CharlieHotel47

That’s great man congrats. Getting a conditional release from the Nasty Gusty shouldn’t be difficult. Cheers to that! Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

If your not AD, you can probably get out of it. Unless you did an ADSO of some sort, bonus, or something similar. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

I though if you ain’t CAV you ain’t SHIT?... jk Are you a helo rated guy in the Army? The transfer part is not impossible and your age is good. If you find a squadron that likes you they will back you up. I’m not to familiar with med waivers this days. Also are you army AD? During your previous UPT meps experience, did you ever get anything thing on paper that said you are unfit for flight duty or a DQ? Ultimately, you could call flight medicine at WP and hear it from the horses mouth regarding whether you could meet today's standards vs old standards. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

At least they get to keep it despite NGB's ambiguity. Yeah, until some GO bean counter figures out a way to get it back by getting DFAS to deduct debs from an LES.

Whats the deal with this bonus bros? Is the above applicable for UPT bound ANG? Is big blue dangling the carrot for real? or is it a dog and pony show for the higher ups to look like they are doing something before their Friday afternoon T time.

AWWWW Academy ❤️

hell yeah!!!

You want to be yourself, yes.. however, most of the bros I fly with hate shaving. We welcomed the opportunity NOT to shave when I was flying EAPs in the AOR. If I was part of your hiring board, I would probably constantly think and/or wonder why you couldn't shave for the interview while other members ask you questions. Was it because you lack the common knowledge that most folks in the conventional military have to shave? do you care more about your personal looks and you prettttty little beard than the job your currently applying for? While asking myself all of the above questions, my thoughts would eventually change to something along the lines of "damn... this dude has an awesome beard... and I had shave this morning while on my way to drill in the car because I was too lazy to wake up early to shave in the bathroom". Either way, due to the numerous thoughts and questions that might be running thru my head, it would most certainly pull me away from the fact that you might be God's gift to aviation (on paper...) Now it will be pretty stupid to NOT select a solid competitive candidate over a beard. Unfortunately in the military, we might find ourselves doing things are are pretty STUPID more often than none. Its a love hate relationship. Shave the beard, be a cool bro on your next interview, don't be a tool and show them you would be the perfect fit for the squadron.

I need some good gossip this morning to go along with my coffee... anybody???

Instead of asking for the pilot's desk ops or ops or w.e., you should just ask to speak to a pilot. Once speaking with one, ask for the contact info for the chief pilot, or just simply tell whoever you are speaking with (weather pilot, nonner or enlisted airman) that you are interested in becoming a pilot and would like to know more about the hiring/rushing process. Most pilots will try to guide you or put you in contact with the right person. Unfortunately, when calling ops it will most likely be a young airman that thinks of pilots as mythical creatures that only show up when its time to fly. Or if there is some type of free food or coffee available. And young airman handling the phone at ops will be quick to tell you that they have never heard of such things as "the pilot's desk ops". This might be true and in their defense, they haven't been in the military long enough to know any better. PM if your interested in a list of contact I compiled about 2 years ago while I was rushing. Contacts might be old but the phone #s are probable still good. Cheers

All current pilots started at 0 zero hours at one point. don't let your experience dis-encourage you. Finish your PPL and do everything you can to get the highest GPA from your degree. AFOQT, TBAS, flight hrs and college GPA all go in the very secretive equation to produce a PCSM score. Most squadrons would want you to be in the mid 80s. 90s is competitive for sure. Your AFOQT score is not bad at all. PM me and I'll send you a list of contacts I complied overtime for squadrons all over the states while I was rushing. Don't be afraid to cast a wide net. Also, its never too early to start emailing and cold calling chief pilots. Even if you aren't ready to apply (because of a college degree, hrs, or AD commitment) small follow ups and email updates on your status and interest to know more about the squadron go a long way. I was in Kandahar two years ago. I had an account with transcom.mil to track what birds were making the 4 hr stop at good ole KAF. Whenever I had the chance, I would meet the pilots at the ramp, introduce myself and had a gift or two (no booze unfortunately.... but I always had either a shirt, mug, or something stupid from the KAF px). I would also hand over an envelope with my cover letter, resume, and scores hoping it would eventually land on the desk of the chief pilot. Anyway, there are many ways you can put your name out there just show interest. Even from Guam. Use the bogidope.com website map to find contacts for squadrons. If a contact doesn't work / exist, you can always use the base directory found on google. Eventually, you will be routed to the right person. Emailing folks is a good way to establish contacts, but I always found it more productive to simply call cold people. As far as what units are looking for in a candidate... its hard to say. Every squadron is different looks at different things. All I can say is don't be a tool and show you can be a cool bro that would make the perfect fit for the squadron. Good Luck. Cheers

