How long between commissioning and UPT?

AlaskanAirPower

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I know nothing is set in stone and that EADs vary yearly, but I was curious how long people with pilot slots are waiting between commissioning and EAD. It's tough to plan a wedding without knowing when I may leave, so any information you have helps, thanks!
 
As far as I know, most commissioning in spring will not EAD until next spring, 2017. Heard dates of April, May, & June. Few friends commissioned in Dec 16 & EAD'd in Mar 16. Don't know of anyone going sooner than next year. Pima has a plethora of insightful info on the backing of the pipeline, etc...
Are you commissioning this spring/commissioned already & are trying to plan a wedding for next year?
 
Currently, my EAD is set for Jan 2017 and I am headed to Vance AFB. Others going to Laughlin or Columbus seem to have later EAD dates as late as June 2017, but that's not always the case. What is true is that the pilot training pipeline has been backed up for some time, so no matter the base you get assigned, there will be a wait of at least 6 months until you EAD then training will start a month or so after that. The AF is trying to limit new 2nd LTs' casual status, or the time at base where they are paid to do basically nothing until training starts. Some do not like the idea of waiting around while others like myself are okay with it, since it will be the longest stretch of free time you can get before the real work begins!
 
I think you probably already know, and some here have already mentioned, that there is no set in stone "normalcy" as to a standard timeline between commissioning and EAD for UPT. General "Rule of Thumb" is that the majority of the Academy Grads will report first (Summer / Fall) and the majority of the ROTC grads will report after (Winter / Spring). Again, NOTHING set in stone regarding this, but this has been the historical reference for the majority over the past few decades.

What has been slightly different through the past few years has been the use of putting 2Lts on "Casual" status at their UPT bases; essentially having them report a few months prior to their UPT class start dates, accomplishing "busy work". This is done in the chance that a slot at IFS or in a UPT class suddenly "opens up" (which happens almost EVERY class, for multitudes of reasons) -- they are there ready to fill that slot in a few weeks (or even less) notice. So, for your case, don't plan on having your Wedding while on casual status since your dates are very "flexible", and once your in that training status you really won't have any free time available for the Wedding (or want to spend time worrying about it as you'll be focusing on your training exclusivley if you want to succeed at UPT).

A valuable early lesson for you and your future bride (or groom) -- once you raise that right hand to accept your commission until your separated, the needs of the Service come first, often over the needs of the "family" (although your leadership will try to accommodate both, but if push comes to shove you know where their decision will lie). You could have a few months wait until EAD, or you could have a longer period to "sit around". But once you report for training, your schedule is out of your hands (but I would talk to your chain of command when you do report about your Wedding plans so they can try to accommodate, but keep an open mind that their first priority is getting you and the hundreds of others in the pipleine like you through with minimal scheduling hassles).

Have you considered having your Wedding during the week between XMAS and New Years? Most UPT bases (and most home ops locations) slow down their tempo (or don't even schedule any flying or academics) during that week since so many are on leave. 30 December falls on a Friday this year, which just so happens to be Pima's and I's Anniversary as well, simply because we were facing the same issues as you those 27 years back. And ask her -- we we're sweating whether I would be available for the Wedding all the way up to a couple of weeks prior.

Another option -- get legally married, have her move out with you, and plan for that Big Wedding Party later when you're done with UPT and your TX course for whatever air-frame you end up with., and you'll some better control of your schedule. Just an option. Another option? Weekend in Vegas, Baby!
 
Have you considered having your Wedding during the week between XMAS and New Years? Most UPT bases (and most home ops locations) slow down their tempo (or don't even schedule any flying or academics) during that week since so many are on leave. 30 December falls on a Friday this year, which just so happens to be Pima's and I's Anniversary as well, simply because we were facing the same issues as you those 27 years back. And ask her -- we we're sweating whether I would be available for the Wedding all the way up to a couple of weeks prior.

I have to agree to look at that week, but also we know people that got married Memorial Day and 4th of July weekends too. However, in those situations, it was basically fly in late Thursday night and back at UPT by Sunday night.
~ As stated we got married the 30th of Dec., a Friday. He reported to water survival on Jan. 2nd. with a follow on to LIFT (IFF now). I stayed back until he got a place at LIFT for us to live.
~ Our DS (2012) go engaged 4th of July weekend while at Laughlin during UPT so he could fly her in from NC, and take her to San Antonio for the weekend. Married Memorial Day weekend, and they sweated it out too. He winged April, sent to Water Survival right before the wedding and to SERE 10 days after the wedding.
~ Fencers DS also got engaged at UPT. Proposed over Xmas. Married 4th of July weekend, I think the 6th. Did water and SERE in June. Class start date for Little Rock (C130J) was July 15th, hence he had to be there by the 14th.

Just saying you will find a ton of people in the flying world that got married because they felt the best guaranteed chance they would have off without impacting the wedding is around a holiday.

