Forum: Future F-16 crew

I know there's quite a few ANG guys on here. How often do your units hire from within? I called some fighter units throughout the midwest and it seemed like most of them hired recent college grads off the street.

I'm a college Sophomore now and have been really looking at enlisting to a) serve my country, b) pay for school (Go BLUE!) and provide opportunities (I don't need this to attend school, I can still pay through other means), c) and get my foot in the door and network.

I recently disenrolled from AFROTC because I feel that the Guard and Reserves fit me better and that's the route I want to take. My mom really wants me to consider enlisting because she's afraid I'll get deployed and have to miss a semester or two of school which will set me back in terms of graduation.

Am I better off to just stick with what I'm doing and focus on my grades and go from there after I graduate? I don't know if my stats will help but here they [Link pending approval]

[Link pending approval]+ GPA in Computer Science Engineering
AFOQT - 99P, 99N, 99Q, 85AA, 44V (wtf?)
72 hours with PPL (gonna' start instrument)
PCSM ? - yet to take TBAS

As far as LORs, I'm going to ask two Cols. from Army Reserves, a high school teacher/football coach, a family friend, and an employer. I feel that'll get a good spread of people that know me.

Thanks!

F-16.net Sponsor

It just depends on the unit. Some hire totally from within but in my experience most hire off the street and from within. People are hired on the total person concept. So being a good fit to the unit can override less than stellar grades or a lack of experience. Being a part of a unit definately give you more time for people to get to know you though and I think that is a definate boost when the board makes it decision. Good Luck

Every Guard unit I know of including my own hire both from within and of fthe street. I would say it's about a 50/50 mix in the past few years for us. It's been said over and over here, but I have actually sat on a few UPT hiring boards and the bst thing to do is get good grades in school, and FLY. The Guard wants to make sure that you have the apptitude to fly BEFORE they spend one of the few UPT slots they get every year on you. Also keep your nose clean, that means no alcohol violations what so ever. We have had more than 1 person get selected then end up falling out due to booze issues. Good Luck

IMO you are better off if you can enlist and have that experience. Enlisting as a crew chief or in avionics is going to give you the best practical experience as well as the most interaction with pilots. Keep in mind though that your basic training and tech school will take you approx. 8 mos to a year. So you would be looking at being a year behind in school. Although you will receive college credits for completing basic and tech school that is transferrable to almost all schools. Plus you will need to work at the unit for at least a year to have the experience for your commander to give you a credible recommendation.

Enlisting first is probably the more sure fire route but may take longer to get your commission than straight off the street. If you were closer to graduating I would recommend applying for the commission first and then enlist if you were not selected. With you being a sophomore you have plenty of time. I don't know where you are located or which units you have talked to, but if you are interested in the unit in Tulsa send me a PM and I'll get you a contact in the unit. I don't know if we have any current openings but you could at least get some good information.

Something else that might influence your decision is medical. Being healthy and passing a flight physical can be two very different things. You might be enlisted and disqualified fro medical reasons. Then where would you be at? I am not sure what avenues you could seek to find out if you would pass a military flight physical. In comparison the FAA medical is a joke. The AF is really gonna look at the heart and I have seen a few really bright kids with all the blocks filled disqualified for depth perception and minor heart issues. Just some thoughts...

Thanks for the information guys! With respect to the flight physical, I guess I won't know until I get picked up and have to go get an FC1. I hold a first class FAA medical but that is a bit of a joke. I'm going to have to keep doing what I'm doing; keeping grades up, flying, and networking with other people to get an in at some units.

Forum: Future F-16 crew

Guard Hiring Within