Can't get a straight answer about taking the AFOQT

Cloud Surfer

Cloud Surfer

All Roads lead to Trantor
I want to take the AFOQT as soon as practical so that I can begin to apply to ANG units for a pilot slot. I know I can take it at the nearest college/uni to me offering ROTC, but that isn't an option because I'm 26 years old going on 27 and can't take the test until Fall 2013. After speaking to a couple of ANG recruiters, I'm even more confused.

According to them my chances are slim to none of finding a recruiter who will help me to take the test at a MEPS just because they don't have too much time on their hands for "someone who will likely not have a chance of being accepted" (one of them said this about me without even knowing me aside from a ten minute long phone call).

Are these recruiters simply pulling my leg, or will this be an uphill battle having this test scheduled? I don't know enough about the AF at this stage to come to a definite conclusion, and my time is running out owing to my age. How did some of you AF guys get around this problem?
 
The thing about going through the process of becoming an officer is that you will have to charge through a lot of BS like this. Unfortunately what you are describing is fairly typical of the process.

My best advice is 'don't give up'. This isn't the last barrier like this you are likely to run up against. Make yourself smart about the process, and you will likely have to show people who should be otherwise educated about the process what the correct/authorized thing to do is.

The ANG hiring process is very much like rushing a fraternity. You are going to have to to quite a bit of legwork yourself in contacting and visiting the units which you are interested in flying for. There are a couple folks here on JC who have done it, and there are plenty of other stories on places like baseops.net of how guys have done it.

Are you a member of the airforceots.com forums? Recommend you join/read/participate there, as you'll get a lot of great info from others who are attempting to do similar things as you (at this basic stage).
 
Find your local reserve officer recruiter. Unlike ANG recruiters reserve officer recruiters cover a specific geographic area instead of just one unit. The officer recruiter should be at the same place as the enlisted reserve recruiter. Just call them and tell them your situation. It's a pain in the ass to finally get a hold of someone who wants to help but once you do it'll make your life easier. Once you get your results you can send them to any unit of your choice, doesn't have to be a reserve unit.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. I've chosen to contact a recruiter to apply for an active duty OTS slot, and take the AFOQT and TBAS hopefully pretty soon. In the mean time after I do that, I'll begin to apply to ANG units as well.

I don't know too much about the AF Reserve right now, so I have a lot of reading to do. Since I have so little time owing to my age, I can't be too picky. I plan on applying to any side that I can and hope to be picked up by one of them.
 
With your time constraints I recommend the shotgun technique, get as many apps out there, you don't have time to be picky(sounds like you figured that out). Also, some units will not want to get a waiver if needed, some might consider it for age so submit everywhere.... Ever consider units in Alaska? seriously they have been hiring a lot so I've heard. Also be an expert on the age waiver/ cutoff, your interview board might not be informed but if the opportunity occurs to educate them they might be more likely to consider it. I think Army Av cutoff is 30 FYI
 
I went to the goang.com website and used the live chat feature. As soon as I got someone I asked if they could give me the number for the officer recruiter in my zip code. They gave it me me and also recommended that I fill out the contact form on their website. I called the number and surprisingly it was the right person to talk to. I haven't taken the test yet and told the recruiter I wanted to hold off to study some more but its good to know that I have established initial contact for when I am ready.

Im in the exact same position as you except for the fact that I will never never never ever go active. I want to fly fighters and have a career on the side. Active duty presents me with the threat of achieving neither of these.
 
FoodStampsPilot said:
I want to take the AFOQT as soon as practical so that I can begin to apply to ANG units for a pilot slot. I know I can take it at the nearest college/uni to me offering ROTC, but that isn't an option because I'm 26 years old going on 27 and can't take the test until Fall 2013. After speaking to a couple of ANG recruiters, I'm even more confused.

According to them my chances are slim to none of finding a recruiter who will help me to take the test at a MEPS just because they don't have too much time on their hands for "someone who will likely not have a chance of being accepted" (one of them said this about me without even knowing me aside from a ten minute long phone call).

Are these recruiters simply pulling my leg, or will this be an uphill battle having this test scheduled? I don't know enough about the AF at this stage to come to a definite conclusion, and my time is running out owing to my age. How did some of you AF guys get around this problem?
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I just took my AFOQT and TBAS last month without a recruiter. I was in a bit of a hurry trying to get an application package in to an ANG unit that I wanted to get hired by, before their deadline. I first called all the local AFROTC detachments but they were not proctoring the test for several months so that was not an option. I ended up calling the testing/ education offices at all of the local bases to see when they were offering the tests. This gave me a couple more options that allowed me to get the tests taken in time. The base websites should have a phone directory that you can look at to track down the folks in charge of testing. I hope this helps.
 
