I Got Into The US Air Force Academy!

[Carlos Sultana]

Why not the Dutch Air Force? I considered joining them as well, I just want to go to university as well. Dutch Air Force may be small, but it's "Klein maar fijn" as I would say.

 

Weirdly enough a few years back I didn't wanted to be a pilot as much as I now want to. When I started to earn (good) money I got a bit lazy, I'm now 24 and I feel it's too late.

 

But never too late to learn flying small civil planes (klein maar fijn) :pilotfly:I'll get myself in the air, some day..

 

Heel veel plezier en vooral succes!

Have fun and above all success!

[SimFreak]

. Plus better chances of getting a pilot slot when in the Academy.

 

That's a false statement. When using OTS, you know your job before signing your life away with acceptance rate (at times) of 80%.

[GodsPrototype]

That's a false statement. When using OTS, you know your job before signing your life away with acceptance rate (at times) of 80%.

 

Only option I had was either ROTC or Academy. Can't afford to go to college without scholarships. I would have to pay out of state fees for all colleges as well.

 

In the Academy, as long as you're medically qualified, you basically get a pilot slot, even when you're one of the worst in your class (which I don't intend to be). I'll take what I've been offered and be happy with it. It's been my dream for years, and I wont give up.

 

Thanks for the good luck and I'll be sure not to suck :thumbup:

 

Weirdly enough a few years back I didn't wanted to be a pilot as much as I now want to. When I started to earn (good) money I got a bit lazy, I'm now 24 and I feel it's too late.

 

But never too late to learn flying small civil planes (klein maar fijn) :pilotfly:I'll get myself in the air, some day..

 

Heel veel plezier en vooral succes!

Have fun and above all success!

 

Het is inderdaad nooit te laat om nog te gaan vliegen. Mijn vader is pas toen hij 33 was bij KLM gaan vliegen. 24 is nog heel jong. Op de defensie website staat dat je voor de opleiding minimaal 17 moet zijn, en maximaal 26 jaar en 11 maanden mag zijn.

 

Als dat je droom is, zou ik het nog gewoon proberen. Als je het niet probeert weet je het nooit.

 

Bedankt, en ik wens u ook veel succes met uw carriere.

[Deadman]

Hey good luck I am sure you will have an interesting time at the Academy.

[GodsPrototype]

Hey good luck I am sure you will have an interesting time at the Academy.

 

Thank you

[Home Fries]

I know the AFA used to guarantee a pilot/navigator slot for graduates who were physically qualified, but I thought that they pulled back on that in the early 1990s. When I was looking at the academies, AFA did offer that, but by the time I was commissioned (Navy) I had better odds getting Naval Aviation from NROTC than an AFA grad would have getting a pilot slot.

 

That was also the post Desert Storm drawdown, so the pendulum may have swung since then.

[Carlos Sultana]

Only option I had was either ROTC or Academy. Can't afford to go to college without scholarships. I would have to pay out of state fees for all colleges as well.

 

In the Academy, as long as you're medically qualified, you basically get a pilot slot, even when you're one of the worst in your class (which I don't intend to be). I'll take what I've been offered and be happy with it. It's been my dream for years, and I wont give up.

 

Thanks for the good luck and I'll be sure not to suck :thumbup:

 

 

 

Het is inderdaad nooit te laat om nog te gaan vliegen. Mijn vader is pas toen hij 33 was bij KLM gaan vliegen. 24 is nog heel jong. Op de defensie website staat dat je voor de opleiding minimaal 17 moet zijn, en maximaal 26 jaar en 11 maanden mag zijn.

 

Als dat je droom is, zou ik het nog gewoon proberen. Als je het niet probeert weet je het nooit.

 

Bedankt, en ik wens u ook veel succes met uw carriere.

 

Thank you for the motivating words!

