My son wants to be one. What helps? He's in AP classes, scouts, band, taekwondo. Probably angling for academy appointment or ROTC scholarship. Any other directions to look?
I wasn't military myself, but I certainly want to do everything I can to help him with his dreams.

being a PT stud. Mediocrity will not cut it here. If he can ace the PT test and get into the extended scale, it will help his cause.

Absolutely killing it on the flight aptitude tests. No criminal record. No waivers needed for anything. Perfect eyesight, no Lasik, PRK, etc.

Remember - there are a metric fu** ton of people who want to fly the biggest and baddest aircraft in the world. There are also a metric fu** ton of people who are going to get butthurt because they'll never get a chance to do it.

If he wants to go Guard and fly magical rotary wing aircraft, I can give you some insight there as it pertains to college, SMP program, ROTC etc.


[This message has been edited by TXAGChick06 (edited 6/5/2013 1:19p).]

Lots of info on an earlier thread along the same lines. Our daughter attended USAFA, earned her wings in a T-38, and is currently starting a tour as a T-6 FAIP.

TexAgs thread

Good luck!

Just realized you were the OP in that other thread. Did you forget or has there been a change?

i'd tell him to quit the band

CA - Didn't forget nor was there a change. The first was to see if contract and BQ are compatible. This is to probe pilots to see what else we need to be looking out for.

Chick- I know there's a bunch of people that want it. That's why I'm trying to help his odds. Currently he has his heart set on USAF fixed wing. I'm working to open up his eyes to other options though.

OP, he can also get a guaranteed flight spot to fly in the Marine Corps through the PLC program (if selected). It is essentially an ROTC alternative. So far his résumé sounds pretty good. He needs to get accepted into a four-year university to qualify for any commissioning program.
He will probably have the best percentage chance to fly in either the Navy or Marine Corps. I can't speak to Navy or Army numbers, but about 30% of Marine Officers are pilots. I think the AF is about 20% pilots.
HTH

if he really wants to fly he should keep his mind open to all branches of the service and all platforms. tunnel vision on the air force/jets SEVERELY limits his possibilities and chances.

getting selected for PLC these days is no joke.

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No waivers needed for anything. Perfect eyesight, no Lasik, PRK, etc.

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As long as you are smart and get all the necessary paperwork, a waiver is no big deal whatsoever. I had PRK and it was a little bit of a pain, but did not hurt my chances. A waiver for an arrest or drug use is a different story though.

From what I have heard, the AF and Navy are pretty picky about your college major. Technical majors are usually favored over non technical majors. Honestly I think this is dumb, I fly jets in the MC and I was a stupid liberal arts major. Something to think about though.

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getting selected for PLC these days is no joke

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I've heard it's pretty tough. It was a joke back when I applied, almost a decade ago. If you had a 225+ PFT and a 2.5 GPA you were pretty much good to go.

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If you had a 225+ PFT and a 2.5 GPA you were pretty much good to go.

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<------------ living proof

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a waiver is no big deal whatsoever

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I'm going to say that all depends on what it's for and what branch of service.

I waited 6+ months and spent thousands of $$'s in laser tattoo removal for a non-offensive tattoo on my wrist that could be covered with a watch. I was a non-select for USMC air with a 285, numerous LOR's O-6 and above from pilots across all branches, good AFTP scores, etc. After that, they just didn't have any more slots. I could, of course, submit for ground but didn't want that.

I gave up, went over to the Army side of things. They could give a crap less about tattoos, the aptitude test was a pass/fail, and as long as you had transcripts saying you graduated, you were good to go. The one thing that separated you from anyone else was 1.) medical (eyes) 2.) PT score 3.) NCOER's/OER's if you were prior service.

Air Force wasn't accepting ANY officer's unless you were ROTC/Academy. Navy - ASTB scores better be perfect or a point off or you'd be recycled to the next board month after month.

[This message has been edited by TXAGChick06 (edited 6/5/2013 4:26p).]

USMC tattoo policy is retarded.

This is really old data but I tried to join the AF as a pilot a couple of years after I graduated A&M. The recruiter flat out told me that I was almost too old but the only reason they would let me into the selection process was because:

1) I was prior military. The guy said that you wouldn't believe how many people cannot take military discipline.
2) I had a technical major.
3) I had a private pilot's license. He said that a lot of candidates wash out of having to solo a Cessna in 8 hours or something like that (it's been a long time I can't remember the number of hours).

Alas, I had a heart murmur and flunked the physical. Anyway,I don't know if those three items still apply but maybe he could take private flight lessons and at least solo? Might look good on an application.

Air force likes private pilots, navy and Marines don't.

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3) I had a private pilot's license. He said that a lot of candidates wash out of having to solo a Cessna in 8 hours or something like that (it's been a long time I can't remember the number of hours).

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Air Force initial flight screening is done today in Pueblo, Colorado, flying Diamond DA-20s with Doss Aviation (no connection to the Outdoors Board) I forget the hours, but it I believe it is somewhere around 10 hours and they take you through solo.

A little private training is good, but is not needed. On the other hand, they claim that some folks who are civilian CFIs wash out of Doss IFS. The explanation is that they can fly, but they can't adapt to flying the Air Force Way.

