Pilot Slot Path

[adamleeanp]

I am in the position of making a big decision in my life and would appreciate any help or advice that any of you can offer. I'm 20 years old, have my A&P license (airframe and powerplant mechanics license) I think have decided to go all out in trying to get a flying spot in the air force. I'm thinking about joining the Citadel in Charleston SC and join the ROTC in order to try for a flying spot after school. I was thinking about doing a flight school down in FLA but after reading all of the articles on this site, I don't want a 700 dollar a month payment on loans when I'm only making 20,000 a year. I'm not sure if the Citadel is the best choice but it seems like a good one. Any advice on the situation or on things i need to do in preparation for a flying spot i would greatly appreciate.
Adam

 

[USMCAirWinger]

Dude,

Go to a school with a good girl to guy ratio and join ROTC.

 

[Scrapdog]

Apply to the Academy - they actually pay you for 4 years of pain. But all kidding aside, they typically produce the most pilot slots for the Air Force. I think more than half of my class (around 500 out of 900 guys) went to UPT that year.

 

[adamleeanp]

scrapdog, did you go to upt after AFA?

 

[AlbieF15]

How are your grades?

The AFA is a one in a lifetime experience. However--if you want the commission and pilot slot without the (almost) unisex, uptight, politically charged academy atmosphere, an ROTC scholarship at Auburn, UCLA, U of Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Purdue, etc etc will produce a LOT better social life. Also (watch out....) you can purse a degree that can help you OUTSIDE the military should you ever decide to take that route.

Most guys who went AFA wouldn't trade it for the world. On the other hand, I had several GREAT jobs (CFI, party photographer) while in college, made a ton of friends, had a 1000 adventures, and still ended up in UPT just like the guys who (in their words) had million dollar education shoved up their @ss a nickle at a time.

Great options either way--good luck!

 

[Gorilla]

If your goal is to go to pilot training, at all costs, and are willing to pay any price (I was that person as a H.S. freshman; I would kill to become a fighter pilot), then the AFA is probably your best bet. Don't go there unless you truly desire a military career as an AF officer. You will not make it otherwise.

Men and women who showed up "just to check it out" or who were under family pressure to attend were usually gone within 5 weeks. Academics took another huge portion. A few left because they decided the Air Force was not for them.

Investigate the current rates for grads of all commisioning sources to get a UPT slot... it changes over the years. When I attended the Zoo, you were expected to go to pilot training if you were medically qualified. The only competition was for which UPT base to choose. Nowadays it appears to be competitive, meaning your academic and military grades are mixed and the class ranked, with only the top attending pilot training.

In my opinion, this is a bad idea, as often the very best pilots turned out to be those with a poor military average. These guys had a way of fighting the man, taking risks, and getting in trouble, but their mentality and thirst for a bit of excitement and danger often translated into good hands in UPT. The top 10% of USAFA grads in my UPT class had a huge proportion of guys who were considered military "screw-ups" at the academy.

ROTC: AFROTC grads appear to viciously compete for a few very limited UPT slots. Could be a tough road to UPT.

Good luck, I know what you are going through. Making your dream come true will take tremendous effort. The result may be having you handed the keys to a T-38, then an F-15 or C-17, at 24 years of age.

 

[NTS ALL 4]

Go Guard/Reserves!

Trust me, most Zoomies will tell you this about the Academy...They wouldn't wish it on their worst enemy, but they're glad they went there! Go bug every Guard or Reserve unit (especially the ones in you home state) until they hire you. Update often (every other month) and show them you want the job and someone will hire you to go to UPT.

Did I mention....Go Guard or Reserve!

 

[mudkow60]

I left the Naval Academy after the first three months (go figure). I then attended the University of Arizona, got a scholarship, and went to Navy flight school. My years in school at the U of A were awsome, and I ended up flying for the Navy for nine years.

Just my track.

 

[capt_zman]

Mudkow,

when were you at u of a? loved my time in tucson.

Z-

 

[mudkow60]

1992-96. I still go back to Scottsdale often, and drive to the U to relive my old glory days.