Here is a perspective posted on Facebook about the Rated Age Exception to Policy process. Posted with permission.
I’ve seen several people ask about rated age ETPs so I’m going to do this post as a write up with my experience and some things I learned along the way, so the mileage may vary. This process is like a pre-OTS board to the OTS board. There were only seven ETPs approved for this board but I don’t know how many applied. You’re going to need to find something to really make yourself shine. The waiver goes up to the HQ/A3 so you have to work hard to show that you have something to offer that a person of the appropriate age doesn’t posses. The waiver can get denied at any point in the process.
Background Info
- E6, 8 years TIS, 2900 (loadmaster hours), FTU instructor/evaluator, 5 deployments, 600 combat sorties, 8 air medals, hold all flight qualifications. I was unable to apply for a commission when I joined because I had horrible eyesight and needed to get PRK.
- AFOQT: P98, N99, AA87, V98, Q74 (numbers are hard) PCSM: 80
The Culture of Flying
So why is the above important? My personal goal for my waiver was to convince the Air Force that for 3 years past 30 they are getting someone who has more aviation experience than grabbing the 24 year old out of the gym (no offense,) and sticking them in an aircraft. Someone who knows how a flying squadron operates can complete UPT, immediately step into a flying squadron, and contribute. People who work in aviation know what I am speaking of, it’s a whole different world. The hardest part about this world is Airmanship and the situational awareness of flying.
So if possible, get some flight time. You may not be able to get a PPL, but at least get some time in the air (you might even learn you don’t like to fly). Obviously this was my strength so that’s what I sold, because you are now a used car salesman. Instead of selling a sweet new sports car you are selling an old but reliable truck. If you don’t work on the flight line it’s going to be a different battle and you will have different strengths to play to, but either way I still recommend getting a PPL.
Process
ETP Routing:
- Get your commander on board. At every level they are probably going to call your commander and ask if you are really worth it. If your commander is not committed, this won’t make it out of the wing.
- Find a sponsor, luckily I had worked with the Wing Exec, so I had someone to help make sure the package didn’t go die on someone’s desk. I started the process in June 2017 when the board schedule came out, A3 didn’t finalize it until right before the deadline in January 2018. Most of those delays were because it got pushed to the bottom of the pile at some front office. As important as this was to me, to the NAF and MAJCOM they were working bigger fish. This is where the sponsor comes in, they can help get it moving again.
- I used the waiver template in the TFOT guide and wrote a personal statement story to sell my justification. I attached my FEF (Flight evaluation folder), completed FCI physical, PT scores, EPRs, AFOQT/PCSM score, and every letter of recommendation I could collect. I packaged it all up and sent it in an ESSS to the wing. Once it was done there, they dumped it into TMT for the rest.
- Start it up the chain and be prepared to meet with the group and wing. Once it leaves your base it’s pretty much out of your control and you just check on it once in a while.
That’s about all there is to it. It’s not wildly complex, except that almost everyone you will deal with, less the A3 and Randolph, has no idea what a Rated ETP is for or what they should do with it next. It’s not going to be easy and you’re going to have to find something that you can really sell to the endorsers, showing them what you have to offer. I’m not sure exactly what they are looking for, but at minimum have your FCI done and decent fitness to show them you are not a broken toy.
Joshua Burrow
Great info, thank you for taking the time to explain the process. I am in a very similar situation right now. I’m a flight engineer on H-60s , 29 years old and 8 years TIS. I’m putting a package together for the next board and wanting to go rated. I’m a little confused on the difference between an age waiver and an ETP. Maybe you could help me out? AFI 36-2205 basically says that for the age waiver you have to prove that either an admin, medical, or counseling error occurred that kept you from applying before you became to old. I don’t fall into that category. Is the ETP something different, in that if you don’t meet that criteria, you can basically just promote yourself as being a better choice than someone less experienced? I’m willing to put in the work to send it up the chain, but if it’s a clean kill without me falling into one of those “error” categories i’d like to know beforehand. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
airforceotsguy
Hmm unfortunately I’m not sure. This would be a great question for the Facebook group because I seem to recall people talking about the age waiver/ETP process. I have heard that the AF isn’t considering age waivers right now because there are so many applicants who meet the age requirements but I also heard of people submitting age waivers for rated slots. I can’t remember… does the TFOT guide ask something specific in the questionnaires or TFOT guide about age waivers? Since you are trying to go rated it seems like you would have a shot, it is just a matter of ironing out the process. In general I perceive the TFOT guide as “clarifying guidance” to the AFI because it takes so long to update an AFI.
