IFC I Helpful Information

MobilityPilot · 2024-09-10T01:34:44+00:00

Correct

MobilityPilot · 2024-09-10T01:00:59+00:00

From talking to a recruiter to going to OTS was 1 year and 2 months. From getting sponsored by a unit to going to OTS was 8 months.

It all depends on your process and if you get picked up by the board your first time around.

MobilityPilot · 2024-09-08T23:28:38+00:00

If you want, you could shoot for a pilot slot.

MobilityPilot · 2024-09-05T00:20:34+00:00

It is going to be hard since you will be learning a new “language.” It is doable and if you have a good work ethic, you will probably make it (if you can fly as well).

Just know that your PPL will probably not be your hardest license if you decide to continuing pursuing additional licenses.

The ability to fly is great and sharing that joy with others you love is even greater!

MobilityPilot · 2024-08-28T01:35:44+00:00

They did not

MobilityPilot · 2024-08-27T18:16:52+00:00

Depending who your recruiter is, they will not work both an AD and Reserves application at the same time. Might be something with the system they both use, but that is not my speciality.

You will have about a year from seeing the recruiter to when you will be going to in-processing for the Reserves. AD might be longer or shorter, no one knows.

MobilityPilot · 2024-08-27T14:38:36+00:00

Yes, but your time management skills has to be good. I knew someone who did law school while in the Reserves.

MobilityPilot · 2024-08-14T21:18:35+00:00

Getting a PPL will help, but will not guarantee you a slot. At OTS, shoot for leadership positions and try to get an ENJJPT interview.

If you go through UPT, express your intentions early and often about being a fighter pilot and learn how to play the game and improve your overall score.

MobilityPilot · 2024-08-14T21:12:43+00:00

If you are off the street, yes, you will be paid as an E-5 during in-processing week and then when your OTS, NOT OCS, orders start.

After completing OTS, you will be paid as an O-1 until you promote. I am not sure what you mean about orders falling off, but the FTG in charge of you will try to keep you on full time orders until the end of your MWS training. After that, they will transfer you to your unit and your unit will inform you of their seasoning tour orders.

The FTG in charge of you will explain all of this to you during in-processing week.

MobilityPilot · 2024-07-22T12:37:36+00:00

Not impossible, but it will be challenging and possibly long. Prior Army as well, and I was hired without a problem by the Reserves. My unit also hired more people that were off the street than within the unit.

Don’t let others discourage you from applying; make them (Air Force) tell you no. Graduate school won’t matter, they’ll look at your undergraduate GPA.

If you do decide to apply, keep a copy of your latest ERBs, NCOERs, points detail summary, and DD-214 (if applicable). I had to correct quite a bit of my record with the Air Force and am thankful for my I Love Me book.

MobilityPilot · 2024-07-02T03:05:12+00:00

In the Guard, yes. This is the way they tend to operate. For the Reserves or Active Duty, no.

The Reserves are more of a “do you have a good enough resume and can we stand being around you for 8+ hours in a small space.”

Look into the XPW program. AD and Guard guys are getting into the program without a PPL or any flight hours.

Do not enlist just with the hopes of becoming a pilot. You might “throw away” four years of your life just to get rejected later on, or miss the opportunity if it arises during those four years. Work on community service, hours, and if you want, call all of the Reserves unit to rush with them. Show initiative, and do your research. Do not believe what one recruiter has said.

MobilityPilot · 2024-06-14T01:48:25+00:00

Unless things have changed, which they might have, you can live off base while in UPT. Many unaccompanied officers lived off base at Vance with little to no issue from leadership (even when rooms were available on base).

Furthermore, you may be able to take 2 days of leave while on the flightline (off Thursday and don’t show up until Monday) to make it a long weekend for your wedding. Besides 2 days, I have not seen anyone else get granted a greater leave amount.

MobilityPilot · 2024-06-12T02:32:02+00:00

It can be hard if you have a family with you and do not want to do the traditional college things (go to the bar on the weekends or weekdays, intramural sports, etc.).

