I had no idea I could apply life experiences to that. It's not a bad idea, and I will check it out, thank you for the pointer.

Seems like you have a lot on your plate, which is good. I am definitely going to look into it.

I too, am unbearable after shows like that. Absolutely love them, and can't stop talking about them for a long long time after. I am sure I can pass the flight medical with no problem. Question is, how do I find a good recruiter that will back me?

I am happy with what I am doing and don't want to give it up, there is a great future for me with this business. I would love to be able to be a reserve pilot especially out of S.Florida. Is that even possible? I would love to chat with your friend sometime about his experiences as a pilot for the Coast Guard.

I really appreciate your insight. If you are ever in Miami, let me know.

 

Gobbles has some great advice, as do you.

I have about 1/2 a year, I knew from the get go that it wasn't for me. I felt like my time was better served else where.

I would absolutely consider being a fling wing pilot. I have already taken many helicopter flight lessons, and I love it. Is it possible to be a reserve chopper pilot, and still dedicate some time to my business. I am already in deep with it, and it would be irresponsible of me to leave: which is not even a consideration. The only way I would do it at this point in my life, is if I could go the reserve route. I would go as far as to say I would do it for free. I can take the time to go through training, and then take the time necessary. I could not however, do it full time now.

As I mentioned before to Gobbles. I really appreciate your insight and direction. I you ever find yourself in Miami, please fell free to contact me.

 

Start with any of the Guard websites (Army National Guard, Air National Guard, etc.) They will list the units in your state and those units will show officer vacancies for any aircraft that particular unit employs.

As far as the recruiter goes, check with your local office. Ask for the senior NCO running the place, and then ask him/her if they've ever put a package in for a candidate like you, and get details on the entire process. I wouldn't talk to a brand new recruiter. They will be concerned about meeting their quota and may not be interested in the long term process this will entail. I would still push them to arrange the flight physical up front and get that taken care of so there are no surprises.


Whether you go fixed wing or rotary, you will have to attend basic training, some form of Officer training/OCS, and then the various flight schools particular to the aircraft for the unit you've joined. That process can take up to two years, so get the specifics from the recruiter. I highly doubt you could run a business while in a military flight school, so something else to consider. Don't let this be a showstopper. Get all the facts first and then make well informed decisions.

I want to say the boards/panels for candidate selection occur once a year, and you apply essentially a year out. So you could start this process this year or next (I'd get on top of the school requirement ASAP) and still find yourself well positioned with your business to follow this dream of yours.

And if I ever find myself in Miami, I'll definitely look you up! Good luck.

 

Gobbles,
Thank you for the advice. I will definitely check into it. There is a lot for me to think about. I will speak to the NCO as you mentioned, and get more educated.
Again, thank you.

 

If I recall correctly, from what I was told by the USAF recruiter, the selection board is every 6 weeks. However, they don't look at everyone - its divided into rated, technical and non technical. So if you get lucky your board might be very soon, the downside of that is you gotta hustle when it comes to paper work, in my case I'm waiting until next year because I'm "non technical".

If this doesn't work out I might just enlist in the Army.

 

Don't think that is for pilots specifically, but I could be wrong.

Hernando -- The only Air Guard unit in Florida is in Jacksonville, but hot damn they fly the F-15!!!

Here is the application and process info from their website:

http://www.fl.ang.af.mil/shared/medi...090709-084.pdf

FLORIDA AIR NATIONAL GUARD
*** OFFICER VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT ***
ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER DSG 09-14 CLOSING DATE: 17 August 2009
TITLE: Undergraduate Pilot Training Candidate (UPT)(Commissioning Opportunity)
MAXIMUM AUTHORIZED GRADE: Major (0-4)
UNIT: 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville, Florida
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Nation wide. All candidates may apply who meet the basic qualifications for the position and are eligible for membership in the FLANG.

The 125th Fighter Wing typically sends one person every one to three years to UPT. Applications are now being accepted through 17 August 2009 to fill a UPT class date in fiscal year 2010. Some preparatory training may be required prior to attending UPT. Applications will be screened and finalists selected and notified by the end of August 2009. Interviews for finalists will be held late August or early September 2009, exact date to be determined.

