I am a recent college graduate and recently talked to the local AF Officer recruiter. He told me the only positions that were available were Navigator and Air Force Battle Managers. I am interested in a pilot slot and am curious if the Air Force is currently taking applications. I also heard that this is the current status of the Navy. Is this true? Does anyone know of the current status of the other branches? Any information would be greatly appreciated.
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Air Force Pilot Slots
- Thread starter Henze7
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I have a hard time believing that there are NO pilot slots available, although it's possible. The USAF is making a huge push lately for more navs and ABMers, so you can anticipate a recruiter to try to steer you in that direction (btw, get EVERYTHING in writing before you sign).
Talk to as many different recruiters as you can. That's going to be key, as well.
I can't speak on the status of the Navy.
Talk to as many different recruiters as you can. That's going to be key, as well.
I can't speak on the status of the Navy.
Steeler Fan
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Henze7 said:
Pilot slots are hard to come by, and the numbers are low right now. But, next Fiscal Year will come out with a new set of requirements. If your heart is set on applying to be a pilot (and you meet the requirements), you owe it to yourself to apply for a pilot slot.
Did you take the AFOQT?
Maybe some other Options
Henze7
I don't know if it works for you; but if you know anyone at a Guard/Reserve unit that could get you in the door/hired they will have a few precious slots for pilot training as well as the unit's follow on training. Units that hire right off the street usually do so to address short as well as long term manning concerns. Slots are a precious few, but it is an option. Just throwing out another idea.
Best of Luck and I hope it works out like you want it to
TARHEEL
Henze7
I don't know if it works for you; but if you know anyone at a Guard/Reserve unit that could get you in the door/hired they will have a few precious slots for pilot training as well as the unit's follow on training. Units that hire right off the street usually do so to address short as well as long term manning concerns. Slots are a precious few, but it is an option. Just throwing out another idea.
Best of Luck and I hope it works out like you want it to
TARHEEL
Last edited:
Tarheel said:
I agree with the highly esteemed Tarheel...if I knew at your age what I know now, I would have steered towards a guard or reserve slot right away. Our unit has hired off the street recently, and we have a few guys in pilot training now. One advantage to going through pilot training sponsored by a guard or reserve unit is you avoid the competition for the choice of aircraft...you walk in the door knowing you're going to fly the F-xx or C-xx or whatever; meanwhile your buddies in the apartment complex are scrambling to do whatever they can to compete for that one C-17 or F-16 the class is expected to get. I'd get over to the local guard or reserve unit and start meeting people and asking around. Of course you have to have the scores and grades to be competitive in any case, and any flying experience you can scare up helps too. PM me if you'd like to discuss this further. Good luck.
hindsight2020
Yeah Buddy
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well....
well.... in all fairness, the apples-to-apples comparison of seeking a Guard slot vs OTS slot can become a wash depending on your end goal. If your incentive is to have a guranteed airframe (which is my incentive) that becomes a wash in so far as you have much less chance of getting a Guard slot off-the-street as it is than just plain getting a pilot slot thru OTS. At least that has been my experience, which I will submit as the rule, the exception being getting hired off-the-street with non-prior. I'm open to argue that to the death too...you'd be amazed the loads of intel one gathers in years of talking to pilots, commanders and other applicants
....not to mention the interviews
So if airframe is not of concern and one has virtually no connections to speak of (i.e. one is not enlisted with the unit or one is not a legacy case) I would highly recommend getting the package prepared, tagged bagged and mailed to the OTS board.
HPaul is right on the money about airframes in the active duty pool, for the most part there is a 20% rule for those who will get to track T-38 (those who will basicaly track fighter/bomber for Phase III). Out of a class of 25 that's 5 folks, and THAT is best-case scenario; if you look at the track select class after class after class you will see that more often than not the number is below 5. HP also correctly pointed out that even if T-1 is the way to go for you, the contention of getting the airframe you want can also be a little bitch.
BTW, took out the helo track and T-44's (-130 bound) for the sake of the bigger argument..but those are also in the pool.
There are a lot of people who do not get what they wanted out of track select,(think about about ranks #4,#5 and #6 on that list;Mr. #25 doesn't give a sh3t, he's happy they still let him fly, but them three? you bet your ass they're not happy campers on track night..not to even mention that they fighter Qualed too!..buddy of mine just went thru that) most keep it to themselves (thats the active for ya) but it goes on more often than you'll be able to ascertain thru word of mouth. And since the commitment is nominally 12 years full time (10 on paper plus the UPT part) and you can't cross-train anymore (the practice of re-tracking to a platform that would take you from heavies to fighters and vice-versa), then not getting a Guard slot doesn't seem too bad after all all, at least you still can pursue whatever the heck you want, primarily applying again for the next Guard board. The point is to FIRST set up what your choices are, what works for ya and what does not.
