Pilot Slots

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AFAhopeful6201

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Feb 27, 2024
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Hi, my DS is applying to the USAFA. He's not set on his major yet but knows he wants to also be a pilot. What percentage of pilot applicants get a slot and what would be some reasons why someone would not get a pilot slot?
 
Pretty much anyone who wants to be a pilot can be. Usually they don’t get enough pilots and slots move down to ROTC and other sources. Usually the reason for not getting a pilot slot is for medical reasons.

The thing is, many academy recruits enter wanting to be a pilot, but many change their mind in their first 3 years at the academy. Some because they realize the military isn’t for them. Some decide they don’t mind the 5 year commitment for the academy, but don’t want a 10 year commitment to be a pilot. This is why the Air Force doesn’t fill all their pilot slots.

Remember too, that because you get a pilot slot doesn’t guarantee anything. You have to pass the training. Depending on how you do there will determine the type of pilot you will be. Meaning the type of aircraft you’ll get.

But assuming your cadet still wants to be a pilot after the academy, and they are physically cleared, they can definitely get a pilot slot. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule.
 
It all depend on the year you graduate and how many pilot slots are available that year. This graduating year (2024) was a lot tougher to get a slot. There were quite a few cadets that had pilot as their number one choice that didn't get it. I think 2025 is going to be tough also. In 2023, I believe almost everyone that selected pilot got it. So it all depends on the needs of the AF and how many slots are available at the time you graduate.
 
Of course numbers vary each year, but USAFA typically gets 350-400 pilot slots. Take an average graduating class of 1000, and that's 35-40%. Of course, out of that 1000, almost 100 will go space force, some will be medically disqualified, and some will not put pilot as their #1 choice. My cadet personally knows at least 1 who was disqualified for depth perception, and another who initially wanted a pilot slot but has now decided against it because his interests changed when exposed to all the opportunities in the Air Force. The medical/eye exam to enter usafa as a cadet is not nearly as in depth as the pilot qualification exams.

I think 2024 only got about 325 slots. My understanding was those who did not get pilot (but put it as #1) were wait listed and as of February they had all received a pilot slot.

And yes, the needs of the Air Force always come first. If it hasn't already been ingrained, the purpose of USAFA is to create officers in the Air Force and there are many different jobs that qualify.
 
Historically everyone who qualified got a spot. There were years when they couldn't fill all the spots. Someone above mentioned that 2024 was a hard year to get so you can't depend on what happened previously. USAFA used to typically get somewhere around 550 slots while AFrotc got around 450. Theredbaron above said they only got 325 spots this year so that is a dramatic reduction. With the AF, it's all about timing. When my son was in AFRotc (grad in 2018), all you needed was a pulse (I am being overly dramatic) to get a spot and and or be invited to Field Training. 2-3 years later they started cutting the number of people invited to Field Training (must be invited to continue to third year) and when Covid hit, it was down closer to 50% but enough people complained that they increased it. The good news with the academy is that you have a better chance of getting a spot than not getting a spot. But even you get a spot, doesn't mean you will pass Flight physical.
 
There are no guarantees. Some years, if your seeing-eye dog is correctable to 20/20 and you spell your name correctly, you're in. Other years, it's much more difficult. Do the best you can, and USAFA certainly has the best odds. There are those of us here who remember banking pilots, UPT classes with 7 students, etc. You just never know for sure what will happen tomorrow, not to mention 4 years from now.
 
Christcorp said:
Pretty much anyone who wants to be a pilot can be. Usually they don’t get enough pilots and slots move down to ROTC and other sources. Usually the reason for not getting a pilot slot is for medical reasons.
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This post implies pilot slots are first offered and available to those commissioning via USAFA, and any slots left, the table scraps so to speak, "move down" to AFROTC / OTS sources. I'm curious what makes you think this is how this works, and if I may ask - since when? What rough time of year are AFSC air force service selection notifications in USAFA and AFROTC, generally? Not the 100's night where folks learn their base assignment, but the date roughly where they learn if they are going to a rated pilot slot, or other? Thanks.
 
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Herman_Snerd said:
This post implies pilot slots are first offered and available to those commissioning via USAFA, and any slots left, the table scraps so to speak, "move down" to AFROTC / OTS sources. I'm curious what makes you think this is how this works, and if I may ask - since when? What rough time of year are AFSC air force service selection notifications in USAFA and AFROTC, generally? Not the 100's night where folks learn their base assignment, but the date roughly where they learn if they are going to a rated pilot slot, or other? Thanks.
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that isn't correct. A certain number of spots are assigned to the academy and a certain number of spots are assigned to Afrotc. I would assume that the numbers assigned to each group are calculated jointly, They dont open the spots to the academy first and then whatever is left is given to Rotc and OTS. Supposedly, if there is additional need , those are open to OTS
 
Herman_Snerd said:
This post implies pilot slots are first offered and available to those commissioning via USAFA, and any slots left, the table scraps so to speak, "move down" to AFROTC / OTS sources. I'm curious what makes you think this is how this works, and if I may ask - since when? What rough time of year are AFSC air force service selection notifications in USAFA and AFROTC, generally? Not the 100's night where folks learn their base assignment, but the date roughly where they learn if they are going to a rated pilot slot, or other? Thanks.
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AFSCs came out @ USAFA in September last year.
Class of 2025 were told to expect ASFCs in September also
 
My 25er stated the same @Theredbaron ‘s statement, 2024 had historically lower pilot slots and many were waitlisted but were told by the Supe that any of those waitlisted would be get slot, and most have a Pilot slot now…Class of 23 they were giving away pilos slots like Oprah 🤣
 
AF Roots said:
My 25er stated the same @Theredbaron ‘s statement, 2024 had historically lower pilot slots and many were waitlisted but were told by the Supe that any of those waitlisted would be get slot, and most have a Pilot slot now…Class of 23 they were giving away pilos slots like Oprah 🤣
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You get a pilot spot, you get a pilot spot and you get a pilot spot
 
AF Roots said:
My 25er stated the same @Theredbaron ‘s statement, 2024 had historically lower pilot slots and many were waitlisted but were told by the Supe that any of those waitlisted would be get slot, and most have a Pilot slot now…Class of 23 they were giving away pilos slots like Oprah 🤣
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They cut down the slot for usafa because 22' and 23 as you said were giving away slots. I know for 23 they had leftover slots not filled. So they reorganized who get what slots. Giving ROTC more ( which though I want a slot, it made since). Needs of the air force and all that. I know they've asked and my class is divided. So hopefully even with the 400-350 slots I'll earn on.

That's another thing everyone speaks of medical which is the first hurdle but if you're top 500 all you need is around 100~ to have some combination of disqualified, not want the ten year commitment, or wanting to go space force. Which is what happens. Best of luck
 
Neither of my boys want to fly, but that 12 plus month wait for UPT is only getting longer it seems.
 
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