Author Topic: Highly considering...  (Read 2108 times)

Offline jollyFE

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Re: Highly considering...
« Reply #15 on: July 02, 2015, 11:15:23 AM »
My son is between his 2nd and 3rd year at college.  He's enrolled in AFROTC and is down at Maxwell AFB doing his 4 week field training.  The 4 year AFROTC is VERY competitive.  I'm not even sure is his school has a 2 year program.  Just being enrolled in AFROTC doesn't guarantee a commission.  Half the kids that went into their 2nd year didn't get picked for field training, they have 1 more chance next summer but after that they will have to finish school with their Bachelors degree and try for an OTS slot.  The more technical your degree, the better your chances of getting picked up are.  as far as the private pilot rating, the initial flight instructors will worry that you have picked up bad habits and will "reteach" you the AF way.  When Mike graduates, since he isn't going for a pilot slot, he can expect to wait up to a year to be called up to active duty(if it takes longer than a year he gets commissioned and paid).  Even cadets who graduate from the AF Academy and aren't going to UPT may have to wait a few months to go active.  Have you given any thought to the guard or reserves.....In my 24 years active duty in the AF I have met many reserve guys who said the pilot training path through the reserves was easier for them compared to active duty guys. 
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Offline MWL

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Re: Highly considering...
« Reply #16 on: July 02, 2015, 12:12:37 PM »
Don't be surprised if you wind up (as you will not be an Academy Grad) flying drones.  From what I hear, it is not career enhancing - though you do get combat pay while 'flying' in Nevada.

Offline SlipKnt

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Re: Highly considering...
« Reply #17 on: July 02, 2015, 12:22:42 PM »
Finish college.  Don't get caught up in the "We will pay for your education" ploy.  Many go in with the right intensions but end up not completing school until after they get out. 

I tried as a Marine Grunt.  Never could commit to the time.  In the field Monday thru Friday.  Deployed or training all the time. 

If you want to become a pilot, I echo what most people are saying.  Get your degree first and if you can, get into a ROTC program.  In those programs there are many people that can help you figure your path to becoming a pilot from there. 

Even consider the Civil Air Patrol if you are Air Force heavy. 

Best of luck to you, young man!

 :rock
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Offline RotBaron

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Re: Highly considering...
« Reply #18 on: July 02, 2015, 12:54:48 PM »
The only thing I can add is to study your tail off for the AFOQT if you don't go ROTC.

Is it too late for ROTC? Will 2 yrs suffice?

Study anything you can get your hands on like GRE & GMAT. The degree of difficulty of the AFOQT is similar to those exams on average. You will get many questions that are easier, but you'll also get a fair amount that are harder. If you go Navy still study the AFOQT review books and if you go AF study the Navy Officer's study books (in addition to GRE/GMAT). I got a tutor too for math. The Navy test will have physics, AF did not when I took it 6 yrs ago.

You get two shots at the AFOQT, last score counts, not highest (you don't want to take it twice I was always told).

I didn't have to worry my scores on any of the pilot's portion when I took the AFOQT. You have your work cut out for you.
       - Don't know how you guys can look at those pics and tell which direction the aircraft is headed...

Good Luck!

 :salute
« Last Edit: July 02, 2015, 12:56:34 PM by RotBaron »
They're casting their bait over there, see?

Offline Kazaa

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Re: Highly considering...
« Reply #19 on: July 02, 2015, 01:11:59 PM »
Go live the dream m8. :aok



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Offline USRanger

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Re: Highly considering...
« Reply #20 on: July 02, 2015, 01:36:23 PM »


We fly in the Army too. ;)
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Offline eagl

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Re: Highly considering...
« Reply #21 on: July 02, 2015, 02:37:46 PM »
Its not too late for USAF Academy.  Successful college experience is a plus on the application.  But it is very competitive, as is everything related to being a military pilot.
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Offline craz07

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Re: Highly considering...
« Reply #22 on: July 02, 2015, 02:43:11 PM »
thumbs up all the way budddy
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Offline Serenity

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Re: Highly considering...
« Reply #23 on: July 02, 2015, 03:12:32 PM »
Do NOT talk to a recruiter. Do NOT enlist. I watched quite a few friends fall for the "Enlist now, we'll pay for your college and make you an officer later" line. It didn't work for any of them.

If you cannot finish the degree on your own in the next two years, or just don't want to pay for it, look into ROTC. I can only speak to the Navy side (Which I would HIGHLY recommend over AF, simply because from what I've seen, those who want to fly in the Navy have a better chance of doing so than those who want to fly in the Air Force.)

Look into ROTC, keeping in mind you have to go to one of their universities, so what you've done already may not transfer. If you're competitive enough to get into several of their options, start looking at what each unit produces. While it's not official, there are STRONG trends as to what type of officer each university graduates. Notre Dame puts out a LOT of sub guys. The Citadel is Marine heavy. My option, University of Texas, puts out a LOT of pilots (In 4 years there, I only know of one person who wanted pilot and got NFO instead; My graduating class of 4 included 3 pilots).

If you're going the ROTC route, it's all about the ASTB. Physical fitness is important, sure, but not everything. Grades are important in that you need to pass, and not by the skin of your teeth. What really solidifies your spot is your ASTB score.

The short version: Go ROTC. They have 2 year scholarships, but you'll likely have to do all 4 years anyway. Kill it on the ASTB. Fly Navy. If you have any questions about the Navy/ROTC side, feel free to shoot my a PM.


Offline Guppy35

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Re: Highly considering...
« Reply #24 on: July 02, 2015, 05:30:00 PM »
Joining the Air Force or going into the navy. With my privates pilots licenses, and being in decent shape (could be better) and Very good grade and ACT score, I'd love to be a pilot. It has always been my dream to fly in the military and honestly being only 20 I don't see why not try.

If anyone has any information, tips, or anything useful to contribute feel free to post. :) I will talk to a recruiter in the next 2 weeks.

Four year degree with a math or engineering background. 
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Offline Scherf

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Re: Highly considering...
« Reply #25 on: July 02, 2015, 08:04:50 PM »
(Image removed from quote.)

We fly in the Army too. ;)

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Offline JOACH1M

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Re: Highly considering...
« Reply #26 on: July 02, 2015, 09:42:01 PM »
Four year degree with a math or engineering background.
my degree right now is heavily engineering based, I have taken advanced physics classes as I enjoy physics.

To answer some of the questions, I am 20, 3rd year in college, 3 more years til I wild finish my degree. My ACT score is 26. Math is my weaker su just as I get B average for those classes.

Aviation history has always been a obsession of mine, I don't think I'll have an issue with that part of the test if I get there.

I thank you all greatly for the tips and comments, I also wish a happy and safe 4th!  :cheers:
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Offline hgtonyvi

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Re: Highly considering...
« Reply #27 on: July 02, 2015, 09:47:10 PM »
Happy 4th bro, best of luck.  :cheers:

Offline JOACH1M

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Re: Highly considering...
« Reply #28 on: July 02, 2015, 09:56:10 PM »
Happy 4th bro, best of luck.  :cheers:
thanks :)
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Offline USRanger

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Re: Highly considering...
« Reply #29 on: July 03, 2015, 01:18:51 AM »
"That's not flying!..that's just falling with style." -Woody from Toy Story

The sky isn't the limit, the ground is.  :aok
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