<p>what are my chances of being able to fly the baddest fighter in the world- the f-22 raptor sometime during my AF career (mainly right after pilot training). </p>
<p>before you all yell at me for asking this, i know i have a million miles to trek before i can even think about this, but i am just wondering anyways!!! ;).</p>
<p>so how many people get selected to fly this mean-machine after UPT and/or INJEP (spelling?).</p>
<p>I'm not entirely sure, but I heard someone say that only one guy went straight from UPT to the F/A-22 sometime last year. I'm not even sure that person was an Academy grad. </p>
<p>Usually you have to fly something else (like the F-15 or F-16) first before going on to things like the F/A-22. There are a few exceptions though.</p>
<p>Falcons, the designation has been officially changed to F-22, not F/A-22.</p>
<p>And I'd say the chance is less than 1%.</p>
<p>what if you make it to INJEP, what are your chances then?</p>
<p>?Really? I learn something new every day...</p>
<p>But yeah, we had to learn it as the F/A-22 from Contrails, so that's why I forgot. Thanks for the correction...:)</p>
<p>Uh, I think I'm going to focus on Basic before I start dreaming of life after being a cadet. ;)</p>
<p>ya, contrails hasn't updated it, but they made the new designation official. My contrails also says F/A-22. </p>
<p>ENJPT sent 4 to 22s for the first time a few months ago. The chances of getting to ENJPT: about 5%, getting 22s out of ENJPT, about 5%. What I suspect anyways.</p>
<p>In other words, don't count on it (unless you are the best out of EVERYONE doing UPT/ENJPT).</p>
<p>just out of curiosity, what would the chances be if you were from ROTC?</p>
<p>less...its tiny.</p>
<p>so going to the academy would be the absolute BEST route for me to take if i'm pursuing competitive slots like that i assume</p>
<p>yes. For 20% of the commissioned officers, we get half the pilot slots...</p>
<p>If you are **** hot enough to be able to fly the F-22, then you are **** hot enough to get a pilot slot through ROTC or OTS. Those guys that finish first in their UPT class are top notch guys.</p>
<p>These are 2 different questions</p>
<ol>
<li><p>By the time you get into UPT, the 22 will be definetly in the pipeline. Right now the 90th is converting over to the 22 from the strike. There are only 2 bases that have 22's. Yet, remember there are not going to have as many 22's than those who desire to fly one. operational squadrons have different levels of experience, so they will also cross train older guys intoi the jet to instruct the young guys with no experience. In the strike very few guys came straight into the jet when it went online. Many of the LTC's here cross trained into the jet 15+ yrs ago as capt. So you may start in another fighter and then x-trained a few years later...some took crappy assignments that couldn't be filled with the guarantee of a strike after the assignment (i.e. remote to Korea with a follow on to the 15 written on their orders)</p></li>
<li><p>As far as ROTC ...if you get a pilot slot then there is nothing stopping you from getting the 22, you just need to graduate at the top of UPT (this is true for AFA grads too) Neither grads get a 22 slot from graduation all they get is a UPT slot. As for getting a pilot slot from ROTC, it requires many variables and I suggest you speak to your incoming det. Larger dets are known to have more slots available, however, you will also have more people to compete with. A couple of yrs ago the`AF actually came out and stated that they had less people choosing UPT and that is why now basically anyone who wants it out of AFA can get one...many yrs ago everyone wanted a pilot slot. This is also very true for ROTC, many cadets are choosing careers in the computer field over the flying world.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Finally by the time you all graduate in 12, go to UPT, grad, and then into FTU, you will all be hearing about the 35 going operational and want that!</p>
<p>Josh, he was asking about chances, and the fact of the matter is that you just don't have as great of a chance to fly anything coming from ROTC as you do from the Academy. That's all he was trying to say.</p>
<p>Jumping in again.</p>
<p>The reality is you have a higher chance of getting a UPT slot from the AFA, than ROTC. </p>
