Want to be an Air Force Pilot? This is How You Do It
Vložit
- čas přidán 16. 05. 2024
- Hopefully this video helps everyone out there who is interested in becoming at Air Force pilot! It is definitely a career that requires hard work and dedication, but if you have what it takes, you'll be in for 'quite literally' the ride of a lifetime.
► Interested In The Air Force Academy? www.academyblueprint.com/
► 🤖 Join the Discord! - / discord
► ✈️ Sign up for the Flyby Newsletter - www.flyby.news/
Follow Me! ►
INSTAGRAM: / sameckholm
TWITTER: / sameckholm
TIKTOK: / sameckholm
AFOQT Online Prep: tinyurl.com/AFOQT1
TBAS Online Prep: tinyurl.com/TBAS1
Shoutout to @John Cavassa for the T-6/T-38 vids! / johncavassa
For more information on the Air Force and how to join, visit www.airforce.com.
CZcams Video Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:05 Requirements
3:07 Medical/Physical
4:18 Become an Officer
7:12 AFOQT/TBAS
8:15 Pilot Training
12:23 Guard/Reserves
13:09 Special Guest
14:20 Conclusion
Adheres to AFI 1-1, USAF Social Media Policy
Views expressed in this video are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Air Force or Department of Defense.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Email: ✉️
contact@sameckholm.com - Jak na to + styl
I'm so excited to announce the Air Force Academy Blueprint! My online course where I cover everything you need to do to prepare, apply, and survive the Air Force Academy- the best place you can go to become an Air Force pilot. You'll have access to over 60+ video lessons, downloadable resources and checklists, access to a private community of other applicants, and so much more. Sign up here: www.academyblueprint.com/
I have to be a US Citizen ?
Unfortunately I’m 27.. was super bummed when I found that out.
how do i be a part of the USAF MC and jet to fly fighter jets?
yeah but to join the academy ur SAT score gotta be insane and have like a 4.5 gpa lol
Is this possible for someone who's already graduated high school in 2020? How can I get accepted into the academy. In colorblind but I am very dedicated of becoming a pilot.
When he said you don't have to be good at math, my soul left my body in happiness.
Same I rolled out of bed with relief
You need it to get there tho, wich is sad.
@@darkcap2326 dammmm
euphoric
As a person who's just waiting for the day I'm eligible to maybe enlist, I gotta agree.
U forgot to mention the other method of sneaking into the Air Force base in Grand theft auto 5 and stealing the f16
Fair point. Cargobob is my fav
The titan is pretty cool too
@@joshamico580 a pain to get out of the base in time before being shot down by tank
andy 666 you can get one from lsia
@@joshamico580 oh yeah It always spawns in the hangar
I will come back to this video in 5 years when I become a Pilot. I will be enlisting in the Air force on Thursday after completing my ASVAB and Physical. I cannot thank you enough sir for this extremely valuable video. The recruiter didn't explain the process as simple as in this video on how to become a Pilot. Now, I understand exactly what I must do. I will get a Refueler Maintenance job, while actively pursing a bachelors in Mechanical Engineering fully online at SNHU, and go on to enroll in Officer training school after I complete my 4 years active duty and bachelors. I will be a pilot someday in the near future. Wish me luck.
1/30/2023 Edit: I passed the ASVAB with a 92 and passed Physical
Next week I will sign on for 5th Gen fighter maintenance
11/21/2023 Edit: Have passed BMT, Passed Tech School, Got to First Duty Location for some months. Still pursuing.
Doing Crew Chief things learning more and more about how these jets work. It's all working out so far.
2/25/2024 Edit: Everything is still on track. Going to become an officer in 2.5 - 3 years. Still on the trajectory to commission, going back to college soon and trying to stand out as a crew chief as well as do volunteering and make myself pronounced so when I submit my OTS package I stand out versus the thousands of other applicants who are trying to get pilot spots through OTS. I'm competing with people who have masters and doctorette degrees, far more years of experience, more rank than me, more volunteering hours, more deployments/tdy's, more things they can put on their resume.... so it will be tough, however that won't stop me from trying.
There's something called the CCAF, which takes most people a while to get, however I will get it far earlier than others by using CLEPS and continue my education even after my bachelors. 2. The 5 level thing, I will have gotten far earlier than others, proving I know my job and I know my job well and can do all those tasks. 3. Leadership has noticed my will and determination everyday, how I show up an hour early everyday, leave an hour later, work hard everyday and am willing to do whatever I am tasked with, am willing to work whenever, whatever shift they put me on, and on top of all of that I never complain, I just put in the work and learn everyday so I can become a better leader and also go on to help others. I will also do everything in my power to get BTZ, below the zone, allowing me to rank up 6 months earlier from an A1C to an E-4 aka SrA which also looks very good on the resume and package needed for OTS.
The air force provides something called AF COOL which I'm going to use to get some flying hours in probably a small Cessna that contributes to my private pilot's license. Also going to try and get certs to make my resume look nicer. There's something called an A & P license from the FAA which I will get later on but that's like 2 years from now. So, I'll literally have a license to fix a plane but also another license to fly said plane.
To go back to college you need something called a 5 level and there's a bunch of mechanic tasks you need to complete to start school again. I'm 90% done should be fully complete in march allowing me to go back to school. The cool thing about applying to become a pilot through officer training school is you technically don't even need your degree yet, you can submit your paperwork if you are 1 year away from getting a bachelors degree you just need some special paperwork. This will allow me to try two times to submit an OTS package or more if I intend on extending thus giving me more chances at a spot and bettering my odds despite how slim they are.
