Flight warrant packet tips

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 00:01:48 -0500

Hey there, I'm searching for a little bit of guidance on my flight warrant packet. I took the sift already and will continue my flight physical as soon as I get PRK eye surgery in the summer. Other than my physical I have my packet all together. I'm currently down range and would like to maximize my time here to better my chances for selection. I've been waivered to PFC and expect to get waivered to specialist soon. I have 27 college credits currently and I'm enrolled in civilian classes here already to get some more credits. I'll be attending soldier of the month soon, And I try to stand out overall. Now could anybody offer me any more guidance here to help my packet out? I know that the only thing that matters to the board is what is on paper. So how can I beef up my credentials? Are correspondence courses helpful? How about if I volunteered my Sundays at the airfield and maybe get air time? Any advice is appreciated, thank you.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2015 1:40 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 01:40:34 -0500

You're not likely to get any time in the air volunteering at an airfield. There is nothing you can bring to the mission as a non-rated crew. Your basically just a passenger if they do bring you up, and there's far to much going on to even begin explaining what is going on to a back seater. The best thing you can do is impress some higher ranking pilots and get a good letter of recommendation from them. If you have what it takes (character, aptitude, and personality) they'll likely back you up and give your a LOR. A CW4 that gave me a LOR, said that with the other LOR that I had at the time, that I could be basically retarded and still get picked up. That's how important they are. FYI, LOR should be the LAST step. Pass aftp, sift, physical taken and approved by Rucker, etc, before you even step foot into a hanger looking for someone to give you a LOR. Flight school is A LOT work, they don't want to see some half assed nonsense from people before it has even begun.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2015 11:35 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 11:35:15 -0500

Corresponding courses won't wouldn't help much, I was a SPC when I started my pocket with minimal corresponding course credits on my ERB.

Instead of volunteering at an airfield try volunteering with your USO, BOSS or MWR. This will help especially if you're able to get Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

Setting yourself apart is big, college credits, a clean ERB, make sure you visit S-1 to make your duty assignments uniform and neat, take a DA Photo and make sure all awards match your ERB.

Find out who the brigade standardization officer and who the brigade aviation maintenance officer are and send them a polite email requesting an interview in regards to your flight packet. These individuals would be a CW5. Make sure you let your command know you're intentions with the email.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2015 8:04 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 20:04:05 -0500

I got very lucky in my situation, I am currently working at a hospital and was lucky to come across a CW4 that has been more than helpful. I told him I would love to fly and was interested in starting a packet but I had no idea where to start. He has made me feel more than confident about applying. He asked questions of my education, NCOER's, WLC, boards, sift, and volunteering. Afterwards I was invited to several Warrant Officers Association events getting to meet many other CW4's and some 5's. I have only had one real concern about my packet and it was that my SIFT was low, they still maintain their confidence in any packet that I will put together. I think that confidence and patience from these senior warrants is what inspires me to switch.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2015 12:15 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 00:15:09 -0500

Whatever you have in your resume, emphasize how it can be applied and relevant to aviation. Safety is a big one. THEE big one tally Safety is a massive element in aviation. Don't take it from this new warrant, take it from the 12 years in aviation I had enlisted before being picked up.

Response by 2d Lt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 11:14 PM

2d Lt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 23:14:06 -0500

I'm somewhat familiar with the Army's WOFT Program. First and foremost, under no circumstances should you EVER GIVE UP! It took me several tries before I finally got selected by the USAF to attend UPT (flight school). Remember, even for pilot wannabes, almost everything can be waived...almost. Don't get discouraged and be prepared to try many times. I was fortunate to have a supportive unit and I hope that's the case for you, but if it's not, you're going to have to really fight for it. Nothing is going to be handed to you. In my eight years of military service I can say without a doubt that aviators and SF types are weird breeds...they know exactly what they want to do and they'll stop at nothing to get it. If you really want it, you'll find a way to get it.

As to the specifics of your package, you're on the right track. Don't worry so much about volunteering. When I looked at the WOFT program, candidates who stood out had these three things going for them: A 'good' SIFT score (read FAA-H-8023-21A front to back...know the material cold), strong LORs from CW4s or CW5s (Minimum is a CW3 I believe) and a college education with a strong GPA. That degree shows the Army dedication, focus and discipline--things you will absolutely need for being successful in Flight School. While not necessary, if you can manage to scrounge up some money for a few flying lessons--that'd demonstrate genuine interest in aviation and give you something to talk about when interviewing (Assuming you're gunning for a Reserve/NG slot). If you want more information, PM. I know a few Guard pilots who might be willing to talk to you offline about specifics. Lastly, good luck, man! Seriously. If you get selected, let us know.

Response by SFC Stephen Carden made Jul 6 at 2017 7:36 AM

SFC Stephen Carden — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 07:36:54 -0400

Here is a tip for when you get accepted. I once had a friend who was a 67R, Apache mechanic. He had a ton of extra certifications like airframe, etc. He applied to WOCS and was going to make the transition to aviation warrant. At the time he was accepted, he had just been promoted E-6. So, off he went to WOCS and he knocked it out of the park. Then, he went to the aviation portion of the course. During the initial period, it is mostly classroom work, and he was top of his class. Then came the time to actually get into the cockpit. Long story short, he couldn't make his hands, feet, and eyes do 5 different things, and he washed out. They gave him a choice: he could have either CID warrant, watercraft engineer, or watercraft operator. He didn't want any of these and asked them to make him a maintenance warrant. One of the qualifications was that he have BNCOC (now ALC), which he hadn't had time to attend before getting selected for warrant. He told them to put stripes on him and he would go to BNCOC, but they said no because now he was an officer and couldn't attend enlisted courses. He ended up being separated from the Army for not compromising his desires to remain in the aviation field. He ended up joining the reserves as an E-5 PYOP specialist. Moral of the story: have a contingency plan in case you don't make it through the flight instruction! Good luck!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2017 7:00 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 19:00:08 -0500

If anyone still checks this thread. I Got a quick question what should be the first thing done of the packet the SIFT or flight physical? Thanks

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2018 5:06 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 17:06:41 -0400

SPC Today, shoot me a message and I will discuss the process and how to make your packet as.competitive as it can be. I would be happy to help