Expert: Rod Powers - 9/11/2009

Question
Hello,

I really just want your advice in regards to my current situation in life. I'm turning 21 in late October and currently working to support my son of 1 year old and wife. My job is a very well paying job so the reason for me joining the air force has nothing to do with the money because I'd actually be taking a pay cut in joining the air force. This is beside the point but just wanted to give you a basic overview of my situation. I graduated from a specialized high school in New York City called Bronx High School of science. All my life I was always in the top programs for academics and found school pretty. But with always going to school and having all this pressure to do well, I basically got tired of going to school all the time. I didn't go directly to college after high school and was in the .02% of the high school that didn't end up going to college right after completion of graduation. I started working and working my way up the company latter and eventually becoming a supervisor. Bottom-line is now that I'm two years removed from school I really miss going and regret not going to college right away. I’ve always wanted to do something wonderful in life and becoming an air force pilot would be my ultimate dream. I’ve already seen a recruiter and took a practice ASVAB test and did really well as per the recruiter. He said the wait is now on me and whenever I’m ready he’ll set me up for the test and physical; I just need to take a day off of work to do so. Due to me being such a young father, do you honestly feel it’d be possible for me to become a pilot (since I must get a 4 year degree)? If so how do you think would be the best possible way to do so? I ask this because I’ve researched on this and have read that going to school while also working for the air force is not the easiest thing to do. But this alone wouldn’t stop me from my ultimate goal and I hope with my perseverance and dedication I would be able to accomplish what I set out to do. I am so motivated to do this I just need some guidance because my real father used to be an air force mechanic but that’s all I know about him so as you can see he wouldn’t be too much help to ask since I don’t even know where he is. As stated before, I would just appreciate any advice or information you think may assist me. Thank You in advance.  

Answer
Hi Dennis,

When it comes down to it, everyone has to make these types of decision on their own.

When you have a full-time job (whether it's active duty in the military, or a civilian job), you can't go to college full-time. In other words, it will take longer to get a degree, than if you were someone going to college full-time.

If you were to go to college, after joining Air Force active duty, you would probably be taking (at most) 1, 2, or 3 college courses at a time. At that rate, it would take you 5 to 7 years to get your bachelor's degree, and be elible to apply to AFOTS (Air Force Officer Training School).

Plus, becoming an Air Force pilot is very competitive. You would need a very high college GPA, and you would have to score very high on the pilot/nav portions of the AFOQT (Air Force Officer Qualifying Test). Of course, you would also have to meet age, vision and medical qualifications to become an Air Force pilot. (See: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/pilotage.htm and http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/genjoin/a/pilotvision.htm).

Plus, around 70 percent of enlisted members slected for AFOTS, under the pilot program also have worked to gain a private pilot's license, prior to applying.

In short, it's doable, but not very easy.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com