FightingFalconInstructor
New Member
Just a few thoughts to try and give a "Reader's Digest" version of getting to SUPT. Background, I graduated USAFA in 76, UPT at Selma Al, then flew F-4s, F-5s and F-16s. Retired from the Air National Guard Bureau. Taught sims at CAFB from Mar 97 to 30 Sep 2010. Met many ANG and Reservists going thru SUPT, know many ANG commanders, still in touch with ANG folks thru the AFA. So, here goes (not in any particular order, you have to pick what works best for you):
1. USAFA: I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to be a pilot. Great education, higher percentage of pilot slots. I really liked the leadership programs and summer programs there. It was useful to be a SERE interergator (too bad they don't do that there anymore). Of course, if they reduce pilots slots or decide to take more RPA slots from the USAFA pool, you are stuck. But, even if you don't get a pilot slot u get a real education and job experience. ALSO, it makes SUPT easier. 1. you are used to taking BS AETC tests, 12 hour days and generally doing what you are told.
2. ANG or reserve; alot of pluses for this route. My Dad was a reservist and I chose the AD route. The plus of the ANG is you find a unit and you will probably stay there your entire career. Bad side, they change missions and you change too, or move to another unit. Meridian was in RF-4s when I got to the Bureau, changed to tankers, and now changing to C-27s and darn glad to be open. Others have been mobility for ever and will stay so. Also, the ANG did not close a base during the BRAC process, so you are on the hit list now. Watch for units consolidating with other ANG and or active units nearby e.g. Richmone-Langley etc. If you enlist in the unit you get great money for college and if they get to know you, and you get your degree by the age limit, you have a good chance of getting a slot. Bad side: deployments may hinder you getting a degree, but most units will try to protect you from deploying so you can finish your degree in time. Some units have to hire off the street because they don't have enough qualified from within. Also, you should try to get some flying time along the way if you want to be hired off the street. If you are in a fighter unit, most want to see a Commercial Rating even if you are in the unit because they only get 1 - 1.5 slots a year and they know you need to be in the top half in T-6s to get to T-38s. If you don't make it to T-38's you have to find a unit real quick as there is no going back to your unit since u are now an officer with a pilot slot. I have helped many folks with this side of it. If you have medical concerns, the ANG works hard to get you a waiver if it is possible. If you have a degree and some flying time and are shotgun applying to all ANG units, what they look for is ties to the local area. Otherwise they figure you might go thru training then find another unit near "home". Some hard to recruit units relax this. Others won't. It also depends on if they are expanding, AK is sending several students at a time right now, and they are not from AK. Actually, I had one student FROM AK, but he was AD. The local area thing is huge! Find a unit near "home" or where you would like to live, then convince them you are theirs forever. Helps to have a spouse from the local area or one who works in the local area.
3. ROTC: I work with the local MSU unit thru the AFA. It seems for non-engineering types the selection rate is about 60% right now. The PAS told me that the AF really wants more engineer pilots so he could get just about any engineering grad a SUPT slot. Of course this can all change with the budget. For non-engineers, GPA is the key so most folks take the easiest degree possible. I have alot of respect for the ROTC folks because acting military on a college campus must be tough. But, you do get to smoke dope, chase girls and drink whenever you want to.
4. RPAs: the wave of the present. alot of positives there. I know a couple of SUPT studs that actuall decided that is what they wanted to do. They drank for free the entire class. Of course, I know several mobility guys that chose to go to RPAs after a tour or two in mobility assets. Interesting. Same mission, sit in a chair and watch the autopilot fly the airplane. then land and go to dinner. Think of the RPA as a C-17 that lands in Vegas everynight. EXCEPTION: The combat RPAs are hand flow almost the entire mission. A former RPA Sq/CC just did his ATP with me, it is an interesting career field, don't dismiss it out of hand.
Just a few thoughts. I am sure plenty of folks will pick apart every tiny statement, please just look at the overall context.
1. USAFA: I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to be a pilot. Great education, higher percentage of pilot slots. I really liked the leadership programs and summer programs there. It was useful to be a SERE interergator (too bad they don't do that there anymore). Of course, if they reduce pilots slots or decide to take more RPA slots from the USAFA pool, you are stuck. But, even if you don't get a pilot slot u get a real education and job experience. ALSO, it makes SUPT easier. 1. you are used to taking BS AETC tests, 12 hour days and generally doing what you are told.
2. ANG or reserve; alot of pluses for this route. My Dad was a reservist and I chose the AD route. The plus of the ANG is you find a unit and you will probably stay there your entire career. Bad side, they change missions and you change too, or move to another unit. Meridian was in RF-4s when I got to the Bureau, changed to tankers, and now changing to C-27s and darn glad to be open. Others have been mobility for ever and will stay so. Also, the ANG did not close a base during the BRAC process, so you are on the hit list now. Watch for units consolidating with other ANG and or active units nearby e.g. Richmone-Langley etc. If you enlist in the unit you get great money for college and if they get to know you, and you get your degree by the age limit, you have a good chance of getting a slot. Bad side: deployments may hinder you getting a degree, but most units will try to protect you from deploying so you can finish your degree in time. Some units have to hire off the street because they don't have enough qualified from within. Also, you should try to get some flying time along the way if you want to be hired off the street. If you are in a fighter unit, most want to see a Commercial Rating even if you are in the unit because they only get 1 - 1.5 slots a year and they know you need to be in the top half in T-6s to get to T-38s. If you don't make it to T-38's you have to find a unit real quick as there is no going back to your unit since u are now an officer with a pilot slot. I have helped many folks with this side of it. If you have medical concerns, the ANG works hard to get you a waiver if it is possible. If you have a degree and some flying time and are shotgun applying to all ANG units, what they look for is ties to the local area. Otherwise they figure you might go thru training then find another unit near "home". Some hard to recruit units relax this. Others won't. It also depends on if they are expanding, AK is sending several students at a time right now, and they are not from AK. Actually, I had one student FROM AK, but he was AD. The local area thing is huge! Find a unit near "home" or where you would like to live, then convince them you are theirs forever. Helps to have a spouse from the local area or one who works in the local area.
3. ROTC: I work with the local MSU unit thru the AFA. It seems for non-engineering types the selection rate is about 60% right now. The PAS told me that the AF really wants more engineer pilots so he could get just about any engineering grad a SUPT slot. Of course this can all change with the budget. For non-engineers, GPA is the key so most folks take the easiest degree possible. I have alot of respect for the ROTC folks because acting military on a college campus must be tough. But, you do get to smoke dope, chase girls and drink whenever you want to.
4. RPAs: the wave of the present. alot of positives there. I know a couple of SUPT studs that actuall decided that is what they wanted to do. They drank for free the entire class. Of course, I know several mobility guys that chose to go to RPAs after a tour or two in mobility assets. Interesting. Same mission, sit in a chair and watch the autopilot fly the airplane. then land and go to dinner. Think of the RPA as a C-17 that lands in Vegas everynight. EXCEPTION: The combat RPAs are hand flow almost the entire mission. A former RPA Sq/CC just did his ATP with me, it is an interesting career field, don't dismiss it out of hand.
Just a few thoughts. I am sure plenty of folks will pick apart every tiny statement, please just look at the overall context.
