CharlieHotel47
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Posts posted by CharlieHotel47
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I did both.
What I experienced in the army was the product of the times I was in the early 2010s. It was the surge in Afghanistan. Can't hover the helicopter? Can't pass the PT test? Don't know your EPs? Here are some wings... you are now your unit's problem. The only thing that would get you kicked out was a DUI. Going through as a young 24-year-old WO1, it did not try at all. Drinked and partied all the damn time and still got my top choice of CH47s.
I thought UPT was way harder than Rucker. But when I went through I was way more mature. I got hired off the street by a tanker ANG unit and had to go through the full UPT. I was the last one to solo in my T6 class, even though I was a 1500-hour combat aviator in a helo. I guess I was just used to taking it slow in a helo. I would joke around telling folks at Vance that I used to do my ILSs at 60 knots... why? because I could. Now, going from Vance to OKC on a Rwy 17-day was a fast and rude awakening.
I don't think it's a good metric to compare the two. The army sucks the fun out of everything and will try their hardest to change what should be a good experience into something horrible that will make you want to retire. At UPT, I lived for drop nights and the weekends. Party hard with the bros during those but come Sunday night it's time to hit the books and chair fly.
But for your original question, I have the following:
ARMY Rucker:
Easy
- The school program. Memorize a few things here and there. Doesn't matter if you even know what you're talking about, as long as you can spit it out verbatim, you will pass with flying colors.. - Flying VFR. Because flying instruments is very hard for all Apache pilots and MTPs.
- The standard and the ability to make it. I had people I graduated with who had no business being aviators. But the Army needed the numbers, so here are some wings. I remember day one at Rucker we had the brigade commander tell us that the flight school policy was "No Flight School Student Left Behind"
-I think the flying part is probably way easier nowadays. You fly UH72s in primary (no more TH-67s or OH-58s). The 72 has a pretty advanced flight control system that has studs being able to hover after perhaps an hour or two.
Hard
-The Army. You will graduate and think you are god's gift to aviation. You are not, and here are some field training exercises and ground training shit to prove it and to make you feel like an infantry guy. Also, here is a two-piece flight suit, a PT belt, and Eye Pro... all of those are inspectable items by the sergeant major at any time, so best be ready.
-Being a warrant officer - Oh you think your job is a flying-only track? what a scam... and to prove it, here is some paperwork on stands, safety, and ops that an officer should be doing, but it's easier for the army to make a warrant do it for half the price.
-Being a commission officer - oh you want to fly? here are some awards to type and some inventories that need to get done. Nobody will be your mentor and warrants will see you as more of a hazard to the flight since you probably know the ops limits of your computer better than any real helicopter anyway.
USAF UPT:
Easy
-Wearing a one-piece flight suit and finally feeling like a real pilot.
-Pulling Gs. Because doing a 60-degree bank in a helicopter is a pretty serious maneuver.
Hard
-The information overload and the fast pace of things. I remember coming back from a flight at Vance early during T6s. I was tired and beat up from all the U's my FAIP just gave me. I saw a random IP walking straight toward me to ask me what I was doing as soon as sat down in the flight room. Studying I said... Only to hear him say "No your not. We are stepping into another jet so let's GO! You can brief me on what all you need to clean up as we walk to the jet."
All finish up by saying that the lifestyle in the USAF is a million times better than the Army. If your post originated as a product of frustration because you're having issues being selected to AD, ANG, or reserves, my advice is to KEEP trying dude. Don't look at going Army simply because the USAF is being too selective. It's supposed to be selective! The army should only be an alternative if age is not on your side.
Hope that helps.
Cheers
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6 hours ago, Georgebax said:
Could merging the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserves enhance operational efficiency and strengthen national defense capabilities?
NO... I need the guard to shield me from AD bs shenanigans...
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This is all great info. Thanks, guys!!
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9 hours ago, Danger41 said:
In my current role, I’ve gotten very good at foreflight. It’s an amazing tool and I sent a guy in my squadron to that exact course. Learned a ton and definitely worth it.
Not sure what your squadron’s mission is and I doubt there’s as much utility in a fighter squadron flying stereos to the same MOAs every day compared to a tac airlift unit but there are still a ton of awesome features.
If nothing else, max perform the documents tab and the “procedures” button in the edit tab!
We are guard tanker bubbas. Thanks for all the info
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Has anyone here been to the above? Its a 3 day course in Austin, TX. My unit wants to send a few COs down to learn stuff unless someone here can tell us that it's a waste of time.
Thanks.
