NoMy son wanted soaring but was slotted to jump for his summer after 4th year. He really wants to be a glider IP. Can he get into soaring during 3rd (sophomore) year and still become a glider IP?
With whom should he speak to plead his case to get into soaring for the summer? Anything in his control can he act on?
He still can get hired as a Soaring IP. 3-degs (sophomores) can take soaring their FALL semester. From there they can apply for the upgrade and be picked up as what’s called a “spring-ie”. A upgrade Cadet who starts in spring whereas most upgrades start in fall. Your son can talk to any IP and they will explain.With whom should he speak to plead his case to get into soaring for the summer? Anything in his control can he act on?
Chain of Command should be first stop. There are ways to do both in one summer and there are ways to add to Fall courseload(coord w/ A3), but either way they need to talk to their Chain of Command and AOC.With whom should he speak to plead his case to get into soaring for the summer? Anything in his control can he act on?
You can get picked up for soaring IP if you take it Fall 3-deg year, but there are VERY few picked up. This year only 6 were picked up. If your DS wants to be an IP, have him contact his AMT and his airmanship liaison (should be a cadet in each sq who is familiar with airmanship and has connections with A3). If he can't find them, PM me and I can get you in contact with one. This summer is his best shot at becoming an IP.With whom should he speak to plead his case to get into soaring for the summer? Anything in his control can he act on?
When you say “summer schedules are finalized”, is that the case for all sessions and activities or just for Soaring. ThanksAs others have said, generally summertime is the best period to take soaring if he intends to apply for AM-461 (IP upgrade program). Generally, over the summer we'll get around 200 applications for roughly 50 spots. We also do a smaller round of accelerated spring hires in the spring; around 60-70 apply for round 10 spots (this year was unusually small due to a variety of factors). So yes, fall is more competitive, but not impossible to get. Summer schedules are finalized and published tomorrow I believe so I wouldn't be too hopeful about switching schedules at this point but definitely try and make them tell him no. If he can't, still encourage him to ask his academic advisor to schedule fall AM-251.
I’d like to get an idea of how competitive it is. Do you have any idea how many C-4’s typically try out each year ?Unsolicited plug for the Flying Team! If you have a PPL, this is the team for you. Very competitive, but an amazing opportunity: https://www.usafaflyingteam.com/about/about-us