Guidance/Info needed

[CDogg]

Howdy all,

I am currently flying part time in Florida for a private company but as of late have been very interested in joining the guard to further increase my knowledge of aviation, and also the military (which of right now I know not much about). I have put in an info request to a recruiter at one of the bases here within Florida a few days ago, but haven't gotten a call back yet, but will call again tomorrow.

I want to go for a fighter slot somewhere, however the 125th in Jacksonville does not have any openings. The local guys here in the Air Force out of Tyndal AFB say that with my flight time, ratings, still young (23) and a 4 year degree from Riddle that I could probably get a slot somewhere. I just wanted to see what everyone on here thought because I have found the folks on here to be knowlageable and willing to help.

Anyways, any general info would be great, I've done the search and have already read a lot, but what do you all think about my situation? Thanks.

 

[JohnnyP]

....

I was in the exact same spot you were a while back, trying to get a sponsorship from a guard/reserve unit, except for the riddle degree. Heres a few things i learned along the way. Im no expert, all i have are my personal experiences.

--Recruiters----Mostly nice people, didnt seem to know what was going on as far as the pilot hiring side of things went. Found this in all the bases i called. What you do need them for is to schedule your testing (afoqt, bat. physical, etc) If they tell you they cant get you a pilot physical until your sponsored, thats not true, as far as i know. I had several tell me this, but then turned around and had one schedule me for the pilot physical (long, took all day).
Also, use the recruiters to get you the phone number of the pilot(s) on base who are in charge of the new pilot selection boards. This is the individual who will know what the hell is going on as far as hiring. I would call these folks and talk to em for a while, ask them questions, set up a time i could stop by the base and meet people, schmooze, etc. A very important part.

Soooo, have the recruiters schedule all your testing and get your package complete, and at the same time beat down the doors of the units your interested in to show 'em you want in.

Remember, this will be a government run process, so most of the things you will do will make no sense. Again, these are only my personal experiences. Im sure someone else can give you a totally different perspective on how they did all this. Good luck.

 

[pkober]

If you want to fly in the ANG you may want to be willing to look at more units. I applied at almost every unit. It took about two years before I was picked up. Your results may vary. What you can do is go to www.ang.af.mil
and get the websites for each unit. Try calling the Ops Officer or Squadron Commander to discuss when they will be having a UPT (Undergraduate Pilot Training) selection board. My unit just started advertising for a UPT board this late spring early summer. PM me if your interested.

Johnny P is right. Get your AFOQT test done. Any recruiter, ANG or active, should be able to administer this test. You can buy books to help you study for it. As far as the physical goes, that's a money issue. $$$$$ is tight right now and some, most probably, units may say that they won't give you a physical until you are selected. As far as the BATS test goes, times have changed since I took it in 92, you may get it before your selected. The results for all the test a good for a while, so once done you won't have to take them again for a while.

The two pieces of advice I can give you are 1.) don't give up. If you are not selected by a unit this year, send a nice letter thanking them and asking to be considered for the next board. 2.) Take a slot at any ANG unit. All slots a golden. Don't be so focused on a fighter and next thing you know you have passed on a heavy, like the mighty, mighty Herc, and are sitting on the sidelines because you age out. Flying in the ANG is whats important.

Good Luck

CLAMBAKE

 

[pilotyip]

And remember it not all about flying, you are a military officer first, you are joining to serve at the pleasure of the President of the United States, and they may need a ground co-ordinator with C-130 time and a degree from ERAU time to run a cargo ramp in Iraq, take your sun tan lotion. All that aside it is a fantastic adventure I would do it over in a heart beat, as stated above appy everywhere, visit in person, even consider the Army

 

[JohnnyP]

...

Yea i wasnt sure what dictated what tests you were able to take and when, all a mystery to me. But like i said, I had the afoqt, bat, physical, and all my security form paperwork filled out before i even went to any boards. He is right about the study guide for the afoqt. I didnt enjoy that test, didnt really do particulary well, but didnt do poorly. The electrical mazes were frustrating at times. They somehow take your ability to do several things not even closely related to aviation or officer duties, etc, and put them all in a pot, stir them together, and come out with your "pilot" score.? Never really agreed with that, but oh well. Then you take the bat test, also frustrating at times, then answer a few questions stating if you have ever wanted to kill your family, or would you rather mountain climb or bake a cake, then your done! Its that easy!

Just a side note, during the physical, they make you fast without food for the majority of the previous day. I was a waste. When they started taking blood, thats when it got bad. They kept taking vile after vile, almost vomited/ passed out in the chair. Had some fella walk me down the hallway to some snicker bars and some coke to revive me. Slightly embarrassing. The girl taking my blood was a cutie pie.

Then during the eye exam, they put some industrial strength eye drops in, your pretty much blind for the next 4 or 5 hours. I walked outside to drive home, and the ground was covered in snow, and the sun was out. You might as well have put a blindfold on me, sunglasses did no good.