<p>The other reality is that some kids have made their decision to go ROTC track, whether forced by no appt., or choice because they have decided that the AFA is not a good fit.</p>
<p>I didn't take Josh as slamming Hornet, but stating it does not matter where your commissioning comes from, but you need to be the best at UPT. This is true.</p>
<p>Yes, the AFA has soaring and gives the cadets a leg up due to flying abilities, but it also does not guarantee that they will get fighters. Bullets crew mate at FTU was an AFA grad that lost his wings due to his inability to fly.</p>
<p>Going ROTC will make it harder to get a pilot slot, but going to the AFA and DOR will make it even harder. Everyone who has the dream must take the path that will be the best for them.</p>
<p>I have the utmost respect for everyone who has ever attended or is attending the AFA, they are amazing individuals. That being said the military has also come to the realization that the degree is not as important as what you have done during your career...i.e. Colin Powell went ROTC and became the JT Chief of Staff. Our Wing King and OG are ROTC grads. 1 of 4 flying squadron commanders at our base are AFA grads, the other 3 are ROTC or OTS.</p>
<p>Again, the AFA is the best way to be guaranteed a flying slot without a doubt, but when you are all commissioned and fighting for the brass ring it does not depend on your education, it depends on how you handle the stick.</p>
<p>My suggestion to anyone going ROTC with the hope of getting a UPT slot, get your ppl. When Bullet went through ROTC they sent him FSP, which from what I undersatnd still exists. If you have your ppl you will be able to cruise through FishPod and that helps getting the commander to support you for UPT</p>
<p>Not slamming anyone, at all. I'm just pointing out the truth. Right now, there are about 50% active duty pilots that came from ROTC and 50% from USAFA; a small percentage comes from OTS.</p>
<p>This year, 62% of the ROTC nazis that applied for a pilot slot got one, but that still doesn't match USAFA's 99.9%. I agree with BulletandPima, USAFA is an excellent place to be from, but it's not for everyone.</p>
<p>Btw, I read somewhere that most fighter pilots actually come out of ROTC. I will see if I can find the stats somewhere for proof. Don't choose a commissioning source based on what you want to fly, though. Who says that you're going to make it through first of all? When you get to UPT the ROTC guys will have stories about flying their Cessnas, partying late, chasin' tail, and goin' to football games; USAFA guys will talk about recognition and whatever else the Zoomies talk about.</p>
<p>Honestly, the best way to do it all is to just go Guard, know what you're gonna' be flying before you go to UPT and fly for the airlines or whatever you'd rather do on the side.</p>
<p>Everyone has their preferences and choices. And we can all agree that no matter the path, when it comes to flying, it is how you perform that will determine your airframe and career. Personally, I decided to pursue the flight surgeon path because it offers me a greater chance of flying in a fighter (back seat of Bullet's awesome aircraft!) than I think I could ever have of getting in one out of UPT and/or IFF.</p>
<p>Okay Josh I was with you until your last post</p>
<p>
[quote]
ROTC guys will have stories about flying their Cessnas, partying late, chasin' tail, and goin' to football games
[/quote]
</p>
<p>To infer that ROTC cadets are going this route for fun is unrealistic. The majority are not going ROTC to chase tail as you have stated. They have decided that the military is a route for them, but do not want to spend 4 yrs as an "officer to be", they want to enjoy a college experience and get the degree they desire.</p>
<p>Bullet never applied to AFA and he did have fun at college, but he spent many hrs volunteering for ROTC and showing to the leadership that he was worthy of a flying slot. He also got UNT out of ROTC, to fulfill his dream of flying fighter, he spent many hours studying to become the top of his class.</p>
<p>You are right many flyers in the fighter world come from ROTC, but to say they partied and didn't whatever they wanted is bad info...the det commanders rec is 50% for ROTC.</p>
<p>I don't think that was what was being inferred...rather that ROTC guys definitely have a lot more free reign to have fun, pursue activities, and kick back than we do here. Doesn't mean they went there to goof off.</p>