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JC Denton
Luke Warm
Joined: 11 Nov 2002
Posts: 286
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 Posted: 03/21/06 - 10:56 Post subject: Air Force OTS
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I was looking around at possible option after I am done with college and naturally, the military is something to consider. I looked at the Air Force and found that after college I can go to a 16-week Officer Training School and possibly work towards being a pilot (something that always facinated me albiet I know nothing about). I was wondering if anyone had experience or happened to know what happens if you go through OTS and are not selected for Flight School. Does that ruin your chances at being a pilot and you are stuck with something else until you serve out your contract. Any information (including random bits about the process I didn't even mention) would be much appreciated....
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Occulis
RealPoor Jedi
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 13293
Location: Moral Relativity Central
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 11:15 Post subject:
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u can be khraths wingman any time
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Pags
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 3260
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 11:23 Post subject:
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I know there are a few Air Force guys here...can't remember who though..I'm sure they'll turn up ;p
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Zimzulu
Toomuchtimeonhands
Joined: 02 Dec 2005
Posts: 883
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 12:19 Post subject:
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First, you better have stellar grades and extra activities (sports com service leader ship etc). The AIrForce is cutting back and was thinking about closing OTS because the pool from AF Academy + ROTC was big enough. THey decided not to do this.
There are 2 types of jobs in the AirForce, rated and non rated. Rated are tech jobs non rated are pilot nfo etc etc. Non Rated has not accepted someone below a 3.5 gpa in the past few years. Rated jobs like pilots are extremely sought after (everone wants to be a pilot) and are less stringent as far as qualifications but extremely hard to get.
When you apply to choose the jobs you want and you are either denied or accepted entrance to this position. You go to OTS as a Student Aviator or Flight Officer or Mechanic or Dentist...whatever.
Barring you make it through OTS as an aviator you then start off on the flight school portion of your career. You study your ass off through a weed out program (everyone has seen top gun and wants to be Maverick). This is not a glamorous part of school. You make it through you then get to list the chooses on aircraft type. YOu then go to a more specific school based on aircraft type, more studying some flying etc.
Earning your wings takes over a year of work, if you get accepted. It's not any easy route, but very achievable for people who want it and are willing to work hard for it. They won't just give anyone a multimillion dollar machine and let them drive/fly it after all.
Also note, I read that (and the numbers are off the top of my head) the last OTS class had 30 aviator officer candidates. Of those only 3 did not have their Private Pilots License. Of those 3 only 1 had zero flight hours. So if you want to boost your chances, call a local airport and look to getting some flight hours. They are typically 55dollars and hour (cheapest).
If you are still in school and eligiable join ROTC, its the best chance you can give yourself.
Most of this information should be correct, but I know far more about Navy/Marine OCS than AF OTS. For example, I know the Navy and Marines incorporate a fitness test in their applications (and the marine one is hard core). I don't know if the AF does the same.
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Zimzulu
Toomuchtimeonhands
Joined: 02 Dec 2005
Posts: 883
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 12:21 Post subject:
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Oh PS....If you go in as a pilot and f**k up, or they have to many pilots and you are just average you will be reassigned to a different position, and sometimes you will not get to choose what this position is. This is called The Needs of the Air Force.
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Zab
Sir Postalot
Joined: 07 Mar 2003
Posts: 1222
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 12:22 Post subject:
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I have no interest in being a pilot but know the medical standards due to my last job. To be a pilot you have to meet the requirements in AFI 36-123. Page 20 at this link
http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/pubfiles/af/48/afi48-123/afi48-123.pdf
You have to be able to pass a Flying Class I physical to get into a rated job ( pilot, copilot, navigator ). As far as the process for becoming a pilot i couldnt tell you but you could try here
http://www.baseops.net/archive/archiveupt.html
any Air Force specific or medical questions regarding the physical i can answer but as far as getting into detail to become a pilot i cant say much because i dont know.
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JC Denton
Luke Warm
Joined: 11 Nov 2002
Posts: 286
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 12:51 Post subject:
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Well, assuming my grades/fitness were up to snuff before I applied to OTS, would they tell me then if I could get into Flight School before I have signed up...
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Frax
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 8489
Location: Fuck yoiu fucking fuckers
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 12:54 Post subject:
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you can't just 'want to be a pilot', its a very difficult path to follow, and some guys wait 2+ years doing something else after they are commissioned to get in to the newbie pilot school. Most of the 2nd LTs who get into pilot school are Academy grads.
