Forum: Future F-16 crew

If any future pilots have any questions I can entertain about how to go through AFROTC or through the Academy and want to be a pilot, I have ascertained a wealth of info if you need it. I can probably answer any questions you have about any processes from applications to getting your pilot slot to getting an ENJJPT slot.

PS: I don't want to give the impression that I'm all knowing, but I'm going to UPT at Sheppard in January so I managed to do something right.

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Well for starters, what is the recommended GPA to get in? I currently have a GPA of 4.020, and I'm wondering if I'm close.

Thanks in advance.

Well are you in high school or college? If you are in college, are you enrolled in AFROTC? If you are, you have a great GPA. However, UPT boards want you to be well rounded. Included in their decision is the commander's ranking, BAT test, AFOQT, and any community involvement.

The biggest factor that you personally can help is your GPA and you have done that. If you are in ROTC, your commander's ranking is actually more important but you can't completely control that, you can be active around your Detachment and be a good cadet for starters. The BAT test is the Basic Aptitude Test. While I am not allowed to talk about it because you sign a form saying you won't, I can say that there is no way to practice for it, just play video games. You can study for the AFOQT using a number of battery self exams.

But as for your GPA, you must calculate it into your PCSM score. The PCSM is the Pilot Candidate Selection Method. It's the formula by which you are chosen as a pilot. The higher the PCSM, better chances of being a pilot. Competitive scores are a 79-100 on a 100 point scale. To get into ENJJPT you need an 89 or above.

You can find info on how your GPA figures into your PCSM by going to the following website:
http://www.aetc.randolph.af.mil/sas/pcsm/

For AFROTC is it to late this year to get admitted? (I'm guessing so) I am currently unsure of what college I am going to. I've been accepted to one but I am trying to get into ERAU. Should know soon.

If it is to late then is it possible to join next year and aquire the same benefits needed for UPT?

Have you even enrolled in college yet? If you are starting your freshman year next year, you can still enroll. You don't have to apply to be in AFROTC, you just have to show up and be a cadet and do the necessary paperwork. You DO have to apply if you want a scholarship. However, I went through ROTC without a scholarship and while expensive, graduated and am off to UPT. Also, if you choose to join ROTC in your sophomore year, you are still okay for UPT. Actually, you aren't officially recognized as being part of the Air Force until you go to Field Training if you don't have a scholarship. You are just counted as a cadet on the detachment records. Those who get a scholarship their freshman or sophomore year have to sign "the papers" saying they are part of the "inactive reserve". So no, you're not too late to sign up and if you do so for your sophomore year you won't be penalized but you will have to play some catch up with the cadets who are also sophomores because they will have a year on you. Hope this helps...

Hello Wiskeythud, Im also curious about this subject. I sent you a private messege (check the top of the page and it will say if you have any private messeges) If you can get back to me that would be great! Thank you.

Thanks! One more question. I see that the PCSM website lists the things calculated for the score but I am wondering what other things are calculated in? It doesn’t seem to list GPA as one and I am sure it is a factor. Any other little things not listed that I should know about? High School GPA? College GPA?

Your GPA is calculated into your commander's ranking. Other important things include your ranking at Field Training, posistions you have held in your detachment and how well you did, PFT scores, whether or not you have documented flying hours (like a Private Pilots License), and whether or not you volunteered for activities (at our Det you could volunteer for Honor Guard, stadium cleanup after football games, flag raising, drill team, etc.). Also, other stuff included in the commanders ranking is community involvement and interaction, and whether you have been on Air Force sanctioned programs like ASSIST, OAF, or SOAR. Doing well on your college GPA (high school GPA doesn't matter) and being a well rounded cadet are the only things you can do to help your PCSM. Also, I don't suggest brown-nosing, cadre see through that stuff in the end.

Quote:

Also, I don't suggest brown-nosing, cadre see through that stuff in the end.

Sounds like you know someone that miserably tried...

Hey WhiskeyThud, since you got your slot you should post your stats on <a href="http://www.wantscheck.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">wantscheck.com</a> for the rest of us still trying to calculate our chances Smile

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Good luck at Sheppard!

-Aaron

Oh I know a few who were branded as brown nosers. I posted my numbers, that's a great website, I wish I would have known about it a long time ago.

This is a little late, but I thank you again for answering my question. And I think i forgot to say congrats on the UPT slot, your hardwork has payed off! Just curious what track do you want? Fighters? Future Viperdriver on our hands??

Going through ENJJPT, you can only select either bombers or fighters, and it is rare for someone to get something like a B-52 (not that they're bad). I am looking very closely at F-16s (of course) but also keeping an eye on F-15E (I know, maybe a little sinful to admit this on this website) and maybe, just maybe, F-22s. But a Viper should would be a blast.

Hey, no hard feelings here! Those are all awesome aircraft, I dont think you'd be in bad shape with anyone of those three.

BEST OF LUCK!!

Whiskeythud, I am not well briefed on ENJJPT though I have heard a bit about it before...

Can you brief me a bit about it?

It covers UPT and IFF combined correct? And how long is it compared to the other two? Also, I know your assignments will be pretty much fighters but do you get the same list they get in the IFF class?

Thanks!

-Aaron

whiskeythud wrote:

Going through ENJJPT, you can only select either bombers or fighters, and it is rare for someone to get something like a B-52 (not that they're bad). I am looking very closely at F-16s (of course) but also keeping an eye on F-15E (I know, maybe a little sinful to admit this on this website) and maybe, just maybe, F-22s. But a Viper should would be a blast.

One more question, if a person gets on the right track (The Fighters and Bombers one), does the pilot actually get to pick the aircraft (Like say an F-16) that he/she wants to fly? I just don't want to end up flying some freaking UCAV or something.

PS: Thanks for answering my first question, but unfortunately for me, I'm still in high-school.

Forum: Future F-16 crew

Info for future ROTC/current ROTC folks trying to be a pilot