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flyguyinthesky

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Posts posted by flyguyinthesky

    T-38 track rates

    in Pilot Selection Process

    Posted

    1 hour ago, goboldtigers said:

    From what I've heard, guard squadrons are incredibly competitive. Based on everything I've heard, the most common guys that get picked up are former active duty pilots preferably in that airframe with a ton of flying hours and cool/fun personalities

    You’re right, they are really competitive. Unlike the AD board they rely a lot on your personality and how you’d fit in the unit, so it requires a lot of face time with the pilots to get a shot. Which makes it kinda difficult for us AD guys to get since we’re off who knows where doing our job and can’t always take leave to rush squadrons in other states.

    As for your other point, they usually have separate application “cycles” for flyers and off the street hires. So it’s a little more level ground going up against other non-rated people and civilians.

    I see you in the PSDM forum a lot, I’m right there with you man, waiting for these results. Good luck brother

    T-38 track rates

    in Pilot Selection Process

    Posted

    2 hours ago, di1630 said:


    Next time post your situation so we can guide you based on specifics. Sounds like you are not a cadet so your situation probably has some specifics people on here can help with.


    Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

    You’re right, should’ve provided more details. I’m already in, waiting for results on the active duty rated board and also pursuing the guard option.

    T-38 track rates

    in Pilot Selection Process

    Posted

    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.

    T-38 track rates

    in Pilot Selection Process

    Posted

    @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?

     

    • Downvote 1

    T-38 track rates

    in Pilot Selection Process

    Posted

    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.

    ACTIVE PSDM 23-54: 2024 Active Duty Flying Training Board

    in Pilot Selection Process

    Posted · Edited by flyguyinthesky

    33 minutes ago, simsans said:

    However, I do see the argument that that the less diverse our pilot corps are the more likely an amazing candidate that is a minority may feel intimated to apply hurting our potential as a force in the future that can snowball.  We have seen that in our history as Americans in professional sports or executive positions.

    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.

    • Like 2

    Young AD Lt with decent scores

    in What Are My Chances?

    Posted

    4 hours ago, O Face said:

    There’s a million different qualities, both tangible and intangible. Sometimes you only get an half hour to decide if a person posses those traits we’re looking for. Us guard guys are pretty good at picking out the person who is going to be a good fit for the long haul though. 
     

    Just remember if you don’t get T-38’s on track select night, don’t pout and bitch. Go be the best you can in something else. Everyone “saw themselves in a fighter” at some point. And there’s been a million dudes who thought they wanted fighters, only to end up loving what they got instead. 
     

    Makes sense.

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

    Young AD Lt with decent scores

    in What Are My Chances?

    Posted

    8 hours ago, O Face said:

    I find this difficult to believe. 
     

    Also, @JimNtexas did you a big favor when he asked you that question. It will be asked of you again, in some form, should you get an interview, and I’d recommend you start working on your answer, because here’s your issue…We don’t give a shit where you see yourself. You are hoping that those interviewing you see you in a fighter. See the difference? 

     How much longer do you have on your ADSC?  Are you applying to the AD UPT board as well?  

    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.

    Young AD Lt with decent scores

    in What Are My Chances?

    Posted

    4 minutes ago, FDNYOldGuy said:

    I don't have any personal advice for that. I just got hired in a completely different environment than today. Currently, we (and most squadrons, from what I gather) are really heavy on new pilots and have drastically pulled back hiring from what was happening Reserves/Guard-wide when I was going through in 2018. Unfortunately, you're just in a tough part of the wave and, even more so, I'd bet lots of squadrons are hiring closer to the vest and going with internally recommended/known folks and non-advertised hiring boards.

    That said, the resume is one thing to getting hired, but the hustle is an even bigger piece. It may take you pushing further with reaching out to squadrons than just listening to their "we aren't doing rushes." With your access to Global, you can do more digging than the average bear and have a leg up to reach out to folks in squadrons through research.

    Also, as @JimNtexas said, looking outside of fighters is also probably a good idea, depending on whether your view is "any military flying" or "I'm only going to fly Fs." That's only something you can decide, but I'd recommend doing some research, soul searching, and looking into what your career choices are after UPT pipeline. 

    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.

    Young AD Lt with decent scores

    in What Are My Chances?

    Posted

    23 minutes ago, JimNtexas said:

    Why fighters only?

    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. 

    Young AD Lt with decent scores

    in What Are My Chances?

    Posted · Edited by flyguyinthesky

    1 hour ago, FDNYOldGuy said:

    If you're set on getting out of AD and doing Guard/Reserve, O's point to just going to meet the squadrons and being a solid human is going to weigh more than you being hot shit with scores/civilian life extra curriculars/great LoRs. Those help, but they'll aim to hire someone they like and wish to spend time with over someone that is a shiny penny on paper.

    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?

    Young AD Lt with decent scores

    in What Are My Chances?

    Posted · Edited by flyguyinthesky

    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?

     

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