Calling all current/recent Air Force UPT students or graduates--Any tips for success during flight training?

From what you gathered, would you say then that "stand up" is akin to professors "cold calling" students in college classes? Read/study the material assigned material for a given unit/chapter, actually understand what you just read (how the concept/system works) and I should be fine? Or is this one of those AETC games designed to make you look stupid and crush morale? I have to ask, because I started my military career in the USMC. Games were commonplace in training environments and I'm well adapted to being crushed, but not academically. They taught you what you needed to know, you studied it and applied it during the test. If you failed, you didn't study or you were simply dumb. Given the technical complexity and breadth of flight training, I am no beginning to see why people struggle with it. Anyway, I'm just trying to build somewhat of a mental picture before I step off.

Also, I have been advised of the differences between Navy and USAF pilot training. I have been advised to avoid training at Pensacola because AF pilot trainees only do Phases 1 and 2 there...then they relocate to an AF base for phase 3. I was told that students struggle with the transition between training philosophies. Does that hold true for Nav/CSO types too? Or did you complete all of your training Pensacola?

Not really. The point is to force you to recall "boldface", or emergency action items, under pressure, in the classroom. Because when you have to recall them in the aircraft, you will be under pressure. And once you start the solo phase, there's not going to be an instructor there to remind you of the second step of the "oh shit, I just lost an engine" checklist.

Sir, I sincerely appreciate the insight. I was selected on an active duty board, so I just have OTS class dates at this point. My recruiter said that I won't know which UPT base I will be assigned to until I'm close to graduating. I'm panning to ask for Vance, and from what I've been told, I'll probably get it. Two more questions, sir. From your experience as an IP, what's the most prevalent reason for attrition in UPT? Is it, as you mentioned, having a poor attitude (which baffles me...you're getting paid to fly) and not being prepared for class/flights? (Lack of effort?) Also, just a curiosity on my end, but what airframe(s) are/were you rated on?

Initially you have those that can't get past air sickness. They normally wash out at Pueblo. Then you have those who don't have the Situational Awareness. SA is critical and if you get into the cockpit unprepared, you are starting from a very low point. Read the material, ask questions, and chair fly your sorties talking through every maneuver (out loud). You are starting off great by asking questions.
As for me, I have been and IP and evaluator in the UH-1H,V,N, MH and HH-60G, and Mi-17. I also have time in the AH-1W, Spnish B212, V-22, T-37, T-6, C-152, and C-172. I spent 26 years in the AF to include a 3 year exchange flying with the Marines, 6+ months on ships, and did some Flight training in Ukraine. Currently I help train AF pilots in the TH-1H at Ft Rucker.