[GodsPrototype]

I know the AFA used to guarantee a pilot/navigator slot for graduates who were physically qualified, but I thought that they pulled back on that in the early 1990s. When I was looking at the academies, AFA did offer that, but by the time I was commissioned (Navy) I had better odds getting Naval Aviation from NROTC than an AFA grad would have getting a pilot slot.

 

That was also the post Desert Storm drawdown, so the pendulum may have swung since then.

 

USAFA does not guarantee pilot slots anymore, that is correct. However, chances are high that you can get a pilot slot, as long as you are medically qualified.

 

This is a direct quote from USAFA.

If you are interested in flying high tech, high performance aircraft, then you'll be interested in the following. The

majority of each class will have the opportunity to attend Undergraduate Flight Training. This means that virtually

every cadet who wants to fly and is medically qualified to do so will have that opportunity upon graduation.

 

I've heard this from many recent USAFA graduates as well. Of course, getting through UPT is a completely different story. I've talked to a few people who also dropped out of UPT, but this was mostly because it wasn't really what they wanted to do, they just chose it because it seemed fun. I'm pretty sure that for someone who's dream it is to become a pilot would not drop out so easily.

 

What you said about NROTC vs USAFA, I doubt that applies today as well.

 

Thank you for the motivating words!

 

You're welcome, and good luck!

Edited February 25, 2015 by GodsPrototype

[Home Fries]

USAFA does not guarantee pilot slots anymore, that is correct. However, chances are high that you can get a pilot slot, as long as you are medically qualified.

 

This is a direct quote from USAFA.

...

 

What you said about NROTC vs USAFA, I doubt that applies today as well.

For your sake I'm glad to hear it. I wouldn't expect things to be the same over 20 years later; just the services adjusting their pipelines for their immediate needs.

 

Re: UPT, as long as you follow my advice when it turns into a grind (and it's not all fun; it can be quite tedious and stressful as well), you'll be fine.

 

I meant to ask: do they still do joint Navy/AF flight training? They were integrating API when I went through, and I actually did my advanced flight training at Randolph.

[CASoldier2014]

Amazing. After reading through this thread I can only wish you the best of luck!

 

My dream has been the same for years now. I have to finish school first, though. I won't be able to join the USAF because of my nationality.. But hey, civil aviation is also fun :)

[GodsPrototype]

For your sake I'm glad to hear it. I wouldn't expect things to be the same over 20 years later; just the services adjusting their pipelines for their immediate needs.

 

Re: UPT, as long as you follow my advice when it turns into a grind (and it's not all fun; it can be quite tedious and stressful as well), you'll be fine.

 

I meant to ask: do they still do joint Navy/AF flight training? They were integrating API when I went through, and I actually did my advanced flight training at Randolph.

 

Thanks for the advice. I have no idea whether Navy & AF still train together. I don't believe that is still the case, but I have no clue. Pretty cool that you got to train together though. I imagine that was interesting. What was your experience from it?

 

Amazing. After reading through this thread I can only wish you the best of luck!

 

My dream has been the same for years now. I have to finish school first, though. I won't be able to join the USAF because of my nationality.. But hey, civil aviation is also fun :)

 

Thank you for the kind words. Also good luck to you. Civil aviation is indeed very fun. It used to be my dream as well. My father is a 737 pilot, and he loves his job. Good luck to you in the future, and work hard in school!

[Cali]

USAFA does not guarantee pilot slots anymore, that is correct. However, chances are high that you can get a pilot slot, as long as you are medically qualified.

 

This is a direct quote from USAFA.

 

 

I've heard this from many recent USAFA graduates as well. Of course, getting through UPT is a completely different story. I've talked to a few people who also dropped out of UPT, but this was mostly because it wasn't really what they wanted to do, they just chose it because it seemed fun. I'm pretty sure that for someone who's dream it is to become a pilot would not drop out so easily.

 

 

Being in the Air Force for over 15 years everything isn't what it seems to be. I really hope you get a pilot slot, but have a good backup just in case.