Also, the whole process is very political at least if you're like me and become enlisted before becoming an officer. Basically, you need to stand out and create good relationships between the leadership and superiors wherever you work because they will have to sign your papers and guess what, if they don't like you they won't sign your papers to even get a chance at OTS to even get a chance at trying to become a pilot.
That's pretty much it. Trying to eat healthy and go gym everyday so I am more than capable and physical fit later on down the road especially for the required class 3 flight physical. Will start studying for the AFOQT and TBAS tests as well. Will post another update later.
Getting a aircrew job like that is very very rare, most likely they aren’t going to have aircrew at all for you to choose. I would suggest either 2A333 or 2A337 both of which are aircraft mechanic jobs if you qualify for them.
@@aceinitiative4684 What you said is 100% true. I passed the ASVAB three days ago with a 92 and passed the physical the next day. I have no history of asthma, my eyes are pretty good around I think they said 20/40. I guess I would need Lasik? I don't need glasses or contacts and can read and see really far or close don't have any problems whatsoever. I am 6'2" as well so I hope I'm not too tall. (The guy mentioned the height problem is a myth and most people are around 6 foot anyway right? I'm not 6'6" so I guess I should be fine right?.)
I was given a list of jobs to choose from and chose 17 in numbered order of which I favorited more. Tactical Fighter maintenance (5th gen) was #1, Tactical fighter maintenance (Jets older than 5th gen) was #2, UAV maintenance #3 and then I applied for whatever other avionics maintenance/etc maintenance/hydraulics around aircraft I could select including helicopters and such. (Pararescue sounds like fun too but not as cool as a pilot) I also liked the Blackhawk gunner/rescue position.
The recruiter told me the jobs weren't available right away but put me on a wait list and said things could change this Monday as then I could accept one of the 17 job listings and go to BMT the following week.
I was just wondering if working on jets counted as work experience for your resume. If things don't work out becoming a pilot, I figured I always would have my degree (Mechanical Engineering) to fall back on and hopefully get hired by Boeing or Lockhead Martin asap if I wasn't in the military because of the experience from maintenance.
Explosive ordinance disposal was my last choice if none of the maintenance jobs were available.
Do you have any advice for once I'm in and sent off to BMT or my job training? I'm trying to absorb all the information I can like a sponge. And sorry for the long reply/rant.
It makes sense I should also do maintenance to get to know exactly every component on the jet and how it works so when I become a pilot I am familiar with actually what is what. Just like a racecar driver should know every thing about the racecar he's the driver of. It's what separates the good drivers from the best drivers because the best drivers can fine tune everything given that they know more about their vehicle. Right?
I will do the exact same🙏 Hopefully all goes to plan and i will finally fly a jet and show all those "War thunder is free" mfs what's real. Just gotta finish 2 more years of highschool 😒
Congrats!
You can do it king!
I’m actually here because I’m writing a book and a minor character is a retired Air Force pilot. So I needed to dig into the basics of the requirements for the Air Force and this video was so damn helpful! Thank you so much!
Yes what’s the book ?
That's cool
RIP
What's da book
What’s the book? I’d love to read it!
Me sitting on the couch: "Yeah, I could do this"
@Jose skool II I was going join the Air Force so I didn’t have to have a collage degree *crying softly
You can though
@@Ghosty249 😂😂
@@Ghosty249 me too i am homeschooled I'm in high school and I don't plan on going to college
Put down the bong…😂
I've been in the USAF 19 years total with 16 of them as a flyer. I'm somewhere north of 2000 hours now and it's been an absolute blast. *Edit* To clarify, I have been an aviator all 19 years. 16 years are operational and 3 were spent in training. It’s a long road, but worth it.
what do you fly? f-15 from the picture?
Jeremiah Lee started life as an F-15E WSO, but transitioned to RPA.
@@snuff4207 like a predator? that's so cool. I fly the f15 in DCS lol
Jeremiah Lee Predator and Reaper.
Jeremiah Lee DCS is pretty cool. It’s better than some of our early gen flight sims.
I enrolled in AFROTC in 1971 with the intentions of becoming a pilot. I enrolled my second semester of college and had a 4.0 GPA majoring in Aeronautical Engineering. The command staff of our ROTC nominated me for the (then) USAF scholarship that would pay my college tuition, books, fees, and $150/month stipend. To receive the scholarship I had to pass the medical physical. I took the physical and was told I was rejected for "excessive refractive error". (Color blind). The AF Major took me over to the US Army command because they had the same program for the Army. The Lt Col. in charge looked at my medical records and contacted the Army medical people. After a discussion with them, he turned to me and said I would not even pass a draft physical. I am still disheartened by that after all these years.
man you lived my nightmare, i hope your doing well and know it wasnt your fault
Hey, I to am color blind and was wondering if there is any possible waiver that would dismiss failing that test, like color blind glasses?
@@bumdum2113 al though you arent able to wear the color glasses its likely you would get a waiver if coming from usafa, usafa has no color vision requirements so all you gotta do is keep your grades up and hope for the best, believe me its possible
@bumdum2113 not for your flight physical, so I'm sorry but you probably won't be able to fly for the Air Force. For your dodmerb (required to contract) you can definitely get a waiver and pursue a different career path. There are plenty that allow you to be in planes and work on planes without normal color vision
Thank you a lot. You don’t realize how much this helped. I have to wright notes for a sequence of events essay. Usually I have to watch multiple videos, but I think I got all the info I need here.
