Unconventional Route

[Tyfen]

Hi,

I've wanted to be a pilot in the Air Force since I was a kid. I was an average high school student and did not end up applying to USAFA.

I forgot about the dream through college up until recently, and I want to give it another shot.

I am a Senior graduating with a BA in Accounting this summer from a large state school (I live in Michigan).

I am currently 19 years old, so I do not take issue with investing time in another Bachelor's degree.
I did not do AFROTC at my university.

I am making this decision on the brink of graduation, and so it has created a fuss with my original plans for the near-future. I planned on continuing education to get my Master's of Science in Accounting (1 year program). I would be 20 when I graduate. I feel that I will go through with this, because I need something solid to work towards while I figure out my path to the Academy.

I want to know your opinion of how my unconventional route will affect a possible application to the Academy. My ultimate goal is to become a pilot, and so I am seriously considering the USAFA.

I am looking into OTS (and perhaps AFROTC here in my Master's year). I am aware of the AFR and ANG, and will do more research there as well.

Thank you.

 

[CrewDad]

Think better to go to OCS than to go USAFA. Unless you want the fraternity. Also you may qualify for ROTC like scholarship doing 2 years Masters. I would start with a question to an ROTC recruiter in NROTC and AFROTC programs.

 

[Oscar Whiskey]

Think better to go to OCS than to go USAFA. Unless you want the fraternity. Also you may qualify for ROTC like scholarship doing 2 years Masters. I would start with a question to an ROTC recruiter in NROTC and AFROTC programs.

Just my two cents but I agree OTS is a more effiecent route for you in your stage of education. Also what type of pilot do you want to be? Do you want to be a military pilot? If flying civilian aircraft is a goal there are numerous other ways to become a pilot. As far as the Air Force is concerned, Dutch the current pilot shortage now is probably the best time to become a pilot. With the pendulum effect - 5 years from now we may have a pilot excess. What you need to do is find a local ROTC Instuctir and ask them to give you advice on who to call for OTS with a pilot slot. Do not go to a recruitment center! Also Air National Guard is a great way to go as well.

 

[Tyfen]

Think better to go to OCS than to go USAFA. Unless you want the fraternity. Also you may qualify for ROTC like scholarship doing 2 years Masters. I would start with a question to an ROTC recruiter in NROTC and AFROTC programs.

Just my two cents but I agree OTS is a more effiecent route for you in your stage of education. Also what type of pilot do you want to be? Do you want to be a military pilot? If flying civilian aircraft is a goal there are numerous other ways to become a pilot. As far as the Air Force is concerned, Dutch the current pilot shortage now is probably the best time to become a pilot. With the pendulum effect - 5 years from now we may have a pilot excess. What you need to do is find a local ROTC Instuctir and ask them to give you advice on who to call for OTS with a pilot slot. Do not go to a recruitment center! Also Air National Guard is a great way to go as well.

Hi Oscar.

I want to become a military pilot--more specifically, flying fighters. I am aware that OTS would be a more relevant option for me at this point, but I am open to all options that would help me secure a spot.

That said, I am visiting my University's ROTC office today to speak to someone for advice. I also emailed my ALO and my local recruiter for advice on becoming an officer + pilot.

 

[Stealth_81]

With two OTS boards each year you would have 9 or 10 shots at a pilot slot via OTS before you would graduate from USAFA (one year before you would start and 4 years at USAFA). Get your PPL, start researching, study for the AFOQT, and put together a great package for the OTS board. Wanting to fly fighters is irrelevant right now since UPT classes are a mix of AD, Guard, Reserve, and OTS candidates so your chance at fighters is entirely dependent on beating out everyone else going AD in your UPT class.

Stealth_81

 

[Tyfen]

With two OTS boards each year you would have 9 or 10 shots at a pilot slot via OTS before you would graduate from USAFA (one year before you would start and 4 years at USAFA). Get your PPL, start researching, study for the AFOQT, and put together a great package for the OTS board. Wanting to fly fighters is irrelevant right now since UPT classes are a mix of AD, Guard, Reserve, and OTS candidates so your chance at fighters is entirely dependent on beating out everyone else going AD in your UPT class.

Stealth_81

Thank you for this, I didn't consider it. I assume AD means active duty. I have not yet done a substantial amount of research into the OTS process. Do you have any other tips for OTS? What would they look upon favorably within a candidate/place emphasis on? I understand OTS applicants already have a Bachelor's degree, making it more competitive in that respect as well.

