ryleypav

Not sure how the VA works, but I needed some files from a surgery I had. I just had to file a information request at the surgeons office, and wait for them to get the paperwork. They legally had like 30 days I think to obtain it. I told them it was urgent, and the process went a little faster.

I was hired in Nov 2019, didn't go to MEPS until April 2020. Its slow, even before COVID was getting in the way lol.

Just an FYI, but you dont need to have a MEPS physical completed to apply for guard units. Not sure how it works on the AD/Reserve side, but its definitely not needed for Guard applications. Typically. Maybe some units do. But I'd focus on getting the AFOQT and TBAS done if you haven't first off.

I think it depends on how recent your MEPS physical is. I'm not prior-e, but I'm fairly certain the prior-e that was hired with me didn't have to go through MEPS again. You will have to get a copy of your MEPS physical to send to Wright-Patt when you are scheduled a FC1. They send you an email with all the the docs needed to be filled out/provided. You're ascensions recruiter should let you know what the deal is with MEPS.

Off the street, you're probably going to be doing a lot of hanging out and doing nothing of substance while you wait for training. They'll put you in some AFSC for purposes of enlisting, but it may be completely unrelated, and not even in your hiring squadron. Just depends. Even then you'll likely still do nothing. Thats been my experience at least. I just use drill weekends as a time to continue to get to know the pilots. There are a lot of briefings you won't be able to sit in on at this stage without a TS clearance. I've never heard of units giving new-hires rides. Those are typically reserved for dudes who have done something special or have shown exemplary work ethic in the squadron. But, I also dont know jack, so YMMV. Also, its entirely possible to do you FC1 before you enlist with the unit, there were several guys at my FC1 who had not enlisted yet. But its beneficial to enlist asap, because then you get paid during drill. I think if you live a ways away from the base its a different story. If you've ever had any surgeries (aside from simple things like wisdom teeth) start getting all of your med records from that surgery. It can take a while for Dr. offices to get those, and you'll need them for MEPS. What you could do, and I've started doing so as advice from one of my units pilots, is start tracking everything you have done/will do post-hiring. Make it into a neat document for future hires. Things like what you had to do getting uniforms ordered, or computer access, anything that will be useful to the next guy getting hired. If there was some little trick you found to get X done quicker. You'll soon find out everyone on base acts like you're the first guy to get hired off the street and no one knows what the heck is going on. Even though that's not usually the case.

Oh no doubt. I know this is the way. But, on the bright side, one less obstacle to cross. So there's that.

They change things all the time so it may be, but from what I know in my state (MI), we have to get our FC1 stamped approved, then include it in an ascensions package that routes up to the MI State Air Surgeon or just the MI Surgeon Gen or something along those lines. Once that is approved, then my unit can submit to the NGB for OTS/UPT dates. Which could have happened sooner. FC1 was stamped approved for 02NOV, I didn't find out until 16NOV because the techs at Wright Patt didn't have computer access during a contract negotiation......so that's neat.

Off the street hire at a Guard Tanker Unit. NOV Update: inching closer. again. AFOQT/TBAS: July 2016 Board: November 2019 Hired: November 2019 MEPS: Passed April 2020 amid the 'rona outbreak. Enlistment: June 2020. FC1: September 29, 2020 FC1 Stamped Approved: Nov 2020 OTS: ??? UPT: ??? FTU: ???

Once we applied for my FC1 date, it was roughly 3 months. I had some time in between MEPS and applying for FC1, dont remember why. I think my unit had to wait until I swore in to do it.

Did you have to get your package approved by NGB first before you applied for OTS/UPT dates? This is definitely confirming my suspicion of a late 2021 UPT date for myself.

Yep. I was hired Nov 2019, still waiting to get my FC1 back from AETC. I was at Wright Patt at the end of September. Im probably not going to know dates until 2021, and I'd bet I wont see UPT until late 2021. Its a long ride, so just prepare for that.

I never once said they were the same.