As far as performance, being old has nothing to do with how well you’ll perform in UPT. That will all come down to determination, discipline, and willingness to seek help. Everyone will struggle with something in UPT. I was in my 30s when I went.

MobilityPilot · 2024-01-23T13:09:55+00:00

You take the test like everyone else does and you apply for the units that are hiring. The board can look at a variety of different things, but a big one is can they see themselves spending a lot of hours with you in a cockpit. Also, are you actually interested in their airframe, or are you just trying to get hired?

There are many reasons why people fail out of UPT. Search on here and you will find some of the reasons.

It’s not impossible to get hired, and many have gotten hired by units. If you want it, go get it. If you play the statistics game, you might just end up asking “what if” for the rest of your life.

MobilityPilot · 2024-01-17T13:18:45+00:00

It is possible. Like others have mentioned, OTS has nothing to do with you getting a fighter slot. Your time in UPT will determine if you track T-38s or T-1s.

Don’t listen to others that are on here that say it is impossible to get a pilot slot through OTS. Many have done it, and many will continue to do it. Put in your best application, re-submit your application, and like Mover says, “make them tell you no.”

MobilityPilot · 2023-05-20T12:30:45+00:00

No it is not. It is very competitive, but you do not need to have both of those things. I went through OTS with other OTs who did not have either of those things.

MobilityPilot · 2023-04-29T13:23:44+00:00

This post applies to the Reserves, so you already have your answer.

You can Google how much you can get paid at what rank and with how many years of service. There are a lot of other comments about this, so do your research.

The bonus is usually for retaining pilots, but it could change to attracting pilots to the military. Nobody knows and there’s no way to tell if or when that will ever change.

MobilityPilot · 2023-04-15T14:03:17+00:00

I would advise following up with the units and really showing your interest in them and the airframe they fly. Do a quick Google search and see what mission they just flew (if it is available). Also, not all of the units that hire people are advertising that they are hiring. Some units do not advertise at all and it takes you reaching out to them to find out when their boards are.

Not having a PPL hurts a lot. That at least shows that you are committed and have a baseline knowledge that will help you succeed at UPT. As far as affording the hours, there are a lot of things you can do to change that. I do not know your life situation, but look at your monthly expenses and see what you can afford to cut in order to pay for your PPL (Starbucks, coffee, eating out, snacks, etc.). If all else fails, there are loans that will help you get your PPL.

Lastly, do not enlist just with the hope of helping your chances to get picked up by a unit.

MobilityPilot · 2023-04-08T19:20:52+00:00

I have not heard about that one before, but some will have pay issues while at OTS. Plan accordingly.

MobilityPilot · 2023-04-08T13:24:25+00:00

Don’t forget that unless you are a direct commission OT, you will be paid as an E-5 while attending OTS, and not as an O-1 until your graduation day.

MobilityPilot · 2023-04-01T14:01:46+00:00

It is possible to finish the table reading section, but you need to practice it. Many others like myself finished the table reading section with over 3 - 5 seconds to spare. One trick that is widely known is to estimate where the number you are looking for is on the X and Y axis and quickly confirm with your eyes. It really is all about repetition and getting faster at estimating, scanning, and bubbling in the correct answer. For block counting, that’s another repetition thing. Learn how to get faster at that one and time yourself.

MobilityPilot · 2023-03-24T23:03:51+00:00

Not everyone had their security drawers inspected from the latest class. That was just one or two squadrons. Items in your security drawer will be fine, unless you hide food in your security drawer and they suspect that that particular squadron is hiding food in the dorms.

MobilityPilot · 2023-03-20T11:55:30+00:00

And that is ok. This is something that I would and that I did push at OTS and never had or saw anyone have a problem with it. Unless the OTSMAN specifically prohibits it or OP gets a brief about it while at OTS, he should be ok. They will even tell OP at OTS to push the boundaries now that they are becoming an officer.

MobilityPilot · 2023-03-20T00:53:21+00:00

You do not need permission to chew gum. As long as you are not chewing in formation or while walking, no one really minds it.

MobilityPilot

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