Also, do you know if the AF will perform vision corrective surgery on those in OTS? I am not 20/20 but my vision is 20/20 correctable. I am getting an eye examination done to determine precisely what my vision is. I understand that the Academy and ROTC perform vision corrective surgery for prospective (?) SUPT students.

 

[HuskyPilot]

Go here:
https://bogidope.com/civilian-guardreserves

https://bogidope.com/squadron-job-listing

 

[DevilDog]

Think better to go to OCS than to go USAFA. Unless you want the fraternity. Also you may qualify for ROTC like scholarship doing 2 years Masters. I would start with a question to an ROTC recruiter in NROTC and AFROTC programs.

Just my two cents but I agree OTS is a more effiecent route for you in your stage of education. Also what type of pilot do you want to be? Do you want to be a military pilot? If flying civilian aircraft is a goal there are numerous other ways to become a pilot. As far as the Air Force is concerned, Dutch the current pilot shortage now is probably the best time to become a pilot. With the pendulum effect - 5 years from now we may have a pilot excess. What you need to do is find a local ROTC Instuctir and ask them to give you advice on who to call for OTS with a pilot slot. Do not go to a recruitment center! Also Air National Guard is a great way to go as well.

Hi Oscar.

I want to become a military pilot--more specifically, flying fighters. I am aware that OTS would be a more relevant option for me at this point, but I am open to all options that would help me secure a spot.

That said, I am visiting my University's ROTC office today to speak to someone for advice. I also emailed my ALO and my local recruiter for advice on becoming an officer + pilot.

One of my son's roomate at USAFA was a young man that had graduated from a good college but he wanted to become a pilot. He spent 4 tough years at the academy, this is after he spent 4 years at a good civilian college. He did get a pilot slot after graduating, He went to UPT and washed out. He is now working in intelligence, and he likes it, but he spent 4 years at USAFa and did not end up doing what he originally went for.
My son also had a classmate that went thru elementary, middle and high school with him. She also wanted to be a pilot. She got a slot after graduation. She also did not make it. She is now also working in intelligence. She likes it but there again, not everyone makes it.
My son is an IP, he would tell you that the best deal is going thru the guard. You know which airframe you will get, it is contracted. You would not have to risk spending 4 more years at USAFA, OTS is fine. Just find a unit that needs pilots for the air frame you want, talk to them. Someone provided a link above. Some of the people he went thru UPT with are in the Guard and are flying commercial when not doing guard duty. Good luck.

 

[CrewDad]

My son would tell you that the best deal is going thru the guard. You know which airframe you will get, it is contracted. You would not have to risk spending 4 more years at USAFA, OTS is fine. Just find a unit that needs pilots for the air frame you want, talk to them. Someone provided a link above. Some of the people he went thru UPT with are in the Guard and are flying commercial when not doing guard duty. Good luck.[/QUOTE]

So Guard guarantees air frame! That’s great. Can you join the Guard after Commissioning from AFROTC Scholarship Program? Is Guard a full time position? So do you have to look for the state that has certain type of planes first? How does this work? Obviously you cannot commission into the Guard from an Academy, right?

 

[CrewDad]

Message to DevilDog and others who know this path.

 

[Tex232]

Have you thought about flying for any of the other services as well, or is your only desire to be an AF pilot?

 

[Tyfen]

Think better to go to OCS than to go USAFA. Unless you want the fraternity. Also you may qualify for ROTC like scholarship doing 2 years Masters. I would start with a question to an ROTC recruiter in NROTC and AFROTC programs.

Just my two cents but I agree OTS is a more effiecent route for you in your stage of education. Also what type of pilot do you want to be? Do you want to be a military pilot? If flying civilian aircraft is a goal there are numerous other ways to become a pilot. As far as the Air Force is concerned, Dutch the current pilot shortage now is probably the best time to become a pilot. With the pendulum effect - 5 years from now we may have a pilot excess. What you need to do is find a local ROTC Instuctir and ask them to give you advice on who to call for OTS with a pilot slot. Do not go to a recruitment center! Also Air National Guard is a great way to go as well.

Hi Oscar.

I want to become a military pilot--more specifically, flying fighters. I am aware that OTS would be a more relevant option for me at this point, but I am open to all options that would help me secure a spot.

That said, I am visiting my University's ROTC office today to speak to someone for advice. I also emailed my ALO and my local recruiter for advice on becoming an officer + pilot.

