Forum: Future F-16 crew

I am currently 21 years old and have wanted to be in the military for a few years now. I just about have an associates in business, but will change it to aerospace engineering once I transfer schools. I am slightly overweight- 190lbs at 5'9, and I am trying to quit smoking. I have wanted to be a fighter pilot for a long time, but never really thought about it too much due to eyesight restrictions. However, once I recently learned lasik is now accepted, it has become the only thing I can think about.

I have been searching all over the web for information, picked up a few books, and begun to really start to learn about these amazing aircrafts. I have cut down on smoking a lot and hopefully will quit very soon, as well as get back in shape. I will also be picking up a flight simulator very soon. I tend to become dedicated (and borderline obsessed) with anything that seems to currently interest me.

I am planning on joining afrotc upon my transfer, and due to my switching majors, I have close to 3 years of school left. I understand fighter pilot slots are very difficult to receive. But like I said, it is the only thing I can think about.

Do I still have a chance, or is it too late in the game?
Am I doing everything I should be doing?
Is there anything else I could be doing now?
Any other suggestions / opinions?

P.S. If I don't make it as a fighter pilot, I plan to still join the Air Force.

Thank you for reading all of that. Any response would be great.

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You'll never make it if you don't try. All the things you are going to have to do to achieve it will serve you well in the future even if you don't....and its a gigantic longshot. Remember, you are going to going up againt the absolute cream of the crop in selection....people who were on the ball enough to get chosen to attend service academies, people who did 7-day a week ROTC at places like VA Tech, A&M and the Citadel etc.....hard chargers and those driven to excell. You are 21 and still in Jr. College.....I don't know your life situation, but I know that if you'd been standout in HS, you'd have a scholarship someplace and be looking to graduate next year. Chargers and self-starters stand out early and get placed in positions to excell.

Now, don't get bummed out....I was a junior in college before I hit stride really. I coasted thru HS and first 2 yrs of college....had a 2.9 going into summer before jr year. Long sad story later, got accepted into the navy to attend AOCS and take my shot, only to be denied at the last minute by the "peace dividend" but the work I did getting there has paid off the rest of my life.

Get offa those damned cancer sticks poste haste, goeth thou to the gym, and study like a madman.....be a charger. Be positive and be focused. If it happens, it happens....the best you can do is place yourself in the position to give it your best shot.

Good luck man!

I was supposed to get my associates last year, but a counselor told me to take several classes i did not need. Which put me back an entire semester. So then I was supposed to finish by summer. But when I contacted the University I plan on attending, I found that I did not meet my foreign language requirements, putting me back even further. By the end of next semester I will be done though. With over 80 credits and a 3.3 gpa.

Thank you though.
And if anyone has any other advice, or would like to elaborate on afterburner's response, please do so.

d01x wrote:

I was supposed to get my associates last year, but a counselor told me to take several classes i did not need. Which put me back an entire semester. So then I was supposed to finish by summer. But when I contacted the University I plan on attending, I found that I did not meet my foreign language requirements, putting me back even further. By the end of next semester I will be done though. With over 80 credits and a 3.3 gpa.

I don't mean to be confrontational at all but I would suggest that you be an applicant who fully takes responsibility for your own life. We all get bad advice at times, and sometimes things don't go our way. But when I hear people say that "someone told me to do that" or "I found out that I didn't have enough" it sounds kind of passive. It sounds like someone who avoids responsibility (even if you're not!) and it makes me hesitant to give out more responsibility. Say "I switched majors and have over 80 credits." Part of being a good leader and a good person is taking responsibility and understanding that that doesn't mean taking blame.

Best of luck!

Mike

Hello & Salaam,

I am 16yrs old in class 9 studying at [Link pending approval] base Masroor. I want to apply to be a pilot but I really need some help!

I have some questions:

1. When should I apply for it? (after matric or enter)
2. What are The Requirements to be a pilot?

Thanks in advance.

I've been lurking here for quite a while. Congrats...you triggered my first response. 9 years ago, I wore the same shoes you're wearing right now.

Since then, I got a flying slot and flew A-10s for several years and am now in the flt test commnity.

I have two small pieces of advice:

1. Make sure this is really what you want to do. Your interest can't just be a "current" thing.

Many UPT students go through only a month of pilot training and quit after realizing that flying for the military is nothing like what Hollywood portrays. You only see the highlights and not the hard work and pressure involved with the business. Learn about the real job. My biggest satisfaction was not
flying, but doing something important for the country. The Air Force is looking for great officers, not pilots.

2. If you know that this is what you want, then do everything possible to get there. Most of my squadronmates have remarkable stories how they beat the odds and jumped huge hurdles to get where they are. There is no easy street. Most everybody who gets in is through sheer determination. Just give everything you've got to get here. Either you'll make it or can be forever satisfied that you gave it your best effort. Don't give up.

Doing well in academics (whatever it is) and AFOQT is a given. I recommend applying with at least a little flight experience to show that you understand some of the responsibilities (I took 11 hours of Cessna 172 time charged on my credit card right before applying). Also demonstrate that you are a leader and show what you have to add to the service.

Good Luck.

bandito wrote:

The Air Force is looking for great officers, not pilots.

The PAF may be looking for great pilots, not officers.

regards, OL

FLIGHT TIME! as bandito said. I'm at 110hrs now. Just had Epi-LASIK two weeks ago. It's not going too badly

In junior year- And in Aerospace Engineering. Not to rain on your parade, but make your you know what you're getting into when it comes to this degree. It is no cake walk. For example-I'm in a lab class and just wrote a 38 page report on steel specimens and their properties. Make sure you're good with Physics and Calculus. From what I "hear" any major will do if you have a good GPA. I had a 3.1 out of Community College that gave my A.S. in engineering. Now at my 4 year private school I started last semester off with a 2.6. An eye opener, I must say.

My GPA will hurt my chances. If luck wasn't enough, now I'm reading many articles that many UPT grads are going to the UAV's. A day late and a dollar short. Sad

But I will never give up my dream. Even when I hit the Age limit- There are always waivers.

If you want it, do anything and everything.....Including the big hit for flight time- It'll help...or so I "hear".

Good Luck!

Great timing and persistence are the things you need. (Some minimum qualifications too).

Just can't escape the fact that being in the right place a the right time is often the deciding factor in how people are selected in the military. Make sure you get your timing right. Wink

But...

Since you will never know when the timing is right, make sure you're in the right spot when ever that time comes by being persistent in your pursuit of your dream.

Forum: Future F-16 crew

How good are my chances? Suggestions?