The best thing about getting a few hours in, is for the candidate to decide if he really likes flying. Maybe they aren't comfortable, maybe they are way too susceptible to airsickness, maybe they flat don't like it.

On a side note, a touch of airsickness is not disqualifying. Many flight students have to fight through it.

I went the Army Reserve route to fly 64s. Say what you want, but Jets and Helos provide opportunities outside of the uniform.

1.) Active Duty or Gaurd/Reserve? How willing is the pilot to balance their time and still dedicate towards studying and training.

2.) Fixed Wing or Rotary?
a. FXD Wing: Jet or bust? Don't think life is over because you don't fly a 16, 18, 22, or 35 (if/when it rolls out). Cargo will get you into the Commercial Airlines.
b. Rotary: Lift or Attack? Lift will give you a 50% chance of flying a glorified Taxi/UPS Truck between ground units. Other 50% will fly MEDEVAC and Air Assualts with a little more excitement. Attack allows you to start working with the ground for attacks, recon, or security.

3.) Branch of Service? You have read everybody's statistics in previous posts. It is up to the individual. Just realize to fly your full career in the Army will require you to revert to a Warrant Officer around the Major Rank. Army does have C-12s and JC-35s as an option for the later years of your career.

I would recommend Active Duty for flying gigs unless you are ready to juggle life, spouse, civilian boss, military boss, and an economy. I chose to go the Reserve Route, and I have no problem with my decision. The first couple of years out of college and flight school are the toughest. Then you should be good to go pending your work ethic.

Best of luck.

[This message has been edited by ApacheAggie (edited 6/6/2013 8:12a).]

ApacheAg pretty much hit on what I usually advise guys on airframes....think about the mission you want to do first, then airframe.

In my case, I wanted to get infantrymen to LZs. I like the Assault mission, though the Attack mission is pretty cool.

So, since you are asking for how to prep a young one...give them some books on the daily life. Life as as pilot out flight school is vastly different than a pilot who has been in for 15-18 years, but you can worry about that later. I did not transition to Warrant and still flew this tour. Depends on your focus and a assignment from my POV.



[This message has been edited by Fly Army 97 (edited 6/6/2013 8:43a).]

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Just realize to fly your full career in the Army will require you to revert to a Warrant Officer around the Major Rank.

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wtf

Thanks for the help. If you have recommended books, I'm open to suggestions. He's devoured the air encyclopedias that I get him.

Books - For Army start with Chickenhawk. Then Dustoff: The Memoir of an Army Aviator. Then for more recent book...In Company of Heroes.

Mameluke - There is a POV he is projecting that I am familiar with but respectfully disagree.


[This message has been edited by Fly Army 97 (edited 6/6/2013 1:16p).]

what do you mean

You don't have to change to WO to keep flying your entire career. I have never stopped flying with the exception time at school.

There are a lot of differences between the WO and regular O route. They both have their ups and downs. Mostly ups.

I'd definitely encourage him to look into the Guard or Reserves. There are still hoops to jump through to get in, but I think you'll find that emphasis is put in different places. No one cares what kind of degree you have or what your PFT scores are. Any kind of criminal history is a good way to be kicked out of the process. You can apply to a unit that flies whatever airframe you're interested in. You don't have to move every few years or take a staff assignment at the pentagon. If you think that is something that he would be interested in, I'd contact the chief pilot with a Guard/Reserve unit and ask if you can come visit and get an idea of what the hiring process is all about. Hope that gives you a different perspective on whats out there as far as flying opportunities.

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no one cares what your PFT scores are

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Current Guard requirements for the APFT per the State Aviation Office are: minimum of 75 points in each event with a minimum overall score of 240.

PRAY that the Top Gun sequel does not come out the year he graduates from college.

double post.

[This message has been edited by Rabid Cougar (edited 6/7/2013 8:22p).]

I guess to clarify, I'm speaking from the Air National Guard perspective. You do have to meet minimum standards for passing the fitness test once you arrive at AMS for commissioning and then you need to pass the test once a year for the remainder of your career.

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PRAY that the Top Gun sequel does not come out the year he graduates from college.

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Pray that it comes out right after he gets commissioned? Oh and Fly Marines

If the USAF scores are still the same, your ROTC commander's ranking is 50% of the total selection score.

In other words, GPA + PFT + AFOQT scores can all be overcome by a #1 ranking. If he over participates in all things ROTC he'll go a long ways toward getting a high ranking.

Caveat: this info was current circa 1999

Same thing active duty selections...FAST test, GPA, Summer Score. But in the end, the Professor of Military Science get a say in his recommendation. PT was important and still is, but it's not a deal breaker. Getting a 240/250 or above should be easy (if Guard is his path).

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being a PT stud. Mediocrity will not cut it here. If he can ace the PT test and get into the extended scale, it will help his cause.

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I'd say that's bull. PT scores might get him into the academy, but that's it. Getting a pilot slot in ROTC is more grades, and once you're in pilot training, passing the FAC is pretty easy if you want fighters.

Grades are what will get him there.

MEDIOCRITY WILL NOT CUT IT HERE

Any of you guys know that A&M has a large Air Force contingent ?