One of my son's roomate at USAFA was a young man that had graduated from a good college but he wanted to become a pilot. He spent 4 tough years at the academy, this is after he spent 4 years at a good civilian college. He did get a pilot slot after graduating, He went to UPT and washed out. He is now working in intelligence, and he likes it, but he spent 4 years at USAFa and did not end up doing what he originally went for.
My son also had a classmate that went thru elementary, middle and high school with him. She also wanted to be a pilot. She got a slot after graduation. She also did not make it. She is now also working in intelligence. She likes it but there again, not everyone makes it.
My son is an IP, he would tell you that the best deal is going thru the guard. You know which airframe you will get, it is contracted. You would not have to risk spending 4 more years at USAFA, OTS is fine. Just find a unit that needs pilots for the air frame you want, talk to them. Someone provided a link above. Some of the people he went thru UPT with are in the Guard and are flying commercial when not doing guard duty. Good luck.

I really appreciate your reply-it puts my chances in perspective. Definitely an option I will look into; the only issue I take with the ANG is that I want to fly for the military full-time. I realize, though, that full-time military pilots are not actually flying full-time (they spend more time filing paperwork in preparation for flights than they do actually flying?). However, it is not something I'd want to do one weekend out of the whole month. I want to make military flying my lifestyle.

 

[Tyfen]

Have you thought about flying for any of the other services as well, or is your only desire to be an AF pilot?

I have not actively looked into Navy but I would be more than willing to apply to USNA or their OTS. Is this something I should be considering more heavily than I am now?

I have never considered or looked into Army. Is this a path?

 

[Humey]

I belong to another forum where it is mostly current and former active duty pilots. Many of the them will tell you to go National Guard. National Guard works like a business in that they hires their own pilots. Sometimes they hire internally within, sometimes they hire retired AD and sometimes they hire graudates fresh out of college. The advantage is that you will probably be with the same group for life and you know exactly what plane you will flying. If the Guard Unit flys F-16s and they hire you, you will fly F-16s when you graduate UPT. That is unlike AD UPT students who have no idea what they will be flying . According to these pilots, lot less beaucratic crap than what the AD pilots have to deal with and in many cases it can be a full time job. However, as an Acccountant, you would be able to do both. Now, no one is saying it is easy to get hired by the National Guard as you basically go in for a interview and have to compete with everyone else who wants to be a pilot. They want pilots who will fit with their group so personality does come into play. Having a pilot license also helps. Lots of AF pilots while they love flying for the AF have issues with the direction of the AF and those who command it. They feel like the National Guard as it accomplishes what they want to do and yet doesnt have to deal with all the other crap. Anyway, its a suggestion. My son is going AD as a pilot this year

 

[Tyfen]

I belong to another forum where it is mostly current and former active duty pilots. Many of the them will tell you to go National Guard. National Guard works like a business in that they hires their own pilots. Sometimes they hire internally within, sometimes they hire retired AD and sometimes they hire graudates fresh out of college. The advantage is that you will probably be with the same group for life and you know exactly what plane you will flying. If the Guard Unit flys F-16s and they hire you, you will fly F-16s when you graduate UPT. That is unlike AD UPT students who have no idea what they will be flying . According to these pilots, lot less beaucratic crap than what the AD pilots have to deal with and in many cases it can be a full time job. However, as an Acccountant, you would be able to do both. Now, no one is saying it is easy to get hired by the National Guard as you basically go in for a interview and have to compete with everyone else who wants to be a pilot. They want pilots who will fit with their group so personality does come into play. Having a pilot license also helps. Lots of AF pilots while they love flying for the AF have issues with the direction of the AF and those who command it. They feel like the National Guard as it accomplishes what they want to do and yet doesnt have to deal with all the other crap. Anyway, its a suggestion. My son is going AD as a pilot this year

Thanks for this. I never really considered the politics and/or uncertainty involved within non-Guard UPT and the AF itself. I am 19 though, and do not have my PPL. Also, my vision is not 20/20 but is definitely correctable. Do you know if ANG allows for laser vision correction? When would I actually look to apply to ANG-sponsored UPT?

