2026 ACTIVE DUTY UFT BOARD

[Shultzy22]

11 hours ago, Justwanttofly said:

Not really. I have a rule to submit and forget. That’s what I did when applying to OTS. Now do I think about it? Yes and wish November was here already. But I can’t speed up time. So I’m focusing on still kicking ass at work and football!!! And my family lol.

That's a good attitude to have! Hard to not get in the head, but lord knows I'm stoked for some College Gameday!

[Shultzy22]

8 hours ago, Arkbird said:

I was technically a Lt when I applied so I didn't have a lot of first hand leadership (RPA). I will say I had a lot of "first" in my package explaining how I was the first to do something. So it could be in how you frame your experiences as well. 

Definitely agree it comes down to framing and how the board perceives the info. I made a lot of mistakes on my first application when it came to LOR and what I thought the board cared about. Glad I was able to get feedback for this go around.

4 hours ago, Nukefanatic said:

You have a pretty good chance I would say! Your scores are great and looks like you did improve on leadership growth which sounds like what the board wants to see.

The waiting is the worst.. I’ve been trying to stay focused on work and other things but I catch myself over analysing my entire package sometimes, wondering if there was something I could’ve done better.

Thanks! It was definitely the focus for me after they gave very pointed feedback. Made writing the personal letter a ton easier, just reflecting on taking feedback/coming back stronger and more determined. There's almost always something you can say could be better, but as long as you're happy with how you presented yourself in your application, that's all that really matters!

 

[Mintberry_crunch]

Hey everyone, been reading yall post for motivation while applying for the FY26 boards and hoping we all see some success. Wanted to know, did anyone receive their receipt of submission from the UFT board team? It’s been 7 days so I’m not sure if it’s just me or it’s a common thing. Thanks in advance

[JASSM_ER]

On 8/25/2025 at 1:17 AM, Shultzy22 said:

Is the waiting driving anyone else crazy?

This is my second time applying (got CSO in FY23 board) so all or nothing this go around. Have 200+ hours w/PPL, 92 PCSM and 96 Pilot. Was a young LT last time and got feedback from the board to focus on leadership positions/growth. Got a masters, Flt/CC time and now an Ops O position within my unit with all the typical awards this go around. The leadership metric always drove me crazy because we have zero clue how much things are weighted within that 40% (OPBs, Strats, Letter of Rec, 215 statements etc). I’m sure there’s some delineation for how they weigh each item but who knows. 

Random thought but does anyone know where IPT locations will be? I’ve heard they’re literally all over the US. 

Anyways best of luck to everyone this go around. November can’t get here soon enough! 

Did you have PPL and those scores when you applied for FY23? I'm a young LT with pretty much the same scores as my only qualifications but no experience--trying to gauge my chances

[Shultzy22]

22 minutes ago, JASSM_ER said:

Did you have PPL and those scores when you applied for FY23? I'm a young LT with pretty much the same scores as my only qualifications but no experience--trying to gauge my chances

Yeah I did, and also had my letter of rec from a retired O-6 that I did all of my flight training with (probs a big misstep since they want to see someone from your chain of command to vouch for leadership).
 

I will say that FY23 was pretty competitive with only 69 pilot slots. I wouldn’t be discouraged either way, if the rumors end up being true and we have solid numbers I think we all have a good shot at getting picked up. 

[Justwanttofly]

2 hours ago, Mintberry_crunch said:

Hey everyone, been reading yall post for motivation while applying for the FY26 boards and hoping we all see some success. Wanted to know, did anyone receive their receipt of submission from the UFT board team? It’s been 7 days so I’m not sure if it’s just me or it’s a common thing. Thanks in advance

I was notified that my package was received and will meet the board in September. The program managers I’m assuming reached out to all wing execs telling them whose packages were received in anticipation of wing execs sending word down the chain. That’s not how I found out how mine was received but then again, those who applied from my wing don’t even know where they stratted. 

[Nukefanatic]

On 8/25/2025 at 12:26 PM, Shultzy22 said:

Definitely agree it comes down to framing and how the board perceives the info. I made a lot of mistakes on my first application when it came to LOR and what I thought the board cared about. Glad I was able to get feedback for this go around.

Thanks! It was definitely the focus for me after they gave very pointed feedback. Made writing the personal letter a ton easier, just reflecting on taking feedback/coming back stronger and more determined. There's almost always something you can say could be better, but as long as you're happy with how you presented yourself in your application, that's all that really matters!

 

From what they told us in RPP, the LOR should be coming from someone that has firsthand experience of your character and leadership. I understood this as it could be anyone in your CoC or someone who you worked closely with. My LOR from an O-6 I worked with had a lot of statistics of things I've done for my career field and the wing but I'm worried it sounds too robotic or just not personal enough if that makes sense? Like it sounds genuine but not heartfelt?

I honestly am not sure what the board is looking for but my buddy who got picked up last year told me to avoid general, broad statements (fluff) for both my LOR and rater comments.

