How can I guarantee myself a pilot slot in the AF?

Question

Currently I'm in Active Duty, I have 2 years left in my Embry-Riddle degree with a major in Professional Aeronautics.

There are programs where I could attend ROTC, but I don't want to leave AD to go to a university, and plus I have a mortgage to take care of.

My other option would be to get my private pilot's license, which I'm hoping will help me get a slot for OTS.

Please let me know if I am trying to beats odds and left with useless PPL (Private Pilot's License) if I don't get selected.

Answer 1

i don't think you can guarantee that selection.

but getting a pilot's license on your own would prove to the AF that you could fly, that the training wouldn't be wasted on you.  So i think getting a license on your own helps your chances more than anything else.

Answer 2

I'm an Active Duty Army Pilot. I know the Army does not have any 100% locked-in slots for people wanting to become pilots. 99.7% of Army Pilots who are commissioned officers come from the top 10-15% of each graduating class of USMA and ROTC. Warrant Officers are primarily prior-enlisted Soldiers who have distinguished themselves and have given interest to flying. There is a high school to flight school program for guys "off the street" but I'm not quite sure how that works out.

FLY ARMY!

Answer 3

The Air Force doesn't "guarantee" you a pilot slot.  I believe the Navy and USMC do that.  

As far as leaving AD for AFROTC is concerned, I know there are programs out there where you remain on active duty but earn your commission through AFROTC.  Check with your local AFROTC detachment about that option as well.

If you are planning on going through OTS, I highly recommend getting your PPL as well as advanced ratings (time and $ permitting).  Also study your butt off for the AFOQT and take the TBAS.  The higher those scores are, the better your chances.  

If you have any other Qs about pilot training, OTS, ROTC, etc check out www.flyingsquadron.com/forums.  It's a message board comprised of past/present/future military pilots and there's a thread dedicated to OTS/ROTC/USAFA.  I must tell you though to look around and "UTSF" a.k.a. Use The Search Function before asking a question.  They have little patience for people who don't search first; because chances are your first question had already been asked a million times.  Good luck!

Answer 4

Get your ER degree with high marks. Don't rush it. Be the best student you can be. Changing gears now would just be a knee jerk reaction and probably slow you down in the end.

Get advice from your superiors. Look for a mentor. Be up front. Show your ambitions. Be enthusiastic. Be a team player. Follow orders. Show your smarts. Work hard. Stay fit.

Make friends.  Put yourself out, volunteer. Kiss ***.

Get your PPL on the side, if you can afford it, otherwise forget it, pay your mortgage, and stay the course. Straight ahead, and good luck.

Answer 5

I'm in the Army, and we have a green to gold program with special slots that you apply for which give you your active duty pay while doing ROTC. So if I were you, I'd look in to seeing if there was something like that in the Air Force. Good luck man

Answer 6

Do not waste your time with a private pilot license.   The USAF can teach you all that stuff in a month if you get selected for pilot training plus you will not have to unlearn all the dumb stuff the civilians teach you.  It is more important you get OUTSTANDING grades in college.  That means more than flying a stupid Cessna.  

Take it one step at a time...First you need to get a degree and a commission as an officer.   Work on that first.   Again OUTSTANDING grades will be used as a major part of your evaluation for pilot training.  If you are just squeaking by with a 3.0 your chances of getting into pilot training later are quite a bit less.

good luck.