As warrant officer helicopter pilots, what would you say about your experiences? Would you recommend your job to someone else?

Gary, I have placed more than 161 Soldiers, NCOs and Civilians into WOCS to become aviators. Not one has ever came back and said it was a bad thing. There are a lot of comments on the reply to your query, just know that there were days I wish I was back wearing stripes and not flying, but those days were limited to the harsh times learning to fly at flight school. After that, there is no WAY I would turn around and go back to wearing stripes and I never wished to wear brass as it was encouraged by many when NCOoY. I wanted to fly and that didn't mean a desk. If you are remotely serious about becoming a pilot, it is a huge issue for recruiters at times and a frustrating process, but I di have folks who are in flight school right now who just completed the process and another that ships in January of 2018 from Dallas. Let me know is you wish to talk to any of them as they are not current members of RP.

I am a former Chinook crew chief with 160th SOAR(A) and a current Apache pilot. I can say that it's very difficult to "see things you don't wanna see" while flying. As a crew dog, returning fire is usually over very quickly and you are flying to bypass enemy fire, not engage. Even when firing a mini gun, it's rare to see the effects.

As a pilot, it'd be even more rare unless you're an apache pilot. Even then, you're miles away and it's more like playing a video game.

You'll bee in the army though. Stuff happens and people die. If you don't have the stomach for it, steer clear.

My advice? Disregard what that Crew Chief said. Chances are they may be just disgruntled in their particular job. Hell, damn near every job in the Army will have you see things you really don't want to see. It's the nature of the beast. But, to get to the bread and butter of the question......If helicopters is your dream....then chase that dream down. And as for being mentally tough enough for it, only you can discover and answer that for yourself. I wish you luck in your future.