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Posted (edited)

Hi All,

 

For those interested, I have decided to post my progress while applying for the WOFT program. I'm sort of at the beginning stages but here's a little about me:

 

-24 years old, BS in Biology, 3.51 GPA all through college, graduated with honors

-no prior Military experience

-no formal flight training (just been up with friends and they let me take controls sometimes)

-PRK surgery completed on 20MAR2011

-MEPS Physical completed and passed

-AFAST Score of 131

-ASVAB Scores AFQT: 94th percentile, 130 GT

-Civilian Resume

-Letters from: CW4 UH-60 pilot, college professor, current supervisor, Navy Aviator O-4, and retired Marine communication officer (30+ years).

 

I am located in Ohio and have an EXCELLENT recruiting unit working with me. The guys are knowledgeable, friendly and willing to help me any way they can. From the first minute I walked in the door they have all been unbelievable helpful and never once tried to get me to enlist in another MOS or tried to discourage me from applying. They aren't sugarcoating anything, but are not trying to get me to do something I don't want to. They don't have ALL the answers to my questions but they get on the phone and find them for me and get back to me within a day or two. So if anyone is in Ohio, particularly southern Ohio and needs a good recruiting contact, PM me!

 

That's about all I have. For those interested, I posted all about my PRK surgery and forms and everything already. Here is the link to that forum: PRK Process

 

If any of you have questions for me, I'd be more than happy to try and answer for what I have done so far (which isn't much). This forum has been a great resource for me so I thought I would share what's going on with me! Next step: flight physical!

 

Cheers,

Matthew

Edited by AirOneMatthew
Posted

Good luck on the AFAST!

 

I am currently a WOC for the TXARNG. I leave for Rucker in Nov! :D :D :D I know that the selection process between AD and RC/Guard is different but the AFAST is the same. If I could offer you some advice. Most people have the trouble with the complex movements part of the test. They don't complete the whole section and they rush. The strategy I used was to actually memorize the key. If you have the key memorized then you know which letter corresponds to which movements and you don't spend so much time looking back and forth from the booklet, to the key, to the answer sheet, etc. Using this method I actually finished all the questions in that section. I scored a 159 and I truly believe that not loosing points to unanswered questions helped significantly.

 

Just my 2 cents.

  • Like 1
  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Thanks for the advice! It turns out I can't do the MEPS physical and AFAST in the same trip, so I'm just getting the physical tomorrow and the AFAST sometime in the next week or two. It's a 2 hour bus ride to MEPS from where I live, so it'll be a boring couple days! Leaving tomorrow around noon. Anything special I should keep in mind for the MEPS physical? Or is it pretty straight forward?

Posted

Most people have the trouble with the complex movements part of the test. They don't complete the whole section and they rush. The strategy I used was to actually memorize the key. If you have the key memorized then you know which letter corresponds to which movements and you don't spend so much time looking back and forth from the booklet, to the key, to the answer sheet, etc. Using this method I actually finished all the questions in that section.

 

Agreed! That is the toughest part of the test. MEMORIZE that key! Also, keep your fingers crossed that you don't get impossibly unclear black and white photo copied pictures for your spacial orientation section or whatever it's called. Those should be easy money.

Posted

Thanks! Well I spoke with my recruiter this morning and I guess he had scheduled AFAST instead of MEPS physical for this trip without letting me know he changed them. I'm not completely ready for the AFAST so we are putting it off til next month :angry:

 

Had I known, I would have studied more and had sections memorized. He said I can't do the MEPS physical until the AFAST is completed. I didn't think that was true? Anyone care to shed some light? His CO at the station told me 2 weeks ago I would be going for the physical and then the AFAST, but they might've had the wrong information. Oh well. Gives me plenty of time to work on my studying and my PT!

Posted

When I did it I went to MEPS I did a multi-day thing where I started with the ASVAB then took the AFAST, and the next day I went back and got a physical. Knocked it out in one weekend.

Posted

He said I can't do the MEPS physical until the AFAST is completed. I didn't think that was true?

It's not true. Think about it. What do they do at MEPS for ANYONE processing for the military, period? Maybe he was directed to schedule them in that fashion by his superiors but to answer your question, one before the other doesn't matter. It actually makes more sense that you take the MEPS physical first to make sure you're at least generally medically qualified (keep in mind you still need your 1W Flight Physical which makes MEPS' look like a joke which will be scheduled after you pass the AFAST).

Posted

It's not true. Think about it. What do they do at MEPS for ANYONE processing for the military, period? Maybe he was directed to schedule them in that fashion by his superiors but to answer your question, one before the other doesn't matter. It actually makes more sense that you take the MEPS physical first to make sure you're at least generally medically qualified (keep in mind you still need your 1W Flight Physical which makes MEPS' look like a joke which will be scheduled after you pass the AFAST).

