Posted on Apr 30, 2019
How long would you want a new soldier coming to your unit to wait before requesting to go to WOCS/WOFT?
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Due to a long story which I won't get into, I have to go enlisted and graduate infantry OSUT before going to WOCS or OCS. (I chose infantry because I wouldn't want to be a mechanic or ATC) My goal is to fly helicopters. I already have a 4 year degree and pilot experience. I just don't want to be a jerk or inconvenience to my first unit by showing up the first day and saying "hey I wanna go fly helicopters, see ya!" My question is how long should I wait to be courteous?
Posted in these groups: 
Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS)
Infantry
Basic Training
Military Career
WO1
Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) Infantry Basic Training Military Career WO1
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 10
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Don't worry about being courteous, drop your request as soon as you are eligible. A good command team will be supportive of your professional development. From the time you submit your packet so the time that you go off to school will most likely be at least a year, so your unit we'll get plenty of time with you and have sufficient time to get a backfill
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i was already in the process of getting my packet together when i showed up at Ft. Polk back in the 90's. still took about a year to finish it up, go to the board, get picked up, and then PCS. you need to put your career ahead of the unit. your unit has been there long before you and will be there long after you are gone. if you do not take care of your career, nobody else will. i say be up front when get there. Tell them your goals and work towards them.
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SPC Kole Cordier
Thank you, Sir. Any tips on getting recommendations from CWs? I know it will be harder as a grunt to meet pilots but I have heard mixed answers on whether or not the letters of rec. should be from pilots or just technical warrants if I want to fly.
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CW4 Anthoney Lowry
SPC Kole Cordier - i went through this 20+ years ago so any advice i have is going to be from that time frame. things have changed over the years. you will find all kinds of answer on RP and other forums. there is some good advice in this thread. the best place to go is the warrant officer recruiting webpage, download the checklist and follow it. Dont deviate. if it says LOR from aviation warrant officer CW3 or higher (i'm pretty sure it does), that is what you need. a tech warrant wont know jack about flying in the same way i dont know jack about being an intel warrant. seeing if you can follow instructions is the first hurdle to pass.
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SGT Dave Tracy
SPC Kole Cordier just to add to what Chief said, while you're working on your goals and keeping your eyes on the prize, do NOT be so forward looking as to lose sight of what will be expected of you as a Grunt. Keep up a motivated attitude, excel in your PT, qual expert with your weapon, be as squared away a soldier as you can be long before you drop your packet. Fail this, and you may suddenly find your ultimate dream slips out of reach. Hope it all works out for you, besides, I think having a flying Grunt would be a good thing!
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SPC Kole Cordier
SGT Dave Tracy - Thanks Sergeant! I think being a flying grunt would be a somewhat unique position. For starters I think knowing how the front lines operate on the ground would help me support them better in the aircraft or at least have a better understanding of timing, troop movement and the progression of the engagements. Also, if I got shot down ever and survived, (not that it is likely to happen), but if it did I think having the 11B experience would give me a better chance of survival.
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No one would begrudge you the opportunity. Apply. Thank you for your service.
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SPC Kole Cordier
Thank you, Command Sergeant Major. (Never said that out loud before but it is a mouthful. Is that the proper way to address you?)
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CPT Lawrence Cable
SPC Kole Cordier - Sergeant Major Z would be the correct form. First Sergeants and Sergeant Majors are referred by their rank, all other Sergeants are just Sergeant, although I would like us to go to the Marine tradition and call them by their full rank.
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CSM Darieus ZaGara
It appears as if you read one note and responded to another. My apologies I am not correlating your note to my response above. I will say that I assure you I am fully aware of the proper ways to address persons of all grades and in Most services. Thank you for your service. CPT Lawrence Cable
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CPT Lawrence Cable
CSM Darieus ZaGara - The reply was to the Specialist's inquiry above my response. I did not assume that you were not aware of the correct military titles, Sergeant Major. My Senior Master Sergeant Father (Army Air Corp/Air Force) taught me that Senior NCO's and Warrants know more about what is going on than the Officers. I've found that to be true as a rule.
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