How can I make my Flight Warrant Packet Competitive?

2017-04-16T06:04:04-04:00

I am starting my Flight Warrant Officer packet but fear it won't be competitive enough. I would love some information from any source familiar with it. I have contacted the Warrant Officer recruiting command but have some minor question I would prefer to ask my Peers. (I apologies in advance about my default picture I will update it with my DA Photo once I receive it)

I am closing in on the 12 months until I ETS and I understand that there is a waiver to submit my packet 6-12 months out but does this make me less competitive? Would it be more advantageous to extend?

I am currently a SPC in a Sniper section. I have a 121 ASVAB and a 270 PT Score. I have no negative actions on my ERB. But I also have nothing that would make me stand out I'm afraid. I have just begun to start taking college courses, but have taken none previously. I also have not earned any awards. I was hand selected and passed the rigors selection to earn the slot in my sniper section but since have not really done anything to show I'm better then my peers. I fear as if my competitors will be higher enlisted soldiers.

I have spent a lot of time studying for the SIFT and my test date is soon. I have no doubt I will pass with a decent score and will then move on to the medical portion (Most I already have complete because I previously have completed a Special Forces Physical). I have began asking my Chain of Command about LORs but am waiting on the SIFT/Medical to be finished to show I am serious. Unfortunately being Infantry, apart from Air Assault Missions I have little to no experience with Combat Aviation. I was curious as well on how to best contact a CW about shadowing them. Also I am married and have a large amount of questions about Family life during and after training.

I am serious about earning a Flight School slot. If my packet is denied I plan on attending college and applying post graduation again.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2017 9:39 AM

2017-04-16T09:39:08-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member With the test scores you have in file, it would seem useful to build a college record with CLEP tests. Check the local ed office for subjects and schedule - having that on your resume will give an indication that you are serious about advanced education as well as the Flight warrant program

Response by CW2 Christopher Esparza made Apr 16 at 2017 10:09 AM

2017-04-16T10:09:34-04:00

Nicholas,
First off, if your packet is anywhere close to as well put together as your questions then you should be looking good in the running.
I will try to tackle this one from top to bottom.
1) Eliminate won't and can't from your vocabulary. Tell yourself that enough then you'll start to believe it.
2) The 12 month rule is there because of the availability of slots at WOCS. It wouldn't do anyone any good if you were selected and ETS'd before you get a class date or while in school. It won't make you any less desirable if you have less than 12 months. It is a conditional waiver, if I'm selected I agree to extend to meet the requirements of attending WOCS.
3) Being a sniper is no easy task, a 121 ASVAB is pretty damn impressive (most MOS's mark the line of delineation at 110) and a 270 shows you can handle the physical rigors. Flight Warrant is one of those fields where youth is king. (ever heard of hight school to flight school) The Army puts a lot of money into flight training they want to get someone young and keep them around awhile.
4) Do the best you possibly can on your SIFT, it's your entrance exam. Don't worry about the physical if your healthy your healthy if your not your not.
LOR's from your chain are great but the most weight will be from a WO in the flight field. With that being said, go at it with a plan. Why do you want to be a flight warrant? We hear it all the time, "I was thinking about going Warrant." well I was thinking about breathing WTF's your point. Get it?
While your in WOCS your wife will remain at your home station. After completion of WOCS you will have time to PCS to Ft. Rutker for flight training.

Hope this helps, if you have anymore questions let me know.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2017 3:23 AM

2017-04-27T03:23:48-04:00

Update just got a 63 on my SIFT and begin Medical Tomorrow.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 27 at 2017 11:24 AM

2017-04-27T11:24:21-04:00

I'm coming at this from the outside, being an AF person. My experience includes pilot training instructor. Also, have an ex-brother-in-law who was an Aviation Warrant.

Family life: your time will be very committed in WO training and flight training. Plan on your wife having to carry most of the family burden during this period. My brother-in-law and family did live on-Post at Rucker. They had 2 kids. Don't know how that works out now. The housing was nice enough back in the 1970s.

Plan B: college then apply. This looks like a plan you should be fully prepared to execute. If you're planning on a bachelors degree program, then consider a science, technology, engineering, or math major to up your viability for the Services' flight programs. Consider an ROTC program while in college leading to a commission. If you really want to fly rotary wing then the Army is the way to go. (Helicopter pilots "get no respect" in the other Services.} If you want to go fixed wing, then apply for an AF commission and pilot training. The Navy and Marines also employ fixed wing pilots, but their upward mobility is limited because they aren't classic Navy or Marine line officers. There just aren't very many Naval Aviation Admirals. The AF and Navy flight schools are both excellent.

I wish you the best of luck no matter which path you take. Flying is the greatest job you'll ever have in the military. They even pay you to do it! Keep us posted on your progress.

Response by Lesli De Paz made Feb 10 at 2018 2:31 PM

2018-02-10T14:31:33-05:00

What all does a physical consist of for flight school?