Does anyone have any idea...

[EineBeBoP]

What my chances would be to get a flying position in the Air Force?

My HS grades pretty much sucked, but 1 semester of community college has given me a 3.0 gpa, and Id be very surprised if i got under a 3.5 this semester. Im dedicated to doing what it would take to get into the cockpit, and im not afraid to sign up for more than the average 4 years. I dont even want a fighter pilot position. Flying around a heavy cargo plane would suit me just fine. (C-130 or a C-5 *drool*)

Do I really stand a chance to get to where I want to go in the military?

Is there a way to tell a recruiter that Ill join for X years if he can guarantee me a pilot position, and that I dont have to serve (Unless I choose to) if I dont? Anything specific I should ask a recruiter when I go talk to one?

Thanks for the help/advice guys.

[Ryan110175]

If I were your position, I would look into transferring to a 4-year school that has an ROTC program. Joining ROTC gives you the best chance for a pilot slot. You could even get a scholorship through this and have your degree paid for, but there are no guarantees on a pilot slot. You will have to compete for this. Good Luck

[txrevolution]

Ex-Army guy here, never trust a recruiter! They'll tell you anything to get you in. Your best bet is ROTC at a 4yr school.

[PGT]

I thought pilots have to stay in for 10years?

Anyway, ROTC is the best option. As long as you get in ROTC, get a 3.3-3.6GPA, and have a good relationship with your superiors you should be able to get a slot.

A lot of pilots go in with the hopes of being a fighter pilot but once they see the deployments and how long they last, they quickly change onto something else.

[BCTAv8r]

ROTC might be the easiest way to get a slot but it sure is a gamble. If for some reason you don't qualify you still end up serving for 4 years.

With the Guard/Reserves it is much harder to get a slot but at least you don't owe anything if you don't get one, you go in knowing your airframe, and you don't have to move every couple of years.

Even OTS is a great deal as you go in knowing exactly what you're gonna be. Even if you don't know exactly what you'll be flying.

[PGT]

OTS you find out if you have a pilot slot before you go in.
ROTC, don't you still have time to drop out after you find out if you have a pilots slot or not?


go to wantscheck.com

[Ryan110175]

True, you know you have a slot before you commit, when applying through OTS. However, the selection rate is much lower, because of the number of slots allocated to OTS vs. ROTC. Going through OTS, you need to have PCSM scores in the 90's to be really considered. I know of guys who went through ROTC with scores that barely made them eligible, but since they got a good recomendation from the superiors in ROTC, they got a slot. If you're just starting college, ROTC is the best chance at a pilot slot. If you're close to graduating, then OTS is the likely option.

[BCTAv8r]

Originally Posted by PGT

OTS you find out if you have a pilot slot before you go in.
ROTC, don't you still have time to drop out after you find out if you have a pilots slot or not?


go to wantscheck.com

I think you have to sign the dotted line your junior year and you don't find out till the end of your junior year. Not sure if that's right but that's what I remember reading.

[BCTAv8r]

Originally Posted by Ryan110175

True, you know you have a slot before you commit, when applying through OTS. However, the selection rate is much lower, because of the number of slots allocated to OTS vs. ROTC. Going through OTS, you need to have PCSM scores in the 90's to be really considered. I know of guys who went through ROTC with scores that barely made them eligible, but since they got a good recomendation from the superiors in ROTC, they got a slot. If you're just starting college, ROTC is the best chance at a pilot slot. If you're close to graduating, then OTS is the likely option.

True. But considering the number of ANG/AFRES units out there, it isn't extremely difficult to get a slot as long as you don't screw up in school and prepare for the required tests.

I didn't kiss @ss in high school when I was in JROTC so I never got anywhere within the unit. Last thing I'd want is for the same thing to happen but me not having a pilot slot because of it.

[EineBeBoP]

So if I go the 4 year route, join the ROTC, and get a degree before I enlist, am I joining as an officer?

If I do private training, get a PPL, and then join in a pilot position, is there any chance that they'll reimburse me for the training?

[Ryan110175]

Originally Posted by EineBeBoP

So if I go the 4 year route, join the ROTC, and get a degree before I enlist, am I joining as an officer?

If I do private training, get a PPL, and then join in a pilot position, is there any chance that they'll reimburse me for the training?

Yes, you will commission when you graduate. If you decide to go the OTS route, the AF won't reimburse your PPL costs.

[MDPilot]

Originally Posted by EineBeBoP

So if I go the 4 year route, join the ROTC, and get a degree before I enlist, am I joining as an officer?

If I do private training, get a PPL, and then join in a pilot position, is there any chance that they'll reimburse me for the training?