KappaSigmaPilot said:
I just took my AFOQT and TBAS last month without a recruiter. I was in a bit of a hurry trying to get an application package in to an ANG unit that I wanted to get hired by, before their deadline. I first called all the local AFROTC detachments but they were not proctoring the test for several months so that was not an option. I ended up calling the testing/ education offices at all of the local bases to see when they were offering the tests. This gave me a couple more options that allowed me to get the tests taken in time. The base websites should have a phone directory that you can look at to track down the folks in charge of testing. I hope this helps.
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how did you do on it? Any advice for studying? Which unit?
 
Brandon1234 said:
I went to the goang.com website and used the live chat feature. As soon as I got someone I asked if they could give me the number for the officer recruiter in my zip code. They gave it me me and also recommended that I fill out the contact form on their website. I called the number and surprisingly it was the right person to talk to. I haven't taken the test yet and told the recruiter I wanted to hold off to study some more but its good to know that I have established initial contact for when I am ready.

Im in the exact same position as you except for the fact that I will never never never ever go active. I want to fly fighters and have a career on the side. Active duty presents me with the threat of achieving neither of these.
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Dude...

The Guard is not sunshine and unicorns for everyone. It is like rushing a fraternity and it is a great deal if you're on the winning side of the deal. Internal politics play a large roll in the hiring boards in some units. There's also the budget. Having said that, it certainly is a good deal if everything works out.

Personally, I think that serving is more important than a personal agenda, but hey.... to each his own.

I don't know why you're hating on AD...a lot of Guard units have a high ops tempo and a similar lifestyle to AD.
 
Brandon1234 said:
I went to the goang.com website and used the live chat feature. As soon as I got someone I asked if they could give me the number for the officer recruiter in my zip code. They gave it me me and also recommended that I fill out the contact form on their website. I called the number and surprisingly it was the right person to talk to. I haven't taken the test yet and told the recruiter I wanted to hold off to study some more but its good to know that I have established initial contact for when I am ready.

Im in the exact same position as you except for the fact that I will never never never ever go active. I want to fly fighters and have a career on the side. Active duty presents me with the threat of achieving neither of these.
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Dude if you fly fighters, even in the guard, kiss your career goodbye, you'll be full time military for at least 5 years. I'm not sure how long your job is protected under federal law, but you're not gonna have a lot of free time over those years IF you do get hired. I don't know your background but your posts come off as a pretty arrogant. If you're already 26, the fighters or nothing attitude may work out (some fighter units like that), but there's also a really good chance it could hurt you as well.
 
KappaSigmaPilot said:
I just took my AFOQT and TBAS last month without a recruiter. I was in a bit of a hurry trying to get an application package in to an ANG unit that I wanted to get hired by, before their deadline. I first called all the local AFROTC detachments but they were not proctoring the test for several months so that was not an option. I ended up calling the testing/ education offices at all of the local bases to see when they were offering the tests. This gave me a couple more options that allowed me to get the tests taken in time. The base websites should have a phone directory that you can look at to track down the folks in charge of testing. I hope this helps.
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I did this back in 2010 when first applying to ANG units. I was in my senior year of college and called the local AFB which happened to be Grand Forks AFB, ND. Never talked to a recruiter or anything. Called up testing and education for the base and they put me in contact with the lady handling the testing. Took the AFOQT the next month (think they offered it several times per year, but im not 100% sure). After that was done I had to wait for my scores and called the same lady directly to schedule the TBAS.
 
ryan1234 said:
Personally, I think that serving is more important than a personal agenda, but hey.... to each his own.
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Yes, this 100%. I just want to be a part of an organization that is larger than myself and stands for something more; something to which I can dedicate my talents and time. The military whether AD, ANG or AFR covers that.
 
Brandon1234 said:
how did you do on it? Any advice for studying? Which unit?
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I did well on the test. The biggest things for me were A) Taking several timed, legitimate practice tests so that I could pace myself on the actual test; and B) Focusing my studying on the parts of the test that gave me trouble initially (the math sections and table reading were both tough due to the time constraints). On the day of the test I felt good just because I was able to get all the sections done within the time limit. I've got an interview next week with the SC ANG and will be putting a package together for the VT ANG so fingers crossed with one of those, but I'll keep getting applications out until something works out.
 
