Pilot slots

I don't have the numbers, but I would say OCS is going to be very low for pilots. The reason why is most of the slots are filled via USAFA and AFROTC. For the past few years, unless the applicant had a lot of pilot hours or was prior E, chances were you would get CSO or RPA. UPT can only push through about 1200 students a year. Currently, even USAFA grads are waiting 6-9 months to start UPT. ROTC too. The spigot is running at full flow, they can't take many more for the tempo.

Secondly, more officers are commissioned via AFROTC than USAFA, and that means they typically when the pipeline is flowing, the will have a lot more rated.
~ I believe for my DSs tear group they had @800+ get pilot.

Thirdly, if I am correct the class of 14-15 is a very unique year group compared to the class in front and the class behind.
~ This year group was deemed to large and for the first time they offered cadets the ability to go Guard or Reserve.
~ I believe this is the year group they offered ABM scholarships when cadets were 100 and 200s.

Fourth, they may not have published the numbers yet because these cadets take their FC1 physical over the summer. Some are going to get DQd and due to this fact they do an alternate board, right about now. Thus, their tally is not in yet.

It is best not to look at the numbers, but the statistics. Statistically, if a cadet has a 3.0(tech), 3.3 (nontech), and a strong PCSM than they have @95% chance of going rated. If they have no vision issues, their chances are very high for pilot.
~ Anecdotally from this board, it is usually @90% that ask for pilot get pilot.
~~ My DSs unit for the last 8 years has had 95%+ get pilot. His year group had 13 out of 13 get pilot. 1 due to eyes was originally picked up for CSO, (had eye surgery and was deemed DQ), later on at the supplemental he was waived for eyes and they upgraded him to pilot. 1 got RPA off of the supplemental board. His unit was on par with the national avg which was 93%.

Now the thing to remember is you can't get to that point unless you are selected for SFT as a 200. Last year they made cadets decide if they were going to apply for rated before the SFT board. Nobody knows how many cadets said they were going to apply. Their chances might be far less than years prior because the pool size may have increased due to this new procedure. Last years overall selection rate was 55%.

For my DSs UPT class, they had maybe 25% USAFA grads, 15% OCS (they were all prior Es), and the remaining 60% were ROTC.
~ Commissioning source did not matter once in UPT. The 2 top grads were the prior Es. The 22 went to the prior E, the 15E went to a ROTC grad.

All anecdotal info, but just saying for your child it will 3+ years before they meet a rated board and a lot can change when it comes to the board.
~ For example the ABM scholarship is no longer offered. I believe last year or two years ago they offered a CSO scholarship because the AF MPC said we need more, but that too is no longer offered. This year they are offering it to cadets willing to go missileer.
 
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Pima,
What are the typical percentages for pointy nose (A-10's are pointy nose) slots coming out of UPT? Do plow backs, straight to instructor, get assigned post tour or select with class and stay to instruct knowing their fate?

Navy is about 35% P-3/737, 40% Helo, 20% jet, 5% E-3,E-2/C-2.
I am not sure if you select out of Primary direct to E-3's anymore, they keep switching it.
I believe E-2/C-2 selects separately again as well. They have, in the past, pulled those after intermediate jets.
Thanks,
OS
 
AF tracks fighters and heavies, but an AC/MC130 is considered the fighter track. B52s too. Helos also come out of the T38 track.

IOWS the 38 track could drop more than a pointy nose airframe.

DSs class started with 28. 7 washed out before tracking. 7 washbacks entered during the training process. If I recall correctly 20-25% went T 38.

What needs to be understood is IFS is mandatory unless you have a PPL. The weeding out there is 25-30%. Than they go phase 1 T6. That is also a 25% wash out rate. From there maybe 25% get T38s.

Do the math...100 selected, 75 will move onto UPT from IFS. 25% of the 75 will bust UPT phase 1. 55 are left. 25% of them get 38 track. ... 15 of the original 100. 25% of the 38s get an F airframe. That equates to the exact same as Navy...@ 5%.

If I am correct there are only 2 posters on this forum that commissioned in the past few the years that got an F airframe.
 
WOW! I had no idea it was so hard to get an F platform.
To clarify, ~20% of the Navy selects out of primary get F platforms. With the Growler, all jets go to a Hornet platform. C's and E's are single seat. F's are 2 seat (F-15E with less range) and G's are the Prowler replacement. Career wise, C/E/F are all the same, you will likely do a cruise in at least 2 of the platforms, if not all three. G's are trying to stay their own community on the pilot side. I don't think that will last.
When you refer to T-38's, is that what used to be called fighter lead in?
OS
 
No.

The students go to UPT and start in a T6. @ 5 months later they track. They either go T38 or 1s. They than spend @ 6 months flying either a T1 or 38.

The 38 grads may go to what you are callng fighter lead in.
 
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