[Upcoming Boards]

Got the TBNT from DC today. 
 

Best of luck to the interviewees! 😎

[Current A-10 retirement status?]

What is the current status with ‘hawg retirement? I have heard various opinions such as they are re-winging all 281 aircraft (implies non of them are going to be retired). I’ve also heard that they’re planning on retiring about 40 or so aircraft, and several of those will be from guard units. Any concrete answers out there? Or is it a constant variable depending on politics and current day events? Fingers crossed they’ll keep all 281 🤞

[AD UPT Unmanned pilot possibility?]

2 hours ago, TurnHer4 said:

To the OP. No one here is trying to "crap" on you. @HU&Wgave you feedback that some people pay for. There is a shit ton of knowledge on this forum, I'm sure that's why you came here. Take that feed back and apply it. You wanna do CAS,  A-10s and Vipers are the way to go. If you end up AD, the Strike Eagle does a lot of CAS. (Check my math, but I don't think the Strike Eagles Reserve unit hires off the street) When you say you want CAS and then mention the F-35/F-22, but don't mention the Viper, it throws some people off. That is where the research piece comes in. Look into the Viper more. You simply know what you want, that may be true. However, the feedback you're getting here is to keep an open mind. As someone that hasn't been through UPT (myself included...hoping for Vance sometime in 2020) you don't know if you'll like that type of flying yet. They are only speaking from experience. I say keep pushing for what you want, with an understanding that for some reason or another, you may not end up there. But where ever it is, you'll like it. If you haven't already, look into some Viper Guard/Reserve units.  

I actually had vipers as my number 1 up until about a year ago when I got the chance to meet some hawg pilots. Between them, and hearing from some friends what the A-10’s are doing in current conflicts made me place it number 1. Tbh F-16’s are probably 2 or 3. The point of the post, was to get feedback from other people on RPA’s, and whether I should look into active duty at this stage of my application process. I know things change regularly in the Air Force so that’s why I was asking about it. 

[AD UPT Unmanned pilot possibility?]

4 hours ago, HU&W said:

Interesting thread. To the OP, please consider some advice. You have a lot of passion, and decent objective stats. If your posts here had been an interview, I would put you as a maybe. Your core claim of purpose has a few flaws. “I’m hugely passionate about attempting to become a fighter pilot, not for the “cool” factor but because I truly feel an intense passion for the mission, especially CAS.”  Specifically, combined with your major concern “I know for a fact I wouldn’t want to fly drones.”  These statements together mean you’re either ignorant (have not done your research) or dishonest (it really is for the cool factor). Perhaps neither of these are true, but that’s the way it comes across to this old salt. I’d recommend analyzing what your priorities really are, and go after them without any shame or false humility. 
 

Good luck. 

Thank you for your honest feedback. I understand how saying those things could come across as not being congruent. I, however, would say that I have done my research, and I am not being dishonest. I simply know what I want and what I feel a passion for. It may not make sense to some, but it makes sense to me. I like manned piloting. I like aerobatics. I love the mission of CAS. I also like Air-to-Air. Those are what speak to me as a person. That’s not to say I don’t or won’t consider other options.
 

I really do appreciate your advice! Since it comes across in ways I’m not intending it to, I probably won’t bring it up again. Like I’ve said before, I do not know everything. I am not perfect. I am not a military pilot, so I don’t know things that the majority of you all may know. I appreciate you taking your time to help me out, and I hope I’m not coming across as ungrateful, because I really appreciate you pointing that out to me! 

3 hours ago, bfargin said:

No shame in knowing you'd rather not serve in the military if stuck with drones (my feelings exactly if they had been around when I went through), but I wouldn't necessarily say it out loud. Just stress your desire to fly military "fast" jets and stick with Guard/Reserves.

Thank you, I agree...maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned it. It’s “something I’ve wanted to do for my whole life” and leave it at that. I just hate the stigma of wanting to do a popular specific mission and then getting crapped on because people (who have never met me) think my intentions are wrong.
 

Maybe some of my best friends are actually on the frontlines and I want to be the guy physically there to help them. So they KNOW I’m right there with them. People don’t really think about things like that I suppose. 

[AD UPT Unmanned pilot possibility?]

10 hours ago, BeerMan said:

“My scores are relatively good and I’ve been told several times by a couple units “You’re a great candidate; there’s not really anything you can do to make your application better. Just keep trying.”

How long have you been trying and have they given you any constructive feedback other than “just keep trying”?

I’ve been trying for about 2 1/2 years now. I redid my tests which gave me my 86 PCSM (96 max PCSM) last January. So I guess you could say I’ve been competitive for a year and a half. 

I’ve been to a couple fighter units who gave me some constructive feedback. 
 

I’m looking over my notes:

UNIT #1

“Strong candidate, just about perfect application. Cover letter is good, just remove this sentence. Make it more specific to our unit” 

 

UNIT #2

Likes: Scores, GPA, good answers in interview, understanding of pipeline showed commitment 

Improve: Make more of a passion for it, be slightly less informal during interview 

“Based on your packet, interview skills and personality, I have no doubt you WILL be hired at a fighter squadron. Perseverance is key in this process.”

 

Upon reviewing, maybe I’m just becoming impatient. 

[AD UPT Unmanned pilot possibility?]