[FoxHoundELite]

Not relevant here but anyone here know how to become an EA-18G's pilot/EWO?a friend of mine ask me and i havent find a reliable source....yet

 

BTW,congratulate to you and i wish you will become a successful airman ;)

Edited February 26, 2015 by FoxHoundELite

[Ripcord]

First I have to say congrats. Just getting selected to a service academy is no easy feat. It is an achievement by itself.

 

Find ways to prepare. Prepare your mind, prepare your body. Find some rigorous activities that you are not good at and/or have little interest in and go train in those. Run like a deer and swim like a fish. Do crossfit. Then do more. Preparing your mind will be harder. Probably you have mental toughness in your make-up or you do not, but find a way to prepare as much as you can. Find a way to be positive when everything sucks (it won't suck for just you, it will suck for all of you in your class/team/group/whatever).

 

 

Thanks. I'll be sure to not be one of those clueless officers. I did lots of research on what it means to be an officer, and one of the things that stuck out for me was that you are always an officer first. I want to be the best possible officer I can be, and have a good & long career in the Air Force.

 

You aren't going to be able to 'research' that, but the main thing is to have the desire. You are going to need to observe and take in the traits that you see in others that you think are 'good officers' and try to identify and avoid the negative traits demonstrated by the clueless ones. Like Cali I worked with some real gems and some real buttheads (US Navy) and the difference is astounding. Some humility and some concern for your troops will get noticed and will serve you well.

 

Here is where you start - use every chance you get to gleam knowledge and wisdom from your senior enlisted. Find some senior master-blaster in your squadron and pick his brains. Don't interview him, don't try to build a relationship with him, but do not dismiss what he has to say. He didn't get to be an E-9 by being a dumbass and he probably forgot more about real leadership then many Captains ever attained.

 

I remember a day on a mission when my chief stood up for me on an important tactical discussion, when the skipper questioned my analysis of some intel and I turned out to be right. But my chief didn't waver. I want you to know that I still keep in touch with that guy, years later, and I would drive all freaking night to go help him if he ever needed it.

 

Enjoy every single day of it man. Even if you never get to fly, you are doing a great job, and every day is a new opportunity to earn the respect you will be given. Good for you, buddy. Make us all proud.

Edited February 26, 2015 by Ripcord

[FUgaijin]

First Congrats not everyone is qualified and not everyone that is qualified gets accepted.

 

Second Figure out what you want to do in the AF BEFORE you start school, this will help you out in the long run.

 

Finally if you want to be a pilot you are on the right path, the academy is the best place for a pilot slot, they have far more than any of the other options (OTS, ROTC, etc). Work hard, don't let anybody or anything get in your way.

[Groove]

Good luck!

[GodsPrototype]

First I have to say congrats. Just getting selected to a service academy is no easy feat. It is an achievement by itself.

 

Find ways to prepare. Prepare your mind, prepare your body. Find some rigorous activities that you are not good at and/or have little interest in and go train in those. Run like a deer and swim like a fish. Do crossfit. Then do more. Preparing your mind will be harder. Probably you have mental toughness in your make-up or you do not, but find a way to prepare as much as you can. Find a way to be positive when everything sucks (it won't suck for just you, it will suck for all of you in your class/team/group/whatever).

 

 

 

 

You aren't going to be able to 'research' that, but the main thing is to have the desire. You are going to need to observe and take in the traits that you see in others that you think are 'good officers' and try to identify and avoid the negative traits demonstrated by the clueless ones. Like Cali I worked with some real gems and some real buttheads (US Navy) and the difference is astounding. Some humility and some concern for your troops will get noticed and will serve you well.

 

Here is where you start - use every chance you get to gleam knowledge and wisdom from your senior enlisted. Find some senior master-blaster in your squadron and pick his brains. Don't interview him, don't try to build a relationship with him, but do not dismiss what he has to say. He didn't get to be an E-9 by being a dumbass and he probably forgot more about real leadership then many Captains ever attained.

