Anyone have any more sure fire ways of getting into aviation?

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 14:15:12 -0400

I'm currently putting my OCS packet together, trying to fly. I've taken and did well on the sift, and about to take my flight physical next week. I found a unit willing to take me, not last minute I was told you cannot go to OCS with an aviation slot (in the reserves you go to a slot with your branch pre designated).

I do want to be an officer, but flying is my main goal. Does anyone know of any better ways to get into aviation?

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2016 3:34 PM

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 15:34:49 -0400

Btw when I say sure fire I more mean my best way. I'm aware I won't find anyone begging to let me be a pilot for them lol

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2016 6:31 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 18:31:36 -0400

Yeah. Don't become an officer. Haha. If you really want to fly, become a warrant.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2016 9:31 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 21:31:30 -0400

It's almost impossible to branch aviation out of OCS. It just isn't given very often. I'd you want to fly I'd put in a warrant packet.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2016 9:35 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 21:35:19 -0400

I had one of my Soldiers that wanted to do the same as you. He went OCS, branched Infantry. About a year later he was accepted into Aviation unit, and is now almost done with Flight School.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2016 5:27 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Apr 2016 17:27:46 -0400

If you're eligible to go green-to-gold, the OML for branch selection in ROTC is well defined. Two major things that affect OML are in your control (APFT and GPA). But like the others said, you will not fly nearly as much as your warrant officer counter parts once you leave the company. And as a 15A, you'll only be in the company twice in your entire career (PL time and Command).

Response by MAJ James F Gafney made Apr 28 at 2016 5:45 PM

MAJ James F Gafney — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 17:45:43 -0400

Become a warrant officer first. I was an OCS graduate in 99. I wanted to be a leader before a pilot. I was selected FA with completed packet, AFAST, flight physical and aviation education and came from an enlisted aviation MOS. When the list came out, they selected 5 soldiers to be branched AV, but none had done their packet. I requested a branch transfer to AV and got it.

BLUF: Do you want to be a pilot or a leader? If it's leader...roll the dice. If it's pilot, go warrant. You can always go to OCS after becoming a Warrant.