I was so happy when he said "you dont have to know math"!
Lol 🤣🤣🤣
Facts
Same
Wow im glad that i saw this before the vid
Lol when you have to calculate coordinates and launch missiles you need to do math on the go
This scared me, but then I remembered the Air Force is in dire need of more pilots
For real?
@@ultrajongaming3499 yup, they’ve been missing their training goal for years now
@@pointingsoyjak4271 those days are over unfortunately, because of covid.
And plus the shortage of pilots is not because of shortage of incoming pilots. It's because the elders are leaving to airlines
@@Andromedon777 they’re even asking retired airmen to come back. that’s desperation if i’ve seen it.
Dude thanks so much for making this video, I'm enlisting into the Air National Guard in a few weeks and plan on going the College ROTC route after basic training. After watching this video I'm fairly confident in my abilities and now determined more than ever to get those wings. I really appreciate this a lot man, especially since I just graduated from High School yesterday and needed a set goal to work towards.
cool man what planes do u wanna fly?
That is awesome. Wishing you the best on your journey!
this video is made to perfection. Not only is the cinematography really well placed but it is also very well in tune with the information provided. Thank you very much Sam for this video I'm alot more confident and understanding with the steps, process and requirements to become a U.S Air Force Pilot.
Imagine going through all that just to be told you are going to be a drone pilot. I would be pissed.
I would take it
And then do a barrel roll from reflex and rip the drone's wings off and get fired hahaha
@@telecomanda haha
That doesn’t happen anymore, separate tracks.
Jordan Zamora good to know.
My mti once said, “ we’ll damn, you can major in underwater basket weaving and still become a pilot!”
Lol it’s always basket weaving that’s used as an example
Yep. The snobbery of academia.
So if you guys were to become Air Force pilots... what would you want to fly? 😏
Is that just a Dave Ramsey thing or is it older than him?
@@michaelbateman8469 Try "rigour" of academia. They are not gonna waste a seat for thousands of hours of complex training in both theory and practise. Unless they know you can pull through.
This is by far the most helpful, in-depth, and clearly explained resource I’ve ever found on how to become an Air Force pilot! Thank you!! :) and I’m so glad it doesn’t matter what subject your degree is in, that way I can study my other passion, animal behavior, and become a zookeeper while being a pilot in the Air National Guard
I was in the Air Force Reserve with great job reviews. I had a BS degree in Aeronautics 121 ASVAB a pilots license AND an Airframe Power Plant license and was a liaison engineer on the C-17 as a civilian. I tried to apply but I soon found out that those pilot slots are reserved for friends of the commander, government officials kids and other "insiders" .
make more money as a civilian, and live where you want
I dreamed about being an Air Force pilot in the early 80’s. All I ever thought about was fighter jets, and how I would get there. I didn’t have any real resources back then other than a school councilor who basically told me to get really good grades, play in sports, be well rounded and then get an engineering degree. I started to see my dream slip away because I wasn’t that good at school, nor as an athlete in my small hick town. A recruiter would come out our way once or twice a year, and didn’t have time to tell me all that I needed to know. By the time I barely passed high school all the damage has been done. I ended up being a grunt in the USMC, became pretty physically fit, but hatted everyday as I seen harriers and F-18 hornets fly by. Not saying the Marines in general is bad, it wasn’t what I wanted at all.
I wish I had the resources that you all have now...you have a clear path how to get there.. take advantage of it, otherwise you’ll be like me ... watching people do what I would of died for on CZcams.
I did get my private pilot license , turn out I’m a good pilot, not Air Force good though.
Damnnn
Damn dude
Dude, that was like a movie reading this glad you still got to be a pilot though.
Maybe lucky though. Don't get shot down by some stupid drone .
But it is pretty discriminating. Who needs good grades to be good at flying. Shows that the recruitment system is headed by some idiots. A bit sad considering it's the 21st century, and the USA being already more practice oriented than most other countries
I dont doubt that you would have been Air Force good if you had joined as a younger you. Age plays a huge effect on your skills and abilities. Kudos to you for getting your pilots license and at least living some part of your dream. The power of positive thinking can help you get anwhere.
Part of me wishes I’d gone down the military track! Awesome video 👍🏻
That would have been sweet :)
You still got to fly in the back seat of the Thunderbirds F-16 which is an awesome accomplishment as a civilian!
You still can!
@@3dm1n49 The age limit to join the air force as a pilot is 33 i believe. Even after that age, you can get an age waiver.
I am!😃
Thank you for telling me what I needed. I will use what you have told me to follow in your footsteps 😄
Many of my family members have served in the military, with my great grandpa serving in the army during WWII, and my grandpa serving in the air force working on the radios of the aircraft during I believe vietnam, and my uncle tried, but didn't go through after being told he could only work on piloting helicopters, and my dad tried to go into the military, but got rejected due to him having a wall in his heart. For the past few years I have been wanting to go into the air force and fly, but haven't known where to start. Thankfully this video helped me, and I may follow the advice and go to college to go into the airforce. Originally I wanted to fly the F-35, but the past couple of years I've been thinking about the F-16, F-15, or F-22. In all, thank you for the video, and I will follow the advice
Shortcut: You can fly in formation with fighter jets, all you need to do is squawk 7500 in your civilian plane.
