Prior service requirements for OCS?

[WestHouston]

I am prior service Coast Guard and am out on IRR. I am going to college with a 141 school working on my Commercial ticket. I am interested in flying for the military in the reserves. I heard a rumor that the Air Force likes prior service that already hold ratings when looking over OCS candidates. If anyone knows if this has an iota of truth, please let me know. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I haven't contacted recruiters yet, because I figured I could get a straighter answer here... Thanks!

 

[DLax85]

I am prior service Coast Guard and am out on IRR. I am going to college with a 141 school working on my Commercial ticket. I am interested in flying for the military in the reserves. I heard a rumor that the Air Force likes prior service that already hold ratings when looking over OCS candidates. If anyone knows if this has an iota of truth, please let me know. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I haven't contacted recruiters yet, because I figured I could get a straighter answer here... Thanks!

An iota of truth? I'm sure it does.

They always look favorably on folks with prior honorable service and aviation experience. It won't guarantee you anything, but certainly gives you some advantage over the non-mil experienced/non-aviator guy who's also applying.

Not sure on what the latest flight screening requirement would be for a guy coming in with a private license (or greater).

Over the years, the AF has waivered between allowing those folks to go direct to UPT and requiring them to pass the same AF flight screening program (i.e. T-41, T-3, etc) as zero-time pilot canidates.

I'm sure some smart AETC guy on this board knows the current process.

While some civilian experience is typically better then none, it appears that by the time everyone gets thru the mid-phase check during Phase I of UPT (i.e T-37s or T-6s) the playing field is pretty level.

In my UPT class (long ago), the prior-time guys did very well in the beginning, but those that were to set in their civilian ways did not survive in T-38s. Not sure how the transition to dual-track UPT has changed any of that. I guess there is more self-selection early in the process.

ATC experts care to comment?

Regardless, best of luck with your flying career....the AF journey is a great ride!!

 

[WestHouston]

An iota of truth? I'm sure it does.

They always look favorably on folks with prior honorable service and aviation experience. It won't guarantee you anything, but certainly gives you some advantage over the non-mil experienced/non-aviator guy who's also applying.

Not sure on what the latest flight screening requirement would be for a guy coming in with a private license (or greater).

Over the years, the AF has waivered between allowing those folks to go direct to UPT and requiring them to pass the same AF flight screening program (i.e. T-41, T-3, etc) as zero-time pilot canidates.

I'm sure some smart AETC guy on this board knows the current process.

While some civilian experience is typically better then none, it appears that by the time everyone gets thru the mid-phase check during Phase I of UPT (i.e T-37s or T-6s) the playing field is pretty level.

In my UPT class (long ago), the prior-time guys did very well in the beginning, but those that were to set in their civilian ways did not survive in T-38s. Not sure how the transition to dual-track UPT has changed any of that. I guess there is more self-selection early in the process.

ATC experts care to comment?

Regardless, best of luck with your flying career....the AF journey is a great ride!!

Thanks for the info! I'm going to have to look alot of that up as I drove boats and did law enforcement in the Coast Guard! I guess I'll just talk to a recruiter even though I've heard they are less than enthusiastic towards prior service. Hey, I won't know for sure until I ask! I'll post what I find and still welcome advice and info.

 

[TrouserTrout]

West,
There's plenty of threads on here about getting into a guard or reserve unit, so I won't go into all the details. From what I understand, units prefer hiring prior enlisted from within their wings to fill flying billets. I'm sure that going to a unit with prior service and some civilian tickets punched will help out.
Best of luck!