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Absolutely! In a way, it's like "starting over." Decide what commissioning source you plan on (AFROTC in college, Officer Training School, etc), and meet the commissioning requirements, and you're in. A good place to start is AirForce.com, just to see what your options are. A web site is good, but you'll want to talk to a human recruiter early-on. They'll make sure you take the right route.
As far as getting your job in the Air Force, much of that is decided at/before your commissioning. You can apply to be a pilot, as long as you have adequate eyesight, good grades, etc. But the other 95% of officers do not fly, and there are no guarantees, so it can be a tricky road to navigate. Again, you want to talk to an officer recruiter early-on.
If you're really serious about being a pilot, the Marine Corps has a program which guarantees you a spot in flight school. About 1/3 of all Marine Officers come in through this program. As long as you pass all the courses, keep your vision, don't get a DUI, etc, then you are guaranteed a seat in Pensacola. What you do with it from there is up to you.
But if you're determined to wear the blue suit, then don't let anything deter you. Find your path, and follow it to the end.
As far as getting your job in the Air Force, much of that is decided at/before your commissioning. You can apply to be a pilot, as long as you have adequate eyesight, good grades, etc. But the other 95% of officers do not fly, and there are no guarantees, so it can be a tricky road to navigate. Again, you want to talk to an officer recruiter early-on.
If you're really serious about being a pilot, the Marine Corps has a program which guarantees you a spot in flight school. About 1/3 of all Marine Officers come in through this program. As long as you pass all the courses, keep your vision, don't get a DUI, etc, then you are guaranteed a seat in Pensacola. What you do with it from there is up to you.
But if you're determined to wear the blue suit, then don't let anything deter you. Find your path, and follow it to the end.
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SSgt (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) & Maj (Join to see) I would also add, sir, that your airframe will also depend on your performance while at flight school. Only the top percenters get those coveted fighters. You have to be able to maintain during high Gs and have good stamina. Also, be able & willing to resist the airlines coming in to "pick you off" after your initial contract - which is getting bad in the AF for the larger frame pilots (as I'm sure it is w/ the other branches, as well, because if you can handle a fighter, you should darn well be able to handle a big bird, too).
I have a buddy, who is former Marine, going through AF flight school now. It is highly competitive to get a fighter frame, and he says it looks like many of the guys who aren't willing/able to go that extra mile, are going to be slotted into cargo-type frames.
Good luck, brother!!!
I have a buddy, who is former Marine, going through AF flight school now. It is highly competitive to get a fighter frame, and he says it looks like many of the guys who aren't willing/able to go that extra mile, are going to be slotted into cargo-type frames.
Good luck, brother!!!
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Maj (Join to see)
"Fighters" should not automatically be an end-goal, however. I have friends who are not Type-A, rah-rah, gung-ho personalities, and enjoy flying C-17s much more than they would have in some type of tactical jet. Some realize that the G-forces and aerobatics in a T-6 Texan are not what they want to do in life, and are happy to compete for bombers or tankers, etc. Some are only thinking about they day they can get out, and get a guaranteed job with the airlines, and strongly desire any large, wide-bodied, four-engined jet of any kind, because they can build awesome flight hours. Still others want a life of significant danger and adventure, and compete their way to the bottom (helicopters) so that they can go to AFSOC and insert PJs or Combat Controllers--the type of job which doesn't require a war in order to do real-world stuff worldwide. Fighters are considered a pinnacle, and it takes much advanced training and a special personality. But it's NOT cut out for everyone, and shouldn't be seen in any way as a "failure" if you don't make the cut--or don't want to make the cut.
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Suspended Profile
With a name like "Sword" you should be given your first choice of everything. Seriously, that is an awesome name!
Getting a commission is a whole 'nother process. I started off in the Navy, wound up in the Army with my commission to attend Physical Therapy school. If you just want to fly, don't limit yourself to just the USAF, consider the Navy and USMC as well. See who may have the best pathway to your goal. Unless you just like blue airline suits and blue suede boots, then stick with the USAF.
Getting a commission is a whole 'nother process. I started off in the Navy, wound up in the Army with my commission to attend Physical Therapy school. If you just want to fly, don't limit yourself to just the USAF, consider the Navy and USMC as well. See who may have the best pathway to your goal. Unless you just like blue airline suits and blue suede boots, then stick with the USAF.
SGT (Join to see)
My ultimate goal is to retire a O-7, or fail trying. Yes becoming a pilot is my second goal. In my opinion why not do both, although I haven't looked into other services so to speak as far as aviation goes. By any means I'm not trying to find the easiest way to become a Brig. gen, I want the occasional ' off the beaten path' every once in a while. And my last name seems to ring bells to other service members forever getting complimented for it.
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Suspended Profile
While BG Sword has a nice ring to it, I'd never advise anyone to solely chase rank. Chase jumps or deployments but rank is an outcome of lots of factors: job is primary followed by leadership abilities, timing and luck in any order you wish to line them up.
Since nobody wants to see a sword fall on itself, chase a career field that you love and do your best to help others around you reach success. (Blake standard definition of leadership).
Since nobody wants to see a sword fall on itself, chase a career field that you love and do your best to help others around you reach success. (Blake standard definition of leadership).