If all you want is to fly, period, then you're a prime candidate to OTS, if you are more on the lines of "fly ______ or not fly AF at all" then the Guard could be an option along with OTS provided you were ok with the gamble. Good luck
well.... in all fairness, the apples-to-apples comparison of seeking a Guard slot vs OTS slot can become a wash depending on your end goal. If your incentive is to have a guranteed airframe (which is my incentive) that becomes a wash in so far as you have much less chance of getting a Guard slot off-the-street as it is than just plain getting a pilot slot thru OTS. At least that has been my experience, which I will submit as the rule, the exception being getting hired off-the-street with non-prior. I'm open to argue that to the death too...you'd be amazed the loads of intel one gathers in years of talking to pilots, commanders and other applicants
....not to mention the interviewsSo if airframe is not of concern and one has virtually no connections to speak of (i.e. one is not enlisted with the unit or one is not a legacy case) I would highly recommend getting the package prepared, tagged bagged and mailed to the OTS board.
HPaul is right on the money about airframes in the active duty pool, for the most part there is a 20% rule for those who will get to track T-38 (those who will basicaly track fighter/bomber for Phase III). Out of a class of 25 that's 5 folks, and THAT is best-case scenario; if you look at the track select class after class after class you will see that more often than not the number is below 5. HP also correctly pointed out that even if T-1 is the way to go for you, the contention of getting the airframe you want can also be a little bitch.
BTW, took out the helo track and T-44's (-130 bound) for the sake of the bigger argument..but those are also in the pool.
There are a lot of people who do not get what they wanted out of track select,(think about about ranks #4,#5 and #6 on that list;Mr. #25 doesn't give a sh3t, he's happy they still let him fly, but them three? you bet your ass they're not happy campers on track night..not to even mention that they fighter Qualed too!..buddy of mine just went thru that) most keep it to themselves (thats the active for ya) but it goes on more often than you'll be able to ascertain thru word of mouth. And since the commitment is nominally 12 years full time (10 on paper plus the UPT part) and you can't cross-train anymore (the practice of re-tracking to a platform that would take you from heavies to fighters and vice-versa), then not getting a Guard slot doesn't seem too bad after all all, at least you still can pursue whatever the heck you want, primarily applying again for the next Guard board. The point is to FIRST set up what your choices are, what works for ya and what does not.
If all you want is to fly, period, then you're a prime candidate to OTS, if you are more on the lines of "fly ______ or not fly AF at all" then the Guard could be an option along with OTS provided you were ok with the gamble. Good luck
C
CFIIer
I would just visit that website that lists all of the guard/reserve units and see if you can get on with one of them. Apply to every single one. The reserve/guard path is a by-far better deal than active duty. I went the reserve route, and i'm leaving for OTS in April, and UPT in september. The best part is i know where i'm based, and i know what i'll be flying.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Mongoose69
YKYMF
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Don't take "no" for an answer
As posted above, the AF produces about 1000 pilots a year. There are always slots available. Don't let a recruiter (or anyone else) BS you. Yea they're going to try to steer you to something else, that's their job. Figure out what you want, and figure out the path(s) to get there. And don't take "no" for an answer.
Cheers,
Mongoose
As posted above, the AF produces about 1000 pilots a year. There are always slots available. Don't let a recruiter (or anyone else) BS you. Yea they're going to try to steer you to something else, that's their job. Figure out what you want, and figure out the path(s) to get there. And don't take "no" for an answer.
Cheers,
Mongoose
Don't let recruiters get you down I had a c-130 unit tell me I had to become a loadmaster first and join their unit if I was to even be considered as a pilot because they only wanted to hire within. However, I
ended up getting a KC135 slot with a unit that fits me a lot better by calling around and talking to the wing commander, pilots, etc. Good luck
ended up getting a KC135 slot with a unit that fits me a lot better by calling around and talking to the wing commander, pilots, etc. Good luck
Endeavor to perservere
Persistence will get you a lot farther than talent. Just ask anyone who's flown with me!
If mom says no, ask dad, and if he says no, see if uncle bob can work something for you. If you want something bad enough, no one can stop you. I am living proof.
Good luck!
Anyone who can name the movie that the title line is from gets a free beer.
Persistence will get you a lot farther than talent. Just ask anyone who's flown with me!
If mom says no, ask dad, and if he says no, see if uncle bob can work something for you. If you want something bad enough, no one can stop you. I am living proof.
Good luck!
Anyone who can name the movie that the title line is from gets a free beer.
JimNtexas
Well-known member
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- Dec 1, 2001
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- 1,590
Mongoose69 said:
Amen to that. This is one case where the internet at places like this and baseops.net are far better sources of information than a recruiter. The poor recruiters is under tremndous pressure to fill hard to sell slots like ABM. On the other hand, he gets no good points at all for filling a pilot slot.
Check out the guard, shop officer recruiters until you find one willing to help you. If you know any active or retired senior officers ask them to make a call for you.
If you meet the qualifications for UPT and want to be a pilot, don't get sidetracked by a salesman trying to meet the quota.
I'm not one to cross-post (link to another forum), but check out this thread at baseops.net:
http://www.dynamictruth.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=002135
I guess the Air Force is REALLY hurting for Navs and ABMers. I think this policy sucks a$$, though.
http://www.dynamictruth.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=002135
I guess the Air Force is REALLY hurting for Navs and ABMers. I think this policy sucks a$$, though.
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