1. That is correct.


2. Not a chance in hell.

[MDPilot]

Originally Posted by BCTAv8r

True. But considering the number of ANG/AFRES units out there, it isn't extremely difficult to get a slot as long as you don't screw up in school and prepare for the required tests.

Brian, I don't know how you reached this conclusion, ANG/AFRES slots are much harder to get than an AFROTC UPT slot. At most AFROTC units you may have 10-12 guys competing for 6 or 7 slots. At most ANG/AFRES unit they have 20 guys competing for 1 or 2 slots.

[mhcasey]

Originally Posted by BCTAv8r

True. But considering the number of ANG/AFRES units out there, it isn't extremely difficult to get a slot as long as you don't screw up in school and prepare for the required tests.

Really? Which units are hiring so generously?

Hey man, just go to wantscheck.com and baseops.net and browse around. I'll tell you right now that if you can't pull a 3.0 at a university, you're chances of getting a Guard/Reserve/OTS slot are not good, especially if you don't have a technical degree.

Your commitment after pilot training will be 10 years. That's a total of about 12 years. The "usual 4 years" does not apply to officers flying airplanes.

On heavies, you will probably be deployed often and for long periods of time.

AFROTC is by far the easiest way to get a pilot slot (other than USAFA), but like others have said, you're not guaranteed a pilot slot.

Also, before you devote your life to the USAF, get your PPL and make sure you actually enjoy flying...

[EineBeBoP]

Originally Posted by mhcasey

Also, before you devote your life to the USAF, get your PPL and make sure you actually enjoy flying...

Very good advice

Ive taken 1 flight, and im going up again Sunday. I cant imagine myself doing anything else yet, but Ill definatly give it some real time and make sure.

I wouldnt mind giving them 10 years (And while im at it, I might as well give them 12)

Can I do the community college thing for 2 years, switch to a 4 year, and join the ROTC and have a chance still? Or do I need to move to a 4 year and get into ROTC asap?

[BCTAv8r]

Originally Posted by mhcasey

Really? Which units are hiring so generously?

Hey man, just go to wantscheck.com and baseops.net and browse around. I'll tell you right now that if you can't pull a 3.0 at a university, you're chances of getting a Guard/Reserve/OTS slot are not good, especially if you don't have a technical degree.

I visit both of those website very often and that's where I've been getting my info. I never said that it was easy to get a slot in the ANG/AFRES, but as long as you do well in school (aka not screwing up) and do very well on the AFOQT and get a good PCSM score then getting a slot won't be so hard. Or at least getting an interview won't be so hard. I understand they look at other things other than your numbers that can just as well get you a slot or not.

AFROTC is by far the easiest way to get a pilot slot (other than USAFA), but like others have said, you're not guaranteed a pilot slot.

Never said it wasn't.

[MDPilot]

Originally Posted by BCTAv8r

.......getting a slot won't be so hard. Or at least getting an interview won't be so hard.

There is a WORLD of difference between getting an interview and then actually getting a UPT slot at a ANG/AFRES unit. Usually at least 10 guys interview for every slot awarded.

[BCTAv8r]

Originally Posted by MDPilot

There is a WORLD of difference between getting an interview and then actually getting a UPT slot at a ANG/AFRES unit. Usually at least 10 guys interview for every slot awarded.

Yep, I get that. Probably should have originally said interview instead of slot.

I've done a lot of reading on the USAFA and I've seen a couple of documentaries on daily activities and etc and (from what I've seen) I would have loved to go that route. The activities they offer and the education quality is awesome. And it is pretty easy to get a pilot slot as well.

Once again not being a citizen screws me over.

I read somewhere that you can get someone from your original country to sponsor you but found out about it a bit too late. (If it is actually true in the first place)

[mhcasey]

Bebop,

You can do a few semesters of JC and then switch to a University, but I would recommend talking to your prospective University's AFROTC program in the mean time about it. Two years might be too long because you could run into my situation...

I finally decided I really wanted to fly in the Air Force, but only had 2 years (4 semesters) left of school. AFROTC at UT requires a minimum of 2.5 years (5 semesters), and refused to wave that requirement.

[Hacker15e]

Originally Posted by mhcasey

Also, before you devote your life to the USAF, get your PPL and make sure you actually enjoy flying...

Interestingly, that's not a prerequisite for flying in the military. In fact, the vast majority of guys I fly with have no interest in aviation outside of the job. They love the job...but they may not actually enjoy flying.

Strange, but true.

[Hacker15e]

Originally Posted by mhcasey

I finally decided I really wanted to fly in the Air Force, but only had 2 years (4 semesters) left of school. AFROTC at UT requires a minimum of 2.5 years (5 semesters), and refused to wave that requirement.

OTS is still an option.