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Subject: New, some questions about starting fresh out of high school
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Fox

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21 Aug 2008 9:19 AM  

Hello im 18 years old fresh out of high school and ive always had the idea to become  a pilot in the air force and then on to a commercial pilot. In the past couple months ive finnaly decided that this is the route i want. This sites turned out to be an invaluable tool for me to see what it takes to be a fighter pilot. Ive already spent like 2 hours going through the forums but i still have a couple questions.    I need to know if im on the right track.              OK so heres where im at now and what i plan to do and where im at          

Im going to my local Community College in a week or 2 and taking classes to get an associates degree in Avation Flight Technology (i get my PPL in this major and the flight hours of course). Is this a good major to choose? and If not what would?

One of the reasons im going to a Community college is that i screwed around in high school and didnt get good grades, and didnt get my act together till junior/senior year. Will my High School grades affect my choosing to be a pilot?  Also i did get arrested my softmore year for a paraphernalia charge and was on probation for a year. But since then i have cut out that crap and havent had any porblems since.

I also did Football Freshman year is HS then nothing softmore, (biggest mistake of my life. Then Junior year i picked up Football again and joined the Wrestling team and played both of them my senior year. By the Way fyi to anyone still in high school, Wrestling is one the hardest things you will do in your life after wrestling i have no fear of any physical activity the airforce can throw at me. (but its so worth it)

Ive been in boyscouts my whole life, I made it to Life Scout, didnt make eagle cause i was an IDIOT and procastinated my eagle project and my 18th birthday rolled around.

I know you need a Bachlers degree to be a officer so i know i need to transfer to a better school that would offer my major and have rotc. 

My brother is a captain in the Airforce, and he fully supports my dream to become a pilot. Will my brother being in the airforce be taken into consideration when they do a backround check on me? Also he has told me hell get me letters of recomodation when the time is right from some of his "high up friends" or something like that.

Right now the closest school to me that has ROTC is Rutgers and im thinking about going there (ill be at a crosstown school)

Im not really asking what my chances are, i know you get a bunch of those i just want to know if im on the right

I know im young but from these forums ive learned that the earlier you start the better you are off so answers, questions, and comments are aprreciated

D-ron

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Ruble
Ruble

22 Aug 2008 3:08 PM  
To be an officer, you will need a 4 year degree. Going to a community college first is a fine idea, but you'll save yourself time and money if you pick a course of study that leads into a transfer to a 4-year university. Your best bet is to join ROTC. OTS is much more competitve. Just make sure you get good grades and stay out of trouble.

Your arrest may be a problem, and you'll have to divulge your drug use to the Air Force. "Experimental" drug use is typically not a big deal, unless you lie about it. You're still young, so you have plenty of time to move on from your past mistakes, which is good. Good luck.
Fox

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23 Aug 2008 9:11 PM  

Thankx     By the way does anyone know if The major Aviation Flight Technology is a good one or should i be studiing something like aeronautics engineering?

axo250

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23 Aug 2008 10:48 PM  
Engineering develops a way of thinking. Not everyone is cut out for aero engineering. It may be difficult for you to get into an aero engineering program if you're grades are really low in high school. I think an engineering background will be a big help when it comes crunch time and it will enable you to perform better on your afoqt, but the main thing is to have good grades. Just don't fall into the big partying trap in college and let your grades slip. It will be worth it when you get out no matter what route you choose to take after school.
Black Baron

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04 Sep 2008 10:26 AM  
Fox,
Don't worry too much about the arreset, as long as you are up front and honest with the USAF about, you should be fine if all you got was probation. ROTC is going to be the best bet if you really wat to fly. As long as you get decent grades, have some flying skill, and you don't have any serious medical problems, that will be your best avenue. I wish someone would have told me when I was your age. Plus who knows, you might even get your school paid for.

As far as your degree choice. There's nothing wrong with Aviation Flight Technology. That degree basically says, you can fly planes (with enough hours) or work at an airport. I graduated with a similar degree, Aviation: Flight Operations Management, and now I work for an IT company while I wait to leave for UPT. All I'm saying is have a plan B, and broaden your learning because you never know.

That's great that your brother is in the Force, it probably won't mean much when it comes to getting a slot. Getting some good Letters of Recommendation and having someone that can give you more insight in the officer world of the USAF is only to your benefit. If anything, at least you'll have more than Joe Smoe from off the streets. One more thing, if you decide that the ROTC route won't work for you, try enlisting in the Air National Guard, crew chief is a good job. They will pay for your school and you'll have an ok paying part-time job while you're in school. The biggest benefit is that there are pilot boards almost every year and most of time they select someone from their unit. It is pretty competitive and you need your degree in hand to apply for a pilot slot but, this is how I did it. If you're interest let me know and I'll give you some more info.
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Forums > Military Aviation Related Forums > Pilot Slot Quest > New, some questions about starting fresh out of high school


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