N730
-
Posts
269 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
1
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Gallery
Blogs
Downloads
Wiki
Posts posted by N730
-
-
I'll argue the age part. It's not ideal and will turn off SOME guard units, but it's in no way a no go. I was 27, applying fighters only. I got interviews at 2 of my first 3 applications before getting picked up.Your scores are decent, and I say that because of your Q score and 85 PCSM. If you can get your PCSM above 90 then you would be in a better position regarding your scores.
Your age is probably the greatest factor here, especially with your fighters only mentality. I'm not wanting or trying to discourage you but it is seeming that unless you are the perfect fit in a fighter unit, they still don't like interviewing candidates 28 or older even with the new age waiver policy. With that said, rush the units you want to be at and you never know what will happen. They could really like you and not care about the age. There are also some on here who have been picked up by fighter units at this age or older. Also, don't discount AD. You will definitely get a pilot slot and can still get a fighter that way. Good luck!
The place that didn't interview me was my first application. They said my cover letter was my main issue and gave me great feedback that helped me on the next apps.
I'm not saying age is no factor at all, it could have become a bigger factor in the past 18months as the numbers of applications have increased, but I would say it is not a MAJOR factor. It just has to be something you're ready to address if it's brought up.
Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app
-
1
-
-
3 hours ago, CavGuy said:
Did anybody apply to Cheyenne?
I have a buddy that applied. He got word either last week or the week before that he was invited for an interview this week.
-
1
-
-
10 hours ago, FlyingFisher said:
Dudes, Seadogs is doing what he does best again and being a massive troll, ignore and do not feed.
Hahaha I have to do a better job of checking the username of these posters!
-
Honestly, most of your packet is slightly better than mine was. And your GPA is way better considering you were in engineering.Hey all,It's been about a year of applying for me. I've been able to get a few interviews at various heavy units last year, but the rejections far outweigh the interview offers, and haven't been offered a slot at any of the units I interviewed with. I'm looking to get some feedback to see where I stand and how I can improve my odds for the upcoming year. To get the basic stats out of the way:
Age: 30
AFOQT: Pilot: 98, Nav: 85, ACAD: 93, Verbal: 91, Quant: 98
PCSM: 99
Degree/Major: B.S. & M.S. in Civil Engineering. Undergrad GPA: 3.51, Grad GPA: 3.10.
LORs: Project manager (direct supervisor), managing principal of my office, flight instructor.
Experience: Working as a licensed structural engineer in NYC for 5 years.
Leadership: I'm a senior project engineer at the company I work for so I am responsible for managing project progression and I have junior engineers working under me. Besides that, some minor club leadership roles while in college over 5 years ago but I'm not sure if that's worth mentioning.
Flight Time: 135.1 hrs with a fresh new PPL.
Activities: Played some college tennis, rock climb, hike/camp, weight-lift, etc. But most of my time is now devoted to flight training on weekends.
Non-prior service.
The PPL is probably the biggest update since the last year. Just two weekends ago in February I passed my PPL check ride and finally got my private pilot's license. I jumped straight into instrument training the next day and am working through ground school. I'm hoping that having the license in-hand on my applications makes a difference this year.
I've asked a few friends I've met along the way last year for feedback on my resume and cover letter and I feel like they are fairly strong. If anyone has the time and is willing to give some more feedback, I can PM you the files.
It seems like the pool of candidates is getting tougher and tougher at every board or unit that I rush. There's lot's of prior service applicants or civilian professional pilots with tons of flight time, there are applicants younger than I am with more ratings, and it seems like the quantity of applications is always increasing because the information about opportunities in the ANG and AFRC is more widely disseminated than it used to be. I'm definitely going to keep working at it and continue to do whatever I can but I'd be lying if I said the number of rejections don't get a person down on occasion, especially the ones you really had your heart set on and did everything thought you could. So I'm hoping to get some feedback in order to stay competitive for the next year and hopefully land a slot this year.
In general, I understand I'm fairly competitive for heavies on paper. How competitive is this for fighters?
Thanks to this forum for all the information thus far and thank you in advance for any feedback.
Like one of the other guys said, one downside could have been the high hours with no license. So I'm sure the PPL will help in that area.
The other downside is your age, I even though you aren't in waiver territory, some units will still think you're too old. Most probably won't though. Plus, you're getting interviews, so you're on the right track.
Now if you have been getting interviews with no success, id shell out the money on Bogidope. Emerald Coast does guard prep too, but I don't think they typically advertise it.
They are both great services and good investments. The cost is a whole lot lower than travelling to 3-4 more interviews and a tiny price to pay to hit the lottery and get hired by a guard unit.
Edit: And apply everywhere, you are getting too old to be too picky.
Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app
-
1
-
1
-
-
Personally, I think that sounds like bad form.For the upcoming meet and greet at the 457th, even if you didn't get an invite could you still slip on in and interact with pilots or will they ID you like a frat party? I could see this showing persistence and even though they didn't invite you this could swing chances for an interview in your favor. Thoughts?
