Reserve selectee unit switching...

[Vandal]

Was talking to an f-16 pilot the other day and he suggested I try to get "traded" to another unit out of UPT. What he said was that pilots who excel, ie would otherwise be selected for t-38's, can switch their sponsorships to units who's selectee's did not qualify for t-38's. I am sponsored by a c-130 unit, and can't wait to fly the herc, but am just curious if this actually happens.

I know my unit took a b-52 selectee who didn't get 38's, so I guess it must go the other way? hehe if it fell through though I guess you would be outcast at your old unit, that wouldn't be much fun.

 

[talondriver]

I've seen it work both ways. But timing has to be just right. It works really well if your group or wing has both...like the HiANG where they'll send a guy through '38s with a C-130 or KC-135 slot with the hopes of being fighter qualified so he/she can fly eagles. I've also seen guys from the HiANG go through T-1s with probably no hope of flying eagles.

 

[Yahtzee]

Vandal,

Just because a student track selects to T-38s certainly doesn't mean the student "excelled" in Phase II (either T-37s or T-6s). What it means is simple: the student got a T-38.

The student could have been completely average at best. He could have gotten his T-38 because he answered one more question correctly on an academic test than his classmate or maybe he was an average student in a below average class. Many studs in T-38s can thank the guys in their class who passed on the 38 so they get one instead. Typically at least one or two guys per class pass on 38s enabling someone else to get that slot.

You don't have to excel to get a T-38, but if you suck badly enough, the Flt Commander will make a good decision to put you in a T-1, T-44, or a helo. I’ve flown T-38s and T-1s. There are plenty of students who would wash out of UPT if they flew T-38s. I’ve flown with many of these students in T-1s, and I shake my head in disbelief that the T-37s sent these folks to us instead of helping them find a different career field.

On the other hand, many T-1 students would do fine in T-38s. A small percentage of studs struggle in UPT and if not for the T-1, T-44 and helos, they would never wear USAF Wings. T-38s simply move to fast for some students. Sorry for the rant, but it’s a pet peeve.

Now for something that may help you.

One of my best friends, and former 135 Guard Nav, was going to be a KC-135 pilot in his Guard unit, but was number one is T-37 class....he excelled. His T-37 Ops Officer (DO and fighter dude) flew one of his last T-37 sorties after my bud had completed his form check. The DO was talking to him about T-38s and how he was going to love it, when my friend mentioned he was going T-1s and not T-38s. The DO knew this guy was a sharp guy and was instrumental in making a deal to get him into T-38s instead of T-1s. The catch: he would still go to the KC-135 unless some other unit offered to take him and they could work out the details. He got the AETC Commander's Trophy for graduating number one in his T-38 class and got an A-10 to a Reserve Unit.

Just my .02, but if you excel in your Phase II class, talk to your Flt CC. You may be able to work the same kind of deal.

I assume you’re in T-37s or T-6s. If not, you probably want to wait to ask this question again until you are doing well in Phase II. Then it would appropriate to inquire with your Flt CC.


Best Wishes

Yahtz


P.S. Don't most guard/reserve units have T-44 slots for there C-130 bound studs? We see one or two C-130 studs every few classes in the T-1, but not many.

 

[talondriver]

You don't have to excel to get a T-38, but if you suck badly enough, the Flt Commander will make a good decision to put you in a T-1, T-44, or a helo.

Don't read this the wrong way. You should have "tried" to excel to get a T-38. To me, the above quote implies that you can slack off and get one.
My advise to you is follow your heart and not the advise of some disgruntled tweet IP (heavy or fighter) who has a chip on his shoulder and bad mouths the communities other than his/her own.

 

[Yahtzee]

Just want to set the record straight.

Talondriver,

I wasn't trying to imply any student should slack off at any point, and certainly didn't mean for you or anyone else reading the post to think I was promoting slackers. Vandal quoted someone who said "pilots who excel, ie would otherwise be selected for T-38's".

I simply stated a fact that some students do well in Phase II, and then pick T-44s, T-1s or helos, thereby enabling another student in the same class to track select T-38s. I've seen the MASS scores from T-37s for nearly four years now. There are many guys in fighters right now who would be in heavies had there classmates taken the 38 slots first.

I made the following statement in another post and stick by it.

"There are many heavy drivers, including me, who believe the best students in T-37s and T-6s, should pick 38s and go to fighters, not heavies. "

Here's the link:

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=50962#post50962

While it is noble to follow your heart, many students who excel in T-37s are the ones who could excel in T-38s and fighters. IMHO, unless a student is dead set on flying a heavy, I recommend they try to get T-38s. I've tried to talk several undecided T-37 students into T-38s and not the heavy track.

Fighter guys can always make their way into a heavy aircraft through the guard, reserve, medical conditions, or an FEB. Once you go to a heavy in today's AF, the possibility of flying a fighter is almost nil.

It is unprofessional to badmouth another community. However, there is a lot of teasing that happens. Teasing fighters guys isn't the same thing as bad mouthing them. The later is acceptable, while badmouthing anyone is not.

Most of the heavy drivers have nothing but respect for our fighter brothers.

Peace

Yahtz

 

[talondriver]

Yahtzee_

I totally agree with you. The concern is whether a young student pilot knows the difference between teasing and badmouthing. I can tease with the best of 'em.. ..unfortunately I catch myself doing it in front of stanley.

Blue Skies

 

[Vandal]

Thanks for the info guys! I guess I'll just wait to see if I kick ass in upt. Still got a ways to go...appreciate the insight.