😂😂😂😂😂
Funniest comment I’ve ever seen 😂
Lol
LOLLLLL
7500 in an SFRA, party time!
Finally a good video that actually tells you how to be a fighter pilot unlike some other people just talk about their lives story
I always heard people say it was impossible to become a pilot
@@prod.kidmizu kinda is bro u have to work 24/7 to fly a 16/22 or a 35
I mean, this guy never specified "fighter pilot" though. He said Air Force pilot and there's plenty of variants.
Also, only the best of the best are the ones who get to select first what platform they want to fly so no matter how bad you want to fly F35s, if there was only two spots opened at your class and the students that were before you, took them and all there is left is a tanker or whatever, that's what you're getting.
Or infographics, saying you can never become one.
@@kelvin5005 that's not accurate at all. You have to be a wicked good throttle jock to get selected for those platforms and fit in with the fighter culture under whatever command you're with. Some people consider those aviators 'golden boys." Big picture, if you dont have natural inclinations it is a fight and you'll have to invest extra hours, but to consider you live and breath sims and flying is just hogwash...
Also, there are other factors to consider such as available billets for assignment, promotion windows, etc. They're not going to slot an officer who is up to separate/promote into a 35 slot after a tour with 16s if there is any indication they decided to separate. Training, flight hours, etc are all way too expensive to invest on someone wishy-washy
Great video! Not only informative, but the quality and editing is top notch! Thank you!
I'm in the civil air patrol, and just two weeks before I joined someone from my squadron went to Europe to train on the A-10.
With CAP it looks good for colage, you can transfer into the military at a higher pay grade, and also get flight experience and drill experience.
Never would I have imagined as a 22 y.o. when I was in UPT flying the T-38 - still one of my favorite aircraft - that the Talon would still be doing that same job 50 years later.
Yep, 50 years ago today I was marveling that I was allowed to fly that beauty solo. I had the F-105 Thunderchief on my dream sheet to get as my first assignment. Vietnam was in high gear and I was "pipeline SEA". Probably less than 1 in 1,000 people reading this has ever seen or heard that term. The ones who are familiar with it obviously lived through it. Welcome home. Honor and R.I.P to those who gave their all and returned under a flag.
To those who wonder whether they can earn military pilot wings, I will say what I have told many students at Embry-Riddle -- "If you can visualize it, you can achieve it."
Love the Thud! Check out 100 Missions North by Brig. Gen. Ken Bell. Awesome.
@@deano6912 Hello, Deano. Sadly, there were no Thuds available to my 71-05 class at Craig, so I chose an F-100 Super Sabre as my first assignment. Five years later I elected to switch from active duty to the Guard to fly the F-105 and pursue an airline career. I had six great years in that awesome bird until the F-4 Phantom was assigned to my unit and I flew my beloved Thunderchief to Tucson to be mothballed. Eight years passed flying the double-ugly and, just like that, 21 years and several thousand hours in the air had flown by.
I think it is safe to say that most of the pilots who were fortunate enough to have spent a part of their lives as a Thud driver still hold a special place in their hearts for that awe-inspiring beast. Thuds forever!
@@daveriley6310 Dave you should did fly some classic equipment. I love all the early jet fighters- sabre, thud, Grumman panther. The F4 was definitely my favourite. Thanks for your reply very interesting. Best wishes from Australia.
The 105??? You sir are a very rare stick jockey indeed!! Only place I've ever seen that bird was at the Nebraska Museum of Air and Space
F/A-18F backseater here - separated in 2018. Crazy to think the T-38 platform is still being used not only as the Air Force's primary trainer for fighters but that it's still used by NASA for their Astronaut candidates and by the Navy for some of their red v blue ops... I trained in the T-45 myself as it replaced the T-2 Buckeye not too long prior to my entry into advanced. Wonder how long it'll be around considering the constant tweaks they receive
Let me tell you, this was the most helpful, well-scripted, and well-produced video I have viewed on this topic. Thank you so much for putting this information on CZcams in such a clear and concise way. Thank you!
💙💙💙🔱💛💛💛
Yes! He is so helpful!
This was probably the most helpful video I found on this topic. Thank you for this.
Thanks CZcams that recommended me your channel. Right now I’m subscribing your channel. Thank you so much Sam! 🙏🏻
So if you guys were to become Air Force pilots... what would you want to fly? 😏
F-22 Raptor!! 😍😍
Sam Eckholm B-1, C-5, F-15, or F-22!
F-22 Raptor or F-35 Lighting
B-1 or F-15, if those are still in service
Kien Le Great choice haha
I wish I could be a fighter pilot. Used to be my dream job as a kid. I love military aviation and going to airshows every year. Unfortunately as I get older, I realize I may not have what it takes to be one. Its more than I thought.
Work hard and you can.
How old are you?
Don't say that man! Like the first guy said, it all comes with the will to push through, and I'm sure you can do it. I'm in phase 3 of pilot training right now (I actually have my first ride in the T-38 on Monday)! I'd be happy to answer any questions! At what point in life are you? High school? College? etc.