THE FLORIDA AIR NATIONAL GUARD F-15 EAGLE PILOT

The Guard is a predominantly part-time force; many of our pilots as well are “traditional” Guardsmen i.e. they are not full time employees of the Air National Guard. These traditional Guardsmen average 8 sorties per month, participate in an additional day of academics, and may spend several days performing air defense alert. Each year they will also take part in one or more deployments of 1-3 weeks each. Most of our traditional Guardsmen have full time employment as airline pilots. The other 30% of our pilots are the “full-timers” that run the squadron during our day-to-day operations. Most of our pilots come to us as highly experienced F-15 pilots leaving the active duty Air Force. We attempt to fill our UPT slot with an exceptionally well-qualified applicant who has the desire and aptitude to become an accomplished Eagle driver and unit leader.

SERVICE OBLIGATION

The successful UPT candidate will incur a 10-year service commitment upon completion of UPT. After completing UPT and F-15 training, the new pilot will be required to complete two years of full-time employment (seasoning) in order to build a base of experience. After that seasoning the new pilot becomes a traditional, part-time, Drill Status Guardsman (DSG) attending academics, participating in air defense alert, exercises, and deployments, and flying approximately 8 times a month. Drill Status Guardsmen may be directed to Active Duty in times of national need. Many DSGs are currently activated in the 125th Fighter Wing and throughout the Air National Guard.

Eligibility Requirements

Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States.
Age: Candidates must start UPT prior to reaching age 30
Physical Requirements: Must be in good physical condition and be medically qualified in accordance with applicable Air Force and Air National Guard regulations. Must meet Air Force and Air National Guard weight and fitness standards prior to attending the Academy of Military Science (AMS).Must meet USAF Flying Class I medical standards (eyesight: 20/70 far correctable to 20/20, 20/20 near uncorrected)

Security Requirements: Must be able to meet applicable security requirements to hold appropriate security clearances (Secret/Top Secret) prior to commissioning and attendance of UPT.

AFOQT & TBAS Tests: Must take the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT) and Test of Basic Aviation Skills (TBAS) prior to the closing date of this UPT announcement.

Education: Must have completed or be near completion of a baccalaureate or higher degree from an educational institution listed in the current Accredited Institutions of Post Secondary Education. A high GPA demonstrating superior aptitude is desirable.

Availability: Candidates must be available for a series of training classes as outlined in the UPT PIPELINE TRAINING instruction. Classes will begin sometime after 1 Mar 2010. Total length of training is approximately 2 years.

Application Procedures:
Your application must include:
•
Resume including:
Aircraft qualifications (if any)
Current rank, date of rank, and date of entry into the service (if applicable)
Date of Birth
Social Security Number
Availability Date
Career Goals
Work and Education History (explain breaks in employment/education)
Work and home phone numbers and e-mail addresses
•
College Transcripts:
Include official college transcripts with certification seal from all colleges and universities attended through Spring term 2009 or later if available. Summary transcripts are not acceptable. Applicants projected to complete their degree by 1 Sept 2010 may be considered. However, such candidates must submit a letter from the appropriate university official stating that the student is projected to complete his degree by this date.
•
Test Scores:
AFOQT and TBAS scores.
If you have not already taken these tests, see “Contacts” listed below.
For more information on these tests and on obtaining scores after testing see https://pcsm.aetc.af.mil/SiteMap/sitemap.htm
At least a month and a half and possibly more lead time is required to schedule, test, and receive scores. If you have taken the TBAS but have not received your scores, we need your social security
number so that we may check for scores. If you have not received your AFOQT scores, include your Test Center Number, so we may check online.
•
Pilot Licenses:
Provide copies of any pilot licenses you hold and a summary of all flying training.
•
Letters of Recommendation:
Recommendation letters are encouraged
•
Additional Items for Current or Former Military Members:
o
Copy of Conditional Release if transferring from the Air Force, Air Force Reserve, ANG of another state, or other military component. (Applicable to current military members only)
o
Current Report of Individual Person (RIP), or other military service’s equivalent.
o
Copies of last three Officer Performance Reports or Enlisted Performance Reports or other military service’s equivalent.

