Forum: Future F-16 crew

Hello I'm an aspiring F-16 pilot just like many others in here. I am looking for the best possible way to become an F-16 pilot. I'm planning on joining the air guard but am starting school this summer so thought if I can get a lot of my schooling done before I join like say two years going year round and only have maybe a year, year and a half left, then I could join the air guard. Would this be a good way to go or should I go a different way. I know the guard can pay for a lot of my schooling but I want to try and get done with school in 3 or 3 and a half years so I can really concentrate on my job in the air guard and make sure I get a pilot slot when Im done with school and so I can really concentrate on school while Im in school. I appreciate all the help I can get.

Thank you

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I've got some crew chiefs that are going to school and using tuition assistance from the Guard. Most are aspiring to become F-16 pilots. Within my twenty years with the Guard I've seen only two crew chiefs get pilot slots. Have been some others within the Wing as well but not many. Some of my guys got slots in the Air Force or other Guard units. Some are flying other fighters, heavies, and navigating as well.

One problem that you may run into is the fact that when a unit deploys overseas, your expected to deploy as well. I've had one subordinate that had to withdraw from school three times based on our contingency requirements. Though I may sound a bit harsh... If your going to join the Guard, expect to miss some school and don't ask to miss your military requirements. You need to make sure you manage your time smartly if you choose to join the Guard or the Air Force for that matter. Just the way it is!
In some exceptional cases, college professors allowed correspondence over the internet. But this was tough for the guys to keep up with. Working 12hrs a day, in 115+ heat and maybe some time off every 8-10 days in theatre makes it tough. Hope this helps!

Have a great day!
Chickenlegs

Thank you sir that helps a lot. So I should finnish all my schooling first and then look at my options? Is it reall difficult to get a pilot slot in the guard? Ive heard a lot of people tell me the guard is the best way to go would you recommend different. I appreciate your help
Thank You

I would think you would pursue any and all possibilities. Don't just limit yourself to the Guard. If that is where you wish to pursue, don't limit it to just a few states. Take advantage of any and all units out there. As far as finishing school.........that's up to you.....but as an elisted member, my experience of pilots with prior enlistment time has been more enjoyable than with a pilot with none. Some would say that getting your foot through the door is to your adantage. I know this can be a tough decision but could also be a rewarding one.

Talk to a recruiter and ask him to show you around and visit with op's (pilots/intel) and maintainers. I will tell you though, that everytime I get a new member and hear that they want to be a pilot.... I squirm a little inside because I'm not sure how much committment I will get out of the individual. Fortunately, I've had few disappointments.

Have a great day!
Chickenlegs

:: Message removed by admin - Please start new threads instead of hijacking exisiting one ::

I joined in order to bolster my application, thinking that I would be a "lock" for a slot as an enlisted guy with good credentials. Dont make this mistake!! It is still super competitive....If you want to join, join for the right reasons! I happen to really enjoy my job and am happy I joined even if I dont get a slot. All I am trying to say is dont count on it and as referenced above...be ready and willing to deploy.

Good luck (unless you are going up against me! (j/k))

The Guard is a great way to help pay for school as well as learn a thing or two about the military. Make sure you choose a job you'll want to do regardless of your intentions to get a pilot slot.

First off, Spiderman, you really need to stop Hijacking threads. It's kinda rude, the equivalent of interupting someones conversation. If people stop to answer your questions than the person who started this thread will have the aggrivation of not knowing who's giving advice to him and what not. Start your own thread and if people aren't responding it's because they are busy or dont know the answer, not because they dont see it.

Now that that's off my chest :p

thedream_f16, I have to agree with whoever said above that your options are plenty. In away, I think that just before I started college and was on here posting questions trying to figure out my route, that was the most exciting time for me cause I had so many paths ahead of me. Statistically your odds are best to get a pilot slot via ROTC however dont consume yourself in statistics too much. Set your heart on something and follow it, and dont let laziness or other people get in your way and you'll get there. I think the only limiting factor in pilot selection is you, not statistics, or odds. Everyone I've ever seen get turned down for a pilot slot has been someone who just didnt work as hard as the person next to him. Never because someone was just plain better in every way than someone else.

-Aaron

I got my fighter slot with the guard as a civilian and would suggest most people to do the same if all they want to do is fly. I was only one of three civilian guys being interviewed out of 16, of which the rest were military. A few of the guys had just enlisted to get an interview, and now that they didn't get selected they're off to basic and have to wait even longer before they can apply again. Also, when you enlist you are taking a chance being more scrutinized because of the pilots getting to know you better than someone just of the street. Now this is great if you fit in well, but if you don't, they'll know even before the interview that they don't like your personality.

Getting a pilot slot boils down to the interview. It really doesn't matter if you have a PCSM of 80 or 99, or 40 or 90 flying hours. What matters is how well you can display to the squadron that you will be successful and that you fit in. Unfortunately, if your personality doesn't fit in you're not getting the slot.

Now just in my opinion, I think there are alot of people out there dreaming of being f16 pilots that are just too uptight, too naive, and too full of themselves to ever fit into a Guard squadron, but luckily these are things that if your honest with yourself you can become aware of and then correct.

spit21fire wrote:

Now just in my opinion, I think there are alot of people out there dreaming of being f16 pilots that are just too uptight, too naive, and too full of themselves to ever fit into a Guard squadron,

Dammit, they're on to me.

Forum: Future F-16 crew

Flying in the right direction?