AF Reserve

[TWA]

I am interested in becoming a pilot for the Air Force Reserve, but the only info I can find on their website is how to become an enlisted personel. I would like to join the 445th Airlift Wing at Wright Patt. What is the process to get a pilot slot and what is the demand for C5 pilots?

 

[JungleJett]

I am interested in becoming a pilot for the Air Force Reserve, but the only info I can find on their website is how to become an enlisted personel. I would like to join the 445th Airlift Wing at Wright Patt. What is the process to get a pilot slot and what is the demand for C5 pilots?

Call the unit directly.

It helps to already be in the unit. If it is a C-5 unit, become a Loadmaster or Engineer and work your way up from there. Our C-130 unit hires most if not all from our enlisted ranks. They are known and have proven themselves.

Since the Wright-Patt unit is in the transition stage, they may be somewhat limited on slots.

 

[positiveg]

Does getting into the AF Reserves work the same way as getting into the ANG?

 

[C-141/C-5]

I'm a c-5 pilot at wright patt. Currently we are not hiring anybody unless you are a qualified c-5 instructor or examiner.

What is your age and flying experience??

 

[TWA]

I'm just graduating High School and working on my private.

 

[CFIIer]

Since you need a four year degree to even start the process towards getting a reserve/ang slot, i'd say just find a school you want to go to. Have fun at college, get all of your ratings, build some flight time, and then start putting apps in at every reserve/guard unit out there.

Good Luck

 

[KarmaPolice]

If I were in your shoes I would enlist in a ANG AFR unit you wish to fly for. It doesn't matter what you do, but if you're able to do a job where you can meet and get to know the pilots, that could be in your favor. That being said, you can run into some animosity from some loadmasters or engineers if your stated goal is to one day become a pilot. But, it happens all the time and it's really not that big of a deal. At the very least being aircrew will enable you to see what it's like to live that lifestyle.

On top of all that, the money they'll give you for college is unreal. I worked all through school and ate mac and cheese every night and still graduated 20K in debt. You would be compensated very well for your one weekend a month.

In the Ohio area you've got wright pat with c5's, an f16 ang unit at Springfield, tankers in Columbus, f16s in toledo, 130's at Youngstown, 130's in Louisville, Tankers in Indianapolis, f16's at Ft. Wayne.

Beauty of the deal you just stumbled on: College paid for, be involved in a great mission, and get to pick the plane you want to fly up front, and the location, and you get to stay there for the rest of your career (BRAC willing)

One caveat, the UPT slot will not be a given. You still will have to compete and earn it based on your reputation at the squadron. But you are a far more likely hire than joe off the street.

From this thread you've learned info every military pilot I've talked to wishes they knew at your stage. Including me.

Best of luck.

 

[Deuce130]

KP is right on the money. Go to the unit now, work your tail off as a loadmaster, crew chief, life support troop, whatever, get your degree then see if you can get the unit to send you to OCS and UPT.

 

[positiveg]

Well, very much like like TWA, I'm working on my PPL and will be graduating high school in 2 weeks. I've set my mind on applying for ANG units after college and maybe AFRES units. In the AFRES, how often do you fly? Is it the same way to get a UPT slot with them as it is in the ANG?

I'd like to enlist in the ANG sometime within the next two years, but as I will be attending college and we are currently at war, I guess it is almost certain to say I'd have to leave college to go fight the war. How do college students do it?

Also, living in South FL, I don't have many options as far as the ANG goes. If I was to enlist in the ANG in another state would the military provide free transportation to/from the base?

Any help is appreciated.

 

[TWA]

Thanks everyone for all the info. Would it be possible for me to start college in the fall and enlist at the same time, or would I have to wait until the summer?