Selection Chances/Pilot Slot

[Battalion91]

To whose currently serving and those you are pursuing a career in serving the greatest county on earth,

May you please pass your guidance, wisdom and constructive criticism to the information below. I have a true desire to become a pilot or NFO:

My training/experience/education/Pros

- Bachelors of Communications from Arizona State University GPA: 3.2
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Firefighter I & 2
- FEMA (Government FEMA) professional development completion for Emergency Management
- Hazardous Materials First Repsonder
- Volunteer Firefighter

Negatives (1 and only) please pass your guidance on this subject if you feel can have a huge negative impact on my chances of becoming an officer.

- Defacing arrest: final outcome of case was that is was dismissed by the state and no convictions. Never admitted guilt. The case was thrown out.

I have been pursuing a career in the fire service as it has always been a goal of mine to be apart of something bigger than myself but as nothing has panned out I feel that I can achieve such goals by being a proud officer and serve my country.

Very Respectfully,

Battalion 91

 

[Renegade One]

Have you spoken to an Officer Recruiter yet, or at least started to study for the ASTB? Also, how old are you?

Can you give a frank assessment as to why the fire service thing isn't panning out? Seems like a high-demand career field, and not everyone can qualify. Anything unsaid there?

 

[Battalion91]

Thank you for your response, it is greatly appreciated. I am 24 years old. The fire service is very competitive and although I am qualified and more, I have not had the opportunity to get hired yet. Much like the military there are numerous steps in the recruitment process and the farther you go the more competitive it gets. I have been pursuing the fire service for three years now and that is generally the average time it takes an individual to get hired. Sadly, the fire service has also become very political in today's society. I am not giving up on my dream as there are many people who become firefighters even in there late 30's early 40's but I would like to fulfill my goal of serving my country in the mean time or open another door in my life as the firefighter door seems to not be opening.

- I have reached out to both Air Force and Navy Officer Recruitment offices but have only had luck talking with the enlisted side as of now.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Have you spoken to an Officer Recruiter yet, or at least started to study for the ASTB? Also, how old are you?

Can you give a frank assessment as to why the fire service thing isn't panning out? Seems like a high-demand career field, and not everyone can qualify. Anything unsaid there?

the last news report where I live said the FD at the major city near me gets about 1000 applicants for every spot available, it is some awful selection rate, there was another story how a town near me is all volunteer and has tons of firefighters as they all want to get experience to give them an advantage over the other candidates.

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

To whose currently serving and those you are pursuing a career in serving the greatest county on earth,

May you please pass your guidance, wisdom and constructive criticism to the information below. I have a true desire to become a pilot or NFO:

My training/experience/education/Pros

- Bachelors of Communications from Arizona State University GPA: 3.2
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Firefighter I & 2
- FEMA (Government FEMA) professional development completion for Emergency Management
- Hazardous Materials First Repsonder
- Volunteer Firefighter

Negatives (1 and only) please pass your guidance on this subject if you feel can have a huge negative impact on my chances of becoming an officer.

- Defacing arrest: final outcome of case was that is was dismissed by the state and no convictions. Never admitted guilt. The case was thrown out.

I have been pursuing a career in the fire service as it has always been a goal of mine to be apart of something bigger than myself but as nothing has panned out I feel that I can achieve such goals by being a proud officer and serve my country.

Very Respectfully,

Battalion 91

Have you searched the forms? Also get in touch with a officer recruiter to know more.

 

[Battalion91]

Thanks of the insight. From all the research I have conducted on my own, I constantly see both the Navy and Air Force are extremely short on pilots. Is that indeed true?

 

[Hopeful Hoya]

Navy selection rates for Pilots have been high lately (70%+) but that can change and you have no control over that. Best thing you can do it put together the strongest kit you can (ASTB scores, LORs, Motivational Statement, etc.) and go from there.

I don't have much knowledge of the AF side, but I know it's much harder to be competitive without prior flight time vice the Navy/Marines.

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

Thanks of the insight. From all the research I have conducted on my own, I constantly see both the Navy and Air Force are extremely short on pilots. Is that indeed true?

Talk with a recruiter. You've been giving insight here with your questions.

 

[Austin-Powers]

Navy selection rates for Pilots have been high lately (70%+) but that can change and you have no control over that. Best thing you can do it put together the strongest kit you can (ASTB scores, LORs, Motivational Statement, etc.) and go from there.

I don't have much knowledge of the AF side, but I know it's much harder to be competitive without prior flight time vice the Navy/Marines.

To latch on what Hoya said, there was an AF OTS Applicant who applied for pilot but was later redesignated as an AF Nav, just because he didn't have any prior flight time, I would say to get the best grades, best ASTB-E (New test) scores, and work on a motivational statement, that for me is the hardest, good luck! @Battalion91

 

[Flash]

Can you give a frank assessment as to why the fire service thing isn't panning out? Seems like a high-demand career field, and not everyone can qualify. Anything unsaid there?

the last news report where I live said the FD at the major city near me gets about 1000 applicants for every spot available, it is some awful selection rate, there was another story how a town near me is all volunteer and has tons of firefighters as they all want to get experience to give them an advantage over the other candidates.

A contract firefighter at an overseas base I was at left to go to the Chicago FD academy, he had been selected in 2006 and it wasn't until 2013 that a slot had finally opened up. For many of the big cities, especially NYC, Chicago and others of that size it is very competitive to become a firefighter.

 

[KORhc]

From my understanding, being accepted into the Air Force OTS as a civilian especially in becoming a pilot is almost impossible. I know because I have tried, the rated boards meet only twice a year, and you can only hope and pray that they have any pilot slots open (usually they don't), most slots get taken up by the ROTC and the Academy boys, the rest gets dumped into OTS. In the rare instance that there are any openings, then you will be competing with all other applicants in the nation for those few slots. I would say that it is much more realistic for you to set your focus in getting accepted into Navy OCS as a SNA while the acceptance rate is high, so study your ass off for the ASTB and kick ass.

 

[Battalion91]

Thanks for all the insight, it means alot to me. Do you happen to know if an arrest that led to no conviction, which was dismissed by the state bar someone from becoming an officer. Does anyone know of individuals who are in now with a criminal history of there own?

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

Thanks for all the insight, it means alot to me. Do you happen to know if an arrest that led to no conviction, which was dismissed by the state bar someone from becoming an officer. Does anyone know of individuals who are in now with a criminal history of there own?

What part of "talk to a recruiter" did you not understand?

 

[Battalion91]

What part of "talk to a recruiter" did you not understand?

That answer could be said for everything on this website. I think members including myself are looking for more of a personal side of things/issues/topics. The "go see a recruiter" doesn't do much for its members. Although that is the way to get the most accurate iformation, members of this site are looking for something different.

 

[Hopeful Hoya]

That answer could be said for everything on this website. I think members including myself are looking for more of a personal side of things/issues/topics. The "go see a recruiter" doesn't do much for its members. Although that is the way to get the most accurate iformation, members of this site are looking for something different.

Sure, there are definitely times when your recruiter won't know the answers to your questions, but for very basic stuff, like how does GPA and past arrest history affect your chances, then your recruiter should be the first line of defense. If they do not know, and if you do some searching and ask original, pointed questions, then people here will be more than willing to help you.