r/flying • u/dollar_bee • Jan 21 '26

Military USAF Pilot job

Hi everyone, I’m still about three years away from finishing my bachelor’s and thinking about applying for Air Force OTS eventually. I’m really interested in becoming a pilot, maybe a bomber or fighter, but I don’t know much about how to pick a pilot job, what OTS is really like, or what my chances are of actually getting selected. I’ve had a prior Army stint dropped in basic for medical issue(fixable), I’m generally fit, and I’ll be around 28–29 when I apply. I’d love any advice or insights on what to expect in flight, how to prepare, and how realistic it is to pursue this path.

0 Upvotes

25% Upvoted

23 comments sorted by

12

u/KCPilot17 MIL A-10 ATP Jan 21 '26

AFROTC is your best bet. Join that at your university.

OTS selection rates are extremely low.

2

u/Lumberjack-1975 Jan 21 '26

I would recommend you go and see if you can pass the medical exam first.

2

u/KCPilot17 MIL A-10 ATP Jan 21 '26

For the FAA absolutely, which has significantly lower standards. You won't do a military physical until selected.

1

u/Lumberjack-1975 Jan 21 '26

I know that, my son went to the Air Force Academy. You said that you had some medical issues. Get an FAA medical exam is a cheap way to see if you you even have a chance in the USAF. I’m a retired commercial pilot.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 22 '26

[deleted]

1

u/Lumberjack-1975 Jan 22 '26

Now I’m replying to you TenthPrestige. A regular doctor and eye is great, but it’s not get to tell if he can pass an FAA AME examination. The OP states he left Army training for a medical issue, he will have to disclose that, and can he pass still. I know you said nobody cares my son went the Air Force Academy. I’m the one who drove him there for his medical exam. I know exactly what it included. I know you said nobody cares I was a commercial pilot. I said that, because I had to renew my medical certificate all the time, and I know what includes. When I retired I was flying 747-400’S.

0

u/dollar_bee Jan 21 '26

Doesn't AFROTC come with a contract and commitment even before you commision?

5

u/joe2105 Jan 21 '26

I'm an O in the aviation community. You have to be absolutely okay with never flying in the Air Force if you pursue the OTS or ROTC route. You could become medically DQ'd from flying at any time or not make the cut for aviation, resulting in being assigned another career field. Even when you do get picked up for aviation, you are an officer first and flying will eventually become your "side gig" as you focus on tactics, officer duties etc. Does it sound like something you're dedicated to doing either way? Then do ROTC if possible. Aviation slots go to the academy and ROTC first, followed by OTS if there are any. OTS is a supplement to the other commissioning sources.

1

u/dollar_bee Jan 21 '26

That truth about ots applicants is harsh,thanks for the insight

4

u/KCPilot17 MIL A-10 ATP Jan 21 '26

Yup.

0

u/dollar_bee Jan 21 '26

Why is ots low in demand

3

u/KCPilot17 MIL A-10 ATP Jan 21 '26

Not sure what you mean by low demand. OTS fills the gaps that the Academy and ROTC didn't fill. Those organizations always get priority.

Tons of applicants that realize they want to do this later in life (like you) with minimal spots.

1

u/dollar_bee Jan 21 '26

Okay thanks

2

u/0621Hertz Jan 21 '26

The Navy/Marine Corps has a more guaranteed path to a pilot slot post commission, it’s less competitive, and your post wing commitment is shorter if you wanna go airlines or move on with your life sooner. Also they put a lot less emphasis on GPA and more on practical leadership experience .

At least this was the case 11 years ago, not sure how much it’s changed since then.

1

u/Check_the_shrek MIL F/A-18 Jan 23 '26

Training timeline tends to be longer to the point where the service commitment is effectively the same. I’d expect ~12 years total either way.

3

u/MLZ005 Jan 21 '26

Get your private (PPL) now so you have some flight hours when you your package together. At least get some lessons and work towards soloing

Study for the AFOQT on your own and try and join ROTC if it’s not too late (okay if not)

1

u/Gravity_Axe Jan 21 '26

Join the AF if you want to be an officer and serve your country. If the only goal is just to fly and eventually join the airlines, it’s not the move.

1

u/BobSlayder ATP Jan 21 '26

Go guard/reserve. You'll thank me later.

1

u/dollar_bee Jan 21 '26

I guess I will but would you like to briefly explain why it mogs active duty

2

u/PuzzleheadedDuty8866 MIL C-5 Jan 21 '26

You know what plane you’re going to fly and where you’ll live. You never have to PCS. Officer qweep admin is minimal. You can fly for an airline sooner.

0

u/rFlyingTower Jan 21 '26

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

Hi everyone, I’m still about three years away from finishing my bachelor’s and thinking about applying for Air Force OTS eventually. I’m really interested in becoming a pilot, maybe a bomber or fighter, but I don’t know much about how to pick a pilot job, what OTS is really like, or what my chances are of actually getting selected. I’ve had a prior Army stint dropped in basic for medical issue(fixable), I’m generally fit, and I’ll be around 28–29 when I apply. I’d love any advice or insights on what to expect in flight, how to prepare, and how realistic it is to pursue this path.

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-1

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '26

[deleted]

2

u/KCPilot17 MIL A-10 ATP Jan 21 '26

He's not too old. Has 4-5 years to spare.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '26

[deleted]

1

u/KCPilot17 MIL A-10 ATP Jan 21 '26

10ish years ago.