While not necessarily violent, but didn't we just have tons of Trump supporters protest at the polls with guns, banging on windows? Not exactly peaceful, nor overtly violent.

I'd argue you could accurately compare it to Hawaii. New Zealand's leadership asked for a unified front. We didn't, nor do we have a unified front between the states.

New Zealand has done pretty well.

Looks like they had 3 different people to contact on the bogidope ad. I'd start there. There was an article from one of their drills last year that indicates they were supposed to move away from the RC-26. I think its the same base, but not sure. Maybe something changed.

Kind of what I figured. My tech didn't really say anything I guess. The other lady that was handling the other half of the exams said 3-4 weeks. But, it would still be neat if she could respond to my email anyway.

How long did you have to wait to get your FC1 back stamped approved after the exam? I was told 3-4 weeks, but I've not gotten any answer back from my tech after several emails.

They did this already, and I think they tanked it already. If OP up there doesn't have his PPL yet, it would likely be years before he met the requirements for the T-1 fast track. I think you needed quite a few hours, commercial, instrument, multi and some other things.

Scores look good. Pilot/Nav/PCSM are the meat and potatoes of that section of the application, the rest of your resume and cover letter will speak for you as far as being a well rounded person/a guy they want to interview. Did you do anything outside of school work during college? Sports or clubs or anything? You'll want to have something to touch on aside from school, not that excelling in college isn't great, but like I said, well rounded is key. A lot of units hire guys with no mil experience such as myself, so its not the biggest factor, but with some units it makes a difference. They all do they're own thing as far as hiring goes. OTS/UPT are backed up for sure, the whole hiring process is. I got hired Nov 19 and just had my FC1 exam end of September. Still have roughly 4 weeks before I can even apply for OTS dates. Everything is slow (-er than normal) so be prepared for that.

For 1., It just depends on the manning situation of each unit. Some places hire once a year, some twice, some once every 2 years. They all do they're own thing based on when they expect to have manning shortages based on current retirement rates or guys leaving. You can just call each unit and see when they are expecting to have a board. But, you need those test scores before you worry about who has a board when.

We had a guy who got hired the board before me just drop OTS dates for this October class that starts like next week or something. Did your squadron submit for OTS dates then? Or is your ascensions package still routing?

Have you considered looking at other internal positions? Move around the company to a different department or something. You've been there long enough to likely be past any new hire probation kind of situation. We have people move internal positions at my company all the time when they feel they're getting stagnant.

I'd say take what you're offered. You already know you're on the higher side for age. And like OldGuy said, you haven't done the flying, you have zero idea how exciting it will be. What did the guys at the squadron say about the flying. If you think the mission is cool, you'll likely enjoy actually carrying out that mission. Also, just my opinion, if you dont think the flying is going to be exciting/want to fly for that squadron, then why even apply? I get the age part, but if I didn't have an interest in the style of flying a unit did, I wouldn't be applying there. Regardless, best of luck to you. You'll likely enjoy anywhere you get picked up, especially if the camaraderie is good there.

Make sure you check in with your tech prior to going. We had a mix of info coming into the week. The COVID pre-arrival and group arrival instructions said that we would be doing blood draws the first morning, and to fast the day before, but our tech had us do blood draws the second morning of testing. Also, its not super clear where you do the blood draws. It just says 88th MDG Lab. For your situational awareness, that is located in the Wright Patt hospital, across the street-ish from the Wright Patt Inn. Also, with COVID hours, the lab doesnt open until 7, and all the paperwork tells you to be there at 630. So unless you feel like waiting around for a half hour, I dont suggest getting to the lab right at 630. Get some more sleep. And dont be afraid to ask the tech what other tests you have for the day. I ended up sitting around for about an hour and a half one day thinking I had one more test or something to do, and I could have left way earlier and spent more time at the museum or something. But as a whole, was not as stressful as I anticipated. The whole environment was really relaxed and as everyone says, the technicians there are on your side and are all friendly. Make sure to get a group message going with the people in your group and get dinner as a whole one night. We did that and it was great. You'll most likely run into some of those people at pilot training.