AFOQT?" (I was surprised at this one, but I think he wanted to know how I'd study at UPT). "What does your wife think of you being gone for two months at a time?" "Does your wife know it gets cold here?" "What does your wife do? How old is your son? Do you want more kids?" "How did you pay for the ratings you have?" "What will you do if you don't get this slot?" "Tell us about yourself." - Be brief and to the point. Don't drone on with The History of My Life, Volume I. Two things that aren't interview questions, but they're good to keep in mind: Hang out with the guys if you're invited, but don't get wasted. Watched one guy drink half of the bottle he brought as a gift to the squadron. Like a train wreck in slow motion. No dice for him. Don't insult anyone, even if it's obvious that you're joking. As an off-the-street applicant you are the part of the totem pole that sticks in the ground. Especially at guard units, people are family. Saying something negative about a recruiter, E-2, or whoever, will not impress the board or anyone, even if that person can't stand recruiter so-and-so.

I had a benign osteochondroma (bone tumor) removed from my lower femur. By definition, an osteochondroma is a benign tumor. It's more or less a small branch that shoots off during bone growth and development, and is capped by cartilage. Tumor was removed, they double checked in the lab, no cancer. No kind of therapy needed and never a problem since. I have a 3-inch scar on my leg from where they took it out, and I've stayed very active and healthy since then; no broken bones, etc. Today I got a call from Brooks saying they needed further documentation about treatment, doctor's visits, etc. Nothing major, but the gentlemen started mentioning "waiver" and "disqualification from flying". My pucker factor increased mildly. I've researched this in the regulations; all I've seen are regs concerning cancerous tumors (in the Air Force Waiver Guide). What I had was basically a glorified bone spur. Has anyone had trouble with this before? Did it even requires a waiver? Will they see the hospital report of "non-cancerous" and say, "Ok, cool," and move on, or will there be more paperwork and research/testing involved?

I didn't see anything previously posted on pay at AMS. I know we're paid as E-5, with BAH, etc. For those who've gone through, what's your experience been? Did it go into your account bi-weekly, or was it all one big lump sum after all was said and done? Trying to figure out if I should pre-pay a few bills or let them glide on auto-deduct. Thanks for the help.

Gearpig, do we really want UPT hopefuls on BaseOps getting their dreams dashed with loss of eyesight?

I'm guessing what an E-3 gets drill weekends since that's what you're most likely participating in (or lurking at), unless they have you on some kind of full-time status.

Glad to know my interviews were all before lunch. Just a word of advice: if your squadron does ask for a picture, look the part. Not you with a red cup in your hand smiling. Tie, jacket, etc.