Pima, Fencersmom, and anyone else, I have a question

DevilDog

15-Year Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2008
Messages
676
My son completed the 1st part of UPT in July, on track to graduate in Frb. He was chosen to track to the bigger planes. What happens next? Who chooses which platform he will have? Where does he go from training? I thought I read you ladies have sons going that track. Any help will be appreciated.
 
He will now start the competition all over again as a T1 track UPT student.

The slate in a way is wiped clean.
~ Clean because this is all new academics, sims and flights.
~ Not so much, because he is still in the same squadron, so they know him and his abilities.
~~ Think elementary school. T6 was 1st grade. Now he is in 2nd grade at the same school. The principal has not change. The T6 and T1 pilots have not changed. They talk about the student.

He will go through academics, check flight, and sims again. Same 88. 89 rides apply. The difference is it is the T1 course, and the others in the T38 will have their own process.

Approximately 3-4 weeks out they will have a DROP night. Depending on how your DS does will be what he gets from the drop. Fencer or my DS did well in the T1 phase, thus they both got their 1st choice.
~ Your DS if I am right will also drop RPAs.
~ At Laughlin, they do it by last name.
~~ I still laugh at that drop night. Fencer and I were on the phone (landline) and our DSs significant others were calling on a cell phone connected to someone there. In other words we played telephone tag. DS handed his cell phone to a friend so his fiance could here and she connected us via conference call app, and I than relayed it to fencer.
~~~ He was in TX, his fiance was in NC, we were in VA, and Fencer was in PA.
Winging is huge. So make plans now. At Laughlin, for our DS they kick it off on Friday night with a cocktail party. Saturday is breakfast at the O Club, winging, pictures by a T38 or 1. Saturday night is a black tie/suit event. They will wear their mess dress.
~ Some students will also be able to set up simulator rides between the pics on the flight line after winging and the formal.

After all of that is done, they will than probably be sent water survival and SERE. That takes about 6-9 weeks.
~ My DS was sent water 1st and then SERE. Fencers did SERE 1st and than water. Funny thing was that although my DS went through UPT with 1 of fencers twins, when he was sent to SERE he was in the same class as the other.

After that they may or may not go to a school house. The c130 has a school house at Little Rock. Everyone goes through it. It is a PCS, iows 6 months plus. They will know at winging where they will be stationed for their 1st operation tour on drop night. It is UPT all over again, academics, sims and flying. However, if I recall correctly fencers twin #2 that went C17, they do not have a school house it is done at their 1st operational assignment.

Using my DS in the 130J, he finished school house in Jan. Arrived to Dyess in Feb. He than had to be MQd within his squadron.
~ Fencers DS also went to Dyess, but a different squadron.
~~ Her DS started his 130J class 1 week later at Little Rock than my DS. However, my DS's report date to Dyess was 1 week later than hers.
 
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He will now start the competition all over again as a T1 track UPT student.

The slate in a way is wiped clean.
~ Clean because this is all new academics, sims and flights.
~ Not so much, because he is still in the same squadron, so they know him and his abilities.
~~ Think elementary school. T6 was 1st grade. Now he is in 2nd grade at the same school. The principal has not change. The T6 and T1 pilots have not changed. They talk about the student.

He will go through academics, check flight, and sims again. Same 88. 89 rides apply. The difference is it is the T1 course, and the others in the T38 will have their own process.

Approximately 3-4 weeks out they will have a DROP night. Depending on how your DS does will be what he gets from the drop. Fencer or my DS did well in the T1 phase, thus they both got their 1st choice.
~ Your DS if I am right will also drop RPAs.
~ At Laughlin, they do it by last name.
~~ I still laugh at that drop night. Fencer and I were on the phone (landline) and our DSs significant others were calling on a cell phone connected to someone there. In other words we played telephone tag. DS handed his cell phone to a friend so his fiance could here and she connected us via conference call app, and I than relayed it to fencer.
~~~ He was in TX, his fiance was in NC, we were in VA, and Fencer was in PA.
Winging is huge. So make plans now. At Laughlin, for our DS they kick it off on Friday night with a cocktail party. Saturday is breakfast at the O Club, winging, pictures by a T38 or 1. Saturday night is a black tie/suit event. They will wear their mess dress.
~ Some students will also be able to set up simulator rides between the pics on the flight line after winging and the formal.