@@patriot524 turned 28 in October, no degree. If I joined and went to school as soon as it was available would i still have a shot at becoming a pilot? I know where there's a will there's a way, but I've let a lot of good years get away from me
@@ShutterContinent It looks like it could still definitely be in the cards if you seriously get on it quick and put in all the hard work it's gonna take! I would certainly talk to a recruiter ASAP to get the ball rolling because it looks like you have to have all qualifications completed prior to reaching 33 years of age. And that being considered, if I did my math correctly, you would have exactly the amount of time you needed if you started next academic year. Everything else you'd be able to take care of concurrently with your degree.
USAFA is no longer an option, unfortunately. I would highly recommend finding a school with a ROTC program. You would apply to the ROTC detachment as well as the university. I highly recommend this because they will keep you on track with everything you need to do concurrently with college to reach your goal.
I would not do OTS because that would load everything *_after_* college rather than concurrently when you already have very little wiggle room. Furthermore, your chances of getting a pilot slot out of ROTC are higher than it is out of OTS. Roughly half of the yearly 1,000-1,200 pilot slots are given to the USAFA graduating class of about 1,000 every year (effectively everyone at the Academy that wants to become a pilot gets a slot), and the rest are dispersed to ROTC programs across the country, with a handful given to OTS. Pilot slots as a result end up being highly competitive in ROTC (whereas USAFA graduates already did most of their competing for a slot by getting into the Academy and surviving their 4 years there) and even more so out of OTS, from what I understand. They will rack and stack you based upon college GPA, fitness test performance, military/commander's ranking, field training performance, and AFOQT and TBAS scores.
This isn't to scare you, but rather to motivate you to get the ball rolling and work your ass off to be sure you get that slot!
Thank you so much for increasing my hope!
Here's a helpful tidbit: the AF will use your AFOQT+TBAS+any flight hours that you may have to come up with a "Composite" pilot qualification score. There is a scale that will rate you from 0-100 in this composite score. Typically nowadays people that get pilot slots are in the 90+ range of this score if not close to perfect depending on how you commission into the AF. You can only take the TBAS twice at an AF base that offers it. Before you take it, you should probably do some flight hours and ground school if you can afford it. There is a lot of questions with regards to "heading", as an example, taken from the 3rd person point of view as you look at a map on the TBAS. If you want to do well on it, you absolutely need to be comfortable figuring out these basics because you are graded not only on whether the answers are right but also how fast you answer. If you can't afford classes, at least read as much as you can and watch youtube on basics of flight training to familiarize yourself with terms such as AoA (Angle of Attack), Attitute, Heading, etc. Lots of resources out there.
When he said I gotta go to college to be a pilot I wanted to cry
Same lol I always wanted to be a pilot 😅
My plan is to go to the army to fly helicopters(hs diploma is all you need), and then use the GI bill to pay for college. After that I'd want to fly in the airforce.
Not sure how realistic the plan is, but it makes sense to me. Maybe you could do the same thing
@@SanAntonioNewHomesForSale you can be a pilot with no education at all. You’re just not flying airliners or fighter jet
Kinda crazy that an art major can be a pilot but an actual pilot can’t because he doesn’t have a “higher education “.
It's all about timing. I was in ROTC, scored well on all the tests, passed the physical....up to the eye test. My vision was around 20/25. That was it. Couldn't be a pilot. If I was 30 years younger my vision would have been OK. I ended up doing everything on the civilian side of things. Eventually flew 747s all over the world. If you want it enough you'll make it happen.
my vision is good with glassses
You know that PRK is not a disqualifier right? Only LASIK is.
How old were you?
@@jeankashikov7830 that’s not true, had a guy in my squadron get lasik before flight physical and he was fine
@@JohnDoe-zw3xs I was 18 or 19 but this was back in the early 70's. Vietnam was winding down, pilot slots were low. 20/20 vision was required and lasik was untested. Last I heard the Air force was taking candidates with 20/70 vision as long as it's correctable to 20/20.
I wish i heard this information when i was younger - in middle school i was told both by teachers, recruiters, and school advisers that my vision was too nearsighted to be ever able to fly for the military… i gave up from that moment on… im now 42 and although military flight may be off the table- i am seriously considering attending Liberty University’s Aviation major- my hope is that this amazing video will reach those who have this af pilot dream… All the Best and Thank You To Cpt. Eckholm for Your Service, Selflessness and Sorties and Sound Advice… Fly - Fight - Win
So much for aiming high and being the best and brightest!
Correction: You are not required to have a scholarship for ROTC (at least not for AFROTC). Wish this vid was around when I was in high school haha. Still made it to pilot training though
That’s still dope do u know what you’re flying?
What type of ASVAB score do you have to get to be qualified?
@@beyondthesmp8972 The ASVAB is for Enlistees, the AFOQT is what Officer take and it has a pilot section which is the most important part for this area.
TheDom ah, okay.
@karinaElsa 1234 ROTC = Reserve Officers Training Corps and AFROTC = Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps
I recently joined the Air Force myself and this is a great video for those who want to be the pilots to the aircraft but i also want to bring to light that pilots aren't the only ones who fly. there are a handful of enlisted jobs that also get to be up in the air alongside the pilots and they are just as cool. These jobs have lots of training that accompanies it too but they might be a good route for those who still want to fly but might not have college as a viable first option. I had the privilege of getting to meet a few of the instructors and students who became fliers and they are a really great bunch. Highly recommend it to anyone who wants to walk among the clouds. Maybe you can do a video sometime on the enlisted aviator jobs available too. I think that would help a lot of people see a broader view of the force as a whole.