Plus, if you don't have a CAC, they probably wouldn't let you on the base anyway. If they do formal invitations for meet and greets, showing up uninvited would almost be like showing up on the interview weekend after they told you they weren't interested.
If you're showing up when they've already looked at your package and ruled you out, you're just wasting their time.
Maybe someone from the 457th can answer with authority, but it's probably safe to assume that no means no.
Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app
-
Will say it's not purely rumor. We have a guy who graduated OTS in December and is still waiting on dates. He's been told not to expect to go before October unless a spot unexpectedly opens up.I went through Wright-Pat with Guard dudes who have been assigned FY2020 dates for UPT as recently as last month. For some reason those of us waiting for UPT love starting rumors as a whole, but they're mostly unfounded, if you have access to the system you'll see that there are openings for most UPT classes for the remainder of the year.
Having said that, maybe it will turn out that the rumors are true and we do have to wait, in which case I say we enjoy our time off. Play golf, go fly fishing, take up underwater basket weaving, knit a sweater for your mom and your dog. At the end of the day we all still won the lottery, a little longer wait than expected is still worth it.
I guarantee the squadron wouldn't keep him on full time orders and pay him to wait around if it was possible to have him in UPT.
And I'm in a similar boat. I still don't have UPT dates while I'm starting OTS extremely soon.
Maybe it's an issue of T-38s vs T-1s, I don't know. But there's a real backlog that is causing a larger than normal break in training.
Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app
-
You can go unsponsored and get picked up by a fighter unit, and it that case you'll go through T-38s.Thanks. Unsponsored leading to tracking T1s - is that a set / required thing? As in, that IS for a fact what you'll be tracking and then going on to heavies? In a couple other posts I was reading, people mentioned the possibility of going unsponsored and then trying to get picked up by a fighter unit. Admittedly it seemed unlikely since there arent many fighter reserve units, but it seemed possible unless there's more to it I'm not aware of ? Thanks.
But if you don't find a sponsoring unit before a certain point in training (I can't speak to when, but it's before or at track select), you'll be sent to T-1s.
So it's not that going unsponsored locks you into T-1s, it's that T-1s are the default track unless you find a fighter unit sponsor early.
Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app
-
I'll add. If you haven't visited a unit, this is the only way they can learn about you. So use the whole page and avoid spending a paragraph full of generalized every other candidate will using.Got it - will do. Yep, I pulled the standard format from my application and will follow it. Thank you!
i.e. don't just saw "I want to fly X". No shit, everyone that's applying does. Explain why you want to fly it, what draws you to the mission/platform.
Also use it to mention anything that sets you apart, but wouldn't be covered in your resume.
At least that's what worked for me! Good luck!
Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app
-
Cut it down to one page. Full stop. If it's just over one, mess with the formatting to get it down to one.Is there a recommended limit on the cover letter length? Traditionally I've always understood it to be 1 page. But when I drafted mine, and added background on the various top-level points that I think might separate me from other candidate, I ended up at just over 2 pages. Would appreciate any thoughts / guidance. Thanks!
Honestly, there is no way your cover letter should be 3 pages. No one is going to read the whole thing.
Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app
-
1
-
-
I'm honestly not convinced this isn't a troll.
If it's not, I'm very surprised. I didn't know you could get a 99 PCSM with that few hours.
Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app-
1
-
-
Current PCSM isn't incredible, I know multiple people with similar hours, lower scores and a higher PCSM.
BUT, thankfully a lot of guard units look at your 201+ more than the current PCSM.
Like ryleypav said, if you are getting interviews, you are on the right track. It just sounds like you weren't comfortable during your interview. You should be prepared for you answer, but besides the "about me", it might be better to have an idea of the high points you want to hit in your answer rather than something memorized.
If you are really worried, it might be useful to do Bogidope or another company's interview prep. You are on the right track, most people don't get hired on their first interview, so just use that experience going forward.
-
1
-
-
20 hours ago, Boomer6 said:12 Saudis Sent Home
It’s about time. Hopefully this is just the start and we’re going to actually vet these people more thoroughly."A number are also accused of possessing child pornography"
Damn, in case you weren't sure the guys being sent home were shitbags, some added confirmation.
Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app
-
I can't remember how long mine took, but I have a friend that took it Monday, his scores were sent off Tuesday, and got his scores back today.
-
-
You're absolutely right. My statements were just based on our past decisions in the region.You know, war doesn’t have to mean regime change. Destroying all their shit, making them look inept to their own people, and walking away could effect a lot of internal change.
If we took that approach, it would be effective, but almost every time we've interacted with the region, regime change has been the course of action.
Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app
-
Regardless of if you think this was a mistake or not, if this leads to war with Iran, it is going to make our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan look efficient.
Iran is another beast when it comes to size, population, terrain, etc.
I mean Tehran is the size of New York City and the area surrounding brings the population to something like 16 million. The country's population is almost as much as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria combined. And it's larger than the three countries put together.
And all of that is ignoring the militaristic and economic capability differences between the country of Iran and the different terrorist organizations we've fought for the past two decades.