After all of that is done, they will than probably be sent water survival and SERE. That takes about 6-9 weeks.
~ My DS was sent water 1st and then SERE. Fencers did SERE 1st and than water.


Pima, thank you. He is already 4 months into tracking on the big planes. What are the planes he will choose from? Where will he go after water and SERE? What is SERE? Thank you for your help. What are RPA's?

Sincerely,
Devil Dog
 
Pima, thank you. He is already 4 months into tracking on the big planes. What are the planes he will choose from? Where will he go after water and SERE? What is SERE? Thank you for your help. What are RPA's?

Sincerely,
Devil Dog

I would suggest you go to baseops.net. Under general discussion you will find a thread called track night. That thread will show you what Laughlin, Columbus and Vance drops.

Overall, heavies start with 3 letters.
KC, C or E.
Each is unique.

Years ago the AF created an RPA only school, but because they are losing too many RPA pilots the AF has officially announced that for a year, including your DS's UPT class that at least 2 from each class will go RPA.

If he is at the bottom of the class he could def. be looking at an E or an RPA

This was Columbus's latest heavy drop (2 weeks ago)
C-17 x 2 (1 Charleston, 1 ANG)

KC-135 x 2 (McConnell, 1 AFRC)

T-1 FAIP

T-6 FAIP

C-130H (ANG)

KC-10 (AFRC)

JSTARS

HC-130J (DM)

CV-22 (Hurbie)

MQ-9 x 2 (Creech)
 
If he tracked T-1s, he has a fairly wide selection to pick from. He will submit his "dream sheet" of desired aircraft, then the AF will take that, his UPT grades, commander's ranking, etc, and match each student to an available aircraft position. The "needs of the Air Force" take priority in all of that.

In general, he can pick from tankers, transports, ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and Reconnaissance), or RPAs. There are a few other oddballs out there, as well.
 
Devil, both of my boys (the one graduated with PIMA's son) got their airframe of choice. One of mine flies the C5M....OMG!!!!! it is G.I.G.A.N.T.I.C. He has flown this thing all over the world and really has enjoyed it. The other guy flies the C130J (like PIMA's son) and is now at language immersion on another continent until Christmas (ish), then will go TDY to still another continent until late spring. He, too, loves his assignment.

Make your plans NOW to go to winging.... it is a great great accomplishment!
 
Thanks Fencer. I do plan to go to the ceremony. I am very proud of him, sometimes I sit back and marvrl at all he has accomplished. I am sure all of you do the same. Thanks again.
 
If you plan to go, than I suggest that you also discuss with him about if you can reserve a room at the "hotel" on base NOW if he wings in Feb.

It is so much easier if you can stay on base.