 

 

That's exactly what I was thinking. Oh well. He maybe was told by his superiors otherwise for whatever reason. Just frustrating because I wanted to get the MEPS physical knocked out of the park. I work 12 hour shifts in an ER so it's damn near impossible to try and get the two days off in a row to get up there. Life goes on I guess, gives me plenty of time to prepare! New date for AFAST is August 9th!

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

Cleared things up with the recruiter, looks like he was just misinformed. Will be heading to MEPS on August 1st and having the physical August 2nd. The following week I will head back to MEPS for the AFAST Test. Took the AFAST Arco practice test only doing the content questions (skipped the description and background questions). Of the 100 content questions, I scored correctly on 85 of them. Missed only 1 of the 40 complex movement questions though, so I felt good about that!

 

Anyways, not a long update but things are scheduled.

 

Until then, working on my PT like crazy, which sucks. My 2 mile time is HORRIBLE and I started interval training today. Pushups/Situps as well. Will post after I hear AFAST scores or if problems with MEPS physical (PRK in March).

 

Cheers,

 

Matthew

Posted

Stellar AFAST score! Intervals are awesome, make sure you do some distance also. I highly recommend that you practice healthy eating habits. Commercial breaks or coffie breaks are pushup and situp times. Focus on the goal do not make excuses and we will see you at rucker!

Posted

Hi All,

 

For those interested, I have decided to post my progress while applying for the WOFT program. I'm sort of at the beginning stages but here's a little about me:

 

-23 years old, BS in Biology, 3.5 GPA all through college, graduated with honors

-no prior Military experience

-no formal flight training (just been up with friends and they let me take controls sometimes)

-PRK surgery completed on 20MAR2011, 3 month recently completed

-AFAST and MEPS physical scheduled for 12JUL2011

-ASVAB Scores AFQT: 94th percentile, 130 GT

-Civilian Resume

-Letters from: CW4 UH-60 pilot, college professor, current supervisor, Navy Aviator O-4, and retired Marine communication officer (30+ years).

 

I am located in Ohio and have an EXCELLENT recruiting unit working with me. The guys are knowledgeable, friendly and willing to help me any way they can. From the first minute I walked in the door they have all been unbelievable helpful and never once tried to get me to enlist in another MOS or tried to discourage me from applying. They aren't sugarcoating anything, but are not trying to get me to do something I don't want to. They don't have ALL the answers to my questions but they get on the phone and find them for me and get back to me within a day or two. So if anyone is in Ohio, particularly southern Ohio and needs a good recruiting contact, PM me!

 

As stated above I will be taking my AFAST/MEPS Physical on 12JUL2011. Looking forward to it and using the ARCO study book. Already read through and highlighted the FAA Rotorcraft manual. Just opened the ARCO book, haven't done much at all yet. I do have the most recent edition of the ASVAB for Dummies. I used it and it was helpful. I am willing to give the book to someone if they would like it at no cost (I'll even ship it!). First to PM me gets it. (Gone already, sorry!)

 

That's about all I have. For those interested, I posted all about my PRK surgery and forms and everything already. Here is the link to that forum: PRK Process

 

If any of you have questions for me, I'd be more than happy to try and answer for what I have done so far (which isn't much). This forum has been a great resource for me so I thought I would share what's going on with me! I will continue to update when I test for the AFAST and when I will be boarding and all that. Best of luck to all of you!

 

Cheers,

Matthew

 

 

Hey man, it looks like we are dealing with the same recruiters in Ohio. Have you done the AFAST yet? If you dont live too far from the station maybe we could work on the run together. My run sucks at the moment, I blame Call of Duty.

 

Anyway I have done everything except the flight physical which should be within a week or so. Are you heading to that as well? Last I heard it was switched again to Wright Patt.

 

We are bringing about the same stats to the table:

 

B.A. in History

5 years Marine Corps as a flyer

85 ASVAB

119 GT

127 AFAST

3 Letters of Rec, 2 letters of thanks

1 Colonel, 2 Captains, 1 from the President, 1 from White House Chief of Staff

History of Approved Flight Physicalls and Qualifications as a Marine Aviator

 

Even with all of that under my belt, this waiting game that is the U.S. military still makes me nervous.

Posted

Hey man, it looks like we are dealing with the same recruiters in Ohio. Have you done the AFAST yet? If you dont live too far from the station maybe we could work on the run together. My run sucks at the moment, I blame Call of Duty.

