I though air force pilot slots

b3181981 said:
you think they post them because they have to when they are earmarked for somebody already
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ANG slots aren't like any other branch. Civilian pilots can apply for these positions without ever being in the military - you essentially find out if you have the pilot slot before you sign any type of enlistment contract.
 
No kidding. You just apply, and interview like a 'normal job'?? How competitive are they? Do you have to live where the ANG base is?
 
CamYZ125 said:
No kidding. You just apply, and interview like a 'normal job'??
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In a nutshell, yes. It is comparable to an interview process for an airline position. However, for the ANG, you have to take AFOQT and TBAS tests, as well as get other information and put it all into a "packet" that you will send in to the ANG unit you want to fly for. They will go through all the packets they receive and then start inviting people to interview boards where you will meet with the board leaders and conduct an interview process. They can then select you for a pilot position.

How competitive are they? Do you have to live where the ANG base is?
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As you can imagine, it is still really competitive. If you are not in the military, or the unit, any military personal will have priority over you no matter your qualifications - which is of course the major downfall.

Everything, including your packets and scores, are all based off of a point system. You are awarded points for certain items, such as living in-state or out-of-state, and you are ranked accordingly against your peers. There are many traits and items that they will rate you on, so it is rather difficult to say how you can compare without going through the process. The interview boards are held based on need. Generally there are only a very select few boards held per year, maybe 1 or maybe 3; with about ~5 pilots selected per board.

Civilian pilots, not in the military, that go through the process can go through multiple interview boards before being selected. At the unit I am talking to, they have had civilian pilots that have been interviewed for 3 years before they got selected.
 
Thanks for the info! I just might have to look into this. I wouldn't mind flying a C-17 or F16 in addition to what I fly now..

How's it work if you don't live where you're based???
 
Hey Cam, I "know some people" and if you're serious, let me know.
 
Very competetive, and most go to guys within the unit. They are posted for legal reasons. But it's not impossible for a complete stranger to get hired on. It's a lot like pledging a frat.
 
Get in the military forum and read.

Then go to baseops.net and read.

Do the preceeding without posting, especially at baseops!!



Just keep in mind that this isn't the "show up and fly on a Saturday" and that's it. You're going to get to play in the sandbox with your AD bros.



Dough,

I haven't gotten around to peppering the West Coast guys. Moved into a new house and have do internets, and I sure as hell dont' want to do it from the office, or the library!
 
Anyone know what the standard cutoff age is and what the max is for a waiver. Do they even waiver the age requirement?
 
I've always wanted to join the military, but that particular sector of the industry is just so darn complicated. Theres the Navy, Air Force, Air National Guard, Coast Guard, Marines, Army... All of those branches have planes. Which one is best for me? I wish there was some kind of central resource that explains all aspect of military flying, such as the commitment involved, the barriers of entry, things like that.
 
b3181981 said:
I though[t] air force pilot slots were so competitive and in demand that they wouldn't be posting jobs with the air national guard online
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I have to say I disagree with the basic premise behind your post -- that the posting of an ANG or Reserve job on line means that it is somehow now less difficult to get selected.

As others have mentioned, this has been going on for years. I am certainly no expert on the subject, but my understanding is that they are *required* to advertise the job opening (either by public law, or by their own regulation).

Aside from that, it's in the organization's interest to advertise the job. They want to attract the best possible candidates, so the wider they can cast the net the more people will be exposed to the open position.
 
butt said:
I've always wanted to join the military, but that particular sector of the industry is just so darn complicated. Theres the Navy, Air Force, Air National Guard, Coast Guard, Marines, Army... All of those branches have planes. Which one is best for me? I wish there was some kind of central resource that explains all aspect of military flying, such as the commitment involved, the barriers of entry, things like that.
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I recommend that you simply educate yourself, because there is no one-stop-shop that has the information you're looking for in easy-to-digest pieces. You're going to have to spend some time researching through the chaff to find what you're really looking for.

Fortunately there are a number of internet forums where people like you, with similar questions, convene and discuss.

The two forums I recommend for reading up on the USAF/ANG/Reserve part of things are www.baseops.net and www.airforceots.com.

For the Navy/Marines/Coast Guard side, I recommend www.airwarriors.com.

I don't have a good resource for the Army, unfortunately. I understand that aptap.forumco.com is a good forum, but I don't read it personally.

Anyhow, only by reading up on what each path offers will you be able to decide which path is for you.

From there, those same forums should hold a wealth of information on what to do in order to get to where you have decided you want to go.
 
I talked to an Iowa ANG pilot a few years ago and he said that year they had 2 open F16 slots and received 70-some applications. The guy did tell me he joined as a cook and did that for a few years before the finally accepted his position.
 
Guard units do advertise and do take off the street pilots. Realize you must become a commisioned officer like anyone else. You need a 4 year degree with at least a 3.0 GPA to be competitive, have taken the required tests AFOQT etc, and submitted a packet. Baseops.net is very helpful in this. Prior service is also a big plus, particularly if it is in the guard unit you are applying to.

I have a relative on the selection board of the particular guard unit in question. He said they generally do one board a year, in mid-spring (May). They just had their board, so anyone submitting will have to wait until the next scheduled board(2009)

germb747 said:
30 is the max age to start UPT.
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31 with a standard waiver. Prior service reduces that. I know a guy that went to UPT for the Guard over the age of 40. It happens. Rarely.
 
E6BAV8R said:
As you can imagine, it is still really competitive. If you are not in the military, or the unit, any military personal will have priority over you no matter your qualifications - which is of course the major downfall.
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I think a guy already in the unit/wing has an advantage but that only goes so far. We have hired several off the street that were not military over guys that were. You can imagine the large amount of information we are looking at to make our determinations. Being in the unit is only one item.
 
CamYZ125 said:
Thanks for the info! I just might have to look into this. I wouldn't mind flying a C-17 or F16 in addition to what I fly now..

How's it work if you don't live where you're based???
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Honestly, if you don't live in-state or within a few hour drive to the base (right across a border), you probably won't get selected for that reason alone - depending on how far away you live. They don't want to hire a pilot that has to fly all the way across the country.

They want to see as much dedication as you can provide (such as living in that state all your life since they know you won't likely be going anywhere).
 
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