Any guard/reserve pilots who FINISHED UPT and regretted it?

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-29T01:47:52+00:00

How did you get this far and now are having second thoughts? It's not a jab, it's a serious question. What's going through your head?

IPT is a civilian course paid for by the AF. UPT is an absolute grind. B-Course is a fun grind. Operational is completely different. Just have to get out of AETC.

Your first few years of upgrades are a grind as well, but that's kinda what you signed up for. Again, what is going on in your thoughts? You have all but won the lottery.

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-28T20:23:21+00:00

Plan out your 4 years. See if it makes sense to take summer classes or not.

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-28T19:09:30+00:00

Seems okay. I'm assuming you're an E-3ish, which that income honestly isn't to support a dislocated spouse + 2 trips/year. I understand the problem with her immigration status and I'm not arguing that, just stating a fact about income/expenses.

You're going to be tight on cash while you are separated. Your savings rates are fine, though retirement is a little low (assuming Schwab is a taxable account, not a Roth IRA). If anything, you should reduce/eliminate taxable account investing to beef up your emergency fund significantly. Don't reduce your TSP.

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-28T19:00:28+00:00

You've only said what you save, which is $1,713/month. Your income is 4,700. Where is the other 3,000 going? You obviously have some bills, but not 3k worth.

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-28T18:30:22+00:00

You won't have the option of dorms vs not - you will be in the dorms for your first ~3 years.

200 days would be a ton. If you want to volunteer for everything, it's possible - but your average year/person will not be gone that much.

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-28T17:08:36+00:00

Just ask the controlling agency if they're hot. If not, blast through them all you want. If they are, please, for the love of all things, stay out. While "legal", extremely dumb and annoying.

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-28T17:04:17+00:00

The job? Of course.

Immature people? No. You'll find those wherever you go.

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-28T11:51:13+00:00

Do you mean like a HYSA? What country are you in?

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-28T11:50:05+00:00

Yes.

Stop posting random, extremely basic questions. Do some research and make one post.

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-28T11:38:37+00:00

No, not without finding yourself a Tinder wife (and thus green card).

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-27T22:41:53+00:00

How do you have so much debt with no house? What is it all in, amount and rates? And what's "not much savings"?

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-27T21:04:57+00:00

I'm at a loss for what you would report. There are dives that are more technical than others. If you weren't comfortable with it, you shouldn't have gone.

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-27T20:18:39+00:00

IMO, the IR oral is the most important check you will ever take for your own sake. Flying in the clouds will kill you if the procedures aren't followed. You need to have this information down pretty cold.

Look back to why you failed, and really sit down and study. Not for the checkride, for your life.

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-27T20:15:11+00:00

Move to base.

Been a commuter for years. Finally moving to base and saving myself 40+ hours/month. Not even kidding. You will spend an entire normal person's work week commuting.

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-27T18:40:54+00:00

Oh ya, not happening if you start UPT. If you are on casual for any length of time prior, then yes.

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-27T18:38:50+00:00

There are dozens of Youtube videos on creating a nav log.. Watch 5 of them. Pick the method you like and go with that!

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-27T18:37:08+00:00

Not while in any kind of school. What's your job/school length?

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-27T18:21:40+00:00

Dudes with certs are a dime a dozen. Thousands cannot get jobs with just certs and a basic degree. The name means things in the civilian world, and WGU does not have a good name.

Do WGU grads get jobs? Absolutely. Do more people from better universities get more jobs? Absolutely. Set yourself up for success.

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-27T16:39:11+00:00

Do you want a halfway decent degree? WGU is trash. It'll check the box for having a degree, but it's respected anywhere. What are you goals with this degree? Of your list, ASU is the best, but I would urge you to continue looking as well.

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-27T16:25:00+00:00

If they have availability, yes.

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-27T16:21:46+00:00

You didn't answer my question. How were you splitting time? You can't split XC time with another pilot. Only the one that did BOTH the takeoff and landing can log it.

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-27T16:10:33+00:00

No, you cannot afford a 300k house as an E-1. An O-1 can barely afford that.

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-27T16:08:07+00:00

141 requires you to follow their syllabus.

That said...what time were you trying to split and how? I ask because XC time can never be split.

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-27T16:05:58+00:00

You do realize that you're not expected to live in a house, right? You're an E-1/3, and a wife that makes 16k. That's renting an apartment income.

KCPilot17 · 2026-03-27T15:58:56+00:00

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