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ryleypav

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Posts posted by ryleypav

    How to improve your chances

    in What Are My Chances?

    Posted

    Study a private pilot general knowledge book for the aviation stuff. As for the math, its all stuff that can be done without a calculator. Just do the AFOQT practice tests really. Sounds like you've done that, so take the material in those, and find videos that teach you tricks to nailing them. For instance, any questions that involve finding percents, move the decimal place to the right one spot, and times by the % value with its decimal moved as well. For example. 3% of 250. 250 is now 25.0 and 35% is now 3.0, which gives you 25x3=75.  Works for any number/percentage. There's tricks like that to mot arithmetic operations.  

    • Like 1

    Number of Applications Increasing

    in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves

    Posted

    4 hours ago, Ghost_17 said:

    Would you guys say the drastic increase in apps is across the board or mainly for fighters vs. heavies?

    Its probably across the board. Everything is becoming more visible in recent years. 

     

    23 hours ago, Terminator5lf said:

    Exactly I’d like to see the breakdown of competitive applications vs. the number of apps for each unit being skewed higher cause a lot more guys and gals are now shotgunning apps out after finding out about the guard, but don’t have very competitive apps

    While it may be interesting, what use does that information serve? If a unit had 150 apps and 20 of them were "competitive", how does that change your plan of attack? I just dont think its something to spend time worrying about. If you want it bad enough, it shouldn't matter how many "competitive" apps there are. Dudes get invites with less than stellar apps because they put in the work to visit and get to know the unit. The only thing that matters is that you do everything in your power to make your own app as competitive as possible, and put in the foot work to make sure you stand out at the unit. 

    AD UPT Unmanned pilot possibility?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    25 minutes ago, Finch said:

    Shack. Studs also don’t realize how many badass and different missions are out there besides warheads-on-foreheads. When I went through T-6s, every Friday an IP from a different platform would brief us on their mission, family life, lifestyle, trips, etc. I knew at least five classmates that realized they wanted AFSOC/AMC after all.

    Shoot, I started out applying to the local A10 squadron, and then applied to the tanker unit next door because flying in my home state was my first priority. Once I talked with the tanker guys and learned about the mission, I was gungho for that life. Lots of flying, cool trips, great community. Not that those things arent possible in the pointy nose world, but you never know until you give it all a look.

    • Upvote 1

    FC1 and FAA Medical Question

    in Aviation Medicine

    Posted

    41 minutes ago, Ten30Seven said:

    I was in a similar situation, had an old but still valid medical. I registered anyway and they gave me a new medical certificate while I was there, so I'd register just to be safe.

    Perfect. Exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks! 

    Also, half of the links they want you to click on to download forms dont work. So thats nice haha. 

    FC1 and FAA Medical Question

    in Aviation Medicine

    Posted

    Just got the memo that I got my FC1 scheduled. Working on getting all the items squared away that are required 5 business days upon receipt of the memo. This part is confusing me a bit.

     

    "If you have had an FAA exam (any class) within the past 36 months, you do not need to complete this step; please continue to step 4. FAA Class III medical/student pilot certificates are now valid for 5 years."

    I have a valid Class III FAA Medical right now, but its been more than 36 months since I received it. Do they just want me to sign up/register anyway. I'm assuming its so they can renew it at the end of the FC1 and not have to worry about it lapsing, even though I wont be attending IFS. The instructions after that quote seem to be more concerned with someone who has never had a physical. I guess I'm just looking for some clarity from someone who has done this recently.

    am I cut out for a career as a fighter pilot ?

