Fight guard question

[thumper7]

Fighter guard question

For the guard guys, I have about 4 years left on my current commitment. I am trying to find out if I didn't originally go through T-38's, but get qualified through another airframe that flys the 38's would I have a shot at getting picked up for a unit if positions are open. Willing to relocate to any part of the country.

Thumper7

 

[stlpilot]

I would say yes if you went through the T-38's. Theoreticaly Its possible by rules but I would call the unit you want to go to and ask them their policy on it. Some will some wont. I only know cause I wanted to try getting in on a heavy ticket then switch to fighters after the commitment....no deal unless a unit would sponser me to go back to phase 3 T-38's, which if your young enough could happen, according to an F-15 OG/CC I talked to in the guard. But you got to have freinds for that deal and he said be under 30 when your commitment is done with the original unit(30 is not the rule, just their ideal age according to him). Hope this helps some.

 

[korn]

I don't think that you have to go back through Phase 3 in the 38. I believe that there is a guy going to a Guard fighter unit who flew T-1s in UPT.

The only requirement was a three week (15 flights) course at Randolph to get recurrent in the 38 (Jet Transition C). Then, it's off to IFF.

If you are already qualified in the 38 through the B-2 or U-2, then I would imagine that you could go right to IFF. You just need to find a unit to hire you.

Timing is everything. I know of 10 cargo/tanker/bomber pilots that have gone to Viper/Eagle/Hog units in the last few years. All, except one, flew 38s in UPT, though.

Good luck,
Korn

 

[talondriver]

I don't think that you have to go back through Phase 3 in the 38. I believe that there is a guy going to a Guard fighter unit who flew T-1s in UPT.

Wow!! What guard unit is this??? Is the dude's dad the AG of that state? I have a buddy who's a T-38 IP in my reserve unit looking for a guard fighter slot. He was an airlift asset but has over 1,000 hours instructing in the '38.

 

[thumper7]

Any openings at this time

Are there any fighter guard units that might have openings at this time?

 

[CCDiscoB]

Go for it

First I'll start off saying, good luck, what you are trying to do has been done, so don't give up. It's worth it.

There are many reasons units hire non-qualed pilots. Aircraft change, rank structure, experience levels and simple need for pilots. Units that traditionally need pilots are the ones located in the northern tier of the country. Like North Dakota, Montana, Duluth, etc, etc. If you start “up there” you may find a unit that is looking for pilots. I wouldn’t bother applying to southern units like South Carolina, Texas and Florida.

The younger you are the better. These days, with the long commitment, that’s hard to do. Pulling Gs is something your body has to get used to. The first few “high G” sorties will not be fun. I had a good friend do exactly what you’re trying to do. He was a former C-130 pilot and was hired by an A-10 unit. He had to go to the Randolph course, and then went to IFF. Now this guy was a big dude, in shape and highly motivated. Would you believe he washed-out of IFF for defensive BFM? “Checking 6” under 6-7 Gs is not the same as looking forward under that G loading.

The Guard is a busy place these days. Units are losing pilots, because they simply don’t want to do the extra time and work. Not to mention the deployments.