Posted on Apr 1, 2016
Anyone have any more sure fire ways of getting into aviation?
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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?
I do want to be an officer, but flying is my main goal. Does anyone know of any better ways to get into aviation?
Aviation
15A: Aviation Officer
Aviation WOBC
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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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.
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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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Yeah. Don't become an officer. Haha. If you really want to fly, become a warrant.
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LTJG (Join to see)
That's interesting I was literally just advised that commissioning into your branch would give me my best shot at flying lol not true?
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COL (Join to see)
If you become an Aviation Branch officer, you will fly. All of the Aviation regular commissioned officers (known colloquially within the branch as "RLOs") are rated pilots. What the LT is saying is if all you want to do is fly and not be a platoon leader, staff officer or company commander at the same time, then you'd be truer to your intentions to become a warrant officer. Warrant officer pilots in our branch do the majority of the flying. Not to say us RLOs don't get our fair share, but it's a split attention between leadership roles and staff functions and piloting.
I tell all of the ROTC cadets we get at my Guard unit that being an aviation branch officer is tough work because you literally have to work twice as hard to be a master of both domains (flying and traditional officer functions). Those coming into the branch as LTs need to come willing to work twice as hard because your Soldiers deserve no less.
Good luck with whatever route you decide, they're both amazing career paths!
I tell all of the ROTC cadets we get at my Guard unit that being an aviation branch officer is tough work because you literally have to work twice as hard to be a master of both domains (flying and traditional officer functions). Those coming into the branch as LTs need to come willing to work twice as hard because your Soldiers deserve no less.
Good luck with whatever route you decide, they're both amazing career paths!
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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
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