    in Q & A Forum

    Posted

    If your still in college, I'm going to go ahead and assume you're plenty young. Like others have said, join the AFROTC, or talk to a local recruiter and get signed up for the AFOQT, then the TBAS, then start applying for pilot slots in the Guard/Reserves, or apply to the OTS board. If you want to guarantee a specific air frame, Guard/Reserves is the way to go. Still have to land the interview/get the job, but you'll know exactly what plane and where you'll be flying it from day one. But overall, no there is no reason as to why you cant get picked up. People figure out things at different points in life. That dude who has wanted to be a fighter pilot all his life, might take his first PPL lesson and find out he actually doesn't enjoy flying like he thought he might. Shit happens. Kick ass in school, get good grades, work on your PPL, take the required tests, then figure out which part of the AF you want to fly for  (AD/ANG/Reserves) and go all in until you get it or dont. Never self eliminate. I've always enjoyed aviation, but never knew about flying in the guard until the middle of college when one of my best buddies got hired by a guard unit right after  college graduation. So I was a bit late to the military aspect myself. I got hired recently so it can happen. Fun fact, I am a PPL holder, and I've never even been to an airshow. None of that means jack. I'd never seen a military jet up close until I started rushing units. 

    Chances of going this specific route?

    in What Are My Chances?

    Posted

    I never had to submit letters of recommendation to a recruiter, so I dont know what to do there.You will need them for any board application AD or Guard/Reserves, but there are other tests you need to take in which you wont need those. Have your recruiter get you signed up for the AFOQT first and foremost. Ask your manager for that last one, or if you really dont feel comfortable, ask a close family friend who isnt related to you. One of my letters was my best friends father. His was more of a character reference, but hey, it did the job. But first off, are you trying to go Active Duty or ANG/Reserves? But nonetheless, my thoughts:

    1. Most people dont join the ANG and then go Active Duty AF. Its typically the other way around. Once you go ANG, you wont want to go AD. Also, when you say apply, do you mean for a pilot slot? If so, you have a few things to get done before you can do that. 

    2. Yes, do this absolutely, but dont put so much stress on the letters of rec. They are important, but I dont think they are going to be the ultimate make or break. Having your pilots license or even being solo'd is a big thing for getting an interview should you go the ANG route. Many units have it as a soft requirement (not stated its needed, but highly encouraged). The hours also help on the TBAS/PCSM.

    3.Be careful with this route. You can do this, but mind you it takes time. You'll need to go to basic and tech school, then have a service commitment. Not sure how it works if you get a pilot slot in the middle of a service commitment, if you can just leave it to go to pilot training or something. Are there jobs that interest you on the enlisted side or are you going to hate it. If you want to serve no matter what form, then this could be a good route. But if you want to serve as a pilot, this can slow things down. Can also help. YMMV. Lots of guys go this route. But to be clear, you dont just transfer up to a pilot slot. You would have to apply to a commissioning source (OTS or ANG/Reserves) and be selected. Same path as you'd be going right now, just delaying it to enlist.

    4. See above. Same thing pretty much. Guy that got hired a few boards before me was a crew chief at the wing. Different squadron, but same wing. Granted, he put in a lot of time enlisted before moving up the commissioned side of the fence.

     

    If you really want to fly, in my opinion go Guard. I think you'll find that sentiment shared on here quite a bit. Guard slots are competitive, especially fighters, but what I have gathered from this forum is that Guard is the best of both worlds. 

    Chances for guard/reserves?

    in What Are My Chances?

    Posted

    What happened with ROTC?

    Like you said, scores aren't the greatest ever, but they aren't the worst either. Competitive for heavies? Probably. Fighter, not really I dont think unless they really like you. But you never know unless you try. I'd try taking at least the TBAS again. You've got a decent amount of hours so you should be able to get that a bit higher. Have a good explanation regarding your low undergrad GPA. Just curious what your degree is, I've never heard of it myself. There is a minimum GPA for commissioning I believe (someone fact check me). Not sure if a masters changes that. 

    Either way, just keep sending out packages until you've exhausted all options. Worst thing they can say is no thank you.

    Upcoming Boards

    in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves

    Posted

    12 hours ago, Yeeyee said:

    Has anyone brought a bottle of liqour where you can only get from your local area to an interview? What are some pros and cons to this? I know applicants have done this while rushing, not sure if it's advisable after an interview while saying your goodbyes and thank yous. 

