u/-matches-malone-

Hey everyone,

Just trying to get a vibe from some people that have experience. I’m 29 right now and turning 30 soon. I have 9 years prior service enlisted in the USMC and ARNG. I’m about to take the AFOQT and TBAS and turn 30 shortly after that. If I can get highly competitive scores, I plan on immediately starting my PPL and at the same time starting to apply to units right away. As my hours increase I’ll update that into my applications, but I plan to apply right away. I only want to fly fighters, but I’ll apply anywhere in the country.

I know 33 is the actual cutoff to start training but it seems like some people suggest that some units often have such a long wait to get in UPT that they don’t even hire people past 30 or something.

Do I need to give up the dream? I feel like I have a good plan and I’ve worked so hard for this already, but I just can’t do anything about my age

Ok buckle up ladies and gentlemen. I am a prior service applicant, recently hit my ETS, and I’m trying to get a package going to apply for Guard UPT slots. I need to take the AFOQT and I’ve been studying for a while.

I contacted my local base, they got me a test date. Perfect. Only problem is, they don’t sponsor applicants on base. Told me I need to find someone with a CAC to get me on base. Guard recruiter and reserve recruiter for officers are both far away, can’t help me on that day. I don’t know anyone else in the military in this area because my unit was 400 miles away from here.

No problem, you know what? I’ll just try the Pearson center route. Now that I have recruiters contact info, they can get me a code. Recruiter tells me that this won’t work, prior service can’t use the Pearson route. I feel like this is wrong but whatever, they tell me to try the local ROTC detachment.

Ok yeah, makes sense. I contacted the ROTC last year for info and they said I could take it there and that they offered it in August. Great. I email them about taking it this year. They tell me “we are no longer able to give codes to non ROTC cadets” tell me to try a Pearson center…

🫩

I’m now trying to contact other bases in my region to see if they can sponsor me on. I had a different recruiter say that she thinks the Pearson still might work, so I could contact her again and try that. Or my final option is my active duty USMC friend offered to get me on the local AF base near him, but that’s across the country.

Anyone have any guidance on this? I know I will find a way but damn, they really don’t make it easy. Thanks for reading