tarheelaviator
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Posts posted by tarheelaviator
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Has anyone been experiencing severe delays getting their FC1 scheduled? My med waiver was approved late last year and I still have been waiting for an FC1 data since November-December. Recruiter said some nonsense about their being delays caused by Covid rules, Congressional budget screw ups, etc but wanted to see if I am being fed BS.
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On 3/4/2021 at 2:31 PM, MoonShot said:
Today I heard from a unit POC that the AFRC has said there will be absolutely no age waivers approved for Reserve UPT slots.
I trust that its honest feedback but has anyone else heard anything along those lines?
I know a guy who is 39 and got picked up for an AFRC squadron (granted it was an unusual case but still). That is a load of bull.
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17 hours ago, julietecho13 said:
I I was told to do some soul searching and consider active duty because at my age it'll be hard to get fighters.
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Feels real bad man, but getting the VT interview definitely has my hopes at fighters back in the reality realm so I'm chugging on.
100% this. Just keep applying everywhere. There are people in their 30s who have gotten picked up for fighters/bombers so their justification is nonsense. You've still got plenty of time keep applying everywhere. I mean applying AD simultaneously won't hurt but keep trying for the Guard/Reserve. If active duty stuff isn't out of what you want could consider, the Navy/USMC aviation side is something you should look into as well.
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On 1/23/2021 at 9:21 AM, TreeA10 said:
Any recommendations for handgun sight upgrades?
https://www.trijicon.com/products/subcategory/trijicon-hd
Trijicon's iron night sights are pretty good or are you talking about the reflex/red dot type ones (no experience with those yet)?
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If you're going to try the AD route prepare for delays, frustrations, switching to different recruiters (50% won't even push your application) and perhaps them offering you a non-pilot job even if you get through it. I spent 2.5 years beating on that line officer recruiting door only to get a CSO offer which I had to decline. Like Brabus said apply everywhere. Until you sign on the dotted line it's just an offer not a commitment.
Also if you're willing to entertain the Navy side consider them. There recruiters seem to do a better job getting an answers quickly.
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After a year and airline hiring picks up again they'll probably bring it back. Their manning exodus was temporarily halted by Covid but they did not catch up on their pilot training needs in 2020 to fill existing gaps.
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7 hours ago, JabroniWizard said:
Just a friendly reminder to anyone who hasn’t gone to MEPS yet, DO NOT (and I can’t emphasize this enough) DISCLOSE ANYTHING. They will try and pressure you with some honesty and integrity bs but don’t buy it. It is there job to disqualify, NOT qualify.
Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile appThis x100. I disclosed something years ago that almost grenaded my chances. Don't be stupid and lie about something they'll find (see surgery scar example above) but don't disclose anything that doesn't need to be said. I eventually got a waiver that shouldn't have even been necessary but it costed me years of lost time (no joke).
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On 12/20/2020 at 6:53 PM, buscruncher22 said:
Hi all-
Long time lurker but got picked up off the street at a ANG fighter unit a few months ago and was curious to see if anyone is in the same situation I'm in- my contacts are just slightly out of FC1 limits (-3.25 both eyes) so it looks like I'll have to get LASIK/PRK. I'm working with my unit's flight doc regarding timeline of surgery + going to MEPS and Wright Pat. Anyone had a similar timeline or experience of getting hired at a unit and then needing eye surgery? Trying to work the 6 month wait time prior to FC1 in since it's projected that I wouldn't even head to OTS until sometime 12-14 months down the road. Thanks!
Not sure how it works when you already were picked up but I had PRK a long time ago and can't emphasize enough just finding a good doctor, sticking with the eye drop regimen religiously. If you're hired do you have to go to a USAF physician to get it done or is it still on your dime to find a surgeon yourself?
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2 hours ago, c130rob said:
Do guard and reserve units always advertise when they're hiring for UPT positions? Or do you sometimes have to call around and talk to people to know if a unit is hiring?
You absolutely have to call anywhere that interests you. I've had 2 interviews at boards that were never listed on BogiDope. Purely anecdotal but it seems the Reserve squadrons advertise less than the Guard ones.
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Can attest to a similar experience. My old MEPS physical is over 2 years old so I am having to get another. Getting an appointment right now is Lord of Flies and taking months. DM for details but it sounds like we are in the same boat.
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26 minutes ago, RobertSP said:
Having a 9 in the PFAR made the Navy pretty confident in me getting selected. My concern is I want fighter, and there are less fighter roles, I'd rather not get stuck flying the hawkeye or greyhound, don't get me wrong I am grateful for any opportunity I get, but if I went Navy it would be pretty important to me to get F/A-18 or F-35. In the Air Force, I feel I would probably have a higher chance of getting a fighter role (more platforms available = more chance right?).
PCSM 92/AFOQT Pilot 98. I am exclusively doing the Reserve/Guard track now as the AD application process is just too slow. I also took the ASTB and those are solid scores (DM me for details on the Navy track). Also if you're interested at all in the Navy or Marines, Airwarriors is pretty much their version of this forum and there is better gouge there.
