What are my chances of becoming a USAF pilot?

MikeD2004

MikeD2004

New Member
I am currently a 26 year old college student that will graduate this spring with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. My overall g.p.a is low at 2.5, but my college major g.p.a is at 3.4.
I have previous flight experience, but I have never soloed. I have logged 11 hours. I have done some research on the physical requirements for the USAF. I am 5ft 11in, 160 lbs. , and my waist is under 32". I can run one mile in under 7 min., but I would have to strengthen my upper body for the pushup and crunches requirement. The major questions I have are as follows:

  • Is my g.p.a too low or would the board look at my college major g.p.a?
  • Would it benefit me to finish my PPL before I formally talk to a recruiter?
  • Am I too old?
 
You're getting close in age, but not too much so. You have a few years

The GPA thing isn't going to help, but that also depends on timing. When the AF needs pilots and if there are other factors you bring to the table, it can be overlooked. Right now, they're looking to trim numbers, but apply anyway. I had a lower GPA than you, and did just fine.

The PPL would be a huge help in terms of showing some flight aptitude, and most reserve/guard boards actually require it. Don't know if AD does though.
 
Just put in your application as guess what happens if you don't? Nothing. Remember, there is Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Army aviation as well.
 
bunk22 said:
Just put in your application as guess what happens if you don't? Nothing. Remember, there is Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Army aviation as well.
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Agree. These days, with the budget cuts we're seeing, one likely can't afford to be too choosy if they really want to fly military. Preferences? Sure. All eggs in one basket? You risk missing the boat, so to speak.
 
MikeD said:
Agree. These days, with the budget cuts we're seeing, one likely can't afford to be too choosy if they really want to fly military. Preferences? Sure. All eggs in one basket? You risk missing the boat, so to speak.
Click to expand...

Exactly, don't limit yourself if this is what you want...one or two services might say no but one might say yes. I'd apply to them all, ANG, AFR as well.
 
It's hard to say based on the information you've provided whether or not you're competitive. What's your background? Boards look for well-roundedness, so they really look at the total package. What are your AFQOT scores? These scores are weighed heavily, and most of your serious competition with have scores in the 80 percentiles or higher. (If you haven't taken it, why not?) Why are you still in college at 26? If you have a legitimate reason,such as deciding to enter the workforce first and go to college later, it wouldn't be an issue. On the other hand, if you went to college at 18 and still haven't graduated 3-4 years after your peers, that might raise questions as to your ability to achieve goals. Have you wanted to pursue this career for a while or decide to join the military recently? Yes, you should solo and get your PPL as soon as possible (I know our unit won't even interview a person who doesn't have one). Anything you can do to set yourself apart from the competition will help. You don't need to be a PT stud (but you do need to be able to pass the PT test). You're not too old, but you will be before you blink your eye so get busy now. It's a long process, and if you're not completely in the door by 30 you're done.
 
During our time there, that's all there was......actually very few Nav slots even. Zero pilot. Just missileers and non-tech slots. MikeL can attest, as he actually saw the program all the way through.
 
Chances are zero if you don't try so might as well. You wouldn't be the first person without a tech degree or a low GPA or whatever. I would definitely get a PPL or as much flight experience as you can afford, it will pay off if you do get a slot. Also look into the ANG/RES and other branches, esp. the Navy, less BS.
 
I thought it had been a week since someone posted the "Am I qualified to join ----- military branch?" and then disappeared. Welcome, MikeD23467546532564765. You get -31457 points for an original username.
 
MikeD2004 said:
I am currently a 26 year old college student that will graduate this spring with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. My overall g.p.a is low at 2.5, but my college major g.p.a is at 3.4.
I have previous flight experience, but I have never soloed. I have logged 11 hours. I have done some research on the physical requirements for the USAF. I am 5ft 11in, 160 lbs. , and my waist is under 32". I can run one mile in under 7 min., but I would have to strengthen my upper body for the pushup and crunches requirement. The major questions I have are as follows:

  • Is my g.p.a too low or would the board look at my college major g.p.a?
  • Would it benefit me to finish my PPL before I formally talk to a recruiter?
  • Am I too old?
Click to expand...


Anything is possible brother... but I will tell you the pilot selects in my OTS flight right now have pretty baller stats... but not so much on the aviation side. I have the most hours out of my entire class at OTS, 96 of the AFOQT Pilot, and I have a CSO (Nav slot). A pilot select in the room next to me has a PhD in Applied Astrophysics and was working with anti-matter prior to coming here. He has a handful of hours and some great scores. Great guy. Others have Masters in Engineering and all sorts of smart people degrees. Another pilot select here is a Combat Controller with 11 years of experience, most of which in combat. Lots of competition... but having said that, it all depends on who is throwing in on your board. Just do the best you can on the AFOQT, grab some more hours while your putting together your packet, and apply. Worst that can happen is they say no, try again later. Good Luck.
 
you can get an age waiver also. But up must start UPT by 29, that means done with OtS. That was what I tried, but I wasnt as young as you. If I were to do it over I would have joined a guard unit, gotten in good with the commander and applied to fly with that particular unit. Lot better chances for a flight slot from what I have seen on the AF side. I knew a few guys who were trying for active like myself, out of 5 of us, one got a slot. Then I knew about 5 more who were in guard units, 3 of those five were granted flights slots 20% vs 60%. The other nice thing about a guard unit, you know what you are going to fly so there is not the slight chance of going through OtS, UPT, Jet transition, and then getting stuck on a UAV, UAV's not all bad, you could get a killer 6 figure plus job when you get out, but just saying with active AF you meet the needs of what they need, they don't really care what you want to fly. On the guard unit side, if they fly A-10's, you will fly those, if they fly C130's, that's your baby. Better odds in my opinion for a flight slight.
Army aviation is great too. Good friend of mine in now learning the Kiowa, doesnt seem like he works, just has fun ( i know there is hard work) compared to the civil side of what I do. It really makes me wish I would have just gone army aviation in the first place. Plus with Army you can become a pilot all the way up to the age 32 I think. From his stories, helo's sound oh so much more fun than fixed wing.

oh well 20/20 as they say. Good Luck!
 
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