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Rycast

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  1. Does anyone know a good officer recruiter in Virginia, for USAF active duty? I keep getting routed back to a particular recruiter. I've worked with her before, and I want to work with someone else.
  2. Haha, that's awesome. It sounds like I haven't given FD enough consideration. It's also good to know there are guys older than me still pursuing this dream. I was starting to feel like the old guy, especially when considering doing ROTC (I'm almost a decade older than some of these kids). I agree, I rushed an F-15 unit and felt like a very small fish in a big pond. I was the only guy without at least a PPL, and most guys had their commercial and/or were flight instructors, airline pilots, etc... it made me feel like perhaps I'm being unrealistic about the ANG fighter dream. What about active duty infantry? I was actually considering giving up the flying dream altogether and going all-out Army. I think I'd enjoy Ranger school, but I'd miss the flying. I do know of a fellow VT-grad who became a green beret officer, but his career ended in a horrible friendly-fire incident. Stories like that give me a lot of doubt. Another angle I could take is use the ROTC to pay for my degree and then just do 8 years of Army reserves with no active duty. Would this stop me from applying to ANG/AFRC units for a pilot slot? I thought about asking my recruiter these questions, but honestly I don't trust him. I'm not even sure I believe him in regard to my ability to get a scholarship... he said "I can get you a scholarship," but I've heard the deadline to apply for a 2-year Army academic scholarship was April 15th (which I missed). Right now I'm slated to spend a month in Basic Camp before really knowing if I have a scholarship. And this is a good month I could spend flying. If I go, I'll also miss the entrance exam for a really good police department I was looking at in Texas. I agree - part of me just wants to go back to school for the experience. I didn't have the best college experience, so it would be a chance for a do-over. But I did manage to finish school with no student loans, so I don't really want to make that mistake while getting my master's. I'm considering just moving to Tallahassee, staying there for a year to get residency, working odd jobs and flying ... then if I like the place, get my master's, all while applying to ANG/AFRC and PD/FD positions in Texas and other areas. I feel like I probably overthink my decisions, haha. Thanks for all the info! You guys are a great help.
  3. Thanks for the replies, everyone. I think the general consensus is that the Army could be a mistake (at least as an officer). It's great to hear that several of you got picked up at age 28... I had pretty much decided I would either do active duty USAF or ANG fighters, but maybe that's kind of silly. I started rethinking active duty after reading a lot of the "Leaving for the Airlines" thread on this forum. STOIKY, was that for a heavy unit that you got picked up at? FDNYOldGuy, it's awesome to hear from someone who has lived in both places. What are the chances of that? Haha. From the sound of it, you would suggest going to Tallahassee to get the degree and finish my flying, but not do the Army? Then move to Austin later... that sounds like a viable option. I have an assistantship offer through the school of Communications, so my degree is more or less paid for either way (barring out-of-state tuition, but at least it will pay for most of it). I've found a flight school in Tallahassee that has a fleet of Piper Warriors, which I prefer flying compared to the C152/172s that most schools have. It's also pretty unique in that all of the flight instructors are either ex-military or highly experienced instructors. I think having an experienced flight instructor really helps... I did notice that the airport in Austin was pretty far away from town, with no real brick-and-mortar flight school available. The most immediate concern is money, considering that I've been throwing my flight training on loans. I figured with a PD job (or at least one lined up), I could help pay for the flight training and living expenses. Doing ROTC doesn't really fix the money problem, since they would only pay me $450 a month for the 2 years I'm at FSU (besides paying for the degree). I had even considered moving to NYC a few years ago, but the cost of living there is even higher. I've considered FD as well, but maybe not as much as I should have. How does the pay compare to police? I'm still kicking myself for not applying to the Navy for a pilot slot before I was 26... hindsight is 20/20, I guess. Thanks again.
  4. Age: 28 (will be 28.5 in October 2018) AFOQT: 1st Try: 82 Pilot / 72 Nav / 64 Acad Apt / 83 Verb / 45 Quant TBAS: 2nd Try: 68 (up to 92 at 201+ hours; currently at 21 hours) LORs: 1 Retired Air Force pilot, 2 College Professors, 2 Former Employers GPA: 3.63 (Dual B.A.'s from Virginia Tech) I applied active duty USAF as pilot only in 2016 and was not selected. I have been applying to ANG fighter units with no luck. Now the Army is offering me a scholarship to get my master's as long as I do it before I turn 31. I think I'd rather have a non-flying Army job than Air Force. My options: 1. Go to Florida State University and do Army ROTC. Upsides are that I'll get my master's for free, hopefully have fun at FSU, and get to commission as an officer. The downsides are that I'll have to give up flying, Tallahassee kind of sucks, I'll have to commit to 10 years with the Army (2 in school, 4 active, 4 reserve), and the degree is a somewhat worthless Master's in Communications. 2. Go to Austin or Dallas, where I've found several police jobs that I think I have a good chance of getting. I've always wanted to be in the military or be a cop. The pay is better than the Army (up to $63k starting). I could fast track my PPL next month and apply for a few more units before I'm 29. I could also pursue my MBA online at Liberty University (got accepted for the MBA there, but not for the MBA at FSU). In case you can't tell, I'm leaning toward Texas. But part of me feels like if I don't do something in the military, I'll always regret it. Then again, I want to finish up my PPL. I hate quitting stuff and flying is in my blood (3rd generation pilot, haha). Questions: Is Army aviation as an officer worth pursuing? I've also considered enlisting, but it seems dumb to do it at 28 with two degrees. I've searched around about ANG age waivers, and the general consensus seems to be that they are long shot. Correct? I still have one AFOQT retest available. But is this a waste of time now? I'd almost certainly be 29 by the time a board meets. Thanks in advance for any advice / wisdom. I know this is a very personal choice, but maybe you've had similar.
