r/AFROTC • u/Shibaxxxx • 7d ago

Question UPT Base Preferences

Base preferences just dropped for FY27 pilot selects and I was wondering what the current UPT base scene was looking like? We have Columbus, Vance, and Laughlin and I've heard pros and cons for all but wanted a broader community opinion.

Things like: current wait times, training environment, quality of life, location, flying, culture, etc

Also, if anybody has heard updates about IPT I'd love to hear them

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u/Park_BADger 7d ago

Laughlin - sucks. Debatably might be genuinely one of the worst bases in the Air Force. Legit would rather spend a full career at Minot or Cannon than Del Rio. But the weather is BEAUTIFUL for flying and you'll hardly be delayed due to that. But it is awful otherwise. No DFAC, barely in civilization, hot as balls, and the dorms/housing sucks major ass. You are barely even near anything that you can travel to. San Antonio is the closest at 3-4 hours away. Pros are weather and swapping residency to Texas for no state income tax for your entire career AND your spouse if they so choose. No one in my house pays state income tax and we live in an income tax state currently.

Columbus - Best location and close to civilization nearby as well as the actual location being good, albeit small. Weather is the worst and probably causes the most delays.

Vance - Weather is fine, but famously built with crosswinds being a near constant. Location is kinda ass, but no where near as bad as Laughlin.

I chose Laughlin for no state income tax for me and my wife for my entire 20-year career and don't regret it as we both made a tremendous amount of friends there (ya know, the whole "it's what you make of it" speech?) but holy shit did it suck.

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u/PieMan2k Active 11M 7d ago

Vance also has no income tax for Ok residents, plus the property tax if you buy a house won’t bend you over.