FYI. look at my an Fencers old avatar to see what we mean when we say formal for the winging celebration.
~ For our DSs at Del Rio, the wives, fiances and significant others wore gowns or cocktail dresses. Moms wore cocktail dresses. Fathers that were not military wore dark suits, military Dads wore their mess dress.
~~ That night is not Sunday Dress. If your wife/SO wants to buy a special dress or shoes...just say yes dear! Not saying you should buy a tux either, but a blue blazer and gray slacks at the function may make you feel a little under dressed.
~~~ All of the students winging will be in their military tuxedo aka Mess Dress for that dinner. They will not be wearing their blues.

Now for true reality, that moment they walk in and the moment they walk across the stage is OMG. Trust me...graduating/commissioning is nothing to this moment.
~ It is the 1st time in your life, at least for me, you can finally take a deep breath and give a sigh of relief, saying to yourself THEY MADE IT
 
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That was cool to read. Thanks for the notice on attire. Would it be appropriate to wear my Marine Dress Blues? J/K, they fit about 80 pounds ago. I am really looking forward to it, and I understand what you mean by they made it. I have seen so many not fulfill their dreams of being an AF pilot for so many factors, ie. medical, check-rides, etc. Even at this point in his training, I still worry about my son getting his wings. I know he is doing well, but I have seen many of is buddies lose the opportunity for things that were either beyond their control, or things that just happened. I really believe getting into the AFA was the easiest part of the journey.
 
I really believe getting into the AFA was the easiest part of the journey.

Yep, but 6 years ago I bet you did not think that at all.

I don't know about your finances, but I bet he would be very proud if you did wear them. Plus, you will be the talk of the party. So if you can afford to, you might want to think about buying a new set.
~ Bullet tried his on about this time of the year and realized he had to drop weight...let's say not just a few pounds. For him, he knew he was wearing it again a month later for our DSs wedding. He managed to do it.
 
Getting into USAFA was just the beginning... graduating UPT is in my mind, PIMA's, our sons', and many people here, a much greater accomplishment. The intensity, the difficulty, the sheer "extreme-ness" of UPT can shake even the most determined, the most gifted, the most dedicated. It is really an extraordinary thing, far beyond what most of us here could hope to do.

Now, about that Winging party: PIMA is 100% correct! Get your most fancy party clothes! Long gowns for women, jewelry, hair done, shoes, the whole package. Guys, none of that polo shirt and khakis... SUITS! Mess Dress, your very best. For Dad, not a real need for a tuxedo, unless you've got your own; you won't be out of place if you wear it.

and stay on base if you can. It is so much more convenient.

Take pictures, and be SOSOSOSOSOSOSO proud! Your child, no matter what air frame, no matter what base assignment, is the Best of the Best now. And has taken the responsibility of others' lives directly into his/her hands. These young people are AMAZING!
 
You would also be amazed at how many people invite the whole family. There were several families that invited the grandparents (we did), along with aunts and uncles. I am guessing those people were actually living close enough to drive there.

I don't know if they do this for every class or at every base, but for our DSs class they asked them to submit baby pictures. After the dinner they did a slide show of each student as a child and than a couple of pics during their year at UPT.
~ We sent in one where our son was @2 in his winnie the poo dr. dentons saluting wearing Bullet's flight cap. So if they still do that and you have him dressing up to act like Daddy you might want to have that picture ready.
 
PIMA they did that, too, for our son at Vance. I don't recall now which pics we sent but it's great to hear the "ahhhs" and "ohhhhs!" and laughs, and really , it is a wonderful time for all.

And before you think: I want ONLY a fighter and a fighter ONLY: even the guy who gets the least desirable airframe is just so relieved to WING...
 
Pima/Fencer, Thanks for the feedback and suggestions. If I can get a set of Dress Blues, this big, I think I will wear them. I think my wife would love that. My son did want a fighter, but he is happy that he is in line to fly. He has been doing some research, and I think he has a preferred airframe. Not sure, he does not like to talk about it but I get that impression.

I asked him if he would really want to fly one of those refuelers, his response "was why not, I would be bringing 2500 gallons freedom to someone?" I thought that was a great answer.
 
Your son will learn to enjoy whatever aircraft he gets/chooses. Everything has its pros & cons. I've seen dudes cry during assignment night (especially the ones who got FAIP'd:D) but once they got settled into that community, everyone of them enjoyed their mission and the aircraft. Just like everything else in life, it's what you make of it. No matter what you fly in the military, whether they are fighters, bombers, trainers or heavies, they do a heck of lot more with these planes than anyone will ever do in civilian aviation.
 
Though getting FAIP'd in DelRio.... :eek:

People make the best of it. During my short time there, couple of young FAIPs bought a double wide and would throw some of the coolest "trailer trash Tuesday" parties every week. There is a nice trailer park on base.
I'd pack up the family and drive to San Antonio a few times a month; it's a short 3 hour drive. Besides, what more do ya need when there's a Super Walmart-BX off base!?!? I didn't think Enid and Wichita Falls were that much nicer.:cool: Beware when they ask you, "do you like fishing, hunting, and the outdoors?".:zip:
 
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