40 minutes ago, Air_Space said:

I'm just going to say you need to do a bit more research. I can understand your frustration with the guard/reserve side but if fighters/CAS is your dream then probably your best shot.

 

For example a UPT class has about 20 or so active duty people. Each class gets about 2-5 T-38s on average. We are talking about a 10-25% chance you even make it to phase 3 on the right track. Then you have to simply not suck to get a fighter now a days and that may sound easy but it may not be. All I'm trying to say you really need to look at yourself in the mirror like so many others and decide if you went heavies would it make it all worth it. If not then honestly the Air Force might not be the best place for you because you will get screwed almost every step of your career.

 

Other people with more experience please keep chiming in because I think our buddy is about to make a rash decision he may not be happy with in the end

I really appreciate all of you guys input. It’s super helpful, and I know it’s hard to quantify that in the internetsphere, but I am a real person. Someone who’s had a dream since he was a little boy. I’ve worked my ass off for 7 years and I’m just doing the best I can to attain it; I know I’m not perfect. I don’t know everything, as much as I wish I did. 
 

I think my year-long plan is to move close to a unit, and do my best to show up for every drill. If that doesn’t work for a year then look more in depth at AD. I don’t mind being in a heavy. It’s the second best job on the earth. I could get my hours and get into the airlines, make a bunch of money and have a great life. I’d enjoy every minute. However, I have a pull towards the fighter lifestyle. I can’t explain it. I would always have a little ache in my stomach not doing exactly what I set out to do. I may get there, I may not, but I’m going to do my damndest to do so. 

[Upcoming Boards]

22 minutes ago, cowdog said:

Anyone apply to the AFRC sponsored board that was held 14 July? 

I just want clarification in case I’m not correct.

 

AFRC basically means you apply to go through UPT unsponsored. As you’re going through, you hope to get picked up by a reserve unit? 
 

Sponsored AFRC means that you were selected beforehand by a specific unit? 
 

Is this correct? I’m starting to look into different avenues, as applying within the units doesn’t seem to be working out with so many applicants nowadays. 

[Number of Applications Increasing]

I am in the same boat as you. I remember applying about 3 years ago to a fighter unit and they said they had a record number of applicants. It was somewhere around 40 applicants. If only my application were half as competitive then as it was now *sigh*
 

Active duty is looking more and more enticing especially considering they’ve apparently made the drone track separate from the manned track. I’m going to take a few weeks and study up on it, I’m getting impatient to get in. I would recommend looking at it as well. 

[AD UPT Unmanned pilot possibility?]

17 minutes ago, Av8 said:

There's a good thread on this forum that you can find which track guys are currently getting to get good data on how likely it is to get each airframe. Correct me if I am wrong, but UASs are not a possibility anymore if you go to UPT on the active duty side (they are separate tracks). Also, you can turn down any rated position you are not interested in on the AD side. The way I look at it, apply and worst case you don't get selected, best case you are able to fly in the Air Force...not behind a desk.

 

Perfect response, thank you so much. I was not aware that RPA’s (tentatively) were a different program. From the thread, it seems there’s a decently high chance of getting t-38’s. RPA’s are almost non-existent! 

 

11 minutes ago, FLEA said:

RPAs aren't an option at the moment out of UPT but that is never a garuntee. Also if you turn down a rated position on AD you become permanently inelligible for rated in the future. 

My basic opinion is this, if the thin possibility of getting a helicopter or drone deters you from trying to get a fighter, this probably isn't the career for you. 

Okay thank you. I wasn’t aware that it was such a low chance. I’ve poked around and it seemed like there was a high chance of getting RPA’s, so that’s why I was so worried. Appreciate the info! 

[AD UPT Unmanned pilot possibility?]

Maybe I should clarify. My goal is Manned Fixed Wing, then CAS.

The F-35, I’m sure you’re well aware of, has a CAS mission. 

From my research, the unmanned community is EXTREMELY unhappy. And actually being a current pilot, I know for a fact I wouldn’t want to fly drones. Better than sitting in an office? Yes. What I want to do for the rest of my life? No. 

I’m not completely discounting helicopters, especially Attack, it’s just not my first choice with my long term goals.  

[AD UPT Unmanned pilot possibility?]

Hey guys,

Really appreciate all the information I’ve learned from you guys over the years. I’ve been applying left and right to Guard/Reserve fighter units for about two and a half years now. I’m getting impatient and am starting to consider AD.
 

My scores are relatively good and I’ve been told several times by a couple units “You’re a great candidate; there’s not really anything you can do to make your application better. Just keep trying.”

28 years old, Pilot: 90 / Nav 85 / PCSM 86 w/ 73 flight hours, Max PCSM 96. I played college sports, graduated on the honor roll, have my PPL, etc. 
 

My question is this: should I go AD, what are the odds I get drones or helicopters? My top 3 list would be something like 1. A-10/2. F-35/3. F-22. I’m hugely passionate about attempting to become a fighter pilot, not for the “cool” factor but because I truly feel an intense passion for the mission, especially CAS. I understand there isn’t really an EXACT answer since “needs of the Air Force” but I’m just curious if any of you all have heard about Active guys and typically how many drone and helo pilots come out of a class at UPT. I REALLY don’t want unmanned. 

Thanks guys.

*I haven’t posted before, so I was hoping this was a good place to ask. If not, I apologize. 
 

*Also, if you have tips to improve my package,  that would be very welcome as well!