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JC Denton
Luke Warm
Joined: 11 Nov 2002
Posts: 286
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 12:54 Post subject:
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Just as a sidenote, I realize the chances are likely small of achieving something like this. I would just hate to sign up and not even know if I would get a shot at flying. That would be my concern. I would want to know if I would get a shot at flying before I signed up, again...assuming my pre-military record was up to snuff...
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Zimzulu
Toomuchtimeonhands
Joined: 02 Dec 2005
Posts: 883
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 13:18 Post subject:
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| JC Denton wrote: | | Just as a sidenote, I realize the chances are likely small of achieving something like this. I would just hate to sign up and not even know if I would get a shot at flying. That would be my concern. I would want to know if I would get a shot at flying before I signed up, again...assuming my pre-military record was up to snuff... |
You get commissioned as a pilot. You go to OTS as a Student Aviator. Will you ever fly if you make it through school? Maybe.
Do not enter any branch of the military if you only want to do one thing. Wehn you are applying for a commission you are applying to become an officer. If you do not want to be an officer and put in your time doing anything other than flying DO NOT APPLY. Being an officer in the service is a noble and honorable thing to do, and they do not want people who want to be a pilot first and an officer second. Chances are if you are comissioned as a Student Aviator before OTS and you do well in school you will fly, but there is no guarantee.
If you want to be a pilot, be a pilot. You do not have to be in the military. Get your private pilots license, get instrument/weather rated put in the flight hours and get a job flying cargo/corporate/airlines. This isn't easy either, but you will definitley being flying.
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Brael
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 2122
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 14:27 Post subject:
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Go for being a ground troop, look at SG1, the Air Force kicks ass even when not flying.
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Nemo
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 05 Jan 2003
Posts: 2202
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 15:02 Post subject:
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dear god man......join the Navy as a pilot.
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Rennol
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 3741
Location: Charleston, IL
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 15:10 Post subject:
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or you could join the army and fly helicopters
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Yellow Journalist
RealPoor Sensei
Joined: 20 Oct 2002
Posts: 1973
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 15:20 Post subject:
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| Nemo wrote: | | dear god man......join the Navy as a pilot. |
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Zimzulu
Toomuchtimeonhands
Joined: 02 Dec 2005
Posts: 883
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 16:17 Post subject:
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| Nemo wrote: | | dear god man......join the Navy as a pilot. |
Living inside a tin can for 6 months on an all balls (or close to it) cruise with minimum contact with family and friends is not everyones idea of fun. Me I'd love to do it, but its sure not for everyone.
And if you are going to fly land based aircraft it might as well be in the AirFoce, b/c you will be home a lot more.
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motherface
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 12 Mar 2003
Posts: 3407
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 16:28 Post subject:
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| Zimzulu wrote: | | all balls (or close to it) cruise |
| Zimzulu wrote: | | Me I'd love to do it |
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Zimzulu
Toomuchtimeonhands
Joined: 02 Dec 2005
Posts: 883
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 16:30 Post subject:
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| motherface wrote: | | Zimzulu wrote: | | all balls (or close to it) cruise |
| Zimzulu wrote: | | Me I'd love to do it |
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0.0 OH NO'Z CAUGHT! >.<
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Pags
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 3260
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 17:26 Post subject:
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lol
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Poistiant
Luke Warm
Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 445
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 17:46 Post subject:
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Also another requirement for a pilot is that you are required to think you know more than the mechanic thats worked on the plane for years, so you will try to tell him what to do and he will smile and nod and then sign off the job as good because nothings wrong.
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khrath
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 8750
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 17:51 Post subject:
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<img src=http://www.solarnavigator.net/films_movies_actors/actors_films_images/top_gun_goose_and_maverick.jpg>
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Frax
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 8489
Location: Fuck yoiu fucking fuckers
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 17:54 Post subject:
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| Poistiant wrote: | | Also another requirement for a pilot is that you are required to think you know more than the mechanic thats worked on the plane for years, so you will try to tell him what to do and he will smile and nod and then sign off the job as good because nothings wrong. |
This unique bit of irony isn't limited to pilots. About the only officers who get flat out respect as people from me are the ones who actually sit in the mud or get dirty with the troops, especially those brave mofos who are infantry officers.
I sure am glad it takes a four year degree for a butterbar to run the base laundry facility!