SELECTION PROCESS:

Applications are accepted until 1600 on 17 August 2009. A board of unit pilots will then perform an initial assessment of the applications and invite some number, usually about ten, applicants to interview. Transportation and lodging expenses for the interview will be at the applicants’ expense. A board of Wing F-15 pilots will conduct the interview. The interviewers will evaluate the applicants on:
•
Historical performance in education and work to date through review of GPA, academic pursuits, work history, awards, and letters of recommendation.
•
Flight aptitude through review of AFOQT and TBAS scores, aviation experience, and aviation related work history. Previous flight experience is not required, but is a positive input.
•
Officership potential and commitment through a subjective evaluation of the “whole person” and through questions during the interview period.
The selection board will choose a primary UPT candidate and alternates. The board will forward their packages to State Headquarters - Florida Air National Guard for approval by the Officer Action Board and the Adjutant General of Florida. After this approval, we will notify all finalists of the results of the selection process.

CANDIDATE PROCESSING:
The selected candidate will then complete a Flying Class I physical and begin paperwork to obtain the required security clearances. Both of these, the security clearance in particular, can require a significant amount of time to complete.

UPT PIPELINE TRAINING:
•
Academy of Military Science (AMS) – 6 weeks (if necessary)
AMS is the Air National Guard’s officer commissioning course in Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, AL. The course provides basic instruction in management, leadership skills, and military customs and courtesies. Graduates of AMS are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the Air National Guard.
•
Introductory Flying Training (IFT) – 6-8 weeks (if necessary)
IFT is now a prerequisite for UPT, even for those candidates that possess a private pilot’s license. It consists of 40 hours of flight training in a non-military light aircraft to build basic flying skills before entry into UPT.
•
Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (JSUPT) – 12 months
The full name for UPT reflects changes in the last 8 years that have combined primary flight training with the Navy (joint) and instituted a “track” system (specialized) for the second phase of training where students train in aircraft related to their future operational aircraft. The total program includes about 208 flying hours, 60 simulator hours, 254 academic hours, and 185 officer development hours. It’s an intense year of flying training including instruction in aerobatics, formation, instrument, and low-level flying. Fighter track students fly the T-38 Talon during the specialized second phase. Graduates earn Air Force wings and proceed to advanced training.
•
Centrifuge – 1 day
Instructs techniques for increasing g-tolerance through classroom and centrifuge training on high-g physiology and proper g-loading mitigation techniques.
•
Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals (IFF) – 6 weeks
Introduces pilots to fundamental fighter techniques. Provides a transition between UPT and follow-on fighter training.
•
F-15 Basic Operational Course – 6 months
Initial qualification and mission training in the F-15 at Kingsley Air National Guard Base, OR or Tyndall AFB, FL. Qualifies students to fly and employ the F-15 in the air-to-air combat arena.
•
Basic Survival Training – 3 weeks
Presents training in principles, procedures, equipment, and techniques for survival in a range of climatic conditions and unfriendly environments. Course is at Fairchild AFB, WA.
•
Water Survival Training – 4 days
Trains aircrews to survive in a water environment and assist in their recovery. Course is at Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL.

Contacts:
AFOQT and TBAS testing:
AFOQT: Please contact your local Air Reserve or Guard recruiter for scheduling the AFOQT or go to U.S. Air Force ROTC - Locate Detachment
TBAS testing: https://pcsm.aetc.af.mil/SiteMap/sitemap.htm
Application Processing: HQ FLANG/RRS, Mrs Anna Delaney, 1-904-823-0611, or DSN 822-0611, fax 1-904-823-0602, or DSN 822-0602

Other questions: e-mail Lt Col Andy Jucker at andreas.jucker@fljack.ang.af.mil.

Failure to provide all required documentation by close of business 17 August 2009 will result in elimination from further consideration.

Mail applications to:
HQ FLANG/RRS
Attn: Mrs. Anna Delaney
P.O. BOX 1008
St. Augustine, FL 32085-1008

For more information contact Mrs Anna Delaney at
COM (904) 823-0611 or DSN 822-0611

The Florida Air National Guard is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will be selected for appointment through a quality-oriented method of assessment, which includes, but is not limited to, factors such as education, physical standards, experience, potential, motivation and moral qualifications.

 

Yeah I was just going through the website. The 125th has an extension wing in Homestead. It says the cut off age is 30, I'm 28 and need to actually go to college to qualify. Like you said, i get credits for life experience. I will see if I have some contacts that can help me dodge that bullet. Thanks for posting that information up. Very helpful.

 

No problem man! Just keep me posted....I'll be living vicariously through you for a little bit!

 

Hahaha ok thanks. Will do.