[Another older guy chances]

35 minutes ago, Rover125 said:

I decided against moving forward with the test. It’s just not for me after all. 
 

I am going to pursue professional baseball umpiring as another career. Some opportunities that won’t require the same level commitment as the ANG.

 

[Switching from heavies to fighter guard/reserve]

15 hours ago, Rated Flyer 4 Life said:

Are there any Navy reserve fighter units that would take an Air Force pilot and transition to an F/A-18? 

Depends on your background. Non 11F; highly unlikely! Even in 11F Air Force background it’s an absolute nightmare switching branches….

[Upcoming Boards]

Check out BogiDope. The 185 SOS out of Oklahoma City just posted a UPT board hiring window. Bright future for that unit! 

[AF Light Air Support Aircraft]

[AF Light Air Support Aircraft]

[Rushing Units]

I’ll echo what @brabus said. Wear UOD and introduce yourself normally.  We’ll see what your rank is, and frankly don’t really care what your rank is. Be yourself, listen to conversations, contribute when you can, and don’t get too hammered!

Also, never show up empty handed....
 

 

[My chances?]

“New Orleans is pretty straightforward in that they don’t like older applicants” with a comment from former 122 FS sq/cc right above. 😂 

[Want fighters, age limited?]

Did the Buckley wannabe just resurface?  

Bro, if you can't take a little criticism from guys who probably have a few thousand hours in fast movers, 4 ship flight leads, IP's, patch wearers, and especially a fighter squadron commander who certainly has more important things to do than give you his honest opinion then how do you expect to make it through UPT??? There's a reason the ones who get fighters have really good scores and are highly intelligent. 

By God if you make it to UPT with your current attitude and quibbling you'll find yourself at a CR before you can even have your Ops Limits memorized! 

Now that you've learned Rule #1 it's time to learn Rule #2:

Never miss an opportunity to shut the f*** up

[Kansas ANG Topeka]

“Uh” probably keeping it internal to Ops if something happened!  In the unit doesn’t mean you’re in the know with what goes down in Ops. 

Only for your SA, not trying to be a dick!

 

[Interviewing with another unit after getting a slot]

I haven't been on any hiring boards yet, but I was in this position when I was rushing units! I'll piggy back off @SocialD since his advice is what I followed. I interviewed with a unit and the following month or so I already had another interview lined up with probably my more preferred unit. I was honest in the interview and told them I also had another interview lined up, and when asked if I was hired would I still interview at the other unit I respectfully said yes. They offered me the job the next day! I definitely think part of why I was selected was because they respected that I was honest with them! Fast forward to the other interview, I ultimately wasn't hired. When I called back to my hiring unit asking if the offer was still on the table they said absolutely, and never asked about the other interview.

Bottom line man go with what you are morally comfortable with! For me I just couldn't keep that from them and potentially burn a bridge! Had I never told them, interviewed at the other unit, and they found out then that phone call asking if offer was still on the table could have been a lot different. 

Hope this helps!

[How would a civilian contact a squadron in ANG?]

Have you tried Facebook? The 159th FW has a page. Message or email their Public Affairs office and ask for a number to Ops.  Ask to speak to the DO or Chief Pilot. They'll be able to answer your specific questions and how to schedule a visit. Sometimes the hardest part is just getting in contact with the right people. Good luck!

[Sponsorship By Reserves Training Squadron?]

Currently in UPT and have heard rumors of unsponsored hires being able to be assigned to the reserve squadron after graduation if said persons couldn't find a unit at the end of training. I highly highly doubt a reserve training squadron will sponsor somebody and send them to UPT though. Best bet would be go unsponsored if unsponsored boards are still happening. 

[2019 Air Force Active Duty UPT Board]

1 hour ago, m_mags said:

Might have been answered in another thread but does anyone know if your AFOQT score affects what track you go towards while you are in UPT, or is just how you fly? I know guard units look heavily at Pilot Scores for their selection process. 

 

-Mike

Your AFOQT scores and package to get picked up for pilot training have absolutely no bearing on what you end up tracking! Day 1 of UPT everyone is equal, whether USAFA, ROTC, or OTS! Track will depend on the MASS at the end of phase 2. 

