I have a few questions about afa + obligations

UNcynical
Tue, 09 Jan 2007 19:07:20 +0000

I typed this response 3 days ago in response to some of the original questions brought up in this thread, but I couldn’t post it:

On the topic of active duty and pilot training…
If you get a UPT (undergraduate pilot training) slot, after you graduate, you may not go directly to your pilot training base. There are only a few bases that offer UPT and each one has set class start dates and class sizes. This means there may be upwards of a year between tossing your hat and starting UPT. For example, I graduated 31 May 06, and my UPT start date is not until 31 July 07. So what happens in the meantime? You go to a different base (usually) for what’s called “casual” status, where you are a “casual lieutenant.” This means you have a different job in the months leading up to UPT, usually unrelated to pilot training. These jobs can vary greatly depending on where you go, what unit you are assigned to, and how long you are there, among other things. I have an amazing job right now with awesome people. I work on command staff for an operations group, and I’m the only second lieutenant there. We process the performance reports as well as awards and decorations (just to name a few) for our 6 squadrons. I stay very busy but time goes by very quickly and I get to meet so many new people in my position. I am half a country away from my family, but I am able to take leave to go home whenever I want, assuming I have accumulated the necessary leave (and have money for the plane ticket! haha). I have a somewhat predictable work schedule now, Monday to Friday, with each day from 0730-1630 (4:30pm), but I usually end up staying until 1730 or 1800. In the time I’m not at work, I’m on my own. I have my own apartment off-base. Also of note is that if you live off-base (which is required for bachelor lieutenants at most places, except UPT), you get paid BAH (basic allowance for housing) each month. This varies by location, but you can usually get a decent place for the money you get and sometimes have money left over, which you can save or put toward other expenses.

Regarding service commitments… The day you graduate from USAFA, you owe the Air Force 5 years. However, there may be additional commitments depending on what field you choose. For instance, if you go to pilot training, you owe 10 years from the day you graduate from UPT. If you’re wondering why there is the huge increase, just think of all the money, time, and effort spent on you during that training.

While I don’t claim to be an expert about the operational Air Force, I do know a little about being a new lieutenant awaiting pilot training from current experience. ;)