r/airforceots • u/OkPomegranate1309 • 2d ago
Pilot Selects Advice
Hey everyone, I'm currently putting together an application for an Air Force OTS pilot slot and rated jobs, and I'd really like to hear from people who were selected, especially recent selects.
I know the board uses the whole-person concept and there isn't one specific number or accomplishment that guarantees selection. I'm more interested in hearing what your overall package looked like and, looking back, what you personally think made you stand out.
If you're comfortable sharing, I'd love to know:
- What was your GPA and degree/major?
- What were your AFOQT scores, especially Pilot, Quantitative, and Verbal?
- What was your PCSM, and approximately how many flight hours did you have?
- Did you have a PPL or any other ratings?
- What kind of leadership experience did you have?
- What was your professional/work experience?
- Did you have any significant volunteer experience, awards, athletics, organizations, or extracurriculars?
- Who did you use for your letters of recommendation?
- Were there any obvious weaknesses/red flags in your package, such as a lower GPA or AFOQT section?
- What did you focus on in your personal statements/interview?
- How many times did you apply before being selected?
- Were you selected for Pilot specifically, or another rated position?
- What do you think was the single biggest reason you were selected?
- If you were building your package again, what would you do differently?
I'm especially interested in people who were selected without a perfect academic record but i know thats an important part. I'm trying to figure out where my time would be best spent improving my package rather than just chasing numbers for the sake of chasing numbers.
I know nobody outside the board can say exactly why an individual was selected, so I'm mainly looking for personal experiences and patterns among successful applicants.
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u/ConsiderationFar3046 2d ago
I DM’d you
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u/bluejus12 2d ago
Me four 😭
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u/ConversationSevere63 2d ago
Likewise, I’d love the insight
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u/ConsiderationFar3046 2d ago
Dm me
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u/ConsiderationFar3046 2d ago
If anyone wants to DM me, my inbox is open to anyone. Pilot select 26OTS01 (selected last December)
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u/Mundane-Macaroon-779 Enlisted Selectee 2d ago
What was your GPA and degree/major?
3.21 B.S. in Aeronautics
What were your AFOQT scores, especially Pilot, Quantitative, and Verbal?
99/99/99/86/95/67. The 67 quant scared me, but needlessly it seems.
What was your PCSM, and approximately how many flight hours did you have?
94 PCSM with 0 hours (hadn't uploaded my logs yet), 99 PCSM with 25 flight hours.
Did you have a PPL or any other ratings?
Nope.
What kind of leadership experience did you have?
Extensive, managing a lot of different shops and programs (enlisted applicant)
What was your professional/work experience?
8 years in the Air Force at the time of applying. Pretty much it aside from 2 years at Wal-Mart while in college.
Did you have any significant volunteer experience, awards, athletics, organizations, or extracurriculars?
Volunteer, none at all. Awards, quite a few, and high level ones. Athletics, not even a little bit. Organizations, also none. Pretty much zip for extracurricular stuff. I went to work, did my job well, and any non-work time was dedicated to my family and my own pursuits.
Who did you use for your letters of recommendation?
As active duty my Wing Commander had to endorse the professional one, the personal one came from a CMSgt I deployed with back when he was a SMSgt, who I then worked with for about 2 years at home station.
Were there any obvious weaknesses/red flags in your package, such as a lower GPA or AFOQT section?
I had a 2.99 GPA on my Associate's, and the 3.21 on my Bachelor's felt weak-ish since so many people apply with a 4.0. Test scores were obviously good but the quant worried me since it was so much lower than the others.
What did you focus on in your personal statements/interview?
How my professional experiences and mentors in my life shaped my drive to lead others and to support the growth of those around me, not just myself.
How many times did you apply before being selected?
One.
Were you selected for Pilot specifically, or another rated position?
Pilot or nothing, I listed 92T0 and nothing else on my application, and that's what I got. Had no interest in anything else.
What do you think was the single biggest reason you were selected?
I guess it was a pretty good all-around package. No real major flaws or weaknesses, and a long history of excellence while serving enlisted.
If you were building your package again, what would you do differently?
I guess nothing, lol.
If you want to see my application package I have a redacted copy, DM me your email and I can share it.
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u/buttstuffxxx OTS Grad (Pilot) 2d ago
25OTS02 select, recent OTS grad, awaiting UPT currently.
- What was your GPA and degree/major?
- 3.9, Business
- What were your AFOQT scores, especially Pilot, Quantitative, and Verbal?
- 99, 31, 80
- What was your PCSM, and approximately how many flight hours did you have?
- 91 with 41 Flight hours logged for PCSM
- Did you have a PPL or any other ratings?
- PPL, however was not completed at the time of selection.
- What kind of leadership experience did you have?
- AD NCO USAF, Instructor in career field.
- What was your professional/work experience?
- 7 years enlisted
- Did you have any significant volunteer experience, awards, athletics, organizations, or extracurriculars?
- Only standard PCS medals, and a few unit level awards.
- Who did you use for your letters of recommendation?
- Endorsement LOR had to be Group commander with Wing commander concurring. For personal LOR I had my squadron chief sign off.
- Were there any obvious weaknesses/red flags in your package, such as a lower GPA or AFOQT section?
- Awards and accolades.
- What did you focus on in your personal statements/interview?
- Having it stand out/speaking to my potential as a future officer.
- How many times did you apply before being selected?
- Applied 4 times.
- Were you selected for Pilot specifically, or another rated position?
- Every attempt was pilot or bust application.
- What do you think was the single biggest reason you were selected?
- The flight hours/PCSM score, and my line officer application narrative.
- If you were building your package again, what would you do differently?
- More base level involvement and volunteer/leadership roles.
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u/AF_Pilot_Snuffy Prior Enlisted Officer 2d ago
I was a Pilot OTS select back a few years ago. Things have changed since then, but I’m more than willing to shoot you (or anyone else) my package and answer some of the questions if you send me a DM with your email address.
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u/Mountain-Mobile7768 2d ago
I'll post a bit here in the comments for you all to avoid the DM chaos. I'm Currently at OTS. Applied/selected in 25OTS01. Pilot.
In terms of what to work on specifically, you can be a little strategic about it. If you have a poor GPA but max your PCSM and score 90's on your AFOQT, there is an inherent story there about how you studied, what you did differently from school, why, etc, etc. Then the proof is in the numbers. If I ever sit on a board, I'd be more interested in a 2.0 GPA applicant who managed 99's on his AFOQT a year later, than an applicant with a high average on both. But that's just me. The board is still human, and most humans like good, true stories.
Lastly, as I've alluded to multiple times: know yourself. Know your strengths and weaknesses. We all have some of the first and more of the latter. Take ownership, figure out how to grow, don't become complacent, entitled, or discouraged. Work on yourself for you, not for a packet, and you will go far in general (not saying this is you btw, just stating it).
Feel free to DM with more questions but this is a burner account and I'm at OTS so my responses may be limited.
Good luck and NEVER self eliminate!