Forum: Future F-16 crew

Hello all, I'm new to this site and there seems to be a great mature community movement [Link pending approval] have a dilemma, I'm 25 1/2 yrs old, transferring to a four year California state university (already did 2 yrs at a community college, so got 2 years left at CSU) and majoring for a BA in criminal justice while having an [Link pending approval] in computer programming. The problem is my [Link pending approval] recently spoke to a USAF advisor over the internet and they say the only way i could possibly join by the time i'm out of college is if i earn a private pilot's license on my own, and apply to USAF by 29 yrs old for OTS (by the time i'm out of college I'll be 28 yrs old and a couple days exactly). I would plan on getting LASIK eye surgery as my eyes are not very good but I wear glasses for my [Link pending approval] would be content flying ANY fighter [Link pending approval] question is it possible for me to pursue my dreams? My father was a Vietnam veteran special ops Ranger in the army during 68-69, so I had a chance to go straight to the AF academy at the latest of 23 yrs old, the problem is that I found this out way too late as he has just recently earned these benefits from the Gov'[Link pending approval] only I knew [Link pending approval] Confused

Or should I simply abandon the idea of perhaps becoming a fighter pilot? I am physically fit because of my Jeet Kune Do training that I've done for 7 years, and I have a [Link pending approval] GPA in community college which will be raised once I get done with all my general ed and xfer this upcoming Spring 2006. I know the reqs are a [Link pending approval] [Link pending approval] ANY genuine help would be [Link pending approval] [Link pending approval] Cool

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Hello all, I'm new to this site and there seems to be a great mature community movement here...

Mature? Yup, your deffinatly new to the site...

Finish your college out; try and push some summer school if you can and buy yourself some time. You may not need it but the people I know who have always gotten pilot slots they always have this period of casual status before they start training. If you can graduate even just 1 semester early that gives you a 4-5 month buffer to account for that.

I will be highly surprised if CSU retains your transfer GPA. At least my university didnt retain mine. (A darn shame too, I had a 4.0) If thats the case, sit down and make the dedicated effort to work your butt off in college. If CSU has an AFROTC det, go there and talk with some of the cadets and make friends with them. Even if you dont do ROTC these are like minded individuals who have the same ambitions as you. They will make good friends for you and will likely push you to stay in the right direction.

If CSU does take your GPA, well, its not a bad GPA but its not great either and OTS slots are really competitive from what I hear. (Check http://www.wantscheck.com and see for yourself) You might have a better chance if you enlist in a gaurd unit, prove to them your a good person and then apply for their pilot slots. (I say this because from everything Ive heard from gaurd members on this forum, while your qualifications are good it is a tremendous boost if your already apart of their unit and they know you.

Anyways, im no expert on the system cause I certainly havent cracked it myself yet. But those are my suggestions to you. Im sure people who have actually done it will chime in soon with a lot better advice.

-Aaron

EDIT: Whoops, just realised you asked for help from pilots only. Well, you can still read my stuff if ya want. I spent too much time typeing it so I dont feel like deleting it.

Oh hey, np thanks for your reply, I was gonna go back and change the pilot's only reply please thing i had put [Link pending approval] my first semesters of college really brought me down because I couldn't decide what I wanted to do with my [Link pending approval] was a lot younger so I took a couple of semesters off and decided what I wanted to do with my [Link pending approval] bad they retain ur beginning gpa [Link pending approval] now I gotta hit training, I appreciate any helpful replies and will reply once I get [Link pending approval] [Link pending approval]

Yeah, "you can do it"..." just do it". If you want to do it, nothing will stand in your way...

Take the AFOQT, and BAT... Then call us in the morning.

Pilots only... I retract my statement. I will be going to UPT shortly... Guess I dont apply. Thumb

You are a pilot WILZ, you just havent flown yet :p

-Aaron

Alright dude, here's the lowdown. If you're still in college, go ROTC, its much easier to get a pilot slot than OTS, especially now-a-days. As far as your age, don't worry, I don't think you're past the age limit, and if you are, you're so close, that a waiver will take care of it. I went OTS about 2 years ago and am now flying the Viper but I'll tell you, it wasn't easy. I had to apply 3 times, and that's with maxing the AFOQT pilot section and the PCSM. It's even more competitve now, that's why I advocate ROTC. If you have any questions, contact me.

Your advice is good mach2 except the ROTC program is no longer offering 2 year programs unless your a nursing major. He will have to do OTS unless he wants to postpone his graduation for another year.

-Aaron

I am a C-172 boat chaser... thats what I do for fun at the lake...Chase boats in a 172... or a Pitts. Crazy Pilot

Be a Nurse... maybe change career fields. Very Happy

Hey... Go Guard... Its hard but go Guard. Very Happy

Hey thanks for your replies, you have given me hope about pursuing what I dream [Link pending approval] the ROTC thing, are you sure I can't get in for a 2 year program after i xfer? I guess it is only a 4 year thing now?

I thought Lasik was an automatic DQ. I know of pilots with PRK, but not Lasik. Might want to look into it.

Boy oh boy...2 yr AFROTC option only available to nursing majors...things have changed.

The more they change, the older I feel.

That's it. I'm not comin' 'round here no more. I'm starting to feel like a flyin' fossil.

TWOOP!

That's a roger, ROTC doesn't offer 2yr anymore, only 3 or 4 yr. The 3 yr is typically offered to those who need to catch up i.e. transfer students. From what I understand, they make you take the freshman/sophomore class your first year. I was a transfer student myself and I'm 24 yrs old now so I'm getting there too. Not to mention I didn't do as well as I wanted to on the AFOQT, and now I have to wait 6 months to retake it. But like Aaron said, the 3yr will set your graduation back a year.
Off Topic

DeltaFiveOne, I was just wondering where you've been taking Jeet Kune Do for 7 yrs? I've been looking up info as I've been interested in joining a class, and some suggestions of good JKD instructors or referals would be great! I know of the L.A.-based JKD, but I'm in northern California...

Cool beans. Go for your dreams. You never know unless you try man. Good luck!

Well, when you think about it they are laying off what? 50,000 company grade officers this year? Makes more sense to do your force reallignment before these people plan on making careers out of their life with the AF. I hear this year was the worste year in the AF for cuts at field training. Some people were even passing but they were just informed that their major wasnt needed in the AF right away. I dont know if thats true or not? but... ya know... sux...

-Aaron

There ARE NOT cutting fighter slots in the active duty AF. Cant talk for any other command, most of the cuts are brown shoe jobs. So if ya wanna be a pilot, keep pressing.

Forum: Future F-16 crew

I have a dilemma, any help appreciated from pilots...