ANG and reserves quick question

[guidoverduci]

Okay- I've done the search and found out all the differences and similarites between the two. My question is which one is easier to get a pilot slot for? I just talked with my local ANG unit and they said the just filled the 2005 slots! Any asnwers will help- thanks

 

[chawbein]

Don't just try for the easy road, explore all the options. The harder it is the more rewarding success will be. Write that down.

P.S. There is no "easier" way.

 

[guidoverduci]

I knew I'd get a response like that! Okay I'll rephrase the question- How hard is it to get a Reserves slot- and what is the process- thanks

 

[chawbein]

Call reserve squadrons, get requirements and where to send a package from operations group. Write a cover letter and resume, get your AFOQT and PCSM scores together, get letters of recommendation together, maybe contact an AFRES recruiter to get scheduled for an FC1, get a copy of ALL college transcripts, mail it, contact them after a little while, wait for the call to interview. Visit unit if possible.

That's the short, short version.

 

[talondriver]

Visit unit if possible.

...and bringing the unit's favorite beverage won't hurt your chances. They want to see your potential as the Squadron Snack-O.

 

[skyward80]

Everybody and their sister probably knows about this site, but I will post the link anyways.

http://www.baseops.net/newjob.html

It was a good place to start. I pretty much e-mailed everybody on that page a few months back and asked them if they were planning on sponsoring UPT candidates any time soon. My AFRes recruiter also managed to procure a huge, state-by-state list of all the ANG and AFRes units in the country along with their general contact information. I have noticed that many recruiters do not seem very interested in helping people find pilot slots. Many seem hell bent on finding an enlisted job for you. Do not take 'No' for an answer. Just keep trying. Plan on doing a lot on your own until you find someone to sponsor your paperwork. You can also send in your paperwork unsponsored, but it makes the approval for a slot more difficult.

Do not worry about easy vs. hard--there is no such thing in this application process. Think about job vs. no job or job security vs. no job security. Unless you are a senior captain somewhere or you have more hours in the air than God and His angels, you will not find anything in this industry. Good luck!

Skyward80

 

[talondriver]

You guys have to realize that by the time job announcements get to sites like baseops.net or any reserve/guard bulletin board, that job is probably filled. Units are required to put all openings on the list (even if it is already filled internally).
You need to go INS direct to the unit, do some face time, attend one of the units UTAs so the rest of the Bros can meet you.
Good Luck

 

[busdrver]

Call reserve squadrons, get requirements and where to send a package from operations group. Write a cover letter and resume, get your AFOQT and PCSM scores together, get letters of recommendation together, maybe contact an AFRES recruiter to get scheduled for an FC1, get a copy of ALL college transcripts, mail it, contact them after a little while, wait for the call to interview. Visit unit if possible.

Cut and paste this advice to a word processor and make a checklist out of it. This is the dead-on answer. And, as always, it really helps to know someone in the squadron.

Good luck!

 

[SWAlifter]

Get a Friend

I suppose my reserve unit is like most others. Yes, you have to have the basic quals (license, medical, education, etc), BUT you are probably not going to get an interview unless you know somebody in the unit who can vouch for you. After that, it's the normal stuff: face-time, great attitude, and definitely being persistent. Good Luck!

 

[bssthound]

"Visit unit if possible."

I'd suggest doing all you can to make it possible. After almost 17 years in both the Air Guard and AF Reserves I've yet to see someone get in who hadn't visited the unit and established a rapport with the key squadron members. No, you won't meet everyone and certainly aren't expected to. Giving the hiring folks, whatever their titles, and a few of the guys a chance to meet you and realize you aren't another _____ (insert name of squadron p*ick) and are sincere about contributing to the unit's mission will go a LOT farther in your being hired than flight time, AFOQT scores, GPA, etc.

 

[skyward80]

Talon is right in saying that a lot of times the info on baseops.net is out of date. However, I still think it is a good contact list. In my opinion, it is best to apply to as many units as possible. Unless you have a large wallet, travelling around the country to visit all those units can be a little costly. Sometimes, an electronic search is the only way to go. I did everything on the internet from expressing interest in a unit to scheduling my interview. Why? Because I live in AZ and the unit is in NJ. I never met anybody in the unit until the day of the interview. I received the unit's blessing of sponsorship a week later. Frankly, I think the man upstairs really opened some doors for me, because it is rare for something like that to happen. Usually, they do take people they know a little bit already. Worst thing that can happen when you apply to places that do not know you is you getting an e-mail saying thanks but no thanks.

Skyward80

 

[Vandal]

I emailed about 20 units on baseops.net and got a few leads. It was about a year ago though, and I don't think the website was quite as known and therefore units were probably not getting as many calls from that site. I know there were only 6 guys at my Units board and I found them at baseops.

And to agree with skyward, you will do a lot of your own work until you get signed. I signed myself up for my own AFOQT, BAT, Physical, and got myself my interview at my unit. Until they accept you and are doing your paperwork recruiters are pretty useless in the Reserve/Guard tract.

 

[chawbein]

Did you schedule yourself for an FC1? I didn't think you could do that.

 

[Vandal]

nah I actually scheduled the wrong physical (should of mentioned that heh...) I got the FC1 scheduled by my unit after I was selected.