Joshua Burrow
So I did find it in the TFOT guide. The age waiver and the age exception to policy are two different processes. The ETP is for those who don’t meet the criteria for the waiver. Both are outlined in AFI 36-2205. From what I can tell I am eligible for the ETP. You just have to go through the process of getting your CC to sign off and route it all the way up to MAJCOM.
airforceotsguy
K that makes sense, thank you. Yes I think you are right. I think what I heard is AFRS is not currently doing waivers but is doing ETS.
Jesse McDonald
Did all of this work? I’m applying for the ETP June time frame so I have time to make any adjustments you might suggest.
airforceotsguy
Yes this worked, thst person was a select.
Trey M.
Hello. Does the ETP process only apply to those who are ‘Active Duty’? Joshua mentions that you will need your CC to sign-off on the ETP, but I am a civilian (i.e. just some guy off the street) who wouldn’t have a CC to sign-off on the ETP. I guess what I’m trying to ask is how would a civilian (like me) who is not going to meet the age requirement (also like me – I’m 29 and 6 months) approach the ETP process?
I have about 60 hours in the cockpit of a Cessna 150 & 172. I’m thinking this could be a selling point, if I’m even eligible for the ETP.
Anyway, thank you for the additional clarification/feedback, and I hope what I asked makes sense.
airforceotsguy
As a civilian applicant your “commander” is the recruiting squadron commander, which is also your recruiters commander. They will have to sign off on your ETP on your behalf. My recommendation is to put together all of your selling points in a memo format so it all ready for the recruiter and commander to review and decide.
Trey M.
Thank you for the clarification and recommendation. Honestly, I’m kind of embarrassed to be commenting on your blog, because I haven’t even taken the AFOQT. I’m so late to the game on discovering this as being a possibile career path.
That said, would you recommend not wasting any time studying for the AFOQT right now, and just focus on pulling together all of my current selling points as a civilian applicant for a recruiter to review ASAP?
Again, thank you. Even though I have a pretty good feeling on where my eligibility stands, your blog has been extremely helpful to me.
airforceotsguy
I recommend you juggle all of the things to keep yourself one step ahead of your recruiter. Do your diligence to do well on the AFOQT but don’t draw out studying because you don’t want that to be the last thing. It also sucks to be crushed by the weight of not having taken the test yet. While you are studying you should be able to at least reach out for LORs. Lastly start thinking about what to write about in your PS. Everything else will come together in time.
Trey M.
Appreciate the feedback. Thank you. If this process ends up taking me anywhere, I’ll be sure to reply back with an update.
Thanks for everything.
airforceotsguy
Good luck.
Carla G
I am currently 32 and a noncitizen. At the end of the year I’ll receive my citizenship and be eligible to ‘try’ my dream of becoming a pilot. Probably this won’t immediately happen, I probably have to delay it until my 34th birthday… Will I have any chance at all supposing I meet all the other standards except for age?
airforceotsguy
Are you active duty or civilian? You will be fighting against the clock. I recommend you take the AFOQT as soon as you can and review all other requirements. This process can sometimes take more than a year so engage with a recruiter as soon as you can and keep working until all avenues are exhausted.
Julien
Thanks for posting this. Seeing that the Air Force is willing to extend the age to 35 gives me some hope. I just turned 30 and after obtaining my private pilot license, I started expressing interest in military aviation. I am in the beginning stages of the process (barely communicating via e-mail with the recruiter) and it seems that the age waiver process is long. Would you recommend that I request the recruiter to begin the waiver process first and in the meantime I begin preparing for the AFOQT? Or would a recruiter only bother to help you after you took and scored well on the AFOQT?
airforceotsguy
Both. I recommend you engage with a recruiter as soon as possible because it can he hard to get and keep their attention. That said if you haven’t taken the AFOQT yet they may not take you seriously. Try to get decent scores because it may help with capturing a recruiters attention. Also know you can take the AFOQT at AF ROTC detachments instead of going through a recruiter
Sam
airforceotsguy, thanks for sharing!
Reading this and hearing the UPT age cutoff has been bumped to 35, due to the current pilot shortage, I wonder if I should try again or if I am just (way) too old now. Does the ETP take people beyond 35?
I was selected twice to fly, but ended up “aging out” (under “UPT by 30”) almost a decade ago.
– 2008 selected by ANG unit (unit BRACC’d and lost mission)
– 2010 selected by USAFR unit (UPT slot postponed due to AETC budget cuts; couldn’t get UPT slot before turning 30)
My “stats” now:
37 years old, E-6 in USAFR
18 years TTIS (first 9 as jet engine mech.)
BS in engineering and working at top tier aerospace defense company
AFOQT (2006): P95, N74, A70, V63, Q71
PCSM (2008): 80 (Max 92 @200+ flight hours)
PPL with 75 hours TT
MFS/FCI passed (2010)
LASIK wavier approved (2010)
Do you see a way forward? My thinking is I would need to find a very engaged/proactive unit to sponsor my package to have any chance. Finding such a unit is a challenge of its own. Thoughts/suggestions?