 

-Magic

[failed MEPS depth perception test?]

Went up to Wright Pat for FCI, and all went well with eyes! Then came the dreaded depth perception test. Ended up failing that first try. The Optometrist put me in glasses and I passed with those on. He said I would just need to wear glasses when I flew! Showed up to UPT for physical (yes, you’ll do all of this again during in-processing) was good with eyes and last was again the depth perception test. Tried it without glasses and sure as shit I passed. Glasses went away and haven’t touched them since. I wouldn’t sweat it! As long as you’re correctable to 20/20 you shouldn’t have anything to worry about!

 

Fun fact: the answer is never 1 or 5.... 

[addressing ANG cover letters/LOR?]

Address your cover letter to the Sq/cc if possible! I’ve seen Letter of Recs addressed also to Sq/cc’s, “To Whom it May Concern,” and for example “123 FS UPT Board Members.” I’m not sure if the LOR’s matter as much as to who they’re addressed to verse the content in the letter! Others can chime in with their experiences. 

[ANG pay in BMT]

Guard guy in my OTS class was 42...

[Unsponsored Board]

Guard is completely different. To my knowledge with getting accepted unsponsored by USAFR is they will send you to OTS and UPT in which you will ultimately need to find a unit. Reserve Fighter units will already have the guys they want, sponsor them, send them to all the training knowing they are coming back. Granted they have to make it through UPT, IFF, RTU.  Anyone who has additional uncle feel free to chime in. 

[Unsponsored Board]

Reserve applicants hired with a Fighter unit will definitely be sponsored. 

[AFOQT in a 2 months, how are chances looking as of now]

I'm not trying to be a dick here, but do you really have to ask? As long as you don't absolutely bomb the AFOQT and TBAS you are in a far better starting point than probably majority of others who are applying. Rush the squadron, work hard on drill weekends, and be a good bro in your shop. 

[Guard/Reserve timeline to UPT]

9 minutes ago, pilotbeech said:

Do you have a phone number I can follow up with for my package?

Same, sounds like I'm in the same boat!

[ENJJPT selection]

I believe on the OTS side there's an ENJJPT interview process while you're there. 

[How do my numbers look?]

You're enlisted with the unit you're interviewing with right? I'd wear dress blues to your interview...

[GPA Impact]

What was your major? One of the first questions the board will ask you is "Please explain your GPA?" If you have low AFOQT scores those scores and GPA won't coincide with each other very well, but if you have killer AFOQT scores that will help combat your low GPA.  Ultimately helping to prove you're capable of much more than your GPA on paper. I didn't have the best AFOQT scores but had a really good GPA so my unit knew my mediocre AFOQT scores weren't what I was capable of. I'd study your ass off for 4-6 months and hopefully kill the thing. 

[Guard Heavy Unit - T38s at UPT?]

39 minutes ago, matmacwc said:

They get laughed at by all of your instructors and fellow classmates and not looked well upon, kind of like a waste of space, they belong in the T-1.  This isn't sarcasm.

 

I've only seen it once and it fixed itself.  It won't happen.

Can you please elaborate? How would they get laughed at and be considered a waste of space if they performed well enough in T-6 to be recommended to a 38. I would think that's proving yourself worthy regardless if he was originally selected by a heavy unit.  If a guard heavy guy ends up wanting a 38 and is good enough I would assume he now has the itch for fighters he didn't originally have, and would seek out a fighter squadron and hopefully get picked up on their manning doc. 

[Guard Heavy Unit - T38s at UPT?]

I know a few Guard heavy guys who did very well and ended up tracking 38s instead of T-1s. Someone with better knowledge can correct me if I'm wrong, but if your T-6 flight commander recommends you to 38s I think that becomes your guard units decision as NGB funds your slot and wouldn't necessarily be taking a track select 38 spot from the AD side? On the flip side of that you could finish #1 in T-6 but if your unit says No, T-1s you go. This was a few year back when the shortage wasn't as prevalent. I think the other guys may be right as with the fighter pilot shortage it's probably a much steeper hill to climb justifying sending a C-17 guard guy through 38s. It's probably not impossible, but I wouldn't bank on it.