Yes please it would be great to see the broader range of jobs you could do and fly. Im almost junior year of mechanical engineering school. My dream is to be an avionics engineer. I think there are avionics technicians in the Air Force? Would you be able to fly being one?
How much money did it all cost from the day you graduated high school to the day you were hired as a pilot?
Enlisted don't fly, they ride. Same way all civilians do when they visit grandma.
OCS, or officer candidate school, is the best route to go from enlisted into an aviation billet. In my time undergoing naval flight training I'd say roughly 1/3 of my class who selected intermediate/advance fixed wing training were former enlisted.
The airforce structures things a tad different, but all in all its a similar process.
I’m hoping to be an airline and maybe even an Air Force pilot in my career someday, and this video really showed me how to follow those dreams plus brought my hopes up haha.
Thank you for making this video!
Same with me. After seeing this video my hopes went up a lot. Now that I seen this I kinda think that I have what it takes and now I have everything in my head to know.
My grandfather and great uncle were both aviators in the air force. One a backseater and mechanic and one a bomber. Ive dealt with a lot of medical problems but im working on getting myself in enough shape to where they no longer cause problems. Halfway through my aviation degree. Im hoping by the time im 26 or so to be a pilot in the air force. This video helped me calm my nerves a little bit😂
Just enlisted in the Guard, if I don't get a pilot slot with my unit after I graduate, I'm finna pull a swayne martin and be an airline pilot.
I soon as he said that you don't have to be good at maths or science, I fell off my chair with relief.
If only I was American, i would love to be a fighter pilot
@@wildcat1998able If your country has an Air force then you still can be a fighter pilot
@@oskar23 oh yes we have an air force that's slowly gaining traction after being long neglected, but not as advanced as US
@@wildcat1998able country?
@@StandON707 philippines. Our last supersonic fighter was the F-5. Then it downgraded.. hard...
Right now they got their shit together and bought some FA-50s to get back to supersonic level.
Great video! If I flew an aircraft in the USAF it would have to be the F-15 gen 2 Strike Eagle! Also I didn’t know about the AF Reserve path good to know! Thanks so much Sam! 😊
This was very helpful =) Thanks man, you're awesome!
Sam, loved your video and your enthusiasm! I retired from, and served for 36 years on active and reserve duty, the Navy (as a Chaplain for 25 of those years). So proud to see young women and men like you serving their Nation. Keep up the great work and kudos for all your successes! By the way, I'm a fan of Swayne Martin's channel also. Both of you are fantastic.
Hey sam you might remember me, I was the kid who commented on your last tik tok asking for some tips on becoming a fighter pilot. And I would just like to say thank you so much for making this video!
Of course man!
insanity same but i’m a freshman in high school
karinaElsa 1234 same
karinaElsa 1234 I was addicted at dogfight games, so I wanted to be a pilot, since I am a Filipino, I’ll be PAF or Philippines Air Force when I am big or 18+.
@insanity the a340👍🏽
I applied to the RAAF back in 1997 when I finished high-school.
I was bounced on my family's medical history. I passed every other test they had. I was very good at physics in school.
Flying an F-18 is all I ever wanted to do since I was 13 years old. I studied hard in school, and trained in the gym every week with someone my neighbour recommended. My neighbour was an RAAF F-18 pilot and gave me incredible instruction.
I still didn't make it based on my parents medical histories. I couldn't control that.
I believe the entrance limits are different now, but being a fighter pilot is all i ever wanted to do.
25 years later, I do have a very lucrative career but I am not pulling Mach 1 daily.
Respect to the men and women that get to live my dream everyday. 🙏
so i’m still a young teen but as of now it’s my dream to get my head up in the clouds i can’t wait to do it i love planes and man this helps showing which path i need to go down thanks man appreciate it if any veterans/pilot of the air force have any advice for me i will gladly accept it
Good job on this video. 2 things to add to inform the audience a little more: 1) If you have your Private Pilot license (PPL) and beyond, you won’t be sent to IFT. 2) Upon completing UPT and if you drop fighters, you will go through a 2.5 month course called Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals (IFF) before heading to B-Course.
Do you happen to fly a fighter?
Love this video! I'm currently pursuing my goal and longterm dream on such a time crunch. Right now I am enlisting in the Florida ANG as I finish my degree in physics. When I was 20, my mom talked me out of joining, and what a surprise this Christmas it was to tell her I've joined 🙃. This video is great! With this motivation, I got a 4.0 gpa my last semester and moving forward stronger than ever. Thanks for this guideline!
Great and very helpful video! Next time, please make some videos if someone wants to become an army pilot, a navy pilot, a marine corp pilot as well as a coast guard pilot. You do an excellent job because you give important information.🙂👍
Great video really helps me understand the process of becoming a pilot
Hey Sam, 28 year old enlisting after my civilian life took a turn. Thanks so much for your videos, you give even those of us at the upper end of quali that much needed push.
How’s it going?
@@timtimber5271 I'd be interested in an update. 26 and feeling like this may be the right path.
Did you get it man?
Also curious how this is going, just turned 28 and I’m about to join, wishing I had done it at 18 but we live and learn!
Curious too!
Thank you so much for making this. My eyesight isn’t great and i thought this would immediately disqualify me bit your video has given me a world of hope as my eyes are easily correctable to better than 20/20. I am hopeful that through this i will pass the requirement and live this dream. Thanks
My cousin got his first plane in the AF. My grandparents are so proud of him.
I left each ads to play,thats my way of saying thank you❤.
