What are my chances for heavies with no PPL

[geronimo7]

Hello all,

Would like to get any and all feedback about my chances of getting picked up by a heavy unit. Here is my profile:

Age: 28 YO (turning 29 in a month)

PCSM: 75 (with 12 hours) (I'll probably try and retake the TBAS)

AFOQT: Pilot: 99 Nav:98 AA:90 V:94 Q:72

Education: MBA w/3.4 GPA, Economics undergrad w/ 3.6 GPA (Both from FSU)

LOR: Former AF supply Officer who was my old boss, Former Navy Supply Officer who was an old coworker, Florida state congressman I interned for in college, and also a letter of appreciation from the CO of the Naval Observatory when I worked there (not sure if I can use that but figure it wouldn't hurt to throw on an app)

Extracurricular: Surfing, snowboarding, golf, tennis. Volunteer at the local homeless shelter to

Job: Was a Contract Specialist for GSA working on DoD contracts (Until Elon DOGED me hard)

The only thing I feel I am missing is a PPL. Just got laid off from my government job and don't want to blow 20k of my dwindling savings that I might need to survive and also don't really have the time because all my waking hours are looking for a job. Totally understand that the PPL shows you like flying and can do it, but with my situation right now I feel like it would be very unwise. I have always wanted to be a pilot and have loved every second I've been in the air I will add. 

What are my chances of getting picked up by a heavy unit? I'm a pretty social person and at least I think I'm cool so feel like I could do decent in any interview. Not picky on airframe at all or location for the most part, save Alaska and the few units that are 5 hours from any city of 100k+

 

Really appreciate any feedback or advice!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[blueingreen]

Hey man, I'm in the process of applying to guard squadrons just like you, and I haven't been hired yet, so take what I say with a grain of salt. Apart from the flight hours, you seem to have a strong applicant profile. I can definitely relate to the struggle of paying for flight hours these days. It's not unheard of for people to get hired by a squadron with very limited flight experience, it just means you're going to have to compensate in other ways. I think your best bet would be to rush squadrons and show your face around as much as you can. Send emails, phone calls, make connections on forums like this, whatever you can. I know that going around the country and rushing squadrons can become expensive in and of itself, but I genuinely think having positive interactions with squadron members is more valuable than the equivalent cost in flight hours. I have rushed two squadrons so far and both went really well. Both squadrons are hosting hiring boards this summer, so I'll let you know if there are any positive developments after interview invites are sent out. Best of luck on your journey and let me know if you ever want to chat about anything.

[geronimo7]

Appreciate the feedback, good luck with the applications. Agree that building connections is always essential no matter how strong your application is.