  5. I've gotta have this signed (or not) by tomorrow, can anyone provide a yes or no if they had to sign something like this for an officer commission? It looks to me like if I sign this, I could be legally held at MEPS until I accept an enlistment contract and take an oath. See attached doc: MEPS Brief (Group).pdf It's just strange to me that I didn't sign anything like this before.
  6. Hey everyone, I'm applying active duty for the 2nd time. My first time was pilot only. I'm on the fence about whether to apply for all officer positions or pilot only again. My recruiter is really pushing for me to apply for all officer positions. I'm not sure I want to. Anyway, I have to redo my medical at MEPS and she has a new form for me to sign before I get there. It says, "I understand that I am going to the MEPS to join the Active Duty Air Force, take the oath of enlistment, sign a contract and I will enter the Air Force Delayed Entry Program (DEP)." I never had to sign a contract or take the oath of enlistment while at MEPS last time I applied for a commission. I asked her about this and she says "this only applies to enlisted applicants." If that's the case, why am I signing this? I'm paranoid about signing things after having been ripped off in the past, so if anyone can ease my mind about this, I'd appreciate it. Thank you.
  7. It's mid-January now... anyone heard anything else from Jacksonville?
  8. My first time around with the TBAS, my PCSM was 52 and 201+ hours score was 87. After retaking, my PCSM is 68 and 201+ hours score is 92. I studied my ass off for the TBAS. Planning on retaking the AFOQT as well.
  9. 162nd just announced it was an Iraqi pilot (1 on board). https://twitter.com/162ndFW
  10. I would never consider going in as RPA in the hope of being upgraded to pilot - but that's just me. Retake the test! You should be able to raise all of those scores, especially verbal. Yes, the PCSM matters a lot for pilots. 80 is good, 90 is better. You don't need to post your topic 3 times, once is enough.
  11. We're in the same boat, OP. I'm 27, turning 28 soonish. Just retook the TBAS and probably will retake the AFOQT. The fact that you'll already have your PPL is a huge plus. Still working on mine. Anyway, if you quit trying, the chances of selection are nil. Have you taken the TBAS yet? Might as well get it out of the way... Good luck!
  12. Judgesmails: Speaking as someone who started studying/applying to boards 1.5 years ago and has yet to get picked up, I think you need to stop "considering applying" and start applying. Apply Navy, USMC, USAF, ANG - everything. Apply for pilot only, if you like. Take your best offer. In all likelihood, you'll have to apply more than once to get anything. I waited a little too long on the Navy and just hit the 27 year age limit, so don't make the same mistake. That being said, a lot of the guys on this board are/were active duty pilots in the USAF, USMC, etc. - I'd take their opinions over your gut feelings. I too was initially more interested in the Navy, but the more I read, the more I realized USAF is probably a "better deal" if you just want to fly jets. And ANG is the "best deal." When a USMC pilot like VMFA187 tells you that the Air Force generally has more proficient pilots and might fly more - as well as that prioritizing the ANG is a good idea - I think that should be enough to make you reconsider your preferences. Or at least, it should make you consider applying to multiple branches. After all, if you're like me, your initial preference might be based on what color of wings you get, the movie Top Gun, and that letter by Bob Norris that everyone has already read. I just checked your profile and it looks like your 19 years old and don't have your bachelor's? In that case... apply as soon as you can, I guess. Time flies.
  13. Thanks guys, I'll call my nearest ROTC unit and schedule the TBAS. The more I think about it, the more ANG seems appealing. But I wouldn't be opposed to applying all positions as a last resort...
  14. Reviving my dead topic again. I was planning on applying for Active Duty again, last month. My recruiter said it was too close and to wait for the next one. Now it's time for the next one, but she basically has told me that she won't work with me unless I apply for all officer positions (not just pilot only). She said she cannot "make me a priority" if my goals do not align with the "needs of the Air Force." I tried contacting Air Force recruiting and they routed me back to her. I'm weighing my options. I know I can get my PCSM up by retaking the TBAS. Can I retake it without a recruiter? I'm considering going along with her BS just so I can retake the TBAS, then apply to ANG units. I should have my PPL soon - then I might retake the AFOQT as well. But I'm 27 - turning 28 next April. If I do want to go active duty, this may be the AD last board I'm eligible for without an age waiver (correct me if I'm wrong). If I apply for all positions and decline a non-pilot position, I'm assuming this looks bad for ANG units as well. Any input is appreciated.
  15. Thanks, I ended up sticking it all in an air mail flat rate mailer. Just wanted to make sure people weren't getting theirs bound and embossed with leather covers or something, lol.
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