UPT and types of planes

CC our boys are the same yr group...trust me for our DS he is hoping this is G*d's lips to the Pentagon's ears.

We shall see in a few weeks.
 
Yup. One thing at a time. Hopefully he'll get picked up for grad school after graduating next year. I'd like to see he have his master's out of the way early in his career.

While he would like fighters, he is not totally against heavies. He knows the pros and cons of all the aircraft. I don't think he's into bombers though. He also liked a lot of the tactical work I was in; and even though I wasn't anything close to being a pilot, he likes the thought of those planes also. So either way; I hope he gets to fulfill his dreams. But first; graduate the academy and hopefully get approved and funded for grad school.
 
Mike,

Frankly, I'm very envious of the kids who are either in the Academy or ROTC now or about to enter it. I have a VERY good feeling my predictions are pretty accurate.

Like i said, timing is everything....
 
Mike,

Frankly, I'm very envious of the kids who are either in the Academy or ROTC now or about to enter it. I have a VERY good feeling my predictions are pretty accurate.

Like i said, timing is everything....

Thanks brother. That's very encouraging. Sounds like things are going his way. So even if he is fortunate enough to get his grad-school slot and his UPT slot held for him, he should be in good shape. That was one of his concerns. Going to grad-school and having things change for the worse 2 years later when it's time to start UPT. I understand that nothing is guaranteed; but it's promising that you believe he should be able to have his cake and eat it too. Thanks. Mike....
 
that banked into my analysis when i was trying to decide what to do. Class of 2011 for the first time got UAS Pilot slots as opposed to just pilot slots. I got notification of my PCS (move) for pilot training last week, so looks i have to report NLT 15 April 2012, a few weeks after i graduate grad school. nothing like knowing with plenty of time to spare. but while i would be happy to fly whatever i get, fighters are definetely my goal. we'll see what God (and that Air Force) has in store for the future...
 
Eagle; so you're at grad school now (1st year)? Academy grad 2010?

Not to take the thread off topic, but how difficult is/was it to get approved for grad school out of the academy? Did you have to put in for a lot of scholarships/fellowships? If the schools accept you, is the air force pretty cooperative in letting you do it? Certain academic requirements? Sorry for all the questions. Thanks. Mike....
 
We are here for everyone, to support everyone, ew and :thumbdown: hurt the AF. If one day you get a 22 or 35, you will want that RPA member.

I actually hope to fly RPAs someday. For some of us, it's our only way to fly for the AF since I have bad eyesight.

Maybe they'll even have RPA fighters by the time I'm graduating from the AFA or AFROTC :thumb:
 
Damn, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I support the entire Air Force, the entire US Military. If some day I would have to do that, then god damnit I will do it to the best of my ability. I'm sorry for just hoping to have a different job.

For those of you who are in the RPA field, then :thumb: to you and thank you for making a difference and for your service.
 
Strike, I agree with ya. Of course I want my own butt doing 9 g's but eh, i'll do RPA's if thats what Uncle Sam needs. :thumb:

I was waiting tables and I got a table of UPT pilots in town and one of them was training for UAV. Even he was very...ehh about it. Lol. So it's not just us.

If you get a RPA drop, is that what you will fly your entire career? Surely not..
 
I actually hope to fly RPAs someday. For some of us, it's our only way to fly for the AF since I have bad eyesight.

As of right now, unless something changed since the last time I looked. UAS program is a rated AFSC. Which means the eye sight requirement is the same.
 
I think UAS slots are like CSO, eyesight is important, but they have a different min. than pilots. Thus, it is possible to be mq for UAS, but not for UPT.

Not going to swear on it, just that is what I recall reading or hearing.
 
I think UAS slots are like CSO, eyesight is important, but they have a different min. than pilots. Thus, it is possible to be mq for UAS, but not for UPT

Well maybe they changed something. But my DS has vision that will only correct to 20/25. Actually 20/20 -2 and he was told that was enough to disqualify him to fly UAS.

I have read plenty of information as well saying that the vision requirement won't be as strict in the future, but I can't find any reference to it having already been changed.

My DS has had PRK under the warfighter program and is hopeful at his next appointment, he will have 20/20 and at some point be able to get a waiver. Unfortunately for him, the 12 month waiting period post surgery won't end until after he graduates. So his only shot at UPT will be to go before a UPT board at some point in the future.
 
So his only shot at UPT will be to go before a UPT board at some point in the future.

I can't tell you how many friends Bullet and I have that got UPT later on, it happens, so keep the faith.

If it is meant to be, it will be.

FWIW: Col. Mike Goode was one of those friends. If the name sounds familiar, it should he is an Astronaut that took the last shuttle up. He was an O3 when he finally got UNT.
 
Mike, yes I'm a 2010 grad with Hornet and ramius. I recieved one of the GSP (Graduate Studies Program) from the OR "Department" (Operations Research is actually a combination of the math, management, computer science, and economic departments.) The jist of the scholarship is they send me to AFIT (Air Force Insititue of Technology at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH) for 18 months, and in return I will return at somepoint during my career to teach in one of the four related departments. The number of GSP scholarships vary year to year.

As for grad school in general, it depends on your AFSC (Air Force Specialty Code, aka job). For 61s and 62 (scientists and engineers) it's relatively easier than for say, a pilot, because they'll need the knowledge sooner. Otherwise, you really just have to be endorsed by the scholarship committee at USAFA (mainly based on cumultive OPA). Certain national scholarships are endorsed, such as Draper and JFK. Otherwise, its very rare (but is doable) for you to get grad school purely because you find a place you want to go and apply. You really have to work with Dr. Lavin and get approval.

If you or anyone else has other questions on that later stage, let me know. And i know you know many of the abbreviations, but i figured i'd spell out as many as i could in case other people are reading.
 
Thanks for the info Eagle. I know my son has most of the details and has got the process moving. He's been working with his department heads and counselor. Hopefully it will all work out for him. I know he wants pilot, and probably will get it. (He had his PRK last summer, and every checkup so far has been as expected. 20/15 and 20/20). His gpa/opa are satisfactory. Now, it's just a matter of getting the recommendations and the scholarship/fellowship. He's pretty determined. I appreciate you and bandit explaining the process. Thanks. Mike...
 
Original poster here...

I have a quick question regarding nominations and appointments to USAFA.

In the fall of 2010 I applied for nominations from my congressman and one of my senators. Both asked for preferences for academies. I put identical preferences on both, as I thought this was the honest thing to do. I put USNA first, then AFA, the WP, the USMMA. However, I had been and still am fluctuating between wanting to be in the USAF or the Navy. I got two nominations to USNA, and was appointed there ! :D

However, despite having applied to USAFA, my nominations didn't go there, and now it seems that it's been ruled out for me as an option. I've heard that there's some "national pool" for applicants that received a nom to a different academy. Am I eligible for something like that? I've been on the fence with AF and Navy for months now... and need advice on which to choose, and what to do if I decide that the Air Force is a better fit for me. Any help?
 
I think you want to start a new thread about your question because otherwise the thread will be sent off course.


Go to the nom thread and post it there, you will probably have a better shotof getting the answer you are looking for.
Good luck
 
Back
Top