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Contact Capt Robert Aycock at robert.aycock@us.af.mil
Packets are due next week. Board on 2 March during UTA.
Cheers
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4 hours ago, O Face said:
We’re still wearing them (ANG squadron)
my ANG base... a tanker base out of all places, no more morale shirts. Some damn first shirt at the wing level complaint and now it's a big no-no. So f@#$ those guys I am wear a scarf as a big F you to these NONers.
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whats the regulation that allows the wearing of scarfs. These damn NONers at my wing have our leadership cracking down on any sort of morale.
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what guard units out there are saying F!@# off big blue and allowing their guys to still wear Morale shirts out there...
What will they come for next? My pickle suit? it's the only thing that makes me feel like a real pilot. I thought my guard unit would shield me from the AD duty BS that trickles down from time to time.
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5 hours ago, HelpWithAFOQT said:
Hey everyone. I'm still trying to chase this dream. I've been rushing Heavy Units across the country. A lot of heavy units told me I am a great guy and that they like me, but my AFOQT scores are preventing me from getting an interview.
My original AFOQT scores are:
Pilot: 70
Nav: 37
Amb: 43
Acad: 48
Verb: 70
Quant: 32
PCSM: 41
My retake are:
Pilot: 83
CSO: 55
AMB: 63
Acad: 58
Verb: 72
Quant: 45
PCSM: 70 (with 32 flight hours)
GPA: 3.80 with Master of Science
Age: 31 (another thing that hurts)
Work in IT, Junior Admin
Hobbies: Ice Hockey, Snowboarding, Surfing, Baseball, guitar and motorsports.
I know every section has gone up. But every heavy unit I have rushed so far now has a 90 pilot score cut off. That's the feedback I keep getting from the units them selves, that they liked me but everyone they interviewed has a 90 Pilot score. I'm trying to finish my PPL. It's just difficult to afford. I'm stunned at all of these 21-24 year old kids that not only have their PPLs but their CPLs. I'm struggling to afford it, working two jobs!
I don't want to give up but it's hard spending time and money rushing, to not even get interviews. I've shotgunned out a few apps too but TBNT from them as well. I'm not sure what else to do other than try to finish my PPL and I guess keep rushing and applying. I know it's been asked before but is there a better way to stand out during rushing (other than be yourself and don't be a jerk)?
What would your PCSM score be at 200 flight hrs?
All I can say is that there are over 150 reserve and ANG squadrons out there. All you need is one "YES". keep on getting after it. Cheers
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1 hour ago, Biff_T said:
The only time in my life that I've woken up around 1000 local, in a parked cab, in an alley with the driver reading a newspaper, was in south east asia. I had no idea where the rest of my crew was. I woke up and said "base" and off we went. I vaguely remember asian tits and drunkin shenanigans but the truth is still out there. We partied hard in Asia.
Biff_T for the win with the great TDY stories.
Sounds like a guard crew asking for a 24-hour slip due to an "oxygen leak" while on TDY in Manila. Half the crew was missing or drinking at "unmentionable" places before we had the slipped approved ha
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FY21. Apparently they're not having too much trouble filling slots on the production side as there's always a ton of prior enlisted that want to fly and would be going to 20 anyway after a few years enlisted. There was a lot of youth in their last 2 mid-airs. "For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple and wrong."
It’s a damn shame to be pushing these young aviators to be flight leads at 500 hrs with a young co/pi fresh out of Rucker while flying Red illumination NVGs training missions. Damn dangerous shit
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On 4/28/2023 at 10:00 PM, General Chang said:
It’s in their agreed-to contract that the Army is now enforcing. What’s the issue? They agreed to the terms!
This is equivalent to all the sniveling weenies who ran up significant college debt saying, “Uncle Sam, it’s your fault. Forgive my debt!” Screw that! You agreed to sit in the pig stall, now go wallow in the mud and stop griping about how “unfair” your life is. Man up.
We have a company man over here...
That almost happened to me as I tried jumping from Army to Air Force in 2019. They were adding 2-3 year commitments to dudes trying to jump ship just for going to a 2-week AFE course at Rucker. One guy got suckered into attending a 2-week advanced course and got hit with a 2 year ADSO. Made a huge deal about it, and tried to get his congressman involved... but in the end, the army sent him to Fort Polk Louisiana to be an LNO. Had to turn down a slot with a C-130 guard unit. I guess I was at the right place and time because they are now forcing dudes to sign a 10-year contract out of Rucker when it used to be 6.
