Forum: Careers & Assignments

Hey guys this is my first post after reading and researching multiple sights. I am basically wondering where I may place among the competition with my current stats. I have been very interested in finally pursing a career in combat flight but I would hate to come up short somewhere down the road.

Age: About to turn 24
Degree: BBA in Finance GPA [Link pending approval] & Marketing GPA [Link pending approval] Completed college with a [Link pending approval] scale. However I did well in business school and graduated with Cum Laude Honors.

I also try to maintain physically fit. Hitting the gym ~4x a week. I am very active. In high school I ran cross-country, played lacrosse, and enjoyed surfing. In college I took up mountain biking.

Not sure if this would help [Link pending approval]
My Grandfather was in the Airforce through WWII as a bombardier and gunner in every old bomber you could think of. Even got to fly later in B52's.

My father works for the airlines (not a pilot) so I have been fortunate enough to be aboard planes and fly many places.

I have waited this long mainly because well my parents never wanted me to join the military. I guess I let any dream of becoming a combat aviator slip by and remain just a dream.

As of now I listened to peers and got to where I need to be, but I know I am not where I want to be. I graduated college and found a job in the energy industry as a financial analyst. Working for about a year and half now, I know I no longer would like to continue down this path. I have been contemplating and thinking about my dream and if it would be to late to make it come true.

I understand I would be following the hardest path to become a pilot. OTS and then UPT. But seriously am I looking at close to none chances?

I came to the F-16 site to post because well, this is the first jet I got to lay my eyes on. My grandfather retired in Las Vegas, and I was lucky enough to be taken on base many times. Practically walked side by side the F-16 and a breath away from the Thunderbirds. I do not believe I chose the F-16 but it may have chosen me. Now it is my job to get there.

Thank you for any recommendations or advice you may provide. I am not simply trying to fulfill a fantasy and I am very aware of the implications of going to combat. I would love to be able to fight/defend for this country by being a fighter pilot.

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GO FOR IT.

Even if the odds are stacked against you, if you don't try for it, you might look back on it forever. Just keep in mind that you might not be selected for fighters once you go through the whole process you might end up flying a C-130 or nothing at all. I personally believe the Air Guard is the quickest and easiest way to get a fighter slot. At least that route, you are guaranteed a fighter position. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

Thank you for the reply. What is the procedure to fly fighters for the Air Guard? The airforce you would go to OTS and then hope for a spot in UPT. Can I simply find an open position in the Guard and apply for it without any military experience? Will you hold any kind of rank?

You can directly apply to guard positions and it is a similar process to going active duty. Be warned though, they usually recruit people who are already military trained pilots first, then seek current members or prior service that are interested and qualified and then finally civilians applying directly. Once you are selected they send you to training to be a 2nd Lieutenant and then you wait for your slot in UPT. The selection board is made up of pilots from the unit you would be flying with and they will evaluate you based on your resume and experience and how well they think you would be to work with. The process is extremely competitive, but the reward is an automatic pilot slot.

If it was me, to make life easier on myself I would take 2 different approaches to improve my chances. First, I would get my private pilots license and accumulate as many hours as I can afford. If you can knock out 50 hours before your first board, that would reflect highly. Second, and this might get a groan out of you, I would enlist in the guard in a flightline position. A majority of the pilots that are promoted internally seem to be crew chiefs, avionics specs and engine troops. It could be just that a majority of flightline troops are extremely bright guys (come on, I had to for the audience!), but I think it is you get face time with the pilots and it proves to them you are a good guy to work with.

As for your chances, time is against you. Usually there are only 1-2 spots available (plus alternates) and boards are held annually. You would realistically have 2-3 appearances at the board before you were chosen or were ineligible due to age. Also keep in mind, UPT is very difficult and age doesnt make it any easier. 28 might not seem old, but when you are in classes with guys who are 22 and 23, you will feel like the old man.

So in the Guard what might the flight time be compared to Active duty? Do you carry your normal civilian life in the Guard besides the few times you report monthly?

Thanks again for the info.

Besides testing in OTS is there anything I can do to distinguish myself and have just that slight edge for UPT slot. Physical Training will be no problem as I am big into being physically fit. Everybody looking for the UPT slot will probably have the mind set of trying to be the best to get there, but is there something else that is looked at to place you among the rest? I know everybody asks this question but if everybody is aheiving the same goals then there must be other factors that are mesaureable.

Forum: Careers & Assignments

I need a push. (My chance?)