    Get you a nice bottle of Jeremiah Weed.

    College student to Guard/Reserve

    in What Are My Chances?

    Posted

    On 5/30/2020 at 9:08 PM, justrun said:

    Good Afternoon. This May I graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. All my life, I've wanted to fly in the military. As far as to which aircraft, they all fascinate me the same so I'm not partial to a particular one. In college, I worked as a store manager the past 3 years at a local running store and ran cross country and track for the university. I have a few squadrons I'm submitting my application to. Here is where stand as far as stats go:

    Degree: BS in Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Mathematics

    GPA: 2.98

    AFOQT: Pilot - 82, Navigator - 52, AA - 40, Verbal - 16, Quantitative - 70

    PCSM: 35

    I am fixing to start my PPL so once that is complete my PCSM is predicted to be 56 and I plan to build more flight time as time goes on. When it comes to my AFOQT scores, I know they're not stella and was quite disappointed when I got my scores back. I did not study as much as I would've liked for the first time but now that I completed my degree I can study more and get higher scores. I plan on retaking the TBAS and get a higher score for that because I feel that is one of the reasons for my low PCSM. I'm applying to various engineering jobs at the moment and am going to work that in the meantime. Is there anything else y'all could recommend I do to maximize my chances?

     

    I'd toss this up in your own thread, just to not derail benr1001's incase he has more updates later on down the road. But I think like you said, retaking both tests probably isnt a bad place to start. Especially if you're interested in fighters. You said you're interested in all airframes, do your due diligence and look up the mission sets of the different airframes as well as the specific units. Getting your PPL will help immensely. But overall I think you nailed it already, new test scores and PPL. These spots are more competitive that ever so you need to stand out.

    Upcoming Boards

    in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves

    Posted

    8 hours ago, admdelta said:

    So the 159th Fighter Squadron in Florida requires a letter of intent for their applications. Is that just a weird way of saying cover letter or is that actually its own distinct thing?

    This is what the google machine has to say,

    "A letter of interest is a document that conveys your desire to work for a company that hasn’t posted a job opening. This letter lets the hiring manager know that you’re interested in seeking a position with the business. It explains why you would be a good fit for that company, what your qualifications are and where you see yourself working. A letter of interest will often include background information that details why you’ve chosen to reach out.

    A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume and briefly explains your interest in a particular job posting. The elements of a cover letter are similar to those of a letter of interest. However, a cover letter refers to a specific job that the company has advertised. Your cover letter helps your resume stand out and should make the reader more interested in reviewing your full resume and contacting you for an interview."

    PPL

    in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves

    Posted

    Agree with all the above. My future unit did not require it on paper, but it was basically an unwritten requirement. Even if you cant afford the whole license, get some time under your belt. Showing some initiative to get there will go a long way. The application I sent in that eventually led to the interview I got hired, I had mentioned that since last interviewing, I attained my PPL and that I was going to have 100 by the time of the interview. They asked if I accomplished that, and I had. Point is, they want to see the drive and ambition towards aviation. Its kind of a gamble hiring a guy who doesnt have any flight hours (not assuming you dont) because they may end up getting to pilot training only to find out they dont actually like flying. 

    MEPs Experience

    in Aviation Medicine

    Posted

    I went in April. Seemed pretty much the same as described above. Except you have to wear masks now and they try to keep up the social distancing part to the best of their ability. Other than that, pretty much the same deal. The physical was probably a little less intrusive because of the social distancing deal, but still thorough. (I.e. the physicial couldnt really check out my throat or nostrils or get close to do those kinds of checks. Interview with the doc was easy. Keep to what you wrote on your form. No new information needs to be given and dont lie about anything. It seemed like there may have been a bit of preferential treatment since I had the "red" commissioning folder instead of the regular enlistee tan folder, but not much if any really. Just listen to directions and you'll be in and out. Its amazing how many people cant follow simple directions because they are so uptight/concentrated on not screwing up lol. 

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