Am dave from Nigeria,based in Atlanta ❤
Such an informative channel. You deserve more subscribers man! Keep it up. I’m currently a pre-medical student who interested in becoming a flight-surgeon, and this channel might be a useful tool to keep me informed. You helped me answer some of the misconceptions about becoming a pilot. Thanks!
I like how in the ROTC portion, my detachment, DET 157, is the major feature.
I was just talking about us.😂I mean Riddle kinda does poop out pilots bar none 2nd only to the Airforce academy so it kinda makes sense tho. Lol
Damn I got accepted to riddle but went to another university instead and I’m in ROTC as well.. but I wish I could’ve went to riddle. They gave me a nice scholarship but not enough being out of state
Are you an HH 60 pilot?
Really great and really informative!
It was nice to see a short, concise video about the requirements of becoming an Air Force pilot, what it takes and the length of the training!
Out of curiosity, have you done or will you do a similar video about how to become a naval aviator and what it takes? Or do you know of similar videos on CZcams?
Have a nice day!
Thank you I did learned n picked lots of info 👍
Yo the dude sending his keyboard into the computer 😂😂😂😂
I had a stroke
Very well made video. Excellent breakdown and delivery for people interested in flying for the USAF. Glad you mentioned the Guard and Reserves too.
I was in navy flight training during the Vietnam era with a degree in English and the math involved overwhelmed me and other liberal arts types...so I have to say one does have to be good in math for navy aviation. Mastery of algebra, trigonometry, vector analysis and physics was essential for student naval aviators.
I'm a 14 year old kid from Australia and want to become an astronaut when I'm older and I need at least 1000 hours of flying time in a jet craft. First I'd need to move to the US and then study for a degree in aerospace engineering and then I'd be able to join the air force and go from there. I'm leaving this comment so I can come back to it when I'm older
Good look my guy i’m prayers are with youb
Go for it man
Keep trying until you get there.
Good luck
Good luck, keep your dreams going!
My dude this is gonna help me live my dreams these are the exact questions i needed answers for, some are a given like the college degree but i was confused on the little things thank you so much for this video
Thank you for making this video man. I hope someday in the future in can become a combat pilot in the air force
right will come back to this video in about 7 years when im done with step one see you then!
Lol, “if there’s a will there’s a wavier” gold
This was super to the point and you listed a lot of useful information. Thank you so much
Thanks brother this really helped
This is the job for me. Thank you, good sir.
I am only 13 right now but I have always wanted to be a USAF pilot since I was 7 you have inspired me to keep pushing for my dream even harder thank you
If I were you I’d keep up with doing math by hand cause the tests to join require math with no calculator
@@EnabIing ya you guys are lucky I wish to serve for you all unfortunately I am in Malaysia only have lame fighter jets
@@jumpscareagency6889 you should still give it a shot! Being a pilot is awesome regardless of what plane you’re flying
@@jumpscareagency6889 lmfao do you think the RMAF would even want ppl like you xD, grow up.
Me and you are the same, I haven't always wanted to be a pilots but a couple years ago I started to like the idea and im 14 now and wanna know what ill need to do after school and what not
I’ve always been wanted to continue my grandfathers legacy. Thank you
Have my first meeting on Monday . Wish me luck . Thanks for all the information.
Dude you are the best! Thank you! And also, I said "Yep that looks incredible" because I saw Top Gun Maverick 😂
You've given me so much hope T.T thank you!
First off I just wanted to applaud you for your skills in editing.
Secondly, I came to your video because I currently live in Del Rio Texas which houses Laughlin AFB. It’s funny to see it on the list because my whole life I knew it as the base for pilots to train lol.
Im preparing for ROKAF air force academy. Ive passed the academic test, and Im currently preparing for my physical+medical test, and final interview. I hope all of you guys watching this pass the course so that we can fly side by side some day. Good luck and lets go🔥🔥
😂 boy I’m glad you gave the back voice cause I was about to say you said no experience needed ! Lol that tickled me
This video is absolutely awesome! I am an ROTC instructor and I will definitely share it across our social media sites. Thank you so much for making this!
Which is better ROTC or ASAFA?
18 to 33???? Wow, here in Spain the maximum age is 23.... Also, here you really must have PERFECT vision, you guys are so lucky....
Don't forget perfect califications/luck+knowing people. Nepotism rules here , duh.
Prolly would have to lower the requirements here because they're in need of more pilots I heard
In the USAF you can wear lenses to correct your vision
Move to US and get US citizenship
Most USAF & US Navy pilots DO have perfect vision
Thank you for your service
When I was a child, I wanted to be in the American Air Force, but my biggest obstacles were being Turkish and my family's financial situation. That was my dream back then, but now I'm at the Turkish Air Force Academy, fulfilling my dreams. However, I wish I could have done this earlier, not in the turkısh Air Force, but just pursuing this path sooner. Greetings from the Turkish Air Force Academy
Great information! Very easy to follow and very well spoken! Thanks Sam!
your looks and style are straight out of the 40s.
It's the air force dude
@@CarbonFiberToiletPaper classic and drippy, as always
i wish someone would have put this on paper 30 years ago, too late for me, no to brag about it but i was good in math and physics, and tried to become an Airforce pilot but
an AF recruiter told me that i needed to have 20/20 vision, i guess at that time eye surgery was not available, so i drop my application. If i had the chance i would love to start flying the P52 Mustang, then the F-14 Tomacat to F-18 and F-22. well right now they are part of my dreams. Good Luck to those trying now.
thank you for the Video, well done.
