Air Force UPT (pilot school)

How hard is it to get fighters at upt for the Air Force? what goes into it?

Is it like whoever has the best "GPA" during upt gets what they want or is there other things they evaluate you on. I am trying to be a fighter pilot and want to know how best to prepare for UPT.

Thank you.

Do well enough at the zoo to earn a slot to ENJJPT - more fighters drop from there than anywhere else. But your ranking out of the T-6 and then T-38 are based on academic scores, flight scores, and a subjective ranking from your flight commander. Best shot = finish #1 and hope the needs of the Air Force align with your dream sheet.

If you can get through UPT, you still have a teeny-weeny chance of getting a fighter. PIMA can correct me but our sons' class I think there were 3. Maybe more but my memory is hazy.

But let's be clear, if you are just now thinking of a Service Academy, getting a fighter slot is something like step 4,619. You might be on step 7. Long term goals are excellent. Just don't neglect the short term steps.

Also; not to be a naysayer, but even when you get to the academy, so many things can change.
1. Get there; all is good; but you have a change of heart and decide you don't want a 10 year commitment, so you decide NOT to even fly. Happens ALL the time. Make sure you're wanting the academy and the air force for the right reason. Flying can be "A" reason, don't let it be you #1 reason. Apply for the academy and air force for the right reasons.
2. Sometimes, the needs of the air force changes. And ALL jobs and assignments are based on that. For instance, there have been times in the past; albeit rare; that they didn't give out ANY PILOT SLOTS out of the academy at all. As mentioned in #1, be ok with getting a non-flying job in the air force if that's what you're presented with.
3. Some individuals have passed the medical to get into the academy and air force; but a couple years down the road at the academy, they wind up NOT PASSING the physical required to be a pilot. I know a few in THIS CLASS TODAY, who wanted a pilot slot since day-1. But there are not qualified, and they are getting jobs in engineering, intel, and others. Again; per #1 above; be willing and ready to accept a non-pilot slot.
4. And then, as fencermother pointed out, you may be fortunately enough to get a pilot slot. But that doesn't mean you'll wind up in fighters. And while at one time, fighters were almost always ENJJPT slots; it's not that way as much any more. You can get fighter slots if you go to Mississippi, texas, or any place for UPT training. But again, that doesn't mean you'll get fighters. And most of the ENJJPT slots aren't just doing well at the academy. My son received a pilot slot out of the academy. He graduated #7 in the entire 2012 class. Yet, his pilot slot was at Columbus Mississippi. But again; fighter slots are no longer just out of ENJJPT. But either way; back to #1; be ready and ok to NOT be a fighter pilot.

And as Fencermother mentioned; looking at UPT training is step # 4,619. Get INTO the academy first. Make it through Basic Training. Make sure the academy and military is what you really want. (No, you don't know that answer yet; no matter how much you think so). Do well academically and graduate. And the other 4,600+ steps in between. THEN, worry about getting a pilot slot and fighters.

And even if you put on your dream sheet "Pilot, Pilot, Pilot," if the AF decides something else is needed for a person with your particular gifts, you're going to do that job. Don't suppose it doesn't happen. It happened to my sons' friend who graduated with distinction.

Just curious--but was your sons' friend (who desired a pilot slot and UPT) "voluntold" or given a non-rated AFSC slot or was he/she one of those assigned to RPT? And if the friend (who graduated with distinction) was given a non-rated slot, which one was it? (I've read that some folks are directed into missileer duty slots.)

He is a scientist. Instead of pilot, he was sent to AFIT and I think he finished his PhD now, but he'll continue as a scientist until the AF decides otherwise.

fencersmother said:

He is a scientist. Instead of pilot, he was sent to AFIT and I think he finished his PhD now, but he'll continue as a scientist until the AF decides otherwise.

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That would be impressive if he already finished his PhD (unless he isn't class of 2012). It usually takes 4.5 years to do that assuming everything goes as planned

I also have a friend who was selected for a masters program in computer engineering but couldn't go because he was selected as a cyber officer and so his AFSC prevented him from taking his grad school spot. He made the most of it, got a computer science masters and now loves his job and I believe is stationed in Hawaii

If you can go full time, it isn't that bad. My son graduated the academy 2012. Selected to go to the RAND. Finished his masters and PhD in 3 years.

My room mate at USNA took a strange path. Masters in 18 months and PhD in 2.5 years. It all depends on program and end state goal.

I see that the OP asked the exact same question in the ROTC forum and I answered it there. Based on his posting history he is an AFROTC cadet who is up for a slot next year, so I am not sure why he posted this in the USAFA forum also.

Stealth_81

Do you want me to make a copy and put it in the coast guard forum too?

Hee hee. Sorry.... Couldn't resist.

Christcorp said:

If you can go full time, it isn't that bad. My son graduated the academy 2012. Selected to go to the RAND. Finished his masters and PhD in 3 years.

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I was speaking specifically about AFIT, about which I know more details than I'd like to when it comes to the various programs and timelines.

Perhaps the PhD depends on the program of study? Not sure. In any case, our OP seems to be getting a little ahead of himself on the "dream sheet" topic.