Inspiration

Why am I keeping a journal? Here are the best reasons...

I just want to thank you for your UPT Web journal. Our son will graduate from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul next week and be commissioned the same day. He's enrolled in the AFROTC program at UST and is scheduled to report for UPT at Columbus AFB in late June.
 
Your site has given this dad the chance to take a look "over the fence" at some of what his son will be doing for the next year. You've done a nice job organizing the information and keeping it in easy-to-read nuggets. Reading your journal has given me a real sense for what's ahead for my son. It's helped me better understand both the technical and the human side of the training that he's about to undertake. This may not have been what you had in mind when you started your journal, but in my opinion, it's recommended reading for parents, spouses, significant others, etc., of someone headed off to UPT. There are at least a few other UPT journals that I've found on the Web, but yours is easily the best of the bunch.
 
We live in Rochester and often C-130s from both the 133rd and the 934th rumble overhead as they do practice approaches and touch and gos at the Rochester airport. In another year or so, you may be one of those pilots. I hope so. Best of luck as you complete your training at Columbus, and thanks again for sharing your experiences.

 

Just received your e-mail this morning (7:30)  and I would have to say that you've made my morning, day, week, and life better.  I wasn't sure if your contact information was current or not, but I had to try. 

I've talked over the phone with Jason Barton, you may be familiar with his site, who completed SUPT and will be flying KC-135's as Selfridge AFB.  You two have been instrumental in keeping the fires burning in all of us who dream and seek military aviation with a passion.  He requested a waiver for his vision as well.  So there is hope.  Thank you so much for sharing your experience and taking the time to advise and discuss.

A family relative, who was a military pilot and is now a civilian consultant on the T-37 and T-38 simulators, said that the pilots are now able to wear soft contacts.  Is that true?   (He wasn't 100% on this)

By the way: My hometown airport is MLU.  Many T-1's come in here from Columbus on a daily basis.  Every now and then there will be a few T-37's, T-44's, and always C-130's are flying from Little Rock.  You may have stopped in. 

Thank you very much Scot for your help and inspiration. 

 

First off I am having a blast reading your website.  I patiently wait for each update.  I think the information and insight that I am receiving is invaluable to me since it is my aspiration to fly for a guard unit when I finish with my degree.  I just wanted to let you know how much your site is appreciated by all those wishing to pilot one of our great military aircraft.  I'll be following your training, I wish you the best of luck.  God Bless.

 

Can I call you Scott?  First of all, Congrats on getting a pilot slot.  I'm currently active duty assigned to AF Space Command.  I'm applying to the Tennessee ANG units in Memphis and Nashville.  I'd like to hear your thoughts on the interviews.  I've read all the other sites and message boards on how the interviews work, but if you don't mind it, I'd like to hear your thoughts.  If you do mind, that's cool.  Just thought I'd ask. 

I really enjoyed checking out your website.  Great job!  Hopefully I'll be starting my own in the next year or so. Again Great job!

 

Thank you very much for putting up your page. It is very helpful for people like me who dream of becoming a military pilot.

I am currently a High School Teacher up in Moose Lake, MN (Go Vikes) and am looking into routes to obtaining a UPT Slot. I have been up to the 148th Fighter Wing base and spoke to them. They told me that they best route would be to join first, since they usually selected members from their unit. They have some officer positions available, so I am taking the AFOQT in January and trying for one of those. Since you have been threw the hoops of getting a Guard UPT spot, I was kind of hoping for some advice if you have any. My goal is to fly with the guard, I would prefer Duluth, but have started thinking about the 133rd as well.

Again, thanks for the site. I will check it often for updates.
Good Luck with your final contact checkride! Hope it goes/went well!

 

First of all, Congratulations on your checkride!  I contacted you a while ago (through my other email account) to ask you about your vision waiver. Well, mine came back approved yesterday.  I will be flying 130's as well with the RIANG (143rd).  Now, as you know, my package has to be approved by the state and NGB.  I am so excited.  I hope getting dates won't take long. It looks like I will kind of follow your timeline.  Hopefully, I will get the March AMS date and be in UPT by the summer.

I also wanted to let you know that I think it is great that you have dedicated a website to your training.  Personally, I check it all the time to read your new updates.  You have really done something great for UPT hopefuls.  Thanks again for your insight and good luck with the rest of your training.

 

I just wanted to say hello after visiting your web site. You're providing a lot of valuable information for people that want to follow somewhat behind you. I just wish their were more web sites like yours :-)
 
I'll just give you some background on me...  I served four years in the Army, airborne in fact.  I have my associates degree and have been a police officer for 7 years. I finish my Bachelors degree in Business with a minor in Marketing in June 2004. If all continues to go well, I'll graduate on the Dean's List. 
 
I'll be just shy of 31 when I graduate and honestly...I don't feel that old but anyways...I want to get commissioned and serve in a reserve or guard capacity. I'm leaning towards the Air Force over the other branches. While I'm pretty certain that flying is out the question due to my age (not my health), I still want to serve.
 
Thanks again for updating your site so often, I for one have book marked it and look forward to reading more. If you ever have any advice, feel free to send it over. :-)
 
Good luck and stay safe

 

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