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Nemo
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 05 Jan 2003
Posts: 2202
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 17:57 Post subject:
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| Zimzulu wrote: | | Nemo wrote: | | dear god man......join the Navy as a pilot. |
Living inside a tin can for 6 months on an all balls (or close to it) cruise with minimum contact with family and friends is not everyones idea of fun. Me I'd love to do it, but its sure not for everyone.
And if you are going to fly land based aircraft it might as well be in the AirFoce, b/c you will be home a lot more. |
Navy has landbased aircraft...infact more then the airforce. Fighter Pilots are god among men on the carriers....they get have alot more "perks" then us common folk.
BTW "Top Gun" = Navy Pilots.
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Frax
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 8489
Location: Fuck yoiu fucking fuckers
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 18:09 Post subject:
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| Nemo wrote: | | Zimzulu wrote: | | Nemo wrote: | | dear god man......join the Navy as a pilot. |
Living inside a tin can for 6 months on an all balls (or close to it) cruise with minimum contact with family and friends is not everyones idea of fun. Me I'd love to do it, but its sure not for everyone.
And if you are going to fly land based aircraft it might as well be in the AirFoce, b/c you will be home a lot more. |
Navy has landbased aircraft...infact more then the airforce. Fighter Pilots are god among men on the carriers....they get have alot more "perks" then us common folk.
BTW "Top Gun" = Navy Pilots. |
The navy has more aircraft than the airforce?
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Poistiant
Luke Warm
Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 445
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 18:32 Post subject:
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No.
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Frax
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 8489
Location: Fuck yoiu fucking fuckers
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 18:38 Post subject:
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I know! I just wanted to have him back up that crazy talk.
Last I recall ACC has about 1800 airframes, AMC has about 700 more, and those numbers don't include any black programs or UAVs.
The navy might have 1000 airframes total including all the P3s.
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Poistiant
Luke Warm
Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 445
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 18:42 Post subject:
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He will just come back and say yeah they do and have no proof!
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Zimzulu
Toomuchtimeonhands
Joined: 02 Dec 2005
Posts: 883
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 19:15 Post subject:
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| Nemo wrote: | | Zimzulu wrote: | | Nemo wrote: | | dear god man......join the Navy as a pilot. |
Living inside a tin can for 6 months on an all balls (or close to it) cruise with minimum contact with family and friends is not everyones idea of fun. Me I'd love to do it, but its sure not for everyone.
And if you are going to fly land based aircraft it might as well be in the AirFoce, b/c you will be home a lot more. |
Navy has landbased aircraft...infact more then the airforce. Fighter Pilots are god among men on the carriers....they get have alot more "perks" then us common folk.
BTW "Top Gun" = Navy Pilots. |
plz reread = And if you are going to fly land based aircraft it might as well be in the AirFoce, b/c you will be home a lot more
Navy Has land based aircraft like i said, but they fly all over the world much more than air force ones. So you might as well be in the AirForce and sleep in your own bed more often if your gonna do it.
But hell people who fly those things are usually just trying to clock in 1000-2000 hours so they can get an airline/fedex job and get paiiiid.
Plus there are also only 2 types of AirCraft in the military: Fighters and Targets 
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Yellow Journalist
RealPoor Sensei
Joined: 20 Oct 2002
Posts: 1973
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 19:20 Post subject:
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Navy and Marine Aircraft are complimentary of each other.
Naval Aircraft are often deployed to Marine airbases.. I believe thats what Nemo is saying as far as numbers go yes the Navy does have more land based aircraft then the Air Force if you put Marine planes in the mix.
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Zimzulu
Toomuchtimeonhands
Joined: 02 Dec 2005
Posts: 883
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 19:22 Post subject:
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| Yellow Journalist wrote: | Navy and Marine Aircraft are complimentary of each other.
Naval Aircraft are often deployed to Marine airbases.. I believe thats what Nemo is saying as far as numbers go yes the Navy does have more land based aircraft then the Air Force if you put Marine planes in the mix. |
Lol don't say that around any Marines or Sailors, you will be on the ground quickly.
And they are much different. Marines / AirForce / Navy all have different capabilities in their plane. They each share some of the same models and they each have some of their own, but most all are different.
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Maldek
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 16 Oct 2002
Posts: 2089
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Posted: 03/21/06 - 20:40 Post subject:
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MS Flight Simulatar is soo sweet guys
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