If you want to join, I am sure they will find you something to do. I knew of a bro that was hired at 35 and started UPT at 36. If the unit likes you, they will back you up with age waivers... w/e else. Be sure its what you want. When I was at WP for my FC1, had another guy next to me age 37. Joining a reserve squadron to be a flight surgeon. He had already gone to med school and was making plenty of $$ in the medical field. Just wanted to give back. Had another bro from my Army days that got hired to go Apaches at age 35 as well. WO1. Didn't make it thru flight school. He could have finished but towards the end, he realized that flying helos is somewhat stressful and flat out quit. He was a banker before going to flight school and simply wanted to go back to stress free civilian life. Its cool to say your a pilot and what not, but sometimes, it will be a true love hate relationship. Nevertheless, if you really want it, pursue it. Make the squadrons say NO to you. There are over 200 ANG and Reserves squadrons in the US. All you need is someone to say yes to you. Good Luck. Cheers

Age limit was bumped up to 33 about 6 months ago. So you good on age. Take your time to finish your PPL, study for the AFOQT and get some kick ass numbers for you app. Also don’t be afraid to cast a wide net. Good luck. Cheers Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Lt FAIPs... "let me tell you how the Air Force works, son"

my $0.02: 1. Go to Amazon and buy a study book. Focus on the 4 pilot sections. You should be just fine since your already a flyer. There are plenty of threads on this site to read up on the AFOQT and TBAS. 2. It will be a pay cut. Not sure how much, but if you are about to make the jump to the majors, you are probably about to star making bank. Don't let that discourage you. Its a demanding and difficult lifestyle to pursue. At times it will feel like you are having to juggle two full times jobs. Graduating UPT and your advance aircraft will only the begin (your license to learn). You'll have seasoning and multiple training missions before you feel conformable with just flying military minimums and shifting your focusing to your full time airline job. It is the best of both worlds but at times you will love it and hate it. I can't say much about how demanding the fighter lifestyle is or will be. The above is just what I have seen from the bros in the tanker community. On a side note, if you could end up with your domicile being at the same location as your unit, you could potentially make lots more $$$ when its all said and done. 3. Not sure about "not-deployable". From what I hear, FRED does break alot... so maybe thats what he meant. All communities and squadrons have different optempos. Plenty of info on this site about lifestyle, pond crossings and AOR trips. check them all out. 4. The hiring process takes about 2 years (on average... some units are faster than others). Would hate to see you make it to the majors only to ask to leave for 2-3 years. Its a tough decision. Its not a rose garden on this side but at times it will be rewarding along with all the other cool stuff of flying bad ass aircraft and what not. Drinking beers all over the world will be fun as well. Good luck. Cheers

The above dilemma exist in all aspects of our dearest military. Specially in the Army. The good folks leave... and the turds that have no business leading people float to the top to take command. Also...

Thanks for the detailed post. Although I am not pursuing anything in California nor do I think I'll ever have too, I think the above will eventually help another bro in the near future. Wish we had something similar regarding other States / parts of the country in detail. I bet everyone would have a similar but different in nature story about how to get shit done yourself. It would have saved me a few headaches when I was rushing squadrons in South Carolina. Eventually I got fed up with the recruiting office and I was able to schedule the AFOQT and TBAS without anyone's help. I was also able to schedule an FC1 without a unit sponsoring me. It was easier for me as a prior service rated Army guy. An "off the street" dude might have more difficulty in getting a hold of the right person at WP. Good luck bro and keep on searching. Don't be afraid in casting a wide net. Cheers

I could see how the yellow triangle could be confused as sector of viewing from the cockpit. Glad to hear I was able to help.

The yellow triangle skinny side is the direction you are heading (see red arrow). In the above case, the compass rose is the orientation of the map. Don't let the label of HEADING above the compass rose confuse you with your aircraft heading. The aircraft heading is the yellow triangle or directional needle. Imagine that your A B C D choices are are your cyclic or 2-d directional options for which you could turn your aircraft to. Since your heading is South (A or FWD for forward) the North car park is to your rear ( option C ). Hope that helps.

Feel free to ask your questions in here for the public to see. Your questions/answers might benefit another user in the future. Good luck. Cheers

my $0.02, the WP folks are not going to go out of their way to look at stuff in your records from 10 years ago. They only know what you tell them.

Your scores look awesome. Your 201+ numbers will make you pretty competitive. Good luck

I agree with jonlbs Get a college professor or Dean of engineering to write you one. No personal friends or Family! Your have to wait 180 days to retake the TBAS I think. get your ppl and flight time under your belt. It will help you with "air-sense" stuff when retaking the TBAS.

Asking for a friend who talked to a recruiter recently. It the past, if you went unsponsored and required no waivers, you could attend UPT w no unit sponsorship. You would have to find a unit by track nights or get sent to a unit. Recruiter said chief pilots at critically manned units complaint about the quality of pilots.... whatever that means and AFRC board has decided not to send anymore unsponsored applicants to UPT. You can still submit to the board and get a pre approval type. can anyone confirm?