 

[Humey]

I belong to another forum where it is mostly current and former active duty pilots. Many of the them will tell you to go National Guard. National Guard works like a business in that they hires their own pilots. Sometimes they hire internally within, sometimes they hire retired AD and sometimes they hire graudates fresh out of college. The advantage is that you will probably be with the same group for life and you know exactly what plane you will flying. If the Guard Unit flys F-16s and they hire you, you will fly F-16s when you graduate UPT. That is unlike AD UPT students who have no idea what they will be flying . According to these pilots, lot less beaucratic crap than what the AD pilots have to deal with and in many cases it can be a full time job. However, as an Acccountant, you would be able to do both. Now, no one is saying it is easy to get hired by the National Guard as you basically go in for a interview and have to compete with everyone else who wants to be a pilot. They want pilots who will fit with their group so personality does come into play. Having a pilot license also helps. Lots of AF pilots while they love flying for the AF have issues with the direction of the AF and those who command it. They feel like the National Guard as it accomplishes what they want to do and yet doesnt have to deal with all the other crap. Anyway, its a suggestion. My son is going AD as a pilot this year

Thanks for this. I never really considered the politics and/or uncertainty involved within non-Guard UPT and the AF itself. I am 19 though, and do not have my PPL. Also, my vision is not 20/20 but is definitely correctable. Do you know if ANG allows for laser vision correction? When would I actually look to apply to ANG-sponsored UPT?

You dont need perfect 20/20 vision. My son passed his his flight physical without perfect vision. If it is bad enough, you can do Laser. However, please dont run out and do lasik. Needs to be coordinated with the AF or it will disqualify you. Same rules apply to National Guard. You can look up the rules but the simple answer is you can apply after graduating although I think you can do it sooner. Each guard unit has their own requirements but from what I read, you are doing yourself a disservice if you apply without a pilot license. They look for motivation and things like that.

 

[Humey]

My son would tell you that the best deal is going thru the guard. You know which airframe you will get, it is contracted. You would not have to risk spending 4 more years at USAFA, OTS is fine. Just find a unit that needs pilots for the air frame you want, talk to them. Someone provided a link above. Some of the people he went thru UPT with are in the Guard and are flying commercial when not doing guard duty. Good luck.

So Guard guarantees air frame! That’s great. Can you join the Guard after Commissioning from AFROTC Scholarship Program? Is Guard a full time position? So do you have to look for the state that has certain type of planes first? How does this work? Obviously you cannot commission into the Guard from an Academy, right?[/QUOTE]
I know that AF Rotc will allow some people to go reserves. No idea about National Guard but you may get the same deal through reserves. Guard is normally not a full time position although they do have some positions that are. You choose what plane you want. Lets say its a F-16. You find out which National Guard units fly the F-16 and you apply assuming they are taking applications. From what I read it helps if you establish a relationship with the unit. So sometimes having one close to home where you can visit often and get friendly with the guys is very helpful. In any case, you can apply to all of the F-16 units (for example) in each state. If you get hired, they send you to UPT for a year or so and then when you graduate, you get to fly the F-16. I simplified the process with hardest part being hired. Of course you have to pass UPT but you know what you will be doing assuming you pass

 

[AROTC-dad]

I have never considered or looked into Army. Is this a path?

If all you want to do is fly, you may want to consider the Army WOFT program. Being a WO pilot, would more than likely assure you of greater flight time than being a regular line officer. You better like rotary aviation, though, as that is the vast majority of Army air frames.

https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-.../warrant-officer/flight-warrant-officers.html

 

[Humey]

I also heard Marines will almost guarantee you a pilot spot. However with the Marines, you are a Marine first and a pilot second

 

[Stealth_81]

There are advantages and disadvantages to being a Guard or Reserve pilot vs. Active Duty. I would suggest looking at Baseops.net and read about the differences there. I always caution people who I send there: Spend time and read the forums there for several days before you even consider asking a question. There is a lot of information already posted, and they are not very forgiving if you just pop in and start asking basic questions.

My son is an AD pilot but he spent three years flying for a Reserve squadron as a TFI pilot. He has said that the traditional reservists (part-timers) had the best deal but they had already paid their dues. The AGR and ART people are full-timers but they end up with the lion's share of the non-flying duties in the squadron. They pick up the duties from the traditional reservists who are only at the squadron 4 days a month. The TFI pilots have a good deal in that they fly a lot and have all of the AD benefits.

Another problem in looking to join a Guard or Reserve unit as a pilot is that there just are not that many of them, and since they only hire one or two new guys a year the numbers are not in your favor. In the F-16 there are only 2 Reserve squadrons and 12 Guard squadrons in the US. That doesn't equate to a lot of hiring each year. Also, if hired by a Guard or Reserve fighter unit you will be on full-time AD orders anyway for at least 3-4 years for UPT and seasoning (further training and development).

Humey is right in that perfect vision is not required to be an AF pilot, however there are limits to how poor it can be uncorrected and it must be correctable to 20/20. Over on Baseops there is an AF eye doctor who works at Wright-Patterson and is a regular contributor there. He has current and valid advice to a lot of vision questions. Good luck.

Stealth_81