Originally Posted by JHM2K
For literally all of my life, I've dreamed of joinging the Air Force and, ultimately, becoming a pilot. I've never been so naive as to think that I could just "pick a bird" and fly any aircraft I chose. But I had absolutely no clue as to the requirements of becoming a USAF pilot. So, I figured what better way to find out than to swing by the recuiter's office? I definitely got some interesting info.
For starters, I have to shed 34 pounds minimum before they'll even consider me for basic. I currently weigh 204, and according to my height of "just under" 5'8", that's precisely 34 pounds overweight for what I should be. And I would understand if I was actually fat. But I'm NOT... haha. I have a 33" waist, but a 46" chest and 17" biceps, bla bla bla. Basically, I'm a lifter, and I train in MMA fighting. I have to be built for that stuff.
Either way, it's non-negotiable. I can't be over 170 at weigh-in. Also, I've only got two options for becoming a pilot:
1) Go to college for four years, and try my best to get at least a 3.4 GPA, and HOPE that they accept me. Keep in mind that college will be at my own expense, on my own time. The catch is I can't be over 28 years old. So that means I have precisely four years and a few months to get four years worth of school, and pray that I get a 3.4
2) (effectively my only option) Enlist, and after one year of service, enroll in college with USAF footing the bill, and earn my paper that way. He recommended that I try to target an MOS within the aviation filed... either a flight mechanic, Munitions, etc. He said anything I could do to make me favorable to the borad was a plus. He also went on to say that 70% of pilots are drafted from within the enlisted ranks.
So... Is this information generally accurate? It will be a huge commitment, but it's one I'm willing to make. I'm willing to do anything in my power to become a pilot for the United States Air Force. Bomber, fighter, I'm not picky.
Any members on here with former USAF experience? Or any pointers/recommendations?
Actually, the recruiter was only slightly right. Remember, he is there to get you to
enlist. Pilots hold
commissions. Here are a few other options closer to the "truth":
1. The most common way for a person to become a pilot is to go to college and join AFROTC
http://www.afrotc.com/ . After four years of college you then are accessed into the USAF and go to flight school. You don't have to have a 3.4 GPA but don't expect to get in with an old college 2.0! Sometime late in your second year (I think that's what it was) you are given another
flight physical. This is a Class 1 physical and very tough. After this one, all your way-ins are done on body fat. Also you have to take PT tests. If you can't run and do situps, you had better get started. This all is a little better than what the recruiter told you but there aren't any fat guys flying - that's by USAF standards not public perceptions of fat. AFROTC pays you for one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer. That mounts up quickly and is a good way to pay for living expenses. If you look through the site you will see they're also offering 100% scholarships. If you look through the basic and POC requirements for that program, they don't even mention GPA! When they do talk about GPA later on, they want a C-. Come on, you can do that!
2. You can also go to college on your own and then go to Officer Canidate School. This is a very tough way to go and you end up paying for everything.
Go back to the recruiters office and **** on his desk - he should be ashamed.
