WT Forums

Hello,

I have a few questions that some of you may be able to help me with? Basically, I need some advice from some Vet pilots and maybe a heads-up from some of the new guys as well. First, a little about myself. I am a 26 year old active duty Pararescue instructor stationed at Lackland AFB. I just recently PCS'd from Hurlburt FLD and only took the insructor job at Lackland to finish school. Anyway, I have a little less than a year left and have already started the process for OTS. I met with an officer recruiter at the base education center and told her about my plans to go officer and and Pilot. She explained how the process worked (most of what I already knew)and she told me how it works on selecting the Airframe. I told her that I was die hard A-10. I've loved the Aircraft since I was a kid and first saw them when they were at Grissom. Watching you guys light up some Iraqis while I was on a CSAR mission only reconfirmed that there was only one choice, A-10! Plus there is no way I could fly C-130's. I would get to much crap from the PJ's and CCT friends of mine. Well anyway on to my questions. First, since I am so set on the A-10 I am willing to look into the guard, but what is the process? I've heard that it is a good old boy system. Is it? I mean let's be honest, I know our PJ and STS units are like that. I hung with some Hog drivers in Jordan but I don't really know any A-10 guard guys, so where do I start? Next, what about going the active route? If I do good in UPT are my chances high or is the A-10 gonna be hard to get. I mean I'm not some snot nose kid, so I'm gonna bust my tail but nevertheless there may be somebody that scores higher. How can I set the odds in my favor? Last, What about the reserve? I have found info on the guard units but not much on the reserve. How does that work? Does a unit pick you or is it more like Active Duty? I've got some more questions but if somebody (experienced)could please help me out I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

Jason Attinger

"That Others May Live!"

Welcome Jason, you'll find lots of good stuff here. Unfortunately, you won't find any magic answers to aid you in your quest. A-10 slots are going to be increasingly difficult to come by, even in the Guard. With BRAC looming, there's 3 units losing their aircraft and the Air Force is intent on retiring more airframes, directing more of the resources to the F-22. Add to that you're becoming age critical and you've got a difficult road in front of you. You've heard right, many of the Guard units are political but not all. My old unit (103rd) started going nationwide with pilot advertisements and in fact, have chosen people that weren't part of the unit. Pilot training is difficult and they were burned several times with "political appointees", losing the slot because the selectee washed out. Do you have your pilot's license? It's something that's looked at.

On the plus side, being Pararescue in huge. It demonstrates maturity and the ability to do the tough things, character traits everyone looks for when interviewing prospective pilots.

I wouldn't waste too much time, in fact, I'd start talking to units right now. You don't have to be commissioned to apply, just have all the squares filled. If you go Guard, the commissioning route is shorter (6 weeks) and as far as you still having a year left, I wouldn't worry about that, just get the ball rolling right now.

Old Chief

Thank you for your reply. I was hoping that the BRAC had't hit the Hog community but I guess it did. What about Force Shaping? Is it affecting the guard like AD? I know that AD is about 4,000 Lt's over what congress wants. I am working on my private pilot right now. I'm taking a few weeks leave after x-mas to get it finished and I should have about 40-50 hrs. Also, I am taking the AFOQT in March. I want to have plenty of study time because I heard you can only take it twice. My GPA is also pretty high. About 3.7, only one C during a distance learning class while I was deployed to Bagdad last year. (The tree hugg'n teacher didn't think that being out on a mish and not having nipr access was a good enough excuse for an extension for a paper.) Anyway, I know that I am age critical for getting everthing in line so I am trying to get my whole package done NLT May 06. I do have a few questions about the guard though.
1. If I was to get picked up and sent to UPT and follow on training would it be a TYD or like a PCS since the training is so long?
2. Would my family (Wife and daughter) have to move to the unit location right away or after I finished all training?
3. Are most pilots full time for a while after training or do they go immediatly to a part time slot after training is over? I would love to get an AGR slot but I'd think that they are pretty scarce especially for new guys out of pilot training.
4 Any suggestions on where to start with the Guard units? You know, good/ bad? Really, I don't care as long as I get to fly the Hog but if you have any suggestions...

Well, thanks again. I've got to get to sleep so I can wake up and smoke some PJ & CRO trainee's in the morning. I've got 22 of 55 left with 4 weeks to go in selection.

Jason

"That Others May Live!"

Jason

Just sent you an email, let me know if you don't get it.

Cheers! M2

Hey do you know Scotty Wells ? Do ya know where I can get a hold of the 'ol boy ?

"By this time tomorrow I shall have gained either a peerage or Westminster Abbey !" Nelson the Immortal Memory

_________________
YGBSM !

Hey dude. I was a 26 year old active duty army SF guy and I applied to a guard unit and got hired. I am currently in A-10 school in DM. I was the same way about the A-10, so no other jet would do it. I figure that if you want to guarantee you get an A-10, you could talk to a guard unit. Being SOF will bring some huge credibility and being prior service, you have until you're 31 to begin pilot training. It's a PCS so I have my family with me and when I get back home I'll be full time for a year plus until I go to part time. It is everything you think it is and more, bro. Later on.



Edited by - WHAT on Nov 11 2005 2:21 PM

I would try to get an ANG/RES slot, but if it doesnt work out AD still may be a path to the Hog. I was in your shoes a couple yrs back and now I get to fly Hogs with WHAT every day.... and it is every thing I dreamed/hoped for. So don't be discouraged by any set backs and just do what you have to do to make it happen.

I am trying to do the opposite. I jushad neck surgery and probally won't be able to fly a Ejection seat again. so looking ot become a cro. I am in the reserves and being a LT you have an okay chance to get hired by a A-10 unit. Make a resume and send it to A-10 units. Being a PJ you will probally get a call for an interview. Just realize they only have interviews once a year normally. Go visit the unitsw PJ's are normally welcomed into a A-10 unit for a few drinks.

By the way what do you know of any hangups if I try and become a PJ after haveing neck surgery? Like passing a physical, not the physical training part the medical?