I think that while the people here may be an exception, most Americans don't really understand what an undertaking a war with Iran would be. They see the Middle East as one homogeneous area and have heard Iran and Iraq mentioned together for so long that they equalize them.
The dude needed to die and the world is better off without him, but I'm hoping his status in the country and its leadership doesn't lead us into another war.
Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app -
14 hours ago, CavGuy said:
I don't know. I called, got an application and now have an interview in Feb. Granted, I'm current military but not Air Force. Cheers for the luck, I need it!
Awesome! Congrats, and good on you for taking the initiative!
12 hours ago, CavGuy said:Going off my previous post here. Do you guys think its not a good use of time interviewing with a unit that gives preference to those within their organization? As much as I want to attend every interview, time and cost are not expendable especially already being in the military myself.
Absolutely not a waste of time. Every unit seems to give preference to their internal guys, they've worked in the unit and have interacted with the pilots. They've been able to see their work ethic in a lot instances. But if they weren't interested, they wouldn't have invited you to interview. And if they weren't open to outside candidates, they would not have sent you an application.
Like I said, I knew someone in the unit and was able to visit right after they got their C-17s. I was just trying to get an understanding of what the guard was and how it worked. Just in conversation, I was told numerous times that I'd have to enlist and work in the unit before they'd consider me. So I'd imagine you'd have gotten the same response if they weren't going to give consideration to outside applicants.
Plus, even if you aren't hired, an interview is great experience. I got picked up on my second interview and credit a lot of the success to having real guard interview experience.
-
1
-
-
Did they finally start hiring off the street?Anybody going to the Memphis UPT board in Feb?
When I spoke to them years ago, they said they only hired from within. I've never even seen info about a board.
If you're interviewing, good luck! Memphis is a much better town that people give it credit for. A TON of great food.
Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app
-
On 11/25/2019 at 4:09 PM, Kenny Powers said:
Beware, this whole thing is a royal cluster! I'm not smart on the details but a bunch of our pilots who signed are not going to get it (eligible) and a few have received it and are being forced to pay it back (also eligibles). Apparently NGB or whomever realized how this bonus made zero sense and now they are literally going back on signed contracts that have paid out.
So, I'm guessing nothing like this has be announced for FY20?
I'm not sure where to look to find this. I haven't seen it, but an extra 20k accession bonus for time I'd be working anyway would be pretty nice.
-
On 12/20/2019 at 9:17 AM, SocialD said:
We laminated a piece of paper that said "Mother nursing," slapped a magnet on it and voila, any empty room can become a nursing room.
Exactly how it should be done. It's been this way multiple places that I've worked in the civilian sector too, including as a contractor for other DoD components.
Don't resign women to pumping or nursing in a bathroom, but don't build a single use room in a building where it will hardly ever be used. As long as you have a way to tell people, "Don't go in there, someone is nursing/pumping", there should be no issue.
Plus, this seems easier on the mom too. But I guess designating a room with a temporary sign is just too much common sense.
-
2 hours ago, Kiloalpha said:
Talk to blue collar or middle class folks and they’ll tell you that things are good, but something just feels odd about the growth. So, they’re not expanding as much, and they’re saving more.
Except a lot of farmers. Many of them are directly feeling the ramifications of our current trade policies. But then the government bails them out of a problem they created with billions of dollars they don't have and expect to be thanked. All the way, the government is ignoring the fact that some of the markets farmers have lost will not be coming back.
At least the auto industry repaid their bailout, most with interest. The emergency farm subsidies are money that shouldn't have been necessary to begin with.
-
3
-
-
Yeah, lowering taxes and interest rates along with the current actions being taken by the fed should not happen during a period of economic growth. They should be saved to provide a boost to the economy when we go into a recession.
It has also made it difficult to judge the true health of the economy. Yes, it is growing. But we basically provided a small stimulus package to a healthy economy, so it has covered up any obvious warning signs or consequences that could have been created by the trade war/tariffs/anything else.
I worry that we are going to be in trouble when the next recession hits and those moves are off the table.
-
2
-
2
-
-
23 hours ago, Sua Sponte said:
Navy Federal was really easy to deal with and gave me a really good rate. The dealer was able to beat that rate big a small margin, so I went with them. But I was impressed with Navy Federal's customer service. I feel they are what USAA used to be years ago.
I loved Navy Fed for my used car loan. I do not like them for banking though. Your ATMs are more limited than USAA and (at least this is true of 4-5 years ago) they charge ATM fees on top of what is charged by whatever ATM you use.
-
1
-
-
2 hours ago, GrndPndr said:
Pentagon implements 'operational pause' on training of foreign students after Pensacola shooting
"Deputy Secretary of Defense David L. Norquist said in a memo Tuesday he was directing "immediately steps to strengthen personnel vetting for" international military students training inside the United States."
Sounds like this is for all foreign students. So half of the ENJJPT students wont be flying? Of course, we have to double check the Canadians, Danes, and Dutch. Can't point out that it's only 1-2 countries that need additional screening. I'm surprised the Navy got away with grounding all the Saudi's and risked offending bin Salman.
-
1
-
Upcoming Boards
in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves
Posted
Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app