Rated RPA Slot: A quick change of plans and could use some advice

719Frontier

5-Year Member
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Mar 31, 2013
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I apologize if these questions are repetitive--I have decided to make a rather quick change of plans and could use some advice.

I just received my scores from the AFOQT and while they're not incredibly outstanding, I have decided to try for a rated slot because I don't want to close any doors.

Pilot: 85 Nav: 91 Acad Apt: 89 Verbal: 86 Quantitative: 81

GPA: 3.82 at a private university (non-tech)

I wear glasses but my prescription is weak. (-1.25 in one eye, -.5 in the other). Color vision is normal etc.

I would like to go for an RPA slot (I've never had the desire to fly, but contrary to most, the idea of flying an RPA really appeals to me).

1). I really have no gauge of AFOQT scores but are mine competitive?

2). How does the board process work? Do I get to choose which platform I want to fly? Or is it a case where they will look at my scores and pick for me based on the needs of the Air Force.

3). Is there any way to indicate preference for an RPA slot?

4). How does training for an RPA pilot differ from that of normal pilot training? If given an RPA slot, would I still go to the same first 6 months of pilot training like everyone else?

5) Any other considerations I might be missing?

Again, thank you all for any advice you can offer
 
I am sure others will correct me, but here goes.

1. Quant is strong, but it is not outstanding. In essence you rank in the top 20% of all of AFOQT candidates.
~ Pilot you were top 15% and Nav top 9%.

2.The board will look at your selection list, and the board results.

Let's play a game.
UPT candidates place CSO as number 2 and RPA as number 3.

They fill up UPT, CSO will be the next from a WCS, but if RPA is number 2 than it changes, and CSO will be last.

IOWs it is the national list, the WCS and the scores/priority.

3. Yes! When you apply rated they will ask for you to rack and stack. You must apply for all 4 options.
~ Pilot, CSO, RPA and ABM.

You can't say RPA only.


4. RPA is no longer UPT tracking. I believe they now go to TX (San Antonio?) and the class is RPA only. There will be no T6/38/1 tracking at Columbus, Vance, Sheppard, Laughlin as a UPT student.


Hope that helps.
 
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In regards to the most up to date vision requirements for RPA pilot candidates, do you know where to look? Most of what I'm finding is vague.

I have not had my vision surgically corrected. Is this something that needs to occur before I go up for the board? I know the AF has strict regulations on which method of surgeries they approve, etc.
 
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Have you checked out baseops.net? They have a medical forum there for rated.

I can't tell you vision requirements for 2 reasons.
1. DS had no vision issues
2. DS went UPT.
 
719, have you taken the CCT color vision test yet? Even though an RPA career means keeping your a$$ on grass, they still are DQing people with a color-vision deficiency from ALL rated jobs, and spec-ops to boot. Non-waiverable. Refractory stuff is east to get waivers for. Unfortunately 6-8% of dudes have color problems, and the vast majority don't even know it. If it's not too late, go visit an opthamology research facility ( like a college hospital) and see if you can take the CCT to gauge what kinda lookers you have.
 
Did you try the AFROTC website?

"Normal color vision
Near vision: There is no standard for uncorrected near vision but must correct to 20/20.
Distant vision: Uncorrected cannot exceed 20/400 but must correct to 20/20
Note: Corrective eye surgery could be a disqualifier.
Meet refraction, accommodation and astigmatism requirements
Corrective eye surgery could be a disqualifier"

Waivers exist for some conditions but not all, so check out http://www.wpafb.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-140710-038.pdf if you think you might need one. This was very helpful when I was going for rated. Didn't get it, MDQ for depth perception, but it was still nice to see if I even had a chance of getting a waiver for my vision.
 
The problem with reviving a post that is older than a few months is a couple of things can happen in the time that has transpired.

I.E. 719, was a 300 when he asked that question. Since that time he placed ABM and RPA on his rated list as the top.

He has not been back posting on this site for 6 months. Chances are high he may occasionally lurk, and may see this revival, but he is now past the point where the info is assistance.

AFROTC cadets that go rated and in the case of RPA, are required an FC1 physical. This physical occurs at WPAFB during the summer of their rising 400 year.
~ In this case the info for him it is coming in late. I will say it can help those that are just starting the process.

Also during this time a thread on DoDMERB was created, and if anyone wants/needs some poster insight I would suggest they read this thread.
http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=37647
 
I apologize if these questions are repetitive--I have decided to make a rather quick change of plans and could use some advice.

I just received my scores from the AFOQT and while they're not incredibly outstanding, I have decided to try for a rated slot because I don't want to close any doors.

Pilot: 85 Nav: 91 Acad Apt: 89 Verbal: 86 Quantitative: 81

GPA: 3.82 at a private university (non-tech)

I wear glasses but my prescription is weak. (-1.25 in one eye, -.5 in the other). Color vision is normal etc.

I would like to go for an RPA slot (I've never had the desire to fly, but contrary to most, the idea of flying an RPA really appeals to me).

1). I really have no gauge of AFOQT scores but are mine competitive?

2). How does the board process work? Do I get to choose which platform I want to fly? Or is it a case where they will look at my scores and pick for me based on the needs of the Air Force.

3). Is there any way to indicate preference for an RPA slot?

4). How does training for an RPA pilot differ from that of normal pilot training? If given an RPA slot, would I still go to the same first 6 months of pilot training like everyone else?

5) Any other considerations I might be missing?

Again, thank you all for any advice you can offer

1) Your scores are competitive, for pilot it merely goes off your pilot score, the quant, acad, and verbal are irrelevant.

2) Platforms are decided much later in the program, usually if you perform well you get what you want, but your exact platform is always on the needs of the Air Force.

2/3) I don't know why people keep saying you cannot choose, this also goes with your above question about board process, in fact this last year you COULD rank them, and opt out of any options. Do we know if this will happen this year? no, but you could last year. So, yes rank it high, rest low or none (if it follows the same as last year.)

4) No, you go to IFS (think basic flight skills, in a separate class from pilots) then RPA does their own training.

5) Last considerations, medical. Glasses is no big deal (I wear them, made it through). Do not think because you pass normal tests you will pass at WP. Its much more stringent and they check your eyes like nobody has ever before. However, most people pass. In my group we lost only one out of 30 or so, but that does not mean other groups do that well. Everyone's heard the horror stories. Control what you can, PFA, GPA etc.
 
719, have you taken the CCT color vision test yet? Even though an RPA career means keeping your a$$ on grass, they still are DQing people with a color-vision deficiency from ALL rated jobs, and spec-ops to boot. Non-waiverable. Refractory stuff is east to get waivers for. Unfortunately 6-8% of dudes have color problems, and the vast majority don't even know it. If it's not too late, go visit an opthamology research facility ( like a college hospital) and see if you can take the CCT to gauge what kinda lookers you have.

My DS was DQ'd for color deficiency for all rated May before his 400 year, we had no idea until his FC1.

He went to a civilian eye Dr for a 2nd opinion and passed with no problem...but even with him asking the question more than once, to more than one person, AFROTC would not consider retesting him...no discussion. He was reclassed intel.
 
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My DS was DQ'd rated for color deficiency for all rated May before his 400 year, we had no idea until his FC1.

He went to a civilian eye Dr for a 2nd opinion and passed with no problem...but even with him asking the question more than once, to more than one person, AFROTC would not consider retesting him...no discussion. He was reclassed intel.

Regular doctors do not check color vision to the depth that WP does for the FC1. I'm not even sure they would even have access to the same program (its on a computer). I know you do get to try multiple times on the test at WP though but I doubt they would let you go back to try some more, they are not there to fail you.
 
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