Another option -- get legally married, have her move out with you, and plan for that Big Wedding Party later when you're done with UPT and your TX course for whatever air-frame you end up with., and you'll some better control of your schedule. Just an option. Another option? Weekend in Vegas, Baby!

We also have many friends that did this...not so much the Vegas, Baby! weekend, but courthouse wedding and later on the Big Wedding....many of them will do it in a church/synagogue, etc. with all of the bells and whistles, and honestly, the guests get it...the two of you had very limited options because the AF decided for you. If they don't get it, than IMPO, cut them loose out of your life, sorry if that seems harsh, but your life is going to be 10 years of deployments and moves. Holidays, birthdays, etc. will not matter to the AF. You need people in your life that gets the sacrifice and dedication you and your fiance have to keeping this great nation safe...not people that say "I can't believe they are making this such a big event like they are not already married!"

As Bullet stated getting married allows you the ability for many things.
1. PCS move.
~ They will cut her/him on your orders and pay for the travel to whatever base from your HOR. That means per diem too. You get $ per mile, but because she is a dependent you will get $ for her too.
2. Health insurance
3. Base housing/BAH
4. You can plan the wedding of your dreams without feeling like you have to hope and pray that you will graduate on time to make it back for the wedding.

I wish you congrats on your impending nuptials, but I will also say that you might want to re-think getting married before UPT. JMPO! UPT is not a cake walk, it will require a lot of time (see Raimius' s signature line...he is not exaggerating regarding what life will be like). If you get Del Rio it is in the middle of nowhere. Their job opportunities are few to none. Most students are not married. UPT students do not go out and party every night, however, they come home...scarf dinner down and chair fly until 10-11 every night. Friday night is their release valve....come Sunday at noon they are back to studying.
~ Been there, done that as a spouse when Bullet was at his airframe schoolhouse. Also saw through our DS's life that nothing changed in the rated world over the past 25 yrs..
~~ I missed Bullet a lot. I flew out every 6 weeks for a yr., and we talked weekly (No Skype in 1987) Hated it when we were doing it, but now that hindsight is 20/20, I believe it was the best decision ever. Bullet could give 110% to his studies. I got the opportunity to say a slow goodbye to my family and friends while working on my career. The most important thing that occurred was learning before we married our life would be filled with long distance.
~~~ I don't have enough fingers and toes to count on when it comes to him missing birthdays, anniversaries, holidays. That is the life you are entering. He will tell you that for our kids between 1995 and 2000 he missed every Halloween because he was deployed...not for a week, but for months. He missed our DS1's Holy Communion because he was deployed. His DD's 1st father daughter dance had his Dad stand in for him.
~~~~ Do not mis-read this. I loved every second and would do it all again, but instead take this is what life may be like. You may find out she is pregnant via skype because of deployments or tdys.

Wedding plans matter, but in 9 years from now you will look back and say that was the easiest part. You love each other, and in the end it is a day, that is all it is. Marriage is a lifetime.
 
Most are going on casual when they do EAD some longer than others. Taking IFT out of the discussion I'd expect 4-6 months of waiting after EAD. To say you will start a month or even two after EADing is a dream and luck if it does happen to ROTC LTs. I'd expect not to start UPT for about a year after comissioning. Many academy are still on casual from last year.
 
I was just notified today that my class date was pushed up 4 months...so...for those wanting to go earlier- there is still hope! ha. Otherwise, hurry up& wait.
 
I was just notified today that my class date was pushed up 4 months...so...for those wanting to go earlier- there is still hope! ha. Otherwise, hurry up& wait.
Which base are you going? It seems like all of us Laughlin folk are pushed back to April 2017 or later.
 
I'll be goign to Columbus. Few friends going to Vance are Apr 2017+ too.
 
Which base are you going? It seems like all of us Laughlin folk are pushed back to April 2017 or later.

Laughlin had a large portion of their T-1 fleet damaged by a hailstorm several months ago. Repairs are being done but it has backed up the pipeline quite a bit.

Stealth_81
 
As far as I know, most commissioning in spring will not EAD until next spring, 2017. Heard dates of April, May, & June. Few friends commissioned in Dec 16 & EAD'd in Mar 16. Don't know of anyone going sooner than next year. Pima has a plethora of insightful info on the backing of the pipeline, etc...
Are you commissioning this spring/commissioned already & are trying to plan a wedding for next year?
I'll be commissioning Spring 2017, so I have time to plan/evaluate my current plans.
 
Currently, my EAD is set for Jan 2017 and I am headed to Vance AFB. Others going to Laughlin or Columbus seem to have later EAD dates as late as June 2017, but that's not always the case. What is true is that the pilot training pipeline has been backed up for some time, so no matter the base you get assigned, there will be a wait of at least 6 months until you EAD then training will start a month or so after that. The AF is trying to limit new 2nd LTs' casual status, or the time at base where they are paid to do basically nothing until training starts. Some do not like the idea of waiting around while others like myself are okay with it, since it will be the longest stretch of free time you can get before the real work begins!
When did you find out your EAD? I know the non rated LTs that just commissioned from my detachment found out their EADs at different times, and one EAD the day after commissioning.
 