KappaSigmaPilot said:
I did well on the test. The biggest things for me were A) Taking several timed, legitimate practice tests so that I could pace myself on the actual test; and B) Focusing my studying on the parts of the test that gave me trouble initially (the math sections and table reading were both tough due to the time constraints). On the day of the test I felt good just because I was able to get all the sections done within the time limit. I've got an interview next week with the SC ANG and will be putting a package together for the VT ANG so fingers crossed with one of those, but I'll keep getting applications out until something works out.
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SCANG is a good unit... good luck there. Not sure if Tim Bennet is still around... but before he was a Viper Guard guy, he was a F-15E pilot and dropped a GBU-10 (Laser Guided Bomb) on an Iraqi Mi-24 helicopter (moving) during the Gulf War. It is, to my knowledge, the only Strike Eagle Air to Air kill.
 
KappaSigmaPilot said:
I did well on the test. The biggest things for me were A) Taking several timed, legitimate practice tests so that I could pace myself on the actual test; and B) Focusing my studying on the parts of the test that gave me trouble initially (the math sections and table reading were both tough due to the time constraints). On the day of the test I felt good just because I was able to get all the sections done within the time limit. I've got an interview next week with the SC ANG and will be putting a package together for the VT ANG so fingers crossed with one of those, but I'll keep getting applications out until something works out.
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How did your interview go this weekend? What kind of questions did they ask? SCANG is one of the units I am interested in applying to within the next few years. I would love to hear about your experience.
 
Brandon1234 said:
How did your interview go this weekend? What kind of questions did they ask? SCANG is one of the units I am interested in applying to within the next few years. I would love to hear about your experience.
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It went well. Everything was pretty straight forward and laid back. The questions were similar to those asked on the interview thread on baseops. Strength, weakness, why here, why this airframe, why you, etc. They happened to have a pilot reunion going on this weekend which was great to see and be around for. One of the guys in town flew P-51's for them in the late '40s which was pretty awesome. Hopefully we hear back in the next few days. Everyone on the board and the guys I met seemed to be a great group of folks. I would highly recommend the unit.
 
Thanks for all the feedback that I've received in this thread. I'm taking the AFOQT in a week and assembling my application for upcoming OTS selection boards for both USAF AD and AFR next month.

Gentlemen, I have to ask...how are the odds stacked against me right now this year that I'll get a pilot slot if I make it for Active Duty? Is there a possibility that I'll be chosen to fly UAVs instead of actual aircraft? To be utterly frank, I am willing to put 200% effort into whatever is needed to reach where I want to be...but what I want to get out of it is to fly real aircraft--be it fighters, tankers or whatever else (no preference, I'll be fortunate to get just anything). Basically, I wouldn't like to operate UAVs for the next ten years of my life. Thoughts, comments...flames? Should I concentrate then just on AFR and ANG?
 
FoodStampsPilot said:
Thanks for all the feedback that I've received in this thread. I'm taking the AFOQT in a week and assembling my application for upcoming OTS selection boards for both USAF AD and AFR next month.

Gentlemen, I have to ask...how are the odds stacked against me right now this year that I'll get a pilot slot if I make it for Active Duty? Is there a possibility that I'll be chosen to fly UAVs instead of actual aircraft? To be utterly frank, I am willing to put 200% effort into whatever is needed to reach where I want to be...but what I want to get out of it is to fly real aircraft--be it fighters, tankers or whatever else (no preference, I'll be fortunate to get just anything). Basically, I wouldn't like to operate UAVs for the next ten years of my life. Thoughts, comments...flames? Should I concentrate then just on AFR and ANG?
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,
The odds are stacked against you no matter what year you try to get a pilot slot. Currently sequester has not affected "student production" flying hours at UPT and ops are normal. Just remember that things are always subject to change, and even if you got selected tomorrow you wouldn't be heading down to the big show for another 1 1/2 to 2 years from right now.

As of right now they are not dropping UAVs out of UPT, however this seems to change every other year. There is now a separate school for UAV pilots, but that does not mean that they won't use guys with pilot wings to fill UAV billets. Basically as an active duty flyer you will get a new job every 3-5 years. What you fly depends on what's available. 6 years ago there were guys that went to ENJJPT who thought they had it made in the shade ended up with no fighters, and some UAVs for an entire class. That said, If you for example drop -17s out of UPT, after 3 or 4 years you'll reassign and do anything from a ground combat controller to a staff job, going back to UPT to be an IP or other white jet stuff. After pilot training you still compete for your job, there is no 10 years of planning your life out on AD, and it may not always be fulfilling and yes a UAV may be in your future at some point, but I'll tell ya what the paycheck sure wont hurt.

If you want to ensure what plane you'll fly and the length of time that you'll be flying said plane, ANG and USAFR are the way to go. Even then with the current political and economic climate nothing is guaranteed as units get BRACD all the time... they lose planes, they gain UAVs or just go away all together. It can happen to you, because it sure enough happened to me. Also you have to worry about a civilian job, and balancing everything out with the rest of life and that, quite frankly, sucks.

Good luck.
 
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