Suspended Profile
Sgt Steven Thomas - well, that's a given Steven! Who doesn't? I hope you had a good w/e brother!
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I was an AFROTC graduate and a pilot. Yes, it is possible.
If you're free to make such a choice, that is, you're not obligated to the Army because they are paying for your tuition, etc., then you should talk with an Air Force Recruiter.
As you probably know there are several pathways to an Air Force Commission: AFROTC, OTS, and Direct Commission (rare). If the University you attend has an AFROTC program, you should take that route in my opinion. They have a program designed for prior-service people. It's pretty painless. Alternatively, you could complete your degree and apply to OTS. If accepted you'd be sent to Lockland AFB, Texas, for OTS, probably about 12 weeks, and come out a 2d Lt.
Becoming a pilot requires you pass both a flight physical and a qualification test. If you pass, then you can be scheduled for pilot training before you're commissioned. For some the most difficult part is the requirement to have 20/20 eye sight. This is sometimes waived to 20/40. The qualification test is what I would describe as a aptitude test more than an intelligence test. (I'm assuming they still use this type of test and haven't been forced out of it by political correctness.) Your background in aviation maintenance should help with the qualification test.
Pilot training is about a year long. It involves a preliminary flight training phase. This phase is taught in small, single-engine aircraft and intended to eliminate people who lack the most basic capabilities necessary to fly. The next phase is taught using the T-6 Texan II. A turboprop trainer. This phase includes basic flying training, aerobatic maneuvers, cross-country navigation, and formation flying. Coming out of this phase you will follow the tanker-transport track or the fighter-bomber track. If you take (or are sent to) the tanker-transport track you will train in a Cessna Citation twin-jet trainer. On the fighter-bomber track, you'll fly the T-38. If you complete all training successfully, then you're awarded your aeronautical rating as a pilot.
In the last phase of training, you will select an aircraft of assignment, or one will be selected for you based on the Air Force's needs. Tanker-transport track folks are headed for those types of aircraft and the bases where they are located. The Fighter-Bomber graduates are headed for fighter, attack, or bomber aircraft and the bases where they are located. On the way, you'll attend an Advanced Flight Training course for the aircraft to which you're assigned. Advanced Flight Training may take a new weeks or about a year depending on the aircraft and mission. The Fighter Pilots used to go trough a "pre-fighter course" using modified T-38s to learn advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground combat flying before going to their aircraft-specific schools for F-22, F-35, A-10, etc. Not sure that process still happens. After nearly 2 years of training, you'll be qualified in your first "real" Air Force aircraft and report to your first flying squadron. Then the real fun and learning starts!
If you're free to make such a choice, that is, you're not obligated to the Army because they are paying for your tuition, etc., then you should talk with an Air Force Recruiter.
As you probably know there are several pathways to an Air Force Commission: AFROTC, OTS, and Direct Commission (rare). If the University you attend has an AFROTC program, you should take that route in my opinion. They have a program designed for prior-service people. It's pretty painless. Alternatively, you could complete your degree and apply to OTS. If accepted you'd be sent to Lockland AFB, Texas, for OTS, probably about 12 weeks, and come out a 2d Lt.
Becoming a pilot requires you pass both a flight physical and a qualification test. If you pass, then you can be scheduled for pilot training before you're commissioned. For some the most difficult part is the requirement to have 20/20 eye sight. This is sometimes waived to 20/40. The qualification test is what I would describe as a aptitude test more than an intelligence test. (I'm assuming they still use this type of test and haven't been forced out of it by political correctness.) Your background in aviation maintenance should help with the qualification test.
Pilot training is about a year long. It involves a preliminary flight training phase. This phase is taught in small, single-engine aircraft and intended to eliminate people who lack the most basic capabilities necessary to fly. The next phase is taught using the T-6 Texan II. A turboprop trainer. This phase includes basic flying training, aerobatic maneuvers, cross-country navigation, and formation flying. Coming out of this phase you will follow the tanker-transport track or the fighter-bomber track. If you take (or are sent to) the tanker-transport track you will train in a Cessna Citation twin-jet trainer. On the fighter-bomber track, you'll fly the T-38. If you complete all training successfully, then you're awarded your aeronautical rating as a pilot.
In the last phase of training, you will select an aircraft of assignment, or one will be selected for you based on the Air Force's needs. Tanker-transport track folks are headed for those types of aircraft and the bases where they are located. The Fighter-Bomber graduates are headed for fighter, attack, or bomber aircraft and the bases where they are located. On the way, you'll attend an Advanced Flight Training course for the aircraft to which you're assigned. Advanced Flight Training may take a new weeks or about a year depending on the aircraft and mission. The Fighter Pilots used to go trough a "pre-fighter course" using modified T-38s to learn advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground combat flying before going to their aircraft-specific schools for F-22, F-35, A-10, etc. Not sure that process still happens. After nearly 2 years of training, you'll be qualified in your first "real" Air Force aircraft and report to your first flying squadron. Then the real fun and learning starts!
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SGT (Join to see)
I thank you sir for your insight and advice. I'm not picky upon which aircraft I could get. I'd be more than happy to do whatever the Air Force needs. Although I have to still consult with my boss ( my wife ) lol. But I do thank you for your time sir.
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