Posted on Dec 27, 2018
What advice do you have for someone who wants to be a pilot? Do I have a better chance of getting into WOFT after enlisting as a 15R?
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I'm a senior in Highschool, my goal is to become a warrant officer and fly choppers. My recruiter told me I won't get in and he offered me to become a helicopter mechanic, he said from there submit your application to WOFT and I would most likely get a spot in.
I wouldn't really mind going to aviation school and learn how to repair helicopters because I feel like that is a useful job to have. I just wanted to know how you guys feel about this whole thing? Is it true that I have a better chance to get in after enlisted for something such as 15R?
I wouldn't really mind going to aviation school and learn how to repair helicopters because I feel like that is a useful job to have. I just wanted to know how you guys feel about this whole thing? Is it true that I have a better chance to get in after enlisted for something such as 15R?
Warrant Officers
Pilot
Aviation
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
9
9
0
TLDR; find a new recruiter.
If you want to fly, don't accept anything else. Forumns are full of guys who were told the same half truth your recruiter told you.
A WOFT packet is a lot more work for a recruiter for the same amount of credit.
Go to the Armys WOFT webpage and look up the packet reqyirements and get as much done yourself. Once youre at the point where a recruiter needs to do stuff (MEPS, physical,ECT) then go to one of the WO briefs and ask for a recommendation for a recruiter in your area that has experience with the process.
Good luck, and never settle!
If you want to fly, don't accept anything else. Forumns are full of guys who were told the same half truth your recruiter told you.
A WOFT packet is a lot more work for a recruiter for the same amount of credit.
Go to the Armys WOFT webpage and look up the packet reqyirements and get as much done yourself. Once youre at the point where a recruiter needs to do stuff (MEPS, physical,ECT) then go to one of the WO briefs and ask for a recommendation for a recruiter in your area that has experience with the process.
Good luck, and never settle!
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PO3 Christian Brielmaier
Yes, there is a ton of material and if you don't have roots in the military, it can be overwhelming.
Folks on Rally Point are great resources and pilots are very willing to help those looking to get into the field. There are several groups on RP dedicated to pilots and the programs. There are also a bunch of SWOs here that can help.
I'm on my phone, otherwise I'd provide direct links to these places to check out:
The WO briefs section on the Army WOFT page lists contacts in your area. I'd attend a brief if it's close enough and you can make the schedule work for you. Otherwise, shoot the point of contact for yourocal brief an email. There is a list on the WOFT page that has instructions for how and who to contact.
Print into the packet checklist. This is the most important paper on the page. There will be a lot of stuff that does not apply to you, so complete what you can.
Check out the Verticle reference forum, lots of good folks and info on that page.
IMO the application process itself is your first test on a long road- it's a long and often frustrating process so patience and dedication is key.
Getting a private pilot license is a decision you need to make. If you have the money, then go for it. Anything that will make you stand out from other applicants is good but be aware that it's very expensive. My personal opinion is don't bother unless you can afford to put yourself through the entire program and walk away with a commercial license. A private pots license is probably worth less that the LOR you could get from your flight instructor. 40 hrs means the FAA is reasonable certain you won't crash, but I've been to a lot of schools and the quality of training varies greatly.
Another note on a private license: a fixed wing license will cost about 1/4 of the price for the same in helicopters. So if you do decide to do it get the fixed wing and do a hicopter add on. It's cheaper and imo being dual rated gives you a considerable leg up.
Hope this helps and feel free to reach out via message if you need anything. I'm no expert, but I can point you in the right direction.
Oh yes, one thing I do recommend is going out to a local flight school and getting what's called a Discovery flight. Great, cheap way to see if flying is really for you.
Maxwell Sun
Folks on Rally Point are great resources and pilots are very willing to help those looking to get into the field. There are several groups on RP dedicated to pilots and the programs. There are also a bunch of SWOs here that can help.
I'm on my phone, otherwise I'd provide direct links to these places to check out:
The WO briefs section on the Army WOFT page lists contacts in your area. I'd attend a brief if it's close enough and you can make the schedule work for you. Otherwise, shoot the point of contact for yourocal brief an email. There is a list on the WOFT page that has instructions for how and who to contact.
Print into the packet checklist. This is the most important paper on the page. There will be a lot of stuff that does not apply to you, so complete what you can.
Check out the Verticle reference forum, lots of good folks and info on that page.
IMO the application process itself is your first test on a long road- it's a long and often frustrating process so patience and dedication is key.
Getting a private pilot license is a decision you need to make. If you have the money, then go for it. Anything that will make you stand out from other applicants is good but be aware that it's very expensive. My personal opinion is don't bother unless you can afford to put yourself through the entire program and walk away with a commercial license. A private pots license is probably worth less that the LOR you could get from your flight instructor. 40 hrs means the FAA is reasonable certain you won't crash, but I've been to a lot of schools and the quality of training varies greatly.
Another note on a private license: a fixed wing license will cost about 1/4 of the price for the same in helicopters. So if you do decide to do it get the fixed wing and do a hicopter add on. It's cheaper and imo being dual rated gives you a considerable leg up.
Hope this helps and feel free to reach out via message if you need anything. I'm no expert, but I can point you in the right direction.
Oh yes, one thing I do recommend is going out to a local flight school and getting what's called a Discovery flight. Great, cheap way to see if flying is really for you.
Maxwell Sun
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SGT Dave Walters
Max, I couldn’t agree more with Christian. I am one of those guys that went that route. (67N) It took forever and life happens. Stay focused, be persistent and never ever give up!
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Don’t listen to him. High School to Flight school is a real thing. If he doesn’t help you go to the next town over or wherever the next recruiting station is and ask them. And do the same until you find one that helps you. They pulled the same thing on me and instead of going helicopter mechanic I went infantry to do some cool guy stuff. It was fun but I’m reporting to WOCS in April and I guarantee that I’ll be going there with people right out of high school. Don’t ever settle. Good word of advice that applies for anybody in the military, they will only help you if they benifit from it, or that it annoys them so much to the point where it would be easier to just help you. The only reason he’s saying that is cause it’s a lot more work on his end and if he’s not willing to help you then find a recruiter that will. They’re out there you just have to look(or annoy them until they help you)
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SPC (Join to see)
Maxwell Sun I will say it does help that’s probably what set me over the edge for the rest of my peers but it’s very verryyyy expensive. For all the ground school and hours and equipment you’re looking anywhere from 7,000-10,000 or even more depending on where you live and who you go to. Usually, the bigger the airport the bigger the price tag. But if you get a good enough score on the SIFT you don’t need to worry about getting it
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Maxwell Sun
SPC (Join to see) - Thanks! How long did it take for you to get your private license? That is something i've been looking into. Do you think I can do that and work on my WOFT packet at the same time? Because if that's the case, once I get my license I will just work that into my WOFT application.
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SPC (Join to see)
Maxwell Sun that’s what I did actually. Got back from deployment and started on my WO packet and then started on my license. If you’re really committed you CAN get it I’m month but I’m reality if you can only fly on the weekends and after school probably like 2-3 months if you’re really committed
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Maxwell Sun Below are the requirements per the Army Recruiting Command:
https://recruiting.army.mil/ISO/AWOR/Civilian_WOFT/
https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service/advance-your-career/warrant-officer.html
https://recruiting.army.mil/ISO/AWOR/Civilian_WOFT/
https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service/advance-your-career/warrant-officer.html
U.S. ARMY RECRUITING COMMAND In-Service Opportunities U.S. Army Warrant Officer Recruiting ...
The official website for the Army Recruiting Command (USAREC)
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