 

I remember a day on a mission when my chief stood up for me on an important tactical discussion, when the skipper questioned my analysis of some intel and I turned out to be right. But my chief didn't waver. I want you to know that I still keep in touch with that guy, years later, and I would drive all freaking night to go help him if he ever needed it.

 

Enjoy every single day of it man. Even if you never get to fly, you are doing a great job, and every day is a new opportunity to earn the respect you will be given. Good for you, buddy. Make us all proud.

 

Thank you. It was indeed a very long process to get through.

 

I have done a lot more different kinds of exercising lately. I used to do more weightlifting myself, but I've started to go out and run a lot, which I enjoy a lot now. I'm already a swimmer, so I've got that going for me! I am a pretty optimistic person, but I think it will still be hard to get through. I do know that the camaraderie in the squadrons will help me get through it.

 

I'll be sure to look out for those traits. I will do my utmost best to make sure the US Air Force, and the US Military in general, remain as good as they are today. I really want what's best for this country, and I think I can do my part as part as the US Air Force.

 

Thank you for the tip and the story as well. I will be sure to take your advice in the future.

 

First Congrats not everyone is qualified and not everyone that is qualified gets accepted.

 

Second Figure out what you want to do in the AF BEFORE you start school, this will help you out in the long run.

 

Finally if you want to be a pilot you are on the right path, the academy is the best place for a pilot slot, they have far more than any of the other options (OTS, ROTC, etc). Work hard, don't let anybody or anything get in your way.

 

Thanks a lot. I will be sure to work hard and get what I want.

 

Good luck!

 

Thank you very much

[Home Fries]

Thanks for the advice. I have no idea whether Navy & AF still train together. I don't believe that is still the case, but I have no clue. Pretty cool that you got to train together though. I imagine that was interesting. What was your experience from it?

As much as I hate to admit it, I enjoyed the AF training program a lot more than Navy. Navy takes a "here's the book, learn it, every flight is an evaluation/check ride" approach with the mentality being that the people who really want to be there will learn it, and the instructor can teach beyond the basics (usually in the debrief when he's not busy screaming at you). The AF takes a much more teaching/preparing approach where you are expected to do more "busy work", but as long as you put in the time the instructors will teach you what you need to know. Additionally, not every flight is a check ride, but they are designed to build up and eventually be more difficult than the check ride, so that when the check ride finally comes it's a straight-forward evolution. Another nice thing about this philosophy is that can try new techniques without worrying about washing out on a practice sortie. Some Navy types scoff at it as being "spoon fed", but as a former instructor myself I see the merit in it.

 

Finally, the Air Force has the best box lunches! :D

Edited February 28, 2015 by Home Fries

[GodsPrototype]

As much as I hate to admit it, I enjoyed the AF training program a lot more than Navy. Navy takes a "here's the book, learn it, every flight is an evaluation/check ride" approach with the mentality being that the people who really want to be there will learn it, and the instructor can teach beyond the basics (usually in the debrief when he's not busy screaming at you). The AF takes a much more teaching/preparing approach where you are expected to do more "busy work", but as long as you put in the time the instructors will teach you what you need to know. Additionally, not every flight is a check ride, but they are designed to build up and eventually be more difficult than the check ride, so that when the check ride finally comes it's a straight-forward evolution. Another nice thing about this philosophy is that can try new techniques without worrying about washing out on a practice sortie. Some Navy types scoff at it as being "spoon fed", but as a former instructor myself I see the merit in it.

 

Finally, the Air Force has the best box lunches! :D

 

Well, I guess each branch has its benefits. I'm sure there were many things you enjoyed more about the Navy as well. When my ALO asked me why not the Navy, I told him it was because I would rather not live on a ship. It made him chuckle :D

 

I'm happy to hear that the approach is like that . The reason why I switched from Dutch public school to an International School was because the Dutch system was exactly like you described the Navy approach to be.

 

Lastly, I also love food, so good boxed lunches will come in handy :thumbup:

 

Thank you so much for all the advice and all. I also find it really interesting to hear about all of your experiences.