 

Anyway I have done everything except the flight physical which should be within a week or so. Are you heading to that as well? Last I heard it was switched again to Wright Patt.

 

We are bringing about the same stats to the table:

 

B.A. in History

5 years Marine Corps as a flyer

85 ASVAB

119 GT

127 AFAST

3 Letters of Rec, 2 letters of thanks

1 Colonel, 2 Captains, 1 from the President, 1 from White House Chief of Staff

History of Approved Flight Physicalls and Qualifications as a Marine Aviator

 

Even with all of that under my belt, this waiting game that is the U.S. military still makes me nervous.

 

 

Sent you a PM!

Posted

Hey Marine....with that list of letters of Recc, what do you have to worry about??? B)

 

One of the guys here had a letter from GWB. First time select.

Posted

Does anyone have a good website or free resource that I can use that will help me with airport procedures for the helicopter knowledge section for the AFAST? I have been going over the practice test a few times a day and I think I have all of those questions memorized but I'm clueless since I'm not a pilot about those things.

 

For example, what colors do the lights on the runway indicate. One practice question was what does a red blinking light at an airport mean?

 

I googled some of that stuff but I can't find a good single website that goes over all of that stuff. Any help would be appreciated!

 

Cheers,

Matthew

Posted

I used the Principles of Helicopter flight book. I am sure the FAA Rotorcraft manual would work too.

Posted

Does anyone have a good website or free resource that I can use that will help me with airport procedures for the helicopter knowledge section for the AFAST? I have been going over the practice test a few times a day and I think I have all of those questions memorized but I'm clueless since I'm not a pilot about those things.

 

For example, what colors do the lights on the runway indicate. One practice question was what does a red blinking light at an airport mean?

 

I googled some of that stuff but I can't find a good single website that goes over all of that stuff. Any help would be appreciated!

 

Cheers,

Matthew

 

Look up light gun signals, they are used for communications failure between the aircraft and tower, the red flashing light means the airport is unsafe do not land, hope that helps..

Posted

I used the Principles of Helicopter flight book. I am sure the FAA Rotorcraft manual would work too.

 

 

Thanks for the replies. Found some good ones. Unfortunately, the FAA Rotorcraft Handbook doesn't have any of the airport operations. Loads of good information, as I read and read all day long. Thanks again! I will update with my score next week or as soon as I find out!

 

Cheers,

Matthew

Posted

Frustrated as hell. Was all ready to leave for MEPS to take the AFAST yesterday. Showed up at the recruiter station and they said now that they just found out I can't take the AFAST until I have my MEPS physical completed. WTH? I feel like I am getting jerked around. They are a great group of guys it just seems like they can't get the logistical stuff down. To be fair, the recruiter I am working with just got placed as the station commander as the new one got ousted and they are all in a whirlwind of delegating who does what now. It just sucks because of my work schedule it's damn near impossible to schedule two days off in a row for MEPS (2 hours away) since they only offer the AFAST on the second tuesday of each month. This is the second month in a row where something scheduling wise got screwed up.

 

Apparently, they are waiting on my med read to come back before I can go get my MEPS physical (PRK). As soon as this happens I'll be on my way, finally after 3 months. Not bashing the guys, just the circumstances.

 

Will keep everyone posted.

 

Cheers,

Matthew

Posted

Matthew,

 

Anyone in the Army can back me up on this, they didn't lie to you, the truth just changed. Don't get frustrated about all the changes because that is just the way it is. One of the things that make this Army so great is the flexibility of its Soldiers. Suck it up and drive on, semper gambi, and so on. Just keep your eye on the prize and don't stress about the rest. Keep up the good work and hopefully I'll see you at Rucker before I leave.

 

Dutch.

Posted

Yep, this may be the first time you've experienced something like this but it certainly wont be the last. Just wait until you have to outprocess flight school :blink: :lol: Be patient and keep working with the process and you'll get it done.

Posted

Hell, I think Bco itself is a test in human persistance and patience.

Posted

Thanks for the replies guys. Makes me at ease a little bit knowing I wasn't lie to haha. Anyways, got a call from the recruiter today after he checked the med log. Apparently, MEPS wants to see the EXACT same paperwork that we faxed them for the initial med read. Silly, he said, but oh well. September 7th is the date they want the paperwork faxed back and then 72 hours after that I can schedule MEPS physical. I guess the only good thing is I should be able to do even better on the AFAST. Will continue to update. Thanks for the support!

 

Cheers,

Matthew

Posted

I have been waiting since June for the flight physical to be scheduled. and they still have no clue how to schedule one. Its freaking simple, and they have managed to draw it on for 2 months.......

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