Hello, I am a high school senior wanting to be a pilot. I am wondering what my chances of a pilot slot are if I join the ANG after high school and then want to commission after I graduate college. I figure enlisting during college would be a good way to pay for college while gaining good experience. Also, how hard is an ATC slot to get as enlisted? I'd love to become a controller for the ANG while in college. Thanks for your help.
Dude you are a smart man. I recently got a spot as a pilot with a Reserve unit. My background is civilian, however, if I had to go back and do it again this is exactly what I would have done.
In my opinion if you really want to fly, pick a unit near your school (or a school near the unit you want) and join up man. Work your ass off as an enlisted throughout school and get to know the pilots, officers, and other higher up types. Get good grades and stay out of trouble and you will have priority above any civilian applicant when it comes time to hand out UPT slots. There are no gurantees but that is definitely the best way to do it.
If ATC is your thing go for it, but if you want to fly, I would suggest aircrew or aircraft maintanence so that you can be familiar with the aircraft and get to know the pilots. I think that would be a huge increase of the odds in your favor as opposed to being an anonymous voice over the radio.
Also think about:
What aircraft the unit flies....what do you want to fly?
How often do they have interviews for UPT slots?
How many candidates do they send to UPT when they give out slots?
Good luck man!