[JASSM_ER]

Does anyone know/can corroborate the exemption criteria for IPT? This document from Columbus UPT states IPT earns the student an FAA single-engine private pilot license, instrument rating, and multi-engine [presumably private pilot, not commercial], but it doesn't say if you come in with those ratings you'll be exempt from IPT. I've heard of many cases when IFT was the standard that if you were selected for UPT through whatever selection process and already had a single-engine PPL when you arrived on station, you would be exempt from IFT, but I haven't heard confirmation of a similar practice for IPT and PP AMEL IR.

Edited Tuesday at 02:02 PM by JASSM_ER

[Justwanttofly]

10 minutes ago, JASSM_ER said:

Does anyone know/can corroborate the exemption criteria for IPT? This document from Columbus UPT states IPT earns the student an FAA single-engine private pilot license, instrument rating, and multi-engine [presumably private pilot, not commercial], but it doesn't say if you come in with those ratings you'll be exempt from IPT. I've heard of many cases when IFT was the standard that if you were selected for UPT through whatever selection process and already had a single-engine PPL when you arrived on station, you would be exempt from IFT, but I haven't heard confirmation of a similar practice for IPT and PP AMEL IR.

From some friends I know that have recently gone through and from a few FAIPs I know, you will still go through IPT regardless. I have all the way up to my CFI and if I’m selected I’ll have to go through IPT. I was also told if you have these ratings already, you’d just do the stage checks and not the checkrides. 

[JASSM_ER]

23 hours ago, Justwanttofly said:

From some friends I know that have recently gone through and from a few FAIPs I know, you will still go through IPT regardless. I have all the way up to my CFI and if I’m selected I’ll have to go through IPT. I was also told if you have these ratings already, you’d just do the stage checks and not the checkrides. 

I guess the extra training and hours can't hurt. Can't complain about free PIC time either 

[Justwanttofly]

5 minutes ago, JASSM_ER said:

I guess the extra training and hours can't hurt. Can't complain about free PIC time either 

That’s how I’m looking at it. More hours!

[LawnmowerofDoom]

Well after hearing nothing for a month I decided to go direct with AFPC regarding my package and looks like it's FIGHT'S ON! 

On a side note, I'm curious what, if anything, happens with strats in regards to packages that won't make it to the board? Two of the guys in my sq had ETPs one got approved and the other denied after the August deadline, so both their packages were stratted and submitted. In my case, I don't think 4/4 to 3/3 in the sq helps much, but there's a good chance the denied ETP was top 3 at the wg which pushes most if not all people down. Rumorint is you get extra points on your package for the #1 strat (the last guy to get selected from my sq was #1 at the wg), hypothetically if that person has their package pulled is that wg SOL on a #1 or does AFPC amend the strats to reflect those meeting the board?

[rparsonsr2]

1 hour ago, LawnmowerofDoom said:

Well after hearing nothing for a month I decided to go direct with AFPC regarding my package and looks like it's FIGHT'S ON! 

On a side note, I'm curious what, if anything, happens with strats in regards to packages that won't make it to the board? Two of the guys in my sq had ETPs one got approved and the other denied after the August deadline, so both their packages were stratted and submitted. In my case, I don't think 4/4 to 3/3 in the sq helps much, but there's a good chance the denied ETP was top 3 at the wg which pushes most if not all people down. Rumorint is you get extra points on your package for the #1 strat (the last guy to get selected from my sq was #1 at the wg), hypothetically if that person has their package pulled is that wg SOL on a #1 or does AFPC amend the strats to reflect those meeting the board?

No way that’s awesome! How did you contact them? I haven’t heard anything from my Wg and have no idea if my package ever made it

[LawnmowerofDoom]

7 minutes ago, rparsonsr2 said:

No way that’s awesome! How did you contact them? I haven’t heard anything from my Wg and have no idea if my package ever made it

I emailed: AFPC.DPMO.UFTBOARD@us.af.mil which was listed on the UFT page on the Air Force portal. Figured I find out for sure if I have a shot rather than be nervous for two months and my package not even be in consideration. 

[Justwanttofly]

1 hour ago, LawnmowerofDoom said:

Well after hearing nothing for a month I decided to go direct with AFPC regarding my package and looks like it's FIGHT'S ON! 

On a side note, I'm curious what, if anything, happens with strats in regards to packages that won't make it to the board? Two of the guys in my sq had ETPs one got approved and the other denied after the August deadline, so both their packages were stratted and submitted. In my case, I don't think 4/4 to 3/3 in the sq helps much, but there's a good chance the denied ETP was top 3 at the wg which pushes most if not all people down. Rumorint is you get extra points on your package for the #1 strat (the last guy to get selected from my sq was #1 at the wg), hypothetically if that person has their package pulled is that wg SOL on a #1 or does AFPC amend the strats to reflect those meeting the board?

Yeah the guy at AFPC is extremely helpful. He called me this morning to request a doc from me. But we’ve been in contact for almost 2 years now. As far as the strats afpc isn’t going to change them. I’m assuming you’re at Creech. I know no one knows their Strats from the wing but if you know how you did at the group there’s a good chance your strat at the wing may be the same or close to where the group stratted you.

Edited 18 hours ago by Justwanttofly
Grammar