anyone applying for pilot positions in the guard?

G

guido161st

New Member
Hi Everyone-

Just wanted to see if anyone else out there on this board is actively looking for a pilot position in the guard. I've interviewed with a couple units so far. If anyone has any questions about the guard side- I'd love to help.
 
How do you get an interview and what do they go over? Is it more based on your personality or your knowledge of flying?
 
Well it's not on your knowledge of flying. You actually don't need a pilots license. The guard is basically the Air Force reserves. I believe there was a post earlier talking about the differences.

Units hire based on availablity. If a particular unit is hiring, they generally get 50 - 150 applications and they'll interview about 10. Some things that would seperate you from the others are:

1. prior or currently enlisted
2. good gpa
3. good afoqt and other test scores
4. if you are close to their unit
generally speaking, guard units are a close knit family. They like to see people that live in the same state. Or even be enlisted in their unit.
5. If your package (application) is complete and how well it's put together

Certain units will only hire locals others will hire outside the area. Once you receive the interview they usually ask you questions to see what type of person you are. Plus some questions about the area and the unit to see if you know anything about who your applying to. They'll usually select 1 or 2 pilots and 1 or 2 alternates. Their decision will most likely be based on 2 things. 1- do they think you are someone who is likely to pass pilot training and be an excellent pilot. and 2- are you someone they can get along with on a personal level, someone who they enjoy flying with and hanging around with on and off the base.

I have seen many excellent pilots with top grades and high test scores get passed up for people who have never flown, but the pilots feel would be a better person to have around the base. So it's not necessarily your knowledge. A good thing is "face time". If you are close to your unit- I would consider enlisting and getting to know the pilots on a first name basis. The guard atmosphere is a lot less tense than active duty. We are more of a family. When we go on deployments we party with the aircrew!

Hope that helps a little- let me know if you have any other questions,

Matt
 
[ QUOTE ]
How do you get an interview and what do they go over? Is it more based on your personality or your knowledge of flying?

[/ QUOTE ]

Most prefer you have yor PPL
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
How do you get an interview and what do they go over? Is it more based on your personality or your knowledge of flying?

[/ QUOTE ]

Most prefer you have yor PPL

[/ QUOTE ]

true- however there are a lot of cases where they will hire you and pay for your private as well. You have to have IFT (initial flight training) before you go to UPT.
 
[ QUOTE ]
true- however there are a lot of cases where they will hire you and pay for your private as well. You have to have IFT (initial flight training) before you go to UPT.

[/ QUOTE ]

Trust me on this: you're not competitive without at least a private certificate.
 
I talked to the 161st at PHX. I know quite a few guys there and it's not a bad unit to get on with. Conveniently located in Phoenix.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Is that the outfit that used to be a special ops helo unit?

[/ QUOTE ]

Nah. They've always been a Guard tanker unit, with a stint as a fighter unit in the early 60s. The old special ops helo unit is the AF Reserve 302nd Fighter Squadron at Luke. Now F-16s, they used to be the 302nd Special Ops Squadron with CH-3Es Jolly Green Giant helos, up until 1987.

That unit has a distinct claim to fame. During the 1980 MGM Grand hotel fire in Las Vegas, that unit was at Nellis doing some tranining, and dispatched 3 helos over to the burning building. Since the local police helos were small Hughes 500s, the extra help the CH-3s brought with their hoist capability was much appreciated. There's numerous pics and video of the CH-3s lowering their door-gunners down to some of the windows of floors that the fire department ladders couldn't get to, and rescuing the people from there. 17 saves credited to them

Pics of the event here:


http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/mgmfire/slide6.html
http://www.co.clark.nv.us/fire/gif/mgm1.jpg
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
true- however there are a lot of cases where they will hire you and pay for your private as well. You have to have IFT (initial flight training) before you go to UPT.

[/ QUOTE ]

Trust me on this: you're not competitive without at least a private certificate.

[/ QUOTE ]

I would agree with you about not being "competitive". But it's definitely happened before.

The 161st is an awesome tanker unit. We are overmanned in the pilot department currently but hopefully that will change soon after B.R.A.C.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
true- however there are a lot of cases where they will hire you and pay for your private as well. You have to have IFT (initial flight training) before you go to UPT.

[/ QUOTE ]

Trust me on this: you're not competitive without at least a private certificate.

[/ QUOTE ]

True that. It is a big gamble to take on some random guy. IFT is naturally intended for AD guys. Now, i could see it happen if the guy had some pull(related to the commander), or if he was a hard worker in the squadron already. Definetely not some non prior-service dude off the street
 
[ QUOTE ]
It's all about who you know! Definitely a gamble- some units make it a requirement to have your ppl.

[/ QUOTE ]
Heck yeah it is. My interview for the 135 slot consisted of a round of golf and beers withthe chief pilot, whom I had known for years on AD...Gotta luv them darn connections!!!
 
i am definitely looking at guard slots, but i am getting pessimistic. i am ang enlisted w/ 5 years and about to finish my degree in december. i am about to finish my ppl by september also. the problem is that i have a non-technical degree, a sub 3.0 GPA, and my current unit is BRACed. i wanted to be fighter, but it isn't the most practical, when it comes to civilian employment. my health is good, but i haven't taken my AFOQT. one good thing is that i can get some awesome rec letters from several rated folks and a bunch of 0-5's and above. but i am still not smelling like a rose to me.

p.s. first post.
 
[ QUOTE ]
i am definitely looking at guard slots, but i am getting pessimistic. i am ang enlisted w/ 5 years and about to finish my degree in december. i am about to finish my ppl by september also. the problem is that i have a non-technical degree, a sub 3.0 GPA, and my current unit is BRACed. i wanted to be fighter, but it isn't the most practical, when it comes to civilian employment. my health is good, but i haven't taken my AFOQT. one good thing is that i can get some awesome rec letters from several rated folks and a bunch of 0-5's and above. but i am still not smelling like a rose to me.

p.s. first post.

[/ QUOTE ]

Submit to all, and then take your pic from any offered slots. Having your heart set on one unit, and only submitting your packet to that unit is a dumb idea. If you go fighters you will have 3 years of full time service after returning to your unit. If you go heavy, you will get aprox. 3-6 months.. If anybody has any question, just PM me, I scored a few slots, before turning them all down for an Apache gig.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I thought it was only 2 years of full time service for fighters after the FTU?

[/ QUOTE ]

Good question, I think it is actually something like 27 months.... Trying to situate myself between the AF and the Army has completely screwed everything up in my brain
 
turning down all those fixed wing units for an apache gig? must really love rotary! my father has 25 years in rotary in the army guard, but he told me to go air guard because they treat you better. my idea to aim for cargo is recent and was advised by a pilot who is both C-130 and Viper. he said he got 640 hours in his year w/ the hercs and averages 120 in the Viper. i know that my best chances are in-state (arkansas) and C-130s might be all thats left after BRAC.

I will take up on anyone's offers of past experience and advice, but i should probably get my packet in order before i look for some good info.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top