Thanks!
Sam
airforceotsguy
Sorry for the delay. It is really hard for me to say… I think your final sentence nailed it on the head though. If you have the right support and right push from leadership they can almost make anything happen. You will need to have some conversations with some sort of recruiter whether it be active, guard, or reserve. If you are trying to stay reserve perhaps you can work an age waiver and commission through reserve channels, that would probably be a conversation to have with your commander and the first O-6 in the chain and AFPC or the reserve equivalent. Going active may be more difficult but it would be worked primarily with whatever strings a recruiter can pull. Does that help? Feel free to email me at airforceotsguy@gmail.com if you want more specific advice.
Parker Davidson
Very helpful information. I just stumbled upon this page, where can I find a waiver template? I’m having issues finding one, even in the TFOT Guide.
My situation:
25 years old w/ almost 6 years enlisted Intel Analyst (Currently a SSgt)
Commercial Rated pilot w/ an instrument rating (285 hrs Total Time)
Basic Training Honor Graduate & Intel Tech School Distinguished Graduate
I interviewed for a pilot slot at my unit in June of 2019 and was selected for UPT a month later. FC1 at Wright Patterson – failed the Air Force’s new computerized color vision test…
The minimum score for the colors Red, Blue & Green is 55.
I scored well over the minimums in both eyes for Red & Blue.
In my right eye I scored a 50 on the color Green. In my left eye I hit the minimum score of 55.
I am not at all color blind, but for whatever reason I cannot pass the Air Force’s color vision test. My inability to see the color green on the color vision test has never translated into negatively affecting my ability to fly any airplane.
Naturally, this was devastating to me and I let the negativity of it overtake me for months. I am now re-motivated to do what I can to try and get an ETP waiver. I know since it is a vision issue that it will be a tall order but I can not live with myself if I do not at least give it a shot.
Aside from the great info you include in your post, what advice do you have as I look to start the process and how can I find the waiver template you mention in your post? Additionally, I would greatly appreciate getting a look at your completed waiver.
Thanks.
airforceotsguy
I hope you were able to get help on your waiver. For the most part the waiver is just a detailed explanation of your situation and the back story to provide context. If someone emails me a template I’ll post it!
Parker
Very helpful information. I just stumbled upon this page, where can I find a waiver template? I’m having issues finding one, even in the TFOT Guide.
My situation:
25 years old w/ almost 6 years enlisted Intel Analyst (Currently a SSgt)
Commercial Rated pilot w/ an instrument rating (285 hrs Total Time)
Basic Training Honor Graduate & Intel Tech School Distinguished Graduate
I interviewed for a pilot slot at my unit in June of 2019 and was selected for UPT a month later. FC1 at Wright Patterson – failed the Air Force’s new computerized color vision test…
The minimum score for the colors Red, Blue & Green is 55.
I scored well over the minimums in both eyes for Red & Blue.
In my right eye I scored a 50 on the color Green. In my left eye I hit the minimum score of 55.
I am not at all color blind, but for whatever reason I cannot pass the Air Force’s color vision test. My inability to see the color green on the color vision test has never translated into negatively affecting my ability to fly any airplane.
Naturally, this was devastating to me and I let the negativity of it overtake me for months. I am now re-motivated to do what I can to try and get an ETP waiver. I know since it is a vision issue that it will be a tall order but I can not live with myself if I do not at least give it a shot.
Aside from the great info you include in your post, what advice do you have as I look to start the process and how can I find the waiver template you mention in your post? Additionally, I would greatly appreciate getting a look at your completed waiver.
Thanks.
Uriel Akhamzadeh
Hi it seems the board has been closed due to high pilot retention at least until October. That being said it seems like the Airlines are having a big pilot shortage at this point and I guess things will reverse back at The AF to normal or maybe even below normal. I am 33 years old with 40 + hours of general flying working towards my PPL. I am not enlisted. If and when the board reopen, how do I get an age waiver or ETP ? I called a very depressed sounding recruiter yesterday and she said there is no such a thing as an age waiver for pilots ! Is that really true? Or is it that she isn’t willing to go into it? ( She also mentioned that she was denied a waiver for herself ), what’s your thoughts on this? Thanks!
airforceotsguy
Sorry, I’m just now going back through these comments I missed. Waivers can be tricky, and it can just depend on if a recruiter is willing to do the work. However, it can also depend on the recruiter’s higher leadership rules, they can change from commander to commander or based on differing AFPC guidance. I hope you were able to find someone to help you out.