I feel even worse for these commission dudes. Their flying days are over because the army is a warrant officers world. Having to continue their existence in an aviation unit but not being able to fly... while doing all the bitch work WOs don't want to do while because of "flying". Somebody needs to write those awards and keep track of those trackers. But remember to color code the trackers correctly, becuase the COL doesn't actually read them. He just looks at colors and the color red is very bad. Green is very good. Yellow is questionable.
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2 hours ago, Duck said:
How in the hell did you guys pull off getting MacDills simulator?
Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile appApparently, nobody wanted it. The folks at Scott were hesitant because "whos gonna wana TDY to Meridian". We have a sim building already. It was supposed to house the block 40 but that died a few years ago. MacDill has two sims. Not sure who is getting the other one.
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2 minutes ago, BashiChuni said:
TYFYS
LMAO... I am sure many bums out there are thinking I am out of my mind. I might as well say I hate making money lol
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unfortunately, I have to pay for my own travel to do TEP or drill. Lodging is on the unit. I am not an airline guy and I live 9 hrs away. Its a kick in the balls when I have to do it on my own dime and time... but moving units, learning a new aircraft, community and how to scam the system would take some work at first. Currently, at my unit I somewhat do what I want... come and go as I please because I am a part-time guy. Got some admin stuff to do? sounds like a job for a full-timer. Got a 5-day trip to Hawaii for the sim? I am your guy. Got a 4-day trip to the Deid min turning... sounds like a task for a full-timer.
Still its a love-hate relationship and a kick in the balls having to travel on my own dime. The best thing I can do is run TEPs and Drills together as much as I can to make it be worth my time and dime on travel.
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MSANG pays for our hotel every time we come down. Order, AFTPs, drills etc you are expected to get lodging. For AFTPs and Drills, since thats coming out of state funding, sometimes you get unlucky and have to crash at the comfort inn or a la Quinta.. which kinda sucks. but its better than nothing
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KEND 23-09 T-1 Sim Only
EC-130H Tucson
KC-135 Mildenhall
KC-135 Fairchild
U-28 Hurbie x 2
C-17 McChord x 2
C130J Little Rock x 2
Did these folks in process at vance the week prior to their drop night?
I used to live for a Friday that had a drop night. Nothing would switch the mood more after hooking a ride and getting beat up at shotgun and stand up than getting drunk with your buddies at a drop.
Would hate to see drops evolve into an email that you get from your CC congratulating you on E-3s to tinker.
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4 hours ago, Yeti_72 said:
Many heavy guys at my unit commute from all over the country. They will reimburse up to $500 per month in travel expenses. we have folks as far as Alaska.
Are you guard or reserves? is this a unit thing or is there JRT out there for it... I am also assuming that the reimberment is for your travel for TEPs and RUTAS.
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Bros, I am a 135 co wondering if there is any gouge out there for a planner role or some type of orders longer than a month to England, Germany… or anywhere really.
With the rainbow gone, the Deid drying up, and LTMPA slots being inconsistent, I want to know what else is out there for tanker bums to take advantage of.
I know if there’s anything out there… it’s probably for an IP, but will settle for an AC, with the final saying being “nobody wants a co”.
Thanks in advance.
Cheers
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I am a commuter about 9 hrs away…. Which I would not recommend to young guys fresh out of UPT. 3 hrs sounds very doable. For commuters at my unit, if I show up for anything, anything at all, I am expected to get a room. AFTPs, drills, orders. There isn’t any base lodging at my location so whenever I’m on order (not AFTPs or UTAs), I get lodging and per diem.
Other units might work different deals and overall experiences vary.
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Single pilots ops for future KC46 ops???
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If you went to the army fix wing course, you can get hired as a rated guy for heavys and go direct to a transition course. Say u got hired by a tanker guard unit, after going thru the ARB with NGB you would go direct to Altus.
There was a bro at my PIQ class in Altus. He flew CH46s for the marines. Only fix wing time to his name was from T6s at UPT… back when it was joint course with USAF navy and USMC… after 1500 hrs in the 46s he went direct to Altus for a transition course. So u could do it too.
Good luck! Ur in a better spot than I was. Even with 1500 hrs of 47 but no fix wing time I had to compete like an off the street guy and attend the full UPT. It was a blast.
Cheers
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Which is harder, AF UPT or Army flight school?
in General Discussion
Posted
yeah, I bet he started as a helo guy. Then realized life sucks as an Apache or BlackHawk pilot. The C-12 community is one of the best-kept secrets. At least when I was in the army guard, you got a C12 slot if you were in the good ole club. And by the good ole club, I mean an LTC or COL reverting to a CW2 to finish out his time not doing shit in the C-12 community.