Requirements to even get into the initial sorting process here in Italy (and Denmark, as I have dual citizenship) are so much stricter than in the USA.. I am 23 and already too old to even attempt to get in, not to mention the medical/physical requirements that are absolutely insane here as well.
I’ve never wanted to be a US citizen so badly. Got my bachelors in Physics and now going to do a masters in theoretical physics for the next 2 years, and while I think physics is one of my passions, being a fighter jet pilot surpasses that by a lifetime.
If anyone here has some kind comforting words, or wants to be brutally honest with me, please do, I’d like to hear it.
Thank you so much for making this video! It was very helpful and cleared up a lot of things I thought would be a disqualifying factor or things I had doubts about. Again thank you and maybe one day I'll be a Pilot in the Military!
I’m an international student at college, I always had a dream to become a pilot :(
So I figured a plan on how to become airman, first I would finish my college, get the legal job, afterwards get the “green card”, citizenship, and then serve to great nation of American people! Thank you for your video once again
i love how you wanna serve america when most people hrere dont like it
@2020bad just because you see a lot of people on the internet whine about the U.S. doesn't mean everyone thinks the same as you.
Hahaha me too, my friend. I really don't understand how can someone born in USA and do not go to Airforce or Army, because there is the biggest in the world, and there are a lot of opportunity for to learn a job or do something relevant for society… I just do not understand this.
I also have this deram, to be a pilot in USAF, but now I am 25, and I am a Lawyer in Brazil, so, age are coming fast, maybe it gona be for next life 😢
Dude! You are awesome. You literally answered every question I had about the Air Force. I want to fly a F-22 Raptor for sure!
I hope you realize how tiny of a chance it is that you will even see an f-22
@@ScrotalSlug It's actually kind of a large chance because I'm going to the Air Force Academy for the sole purpose of flying the F-22
@@ZacharyHarpel you can't just pick to go for one plane, also the f-22 is no longer being built and there are very few in service even compared to a newer plane like the 35
@@ScrotalSlug Agreed you can't just pick out a plane to go for, you have to work for it and be the top 33% of your class on average to get the plane you want. Also the F-22 is the 3rd to 1st most used plane in the air force depending on where you look.
I'm 29 in December and after I saw pearl harbor as a kid I always wanted to learn to fly. Unfortunately my aunt told me I needed to be good at math(which I wasnt) and just didn't think of it again. But always watched in awe whenever I'd see a plane even till this day. I'm married and have a daughter but enrolling in flight school soon. The regret of not atleast getting my commercial license and attempting to atleast fly for fedex is not something I want to live with. But dang, a f35 man....would that be cool 😎. Thanks for your vid!
Wow man, this video was so helpful. It’s strenuous trying to find the right route sometimes but this video gave me an extra pep.
you forgot to mention that to qualify for ots as a college graduate you have to have had a 2.5 GPA. my dreams got crushed when the recruiter told me this
Shiiiit I didn't know that. I guess all of us in dumb gang can cry together 😭
I'm in the ANG and I'll be taking the AFOQT and boarding when I get back from my deployment. I wish we had fighters or some kind of heavy airlift planes but we don't so I guess I'm stuck with what we have, but if you would've asked me whether I would even be going this route 4-5 years ago, I would've laughed at you, so whether I'm selected or not, I'm excited to even attempt this.
My dad was never a pilot but he did go to OTS as he had his 4 year degree thanks to the GI Bill. He was able to go through the GI Bill because he was enlisted in the Marine Corps for 6 years (and hated being a Marine and not to mention he enlisted when he was 16). He was in the USAF for 20 years and was stationed at Vance AFB in OK which is where I was born. This is some really incredible information about how to become a pilot. Even if I wanted to enter now I’m too old but I did enlist when I was 24 but had to get a medical discharge but I had planned to do 20 years and then retire like my dad did. When I was medically discharged it was a month before 9/11 which relieved my parent however I chose to go into EMS as a medic and that I did do for about 10 years and loved. I chose that thanks to 9/11 and my dad didn’t think I was strong enough to do and I proved him wrong. I had actually told him I wanted to get my EMT-B which was required to even get in the paramedic program and he tried to discourage me. After I got my EMT-B I told him I was going for paramedic and he again didn’t think I could do it. After 8 years I got into the respiratory therapy program and did that for 5 years. When you have the Will to go after something you can do it.
Dude thank you for these videos I was so discouraged by everybody because I wear glasses and want to be a pilot in the airforce. I’m so ready to enlist and get my journey started
Don’t enlist ! Go to college first and major in a STEM fields !
Hey Sam, good video 👍🏻 just a slight point of correction at 6:24: if you are prior-enlisted, you don’t _have_ to go to OTS; you can still go to the Academy through the LEAD program, or ROTC.
Source: that’s how I got to the Academy, where I think you and I had a few classes together. Hope you’re well!
I really wish I would’ve seen this video 10 years ago 😭
Going to be 33 in august and being a pilot for the AF has always been my lifelong dream.. especially flying the F-16.. oh baby, what a sexy plane
DUDE I don’t know how to thank you for all your super helpful information. i’m wanting to become a F-22 Raptor pilot. i think this video answered all the questions i had and even some more information i didn’t even know. PLS PLS more videos man, KEEP IT UP!! 💙💙