uasf flying
Guys,
In order to get picked up for an ANG/Res spot as a non-prior, it is insanely difficult. Difficult to the point where one should puruse other flying options if one wants to fly ASAP. But oh boy, is a guard spot a sweet deal. Oh, and one MUST have a college degree if they want to fly in any part of the air force.
I tried to pick up an active spot, and I was told they are easier to get than an ANG spot but by no means was it easy. For the most part, I gathered that if you met their profile, you were pretty much in, and if you didn't, forget it. There are two tests that they require, one is an officer qualifying test (all pilots are officers) and the other is a hand/eye coordination test.
The AFOQT is a straightforward standardized test that is more difficult than the ASVAB. There are some sections on there, however, that are impossible
The hand/eye coordination test is reported in a composite score (PCSM) that takes into account your AFOQT-Pilot score, hand/eye coordination, and your total flight time up to 200 hundered hours.
I think they told me they wouldn't take people active if they didn't have their ppl. Regardless of whether or not the ppl is required, since your flight time is figured into your PCSM score and that there is an aviation knowledge section on the AFOQT, it is impossible to score well without prior flight experience.
My foray with the USAF/ANG/Res ended with a small medical issue that even sidelined my civilian second class for a while (boy, wasn't that a b!tch). He!!, even if I were to enlist, it is potentially disqualifying.
Which brings up the next point for the OP. Enlist in the guard near where you want to go to school. Pick an AFSC in something useful. By that, I mean that you should pick, say, meteorology, satellites and communications, or aircraft maitenance over driving a fuel truck on the weekend.
Right now, even enlisted guard spots are pretty sweet. Depending on the job code (I think all of the ones I listed other fuel truck) qualify, there are some monster signing bonuses. I can't remember what the base bennies are, but during this fiscal year you will get a $30,000 GI Bill, a $20,000 student loan repayback "grant", and a $5,000 cash signing bonus. Some years they offer the choice between the SLRP and the cash, and others they give both. There are state tuition benefits as well, which are really good for your first BA/BS. For instance, in MD, there is a 100% tution waiver at all tech schools, and they do give a tuition break at most other state schools. The GI BIll is paid directly to the student, so it isn't as if the state benies reduce the immediate value of the GI Bill.
So yeah, go to school tuition free, get paid for your "part time job" when you're working.
So if that's so great, why did I pass it up? First off, my little eyeball problem took six months to resolve and I got ahold of the USAF medical standards document in the meantime. Depending on what's asked for my physical and how they check my eyes, I will get DQ'd. Why the "maybe"? Although the condition is explicitly DQ'ing, I'm not sure how they would find it if I'm not required to tell them. Second of all, I don't mind making the commitment now, but I don't want to be on the hook for the next six years, especially if I find a career that does not mesh with the ANG. Yes, there are a few non-military jobs that will not allow you to work for the ANG.
My main goal is to become an air traffic controller, and I have found a place where I can get through school for less than $3,000. If I were to enlist, I would most likely choose meteorology. The problem with that is it takes 15 months to get through school, and my eye condition is unstable. I'm guaranteed in the government if my medical tanks after I'm hired.