Unless something has changed you will not find out your EAD until @Mar your AS400 yr. You find out your base in the fall of your 400 yr., @Oct/Nov.

That being said, I would not take an EAD as written in stone your 400 yr. Here is my DS's path for EAD for RLTD
1. May 12th
~ Huh? His graduation date was to be the 17th of May.
~~ HQ pulled it.
2. May 28th
~ Huh? His commissioning date was May 25th, and the AF authorized 3 day travel to get to Laughlin.
~ HQ pulled that one too.
3. August 8th

Those were the dates between Mar and May his 400 yr.

6 weeks prior to his Aug 8th date in the end of June (1 month out of school) he called up and asked where his orders were. He was informed he was backed up to RNLTD 9/30. That is where it stuck.

His base never changed, but his date did!

The other thing that Stealth touched upon regarding weather can impact other bases too. Columbus can get hit with hurricanes, and Vance can have tornadoes. Classes can get backed up, which means they can change anything and everything from a RNLTD.

I am with Zero on 2 counts. Many USAFA grads are also waiting 6-9 months, even up to 12 months...they traditionally will go 1st since they collect a paycheck on the day of commissioning, AFROTC does not. Fiscally it makes no sense to send AFROTC on long term casual status if USAFA grads are also on casual. I would not expect to start UPT within a month of arriving at the base. I would expect to do a couple of months casual status.
~ Caveat: If you have a PPL and will not go to IFT than that could occur.
~~ If not than the chances are you will arrive to UPT, hang for a couple of weeks, go to IFT, return and hang for a couple of more weeks before your class starts. Total it up and on a good day you are looking at 3 months from reporting to starting UPT.

JMPO, if you are engage already get married right out after commissioning. You still have a yr to plan the wedding. The reasons why are:
1. Orders are cut 6-9 weeks prior to RNLTD.
~ They will pay for her to move with you...$$$
~ They will ship her stuff too...bridal shower/wedding gifts/furniture.
~ Can apply for on base married housing instead of the BOQs.
2. You will want her to work. Not saying financially, saying boredom and she needs a life. For you to succeed you will live and breathe UPT. It is not an exaggeration that you will get up at 5, come home at 6, eat dinner and chair fly until 10-11 every night.
~ As a spouse she gets an employment priority for jobs on base. The faster she gets that right, the faster she goes into the pool and can work and won't be twiddling her thumbs waiting for you to come home.
~~ In our DS's class, I think only 3 were married out of the 27/28 that winged with him. Another 3 or so were engaged, but the fiances did not go with them.

I did the IFF/ FTU schoolhouse with Bullet as a newlywed. I wouldn't change a thing, but it was an eye awakening for me as a newlywed. Going to the movies Sun- Thursday night did not happen. What did happen was him coming home for dinner and than leaving to do a study group or hitting the books in another room. Noon on Sunday was when that started, and it ended at 4 on Fri. There was only 3 other wives in his class. I had to find a life without him during the day. I decided to take up woodworking and framing art because we were at a base like Del Rio.
~ Just saying, I get wanting to get married, but the 1st yr is hard, and you don't know how deep those family roots are planted until you uproot them. Talk to her about what life is really going to be like. Have her read Raimius's blog. Have her lurk/join this site or go to baseops.net and post on the spouse threads before you set a date due to an EAD.

IOWS, make sure she has no illusion that for the 1st 2 years of your marriage is nothing less than very little time together if you are to succeed, and if she wants a career, by following you she could be taking a hit.

Congrats, and best wishes.
 
It's very interesting how all these rated pipelines work and the different timeframes people wait.
For me (RPA) I commission in December, my EAD is a month later, go casual status for under 2 months before training starts. Sitting lucky right now with these dates hoping they stay this way (fingers crossed).
 
@Will I have a bud at my Det same as your EAD...commissioned this month, EAD in feb ish for RPA. You guys will probably x paths!

Honestly I don't mind waiting until next April. After spending years studying engineering curriculum, I'm ready for a break before basically getting another bachelors of UPT & follow on schoolhouse...friend of mine just got fully qualified and he's about to hit his 4 year mark. Granted there was tons of casual time in between, the amount of studying & curriculum may as well have classified it as another bachelors ha.
 
When did you find out your EAD? I know the non rated LTs that just commissioned from my detachment found out their EADs at different times, and one EAD the day after commissioning.
I was told my Jan 17 EAD in mid April, it was originally 30 Sept 16 like most were but rated cadets were the only ones who changed pretty much to next year.
 
Like others have said, it really varies a lot. The one pilot from our det is going to Columbus and has a EAD in September.
 
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