mountainwave
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| 11 Apr 2009 10:01 PM |
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I'm looking for some feedback and advice about enlisting in my local unit. Right now I'm on course to graduate with my BS degree in May '10 and holding a full time job. I would really like to join, gain valuable work experience, and apply for flight slots. I've already taken my AFOQT, TBAS tests and am currently applying to units. My biggest worries about enlisting is if it could slow down the process of becoming an officer in ang. I would like to join sometime next semester and hold off on going to tech school until after graduation. Of course, I will be applying for flight slots this entire time and am curious if I can be released from my enlisted obligation and attend ocs all before going to tech school? This is dependent upon me getting a flight slot but I would hate to interview be offered a slot and turn it down because I haven't even finished my enlisted training. Like I mentioned before I would be enlisting for the opportunity, experience and educational benefits. Even if I'm never offered a flight slot the idea of joining the ang is appealing to me.
My next concern is deployment. I have not done much research on deployment cycles other than ang is being deployed. If deployed, will I still be able to apply, interview, and accept a flight slot remotely. This is also the major reason I would like to finish my degree so I don't run into any technicalities of an uncompleted degree.
Lastly what would you suggest? I've gone through about.military.com and read different descriptions, course lengths etc. I know there is a chance of me never recieving a pilot slot and fulfilling my six year commitment. Because of this face time with the pilots is not a major priority for me. If i get a slot excellent, if I don't I want a job that I will enjoy doing for six years and will benefit me outside of my military career. So which ones are the best? Likely hood of deployment? Perks of the job?
Thanks for any feedback and advice,
Justin |
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summe32c
Ruble
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| 07 Jul 2009 05:36 PM |
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I had the same worries as you my freind. I sucked it up and pulled the trigger on the whole deal. enlisted in Jan of 09, met the board for the second time in April, got hired to fly A-10's. The guard is a lot about commitment. I did multiple interviews at several bases and always got the "thanks but no thanks...here's our feedback..."we hire from within...get it??' You need to think long and hard about it, where your heart is. I felt that I'd go ahead and enlist and keep trying to gain a pilot slot, if I didnt get picked up, I will spend 20 years serving the country I love. Keep busting your ass for what you want. There are several ways from stepping up and separating yourself from the guys who kinda want to do it, and its way more than just having good scores and some civilian tickets.
CHEERS!
-summers |
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mountainwave
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| 11 Nov 2009 02:27 PM |
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Just wanted to post an update. Meeting with the recruiter in the next few days to sign the papers. Two big questions that the recruiter answered and I would like to verify with members on here are:
Deployments after tech school: I was told that upon returning from tech school you are not immediately deployeable because you are essentially a journeyman and have continued studies that must be completed before being deployable. I find this slightly weird that you wouldn't be able to continue with your career track while in the desert. I could be wrong but if someone with experience could clarify what I'm being told that would help.
Separation from a unit: I was told that if I'm selected for a commission in any armed services because it is career progression that the unit will allow me to separate and pursue a commission. The recruiter told me that if I wanted to transfer to AD enlisted this is not the case but if I'm selected for commission they allow it.
Thanks again for all the advice. |
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Justin
Ruble
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| 17 Dec 2009 03:14 AM |
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Can anyone offer any advice to mountainwave?? I am in the same boat.
I am debating going AD AF through OTS for any other job in the hopes of possibly being able to transfer to a rated slot, but it seems like the guard is the way to go. Any advice??
-Justin |
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mp5g2001
Ruble
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Ua
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| 17 Dec 2009 06:20 PM |
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When you come out of Tech School you are considered a 3 level Apprentice. You need to be a 5 level Journeyman to be able to deploy. There are some CDC's (Career Development Courses) and OJT (On the Job Training) that you need to complete prior to being upgraded to a 5 level and considered "Deployable". The length of time for all of this will depend on what career field you are in and, unfortunately, how pencil whip happy your supervision is. Sometimes it's difficult but you really shouldn’t sign off on being trained to do something until you are really comfortable despite pressure, because once you do, you WILL be expected to do it on your own if asked.
