Air Force Test Pilots

[Mongoose69]

What do you want?

Josh,
What do you really want? If you want to fly for the AF more than anything, and you will be crushed if that doesn't happen, then you have to look at the numbers:

(Caveat this with anyone with more recent hard numbers please chime in with the update/correction)

Percentage of graduates who get a pilot slot:
USAFA: ~69%
ROTC: ~25%
OTS: ~10%

If you don't mind rolling the bones, and won't be crushed being an Engineer for the AF/anyone else and making 4x what I make (after you get out), then I would say go ROTC. Have a blast at UoM, do all the normal college stuff that USAFA grads wish they had the chance to, and do your best for that pilot slot.

If you want the best opportunity (percentage chance) to get a pilot slot, you can't beat the Academy. Period.

And as for the TPS thing. If that is your goal, then an engineering/physics/math degree is required. Doing well in pilot training and getting a fighter will come later, and is not a guarantee for anyone, no matter how smart/hard worker they are. Some folks have it, some don't, and some do but don't want it (I don't understand that one, but those folks are out there).

Bottom line, figure out what you want, and set yourself up for success. That's probably good advice in any situation.

Cheers,
Mongoose

 

[Joshrk22]

Mongoose,

I thought that there were 500 ROTC slots for 1,000 grads. Wouldn't that make it 50%? Just what I read a few places, so I don't know for sure.

 

[Mud Eagle]

Mongoose...did you come from the Green squadron at Shady J?

 

[stonewall]

Mongoose,

I thought that there were 500 ROTC slots for 1,000 grads. Wouldn't that make it 50%? Just what I read a few places, so I don't know for sure.

97 slots when I graduated. I think he was talking about the overall number of pilot slots in a given year. Anyway, I mentioned earlier that if slots are cut for whatever reason (and they can and DO cut slots at a moment's notice no matter what the predicted number was), the Academy will feel it least.

 

[Deuce130]

LOL..

Speaking of USAFA, I received my nomination in the mail today. I hate that I keep second guessing myself. I just want to throw both into a hat and decide that way..

Josh, how about this.... Go to the zoo for one year. Get through your fourthclass year and then decide if the zoo is right for you. It will cost you one year of your young life, you'll be way ahead on credits if you decide to transfer to UofM, it will be a life changing experience for you, you can always say you made an honest attempt and truly got the info you needed. I made a deal with my parents that I would go for at least my freshman year before deciding to stay or go. I decided to stick it out and don't regret it. A very good friend of mine chose to go to Univ of Northern Colorado after his first year and went on to become a great pilot in the AF. Good luck.

 

[Joshrk22]

Josh, how about this.... Go to the zoo for one year. Get through your fourthclass year and then decide if the zoo is right for you. It will cost you one year of your young life, you'll be way ahead on credits if you decide to transfer to UofM, it will be a life changing experience for you, you can always say you made an honest attempt and truly got the info you needed. I made a deal with my parents that I would go for at least my freshman year before deciding to stay or go. I decided to stick it out and don't regret it. A very good friend of mine chose to go to Univ of Northern Colorado after his first year and went on to become a great pilot in the AF. Good luck.

Probably the best idea yet.

 

[Mongoose69]

Mongoose...did you come from the Green squadron at Shady J?

Sure did. 00-03, OEF and OIF. Timing was perfect. You still in the community?

Joshrk22: Like I said, my numbers are old. But those were the numbers when I went through.