BogiDope,

The Florida Air National Guard (FANG) has opened it's window for a RATED hiring board. Application deadline is August 15, 2026. Contact BGratedhiring@gmail.com if you're interested in applying.

The job has been posted to the Job Board for more details.

Hey all,

Looking at trying to pickup a Reserve IMA job. I’ve got a friend at a unit who has offered to show me around. How does hiring work, should I show ready to interview or is it usually visits that lead to an interview? Thanks!

Wanted to provide some gouge for those interested. Guard/reserve will have class dates pretty much back to back. After OTS, SERE in WA - no woods for AMC guard/reserve. Then will PCS to UPT base. In processing was pretty painless just allow sufficient time for medical and getting name tapes/flight suits/etc. squared away. Great time to meet classmates. CRAFT workouts with strength/cognitive coaches & nutritionists. They’ll give you a workout plan to use while at IPT. Then pre-departure brief for IPT location. CAFB is going to locations in FL&GA. Vance & Laughlin spread between TX&AZ. You’ll go TDY to your IPT location. Civilian apartments and flight school. If you have ratings you’ll go into a proficiency/refresher course then onto your next set of curriculum. Then back to your UPT base for T-6 and your class will stick together unless people with ratings going into it get back sooner & into an earlier class.

Feel free to DM with questions. Good luck!

Does anyone who has recently gone through the process of getting hired know the timeline for approval from the NGB? My recruiter submitted my packet roughly in the middle of May, and I want to understand the realistic timeline from now to FC1 and OTS. Thank you in advance.

BD,

It always excites me to compete and not withhold information so I can be the only one succeeding. One thing I’ve learned through this process is that simply reaching out to units and introducing yourself can go a long way. I recently sent an email to a C-17 unit sharing a little about myself and my credentials — Ethiopian-born adoptee, college athlete, assistant soccer coach, substitute teacher, PPL with 100+ flight hours, and strong Pilot/PCSM scores (both mid 90s). The Chief Pilot personally requested a phone call, and we ended up talking for about 40 minutes about leadership, approaching situations, and squadron culture. Without even submitting a formal application — and before their application window had even opened (still not open) — they invited me out for an official interview!!!!

One thing that stood out to me was that they asked very little about my AFOQT because they saw I had taken it three times. I failed the verbal section twice, scoring an 8 both times. English not being my primary language definitely caught up to me there, but on my third attempt I earned a 41 and finally exceeded the minimum. What surprised me most was that they seemed far more interested in my approach, mindset, and perseverance than the actual scores themselves.

I told them honestly that I would not go back and change the fact that I took it three times because I learned more through those failures than I would have if I had succeeded the first time. I also explained why quantitative section of 14 was low. I simply said, "order to give myself a fighting chance, I was willing to sacrifice a lower quantitative score if it meant passing and exceeding the verbal minimums and If that lower score comes back to bite me later, so be it,” because at the time the mission was finding a way forward rather than making excuses.

Just wanted to encourage everyone here not to underestimate the value of authenticity, ownership, and building genuine connections early. Units are not only evaluating scores — they are evaluating character, humility, resilience, and whether they can trust you to fit into their culture for the next 10–20 years.

As a general rule of life, you will make mistakes and possibly fail and that might happen at UPT, but how do you approach an unforeseen circumstances that may or may not be in your control?

Sorry for the tangent, but my whole point is this: send the darn email. Don’t talk yourself out of opportunities before the unit even has a chance to know who you are. That one email could be the very thing that opens the door to your opportunity.

Good luck!!

All though this individual desires to remain anonymous at this time, totally understandable, I still wanted to give a shoutout letting our members know another BogiDope member was selected for UPT! A huge congratulations and best of luck on your next incredible upcoming phase in life!

This is a question I get a lot: What does the deployment cycle look like in the Guard? What can I expect for long stints away from home?

The answer: it is always changing. Right now, the cycle is aligning with active duty and shouldering some more of the "total force burden". It looks like 6 months away from home about every 2 years or so with some shorter trips in between. Flying jets is awesome, but this is definitely something to consider!
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/aew-2-0-air-force-revises-deployment-model-again/

Good evening BG,

I’m an active duty USN F-35C Panther driver who is very interested in full time ANG opportunities. I’m a fully qualified Team Lead, 4-ship instructor, and I have admin instructor quals as well. Currently teaching at the FRS (B-course equivalent) and I’ll be heading back to the fleet next year for a two year tour. I believe I’m a good candidate for AGR but I’m not a great candidate such as a TOPGUN graduate.

I’m currently about 3 years from my earliest separation opportunity. Do you think I could benefit from purchasing one month of BG Pro or one session of one-on-one coaching to formulate a strategy? I’m not quite convinced I’ll stand out from native USAF F-35 types and I have questions on how I could be a stand out candidate before I begin formally rushing units next year.

Thank you for your time,

-Michael “Haboob” Ditzler

Hey everyone,

I'm just looking for some advice. I'm a 20-year-old in college who wants to get connected to the Air National Guard to hopefully join a unit after college. I have my private pilot's license and over 150 hours of total flight time. How can I take action right now to stand out for potential guard units?

Thanks!

Hey everyone, I just got my AFOQT scores back:

• Pilot: 99
• CSO (Combat Systems Officer): 95
• ABM (Air Battle Manager): 99
• Academic Aptitude: 76
• Verbal: 64
• Quantitative: 80

I’m a 26-year-old Junior Captain in the Marine Corps, and I’m exploring opportunities to transition into the Air Guard or Reserves. I’m particularly interested in flying fighters or cargo.

Given my scores, age, and career timing, which units would likely be the best fit? I’d greatly appreciate any advice or recommendations!

Thanks in advance!
Tucker