As for moving into a commission after tech school I believe, and I may be wrong on this, you are frozen in the career field for two years. I joined the ANG right out of high school so I wasn't even applying for pilot slots until I had 90 credits, and that put me outside the two year window obviously. So I would look into that. After that 2 years though, you should be good to go.
Technically you can apply and interview for slots while deployed, some units will give you the interview some will not. I've had a unit tell me that they were going to interview me in person as soon as I returned from a deployment, only to find out when I returned that they had already made their selection. If you've put in the face time with the unit that you are applying to while deployed, they will be more likely to make it a point to hear your interview.
Lastly, I have been enlisted in the Guard for 9 years, gotten my 4 year degree and a 2 year through the CCAF, and am now heading off to UPT this year. It's a good gig, but it's definetly a love it or hate it gig. It's really easy to get stagnant and stuck, but if you have any kind of motivation it can definetely be worthwhile. |
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Justin
Ruble
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| 18 Dec 2009 06:49 PM |
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UA, If you don't mind me asking- How old are you?
I want to try and go the same route you did however, I am 29 now which can definately work against me at the boards. |
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Ua
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Posts:28
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| 20 Dec 2009 02:11 AM |
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I'm staring down the barrel of the big "2-7". 29 is cutting it close for a pilot slot, I believe you have until 31? But I know a guy who was selected to be a Nav who was put on waiver after waiver while waiting for school so......... |
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mountainwave
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Posts:13
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| 20 Dec 2009 02:13 PM |
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Now I've interviewed a couple places on the guard side of things, and I would like to look into the some reserve units. Out of curiousity when calling a base operator what/whom should I ask for to get pertinent information regarding upcoming UPT boards?
Justin |
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Ua
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| 20 Dec 2009 03:06 PM |
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I can really only speak to the Guard side. Generally all of the units I applied to for any and all Officer boards had an individual in MPF who was in charge of setting everything up after your package was sent down from the state headquarters. At least here in NY, they have a board that you can access online and MOST of the available slots for the state show up their for at least a month before the board.
I say most because sometimes the jobs never make it to the board, as the unit who is hosting them may have ulterior motives for doing so. That’s where actually going to the units or talking to a recruiter for the unit and letting them know who you are and what your about comes in. Face time is key. People kept telling me that over and over again, and I heeded the advice to an extent, but I was hoping my resume would do most of the work for me. That’s not how this works. You NEED to know the people on the board, maybe not all of them, but one or two. You will get this face time over the long haul like me if you just keep applying and getting told no, but I firmly believe, had I gone in and made a more conscious effort I could have made it happen ALOT quicker. |
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Nic_Donahue
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| 23 Dec 2009 09:38 AM |
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Hey.... I am pursuing a flight slot with the VTANG and I am also enlisted with the unit. I have completed basic training and I am waiting to go to Tech School because there were no available slots for me when I finished up with BMT. I was selected as an alternate with the unit and I had the same question about getting selected before I complete my enlisted training. I was told that if I were to get bumped to the primary slot that I would NOT have to complete Tech School, but instead would be scheduled for AMS. If you speak with the scheduling POC in MPF they should be able to help you out with those types of questions. Hope this helps a bit. |
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Ua
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| 23 Dec 2009 03:17 PM |
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Congrats on the Alternate Donahue, do you know a TSgt Dunkel up there? Used to be SMCO but now I'm not sure. |
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mountainwave
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Ua
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| 14 Jan 2010 10:11 PM |
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Military Personnel Flight |
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Muddy415
Ruble
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| 31 Jan 2010 10:52 PM |
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I got back from Air Transportation Tech school in Aug 08' and three of the guys who graduated with went to Iraq that december as 3 Levels. They voulnteered, deplyments happen. |
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