flyguyinthesky

Can’t hear tone over text, I’m sure it would sound different if we were in person. I’m not butt hurt, just didn’t seem productive. I’ve been working at it for a few years now after not getting rated out of rotc. And I understand guard is more competitive, I dipped my toes in the guard world last year and know I’m going against 100-200 other people for a single slot, but the risk could be worth it with their unit and airframe. I’ll probably take you up on your offer, I’ve been using any resource I can get. Should know if I’ve got an AD slot this week.

@di1630Hey screw me for having a dream, huh? If you wanted to be a pilot but got offered a CSO slot would you take it in hopes for a cross train ETP later on or something? Or would you keep going for a pilot slot since that’s your goal? Then maybe don’t hate on me for trying to do something that gives me the best shot at accomplishing a goal. If I want to be a fighter pilot why would I take an AD slot if they’re not giving any T-38 tracks? It’s all risk calculation, if I get a heavy then so be it and I won’t be a piss baby about it, but why would I set myself up with worse odds from the start?

Hola, I've heard some talk about abysmal T-38 track rates at UPT recently (sometimes none at all), can anyone confirm? I'm currently in limbo trying to decide between an active duty slot (if I get one) or go all in on a guard fighter squadron that is my dream unit. I'm only really interested in fighters, which obviously makes UPT even more competitive and makes guard more alluring to me with the airframe guarantee. If UPT classes are hardly dropping any T-38's then that's a little dissuading for guys who are shooting something you might not get just based on availability. Of course, even if I got an AD slot I wouldn't be at UPT for a year or two so everything can change, as the big blue does.

Dang, nice. At UPT now?

Nope. What’s everyone’s feelings on getting a call vs. a list being released? Personally I’d rather open a list myself to see the results instead of waiting for a call from my commander.

Just throwing my two cents, don’t crucify me. If you’ve already made it to commissioning then you should know you won’t get far in life without pushing boundaries. My biggest successes in my short time in were all due to me just walking up to people I didn’t know and into places I wasn’t known. Thinking “I don’t want to try this thing because I’ll be the only *insert characteristic* person…” is a pretty good reason itself that they shouldn’t do that thing. If they’re an amazing candidate but have the mindset that their skin color or whatever else might make it harder and therefor they won’t do it, I don’t think they’re an amazing candidate. I would rather have a system that might make some people feel that way than a system that instills doubt in everybody because you never know if you’ll get the spot or not due to things you can’t control like you race or gender.

Nope, never saw anything about those.

Was notification over phone or email? Got a call from a FL number but when I answered nobody was there. Probably spam but kinda weird it was today.

Makes sense. And absolutely, I had to learn that lesson from not getting picked up for rated back in school.

Noted, been trying to work on interview prep. In your opinion, what’s the difference between someone you see in a fighter and someone you don’t? I’m a standard 4-year contract, so I’ve got less than 2 left, and I am applying to the AD UPT board.

That’s a good point about using Global, I haven’t been utilizing that like I could be. That’s a bummer to hear about units cutting back. My mentality is definitely “just Fs”, which I know really makes it more difficult. Thanks for the comments though, definitely going to start trying to reach more and pushing for more opportunities to get to know the pilots.

There’s a few personal reasons, but it pretty much sums up to just not seeing myself in a heavy. Chalk it up to the childhood “I want to fly jets” and desiring the mission but there’s a little more to it. I’ve also talked to some people on both sides and visited some AD squadrons and I really jived with the fighter culture better.

Absolutely, and I definitely want to do that. Only issue is so far I think most of the units I've applied to have specified that they're not rushing and not open to squadron visits oddly enough. I've been doing what I can to network over the internet and through connections, and have gotten the chance to talk to some young guys who just got picked up at some of these units, but only here and there. Going to continue doing what I can, I definitely understand that personality and chemistry is huge for guard units, it's just difficult when the first in-person interaction you can get is only if you get chosen in the top 15 of 200+ applications with no face-to-face time beforehand. Any advice on dealing with that?

Howdy all, I'm currently applying to guard squadrons (fighter only) and just thought I'd shoot my stuff out here to get peoples' opinions! I think I'm half decent, but sometimes you need a second opinion. Age: 24 Occupation: AD Lt AFOQT: P: 98 N: 89 A: 99 AA: 98 V: 84 Q: 99 PCSM: 86 (16 flight hours) College GPA: 3.3 - technical major LoR's: 1. Past ROTC Commander O-5 pilot who knows me well 2. Current mentor from my religious organization 3. Current unit commander/boss O-4 Extracurriculars: Informal outdoor sports, drone photography Overall I think my package is pretty decent and I think if I can get an interview I can really shine, but I know there are a couple areas that could be better like my GPA and flight hours. I wanted to get my PPL over the last couple years but life/work got kinda wild. I didn't get a rated slot in ROTC so I've tried building up leadership and professional experience over the last couple years to go for the AD board or a guard unit. Another positive for my package is that I already have a lot of the things done that a selectee would have to do (i.e. commission, flight physical, clearance, etc) so I'm hoping that appeals to some units who don't want to risk selecting a lemon who can't get a clearance or something. I'm also very familiar with the UPT process/timeline. I know fighter units are stupid competitive with easily 200+ applicants for a single slot, but I'm confident I have a shot if I can get an interview. What do you think my chances are?

Not here

Also following, good luck to everybody!