I'll respectfully disagree that your chances for Strike Fighter would be lower than going the fighter/bomber track with the Air Force. If you do the active duty process with either branch, no airframe is guaranteed. It's still a combination of your performance in flight school and what's available during your drop. The Navy still has a major strike fighter aviator shortage just like the AD Air Force has a fighter pilot shortage but there never is a shortage of people who want to do those jobs.
If you want a guaranteed 100% fighter slot you have to secure a spot with a Guard/Reserve squadron that flies them. Other than that it's always going to be a risk.
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14 hours ago, Kiloalpha said:
There are guys and gals that took 1.5yrs to make it from first recruiter appt to OTS.
Only 1.5 years? That's a good one. Took almost 3 years for me.
But all joking aside and to echo what Kilo said get those scores up. I had stellar scores (90+ across the board), great letters of rec, and was still non-select for pilot for an AD board (like you I'm a bit on the older side so that might have had something to do with it). I'd try Guard/Reserve simultaneously and also consider the Navy. The Navy recruiters seem to get folks before a board really quickly something I cannot say about any Air Force ones.
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45 minutes ago, Flyman said:
Is it true that if you are sponsored you may still not meet the Reserve board? (New to this, sorry if it has been asked before).
Seems it used to be if you were sponsored and cleared medically the Reserve board was just a formality. Now it seems they have severely cut the number of UPT slots for the Reserve so they are prioritizing the most undermanned squadrons.
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2 hours ago, Marco said:
bogidope.com
Second what Marco said. BogiDope prepped me really well for my interviews. Identified a ton of bad stuff I didn't even realize I was doing. Its not cheap but its worth the money.
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I feel like this is what the AETC must look like over the last 12 months. Doesn't appear the Guard or Active Duty is any better based on the wait times I am seeing with people selected for those.
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7 hours ago, goodflightcowboy said:
Hate to keeping asking the same question, but has anyone heard from Tulsa? I send an updated resume once every 4-6 weeks but I haven't heard anything since CO called to postpone in March.
Heard they cancelled the board this year. May want to call and confirm but that's the last I heard.
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Not sure how old you are or how open you are to even crazier life changes but have you considered the active duty flying world? Yeah you don't have the flexibility of knowing where you'll be living but the Navy, USMC, and Air Force all have aviator shortages despite Covid grenading commercial aviation. Unlike the Air Force process the Navy and Marine Corps in particular seem to do a much better job of giving you a yes/no answer within a few months instead of 12-24 months like the AD Air Force.
Also this year is terrible for applying to UPT boards. Without being able to visit in person (UTA weekend, etc) or having a personal connection at a squadron before an application is due means your chances for an interview are close to zero even with stellar scores, grades and flying hours. Once Covid is over and you can take the time to allow them to put a name to a face things will get much easier.
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Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, is also being considered for F-35As.
Why would an active duty Naval Air Station be slated to receive Air Force jets (unless the CA Guard is pondering relocating their jets there)?
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On 9/14/2020 at 4:34 PM, ZR-1 said:
I retook. First time I thought I couldn’t have done worse. Second time I thought I couldn’t have done better.
No score change (95 in 81-100 bracket).
I mean to be fair what is your 201+ hour projected? Its got to be like 97-98+ right? At your point you've essentially maxed out the score.
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Yeah its starting to look like everyone who takes a second time just murders it
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On 9/9/2020 at 6:05 PM, Desk Jobs Suck said:
For example, I was told that "I don't fit into fighter culture, maybe you should join the Marine Corps instead."
The guy who said that realizes the Marine Corps also has a fighter community right?
But ok getting (sorta) serious to second what Desk Jobs said just shoot for what makes you happy and develop some thicker skin.
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Sounds like you're doing all the right things. You should keep applying everywhere in the interim but I'd say don't be annoying (if their needs change they'll contact you). Once the pandemic passes maybe go back to a UTA weekend or two. Most places I've applied have said verbatim selection as an alternate means you have to recompete at the next board same as everyone else.
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On 8/2/2020 at 10:15 AM, SocialD said:
With a high emphasis on meeting you in person. Scores are great and all, but only one small part of the equation.
100% agree but I think I can speak for most people here has been extremely challenging for applicants the last few months. I got one virtual, one in person interview, and couple of phone screeners with units this year I had met in person before the Covid-19 lockdown but I can't recall anywhere I was taken seriously that I didn't go to a UTA weekend at least once in person. I've met plenty of other applicants during past visits who had way better scores, way younger, way more flight hours but were insufferable to be around. Visit as many places as possible and don't be a douche/be yourself once this pandemic passes.
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Just now, pilotcrum said:
I should have been more clear, that’s my bad. I got the invite but hadn’t heard back since the meet and greet. Just found out they’re still delayed.
Gotcha no idea then. They offered you an invite but didn't provide a POC to reach out to? I'm sure there's someone lurking from the squadron around here who can help. I've had some success in the application process just calling the ops desk at places of interest. You'll have to be creative and get around some gatekeepers but I'm sure if you were already offered an interview they'll be more receptive about getting a pilot on the phone for you.
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Upcoming Boards
in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves
Posted
I saw the most recent list of selectees for the AFRC board. There are ALOT of ETPs (they mark each person with an age limit waiver with asterisk) and I even saw one for a fighter squadron. They are rare but do happen if you have good rapport with the squadron.