UAShopeful
Well-Known Member
Ok, First of all, I know this topic/question gets asked hundreds of times and that there is a wealth of info on this topic scattered from here to all ends of the internet. I am currently putting in the many hours to look up all that info, but I figured it couldn't hurt to just throw it out there, in case anyone out there has some really good insight that they would graciously feel like dropping on me here. I'm just going to be up front with everything here, so as to not waste time beating around the bush on anything. I know you guys probably odn't like addressing this stuff on an individual basis, but if there's one thing I've learned in the last 5+ years, it's that asking can be a powerful tool.
So here's the deal:
I'm recently 26 yrs old and have finally deciding that daydreaming about flying in the military isn't going to cut it anymore. I want in. I have:
- B.S. degree from a well-known aviation university, 3.66 GPA
- A&P license, and PPL with 130+ hours (ASEL)
- 2.5 years job experience flying UAS overseas
I'm interested in flying just about anything, but would prefer something multiengine turbine, for career advancement purposes. I don't think I'm going to apply to many fighter units because of my age (I hear that above 23, they are far less likely to take you) and because of competition. I might apply to A-10 units (because.... well... you can't NOT apply for an A-10), but generally, I was mostly going to go after C-130, C-17, KC-135 slots, because you can't really go wrong with a heavy, multi-engine platform.
Anyway, I have a whole slew of questions, some general, some that more relate to me personally, that I'd love answers to if anyone is willing to share their own knowledge that might give me some guidance, tips, or motivation. I won't ask everything right off the bat, but will get to them after seeing the level of interest you fine folk have in helping someone like me out. However, a few of my questions are as follows:
1. So obviously, I know the next step is to take the AFOQT and TBAS. I have looked into this and the local testing site administrator told me that I could not take them without "being sponsored by a unit to take it" or something along those lines. Basically, he was saying that I can't just make an appointment to take the AFOQT on my own without having something lined up with a unit to receive my scores. Does anyone know anything about this? Do I have to talk to a recruiter first to be able to set a testing appointment?
2. I would love love love advice on the social aspects of building rapport with a unit. Obviously, I understand the concepts of networking and rubbing elbows the right way and "just generally being a cool guy so the unit likes you". My concerns are that I understand that you need to "rush/call units" (should I read this as "bombard"?) and try to go to the drill weeks and get to know the unit if at all possible. How can I do this without appearing to be 'the guy who is showing up because he thinks it's going to help him get a slot'? I deploy a lot for work, and so going to these types of events can be difficult, as many of you know, so how can I show a unit that I'm interested and am willing to make the effort, even if I can't be there physically?
3. Kind of related to #2, but what is the best process; should I set up a packet, drop it at a unit, and then start trying to build rapport, or should I take the time ahead of time to start contacting a unit, getting to know them, visiting, and THEN drop a packet? The second option seems best, but how does one go about establishing some sort of relationship with the boardmembers/unit/etc without actively being in the process of submitting a packet? I feel like you would just seem to be the "random civilian that keeps trying to get on base and talking to people while we're all trying to do work".
4. I don't want to talk too much about my work/job, but from what I stated, some of you should have a good idea of what that means in terms of my work experience, interactions with the military, and hopefully would provide a boardmember an idea of my ability to make it in the military. So, based on my work, do you think that might help to give me an edge over the competition? Assuming I get decent AFOQT/TBAS scores, and assuming the rest of my resume, how competitive might someone like me be?
I'm sorry this was so long, but I'm trying to reach out to every avenue for advice/help. If you know of any JC users that would be totally cool with taking PM's from a desperate sap like me, please point me in their direction. I have tons more questions to ask, if you are patient enough to listen to them.
Thanks for reading and helping. You guys are great.
So here's the deal:
I'm recently 26 yrs old and have finally deciding that daydreaming about flying in the military isn't going to cut it anymore. I want in. I have:
- B.S. degree from a well-known aviation university, 3.66 GPA
- A&P license, and PPL with 130+ hours (ASEL)
- 2.5 years job experience flying UAS overseas
I'm interested in flying just about anything, but would prefer something multiengine turbine, for career advancement purposes. I don't think I'm going to apply to many fighter units because of my age (I hear that above 23, they are far less likely to take you) and because of competition. I might apply to A-10 units (because.... well... you can't NOT apply for an A-10), but generally, I was mostly going to go after C-130, C-17, KC-135 slots, because you can't really go wrong with a heavy, multi-engine platform.
Anyway, I have a whole slew of questions, some general, some that more relate to me personally, that I'd love answers to if anyone is willing to share their own knowledge that might give me some guidance, tips, or motivation. I won't ask everything right off the bat, but will get to them after seeing the level of interest you fine folk have in helping someone like me out. However, a few of my questions are as follows:
1. So obviously, I know the next step is to take the AFOQT and TBAS. I have looked into this and the local testing site administrator told me that I could not take them without "being sponsored by a unit to take it" or something along those lines. Basically, he was saying that I can't just make an appointment to take the AFOQT on my own without having something lined up with a unit to receive my scores. Does anyone know anything about this? Do I have to talk to a recruiter first to be able to set a testing appointment?
2. I would love love love advice on the social aspects of building rapport with a unit. Obviously, I understand the concepts of networking and rubbing elbows the right way and "just generally being a cool guy so the unit likes you". My concerns are that I understand that you need to "rush/call units" (should I read this as "bombard"?) and try to go to the drill weeks and get to know the unit if at all possible. How can I do this without appearing to be 'the guy who is showing up because he thinks it's going to help him get a slot'? I deploy a lot for work, and so going to these types of events can be difficult, as many of you know, so how can I show a unit that I'm interested and am willing to make the effort, even if I can't be there physically?
3. Kind of related to #2, but what is the best process; should I set up a packet, drop it at a unit, and then start trying to build rapport, or should I take the time ahead of time to start contacting a unit, getting to know them, visiting, and THEN drop a packet? The second option seems best, but how does one go about establishing some sort of relationship with the boardmembers/unit/etc without actively being in the process of submitting a packet? I feel like you would just seem to be the "random civilian that keeps trying to get on base and talking to people while we're all trying to do work".
4. I don't want to talk too much about my work/job, but from what I stated, some of you should have a good idea of what that means in terms of my work experience, interactions with the military, and hopefully would provide a boardmember an idea of my ability to make it in the military. So, based on my work, do you think that might help to give me an edge over the competition? Assuming I get decent AFOQT/TBAS scores, and assuming the rest of my resume, how competitive might someone like me be?
I'm sorry this was so long, but I'm trying to reach out to every avenue for advice/help. If you know of any JC users that would be totally cool with taking PM's from a desperate sap like me, please point me in their direction. I have tons more questions to ask, if you are patient enough to listen to them.
Thanks for reading and helping. You guys are great.