Question about the Guard

[NTXPilot]

Hey everyone I've got some questions regarding the air national guard and how everything works. Right now I'm going into my senior year in college in the DFW area, and have been looking into the guard up here based out of Fort Worth, I think they fly C-130s. I plan to graduate next December. I've got some questions about getting a pilot slot. Not too worried about fighter or heavies, just looking for the opportunity to fly!

How hard would it be to get a slot flying for this unit in Fort Worth? Whats the process involved in getting on with a unit? Would I have to go to OTS, then UPT, then get on with a guard unit, or does a unit "sponsor" the pilot to go to UPT, ect. In other words, I guess, how do you actually go about getting the pilot slot?

How long does UPT last? After completion how long do you serve with the guard and what are the time commitments per month?

This would be the ideal situation, and I don't know if it would even be possible. Go through the training, fly with a unit preferably in the DFW area or something easily commutable, and finish up with grad school (why I would want a unit near DFW). Would this be a feasible plan, and where should I start?

My eyesight uncorrected is slightly better than 20/200...but corrected is 20/20; does this rule me out completely? I've heard of the possibility of getting waivers, just want to make sure it still holds true.

Thanks in advance for the replies,
Langston

 

[Vandal]

You can get a waiver for anything. Basically the process is that you sign yourself up for the AFOQT and BAT tests (can go through a recruiter but easier to handle it yourself), then with those scores you send a package to whatever guard/reserve units you want to apply to. If they like what they see they will call you in for an interview. If you get hired they will send you to OTS, the UPT. OTS is 12 weeks, UPT is a year. Then you go to school for your airframe (c-130 about 6 months) then you are back with your unit.

Getting your masters may or may not be feasible depending on if your unit is activated right now or not. If it isn't it wouldn't be too much of a problem I don't think, guys who know more may be better able to comment on that one.

 

[Big Duke Six]

NTX,

I could rehash it all for you, but there is a better way. If you do a quick search on this site, you will find more info on this subject than you could possible read in one night.

Good luck! PM me if you have any further questions!

 

[NTXPilot]

Yeah I did a search and found a lot a stuff on UPT but still couldn't gather exactly the timeline and how everything came together. Thanks for the info. everyone, I appreciate it.

Langston

 

[fou]

getting in the guard

I will throw in what I have found. Here goes... Some units hire off the streets and some may only hire from within. Since you are so close to graduating, I think it would set you back too much now to try and enlist and then get a slot. Basic training and tech school would set your graduation date back by probably atleast a year unless you took lots of summer school. However, people that are enlisted in the unit generally have and advantage. You should check with the unit in Fort Worth to see how many off the street guys have gotten slots in the last couple of years. This will give you an idea of what kind of chance you have. As stated by someone else, take the AFOQT (and do well on it), take the BAT, and get some good letters of recomendation to put in your package. Flying hours also help when trying to get a slot. If selected, you may wait up to a year before you go to AMS/OTS (i could be wrong but i believe all guard go AMS and most reserve go OTS). AMS is only 6 weeks where OTS is 12. Once you become an officer it may be another several months before you head for UPT. UPT last right at a year (about 6 months for t-37/t-6, and another 6 for t-38/t-1) . Then you go to school for your respective aircraft, as stated previously, and then you may come back to your unit to do seasoning days. In all you might be on active duty for about 2-3 years, just depends as does everything in the military.

As far as how long your commitment would be, I believe it would be ~ 10 years . Some units you may only have to fly once a month while others may require you to fly 5 times a month. It just depends on the unit and airframe. There are AGR slots and techinician slot available where you could fly full time as well.

You vision could be a problem. There are waivers for just about everything but in general the Air Force rules on vision are 20/20 near vision uncorrected and 20/70 correctable to 20/20 for far vision. However there may be waivers that allow up to 20/200. If not then you would probably have to look into getting PRK surgery to meet the regs.


If you want more answers try baseops.net and check the forum there (sorry for the spamming).

 

[Lineup&wt]

Hey fella's
I'm also a guard hopful, In Illinios, at Scott AFB. I found a wing that I like. a retired Col. I know served there, so hopefully that will help. I've got a BS degree and 650 hours of flight time in various pistons and turbines. I to am a little lost with the test needed to become an officer. I went to the bookstore picked up a book by ARCO for the ASVAB, is that the right book to study from? flipping through it it seemed like it was more geared to H.S students or G.E.D's. I've heard the AFOQT many times is it different? In the book they bring up AOQT? What is needed to gain a sponser? If the Col. I know would sponser me is that sufficient or would his word be considered just durring the board? Do you the whole unit to get together and decide?I've searched these threads and got alot of useful info (thanks Guys&Gals)Still kind of confused with process. Any words of wisdom or direction would help.

 

[Birdstrike]

Lineup: If you're close in to Scott, it wouldn't hurt to wander over there some night when they fly or on a drill weekend. You'll learn a ton by talking to a guy walking from his car carrying a flight bag. If you're a civ and you call ahead, you may even get somebody to sign you in at the gate and let you look around while they answer your questions. Pain in the butt? Maybe, but how bad do you want it?

 

[chawbein]

I interveiwed in Ft. Worth a year ago last July. Cool unit, good bar, professional interviews. It says right on the job announcement that they will hire from within first, there are no surprises. I think last year, they took two primaries and two runners up. Both primaries and one of the runners up were enlisted members in the unit. I think they interviewed around 25 for those "four" slots (really two slots). Those odds are not too good. I interviewed with two Reserve units and one of those had 8 interviewees for two slots, and the other interviewed 5 people for two slots.

The key is really just like everyone else stated. Visit. Call the base and ask for the pilot section for XX squadron. Ask who is in charge of pilot hiring, then talk to them. You really should get your AFOQT and BAT squared away first. I got them done in about 3 weeks.

 

[Lineup&wt]

Thanks again chawbein, and others. I've heard about the BAT test, what does it test and is there a way to study for it? Also without going to recruiter how would I find about when and were I can take these tests? How do I sign up without the middleman?

 

[chawbein]

You would have to find out the closest testing locations for the AFOQT and BAT and call the places that give them. For me it was the MEPS for the AFOQT and I took the BAT at Texas A&M. If you go to a Reserve/ANG recruiter, they should schedule you with no problems for the AFOQT. You can go to this site for information on the BAT:

http://www.aetc.randolph.af.mil/sas/pcsm/

 

[JonJohn82]

I'm interested in a Guard position also. However, I'm 6'7. Will this hurt?

 

[Sarka]

I'm interested in a Guard position also. However, I'm 6'7. Will this hurt?

You're height will limit the a/c type availble. I don't know the limits for each a/c, but would guess you won't get a fighter slot, but could still get into transports or possibly bombers. I flew on C-130's and know we had guys at least 6'5" tall.

P.S. - It will only hurt if you don't duck! (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

 

[c5driver]

Shop around!

Defiantly spend some time at each unit your looking at. Not all units are the same in terms of personality and culture. Don’t settle on just one unit either (the whole eggs and the basket deal) spread your package around. Lots of dudes trying to get in but it is well worth it. Good Luck!