How Competitive are National Guard Flight School Selections?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 May 2021 21:00:26 -0400

So I am in the California National Guard and want to put in a flight packet for this upcoming selection in October (that was the month I was told). I have been training to improve my ACFT Score and studying for the SIFT test. Right now I am in the 500s, I am a bit of a big body so I max out dead lift, power throw, push ups and come in under 2 minutes during the sprint drag carry but only at 8 leg tucks and coming in barely under 20 minutes on the run. Despite having a good overall score and passing the ACFT, is flight school selections so competitive that having those 2 outlier low scores put me at a disadvantage of being selected? I am in a ground maintenance unit and there isn't really anyone in my unit that is familiar with the aviation world. I am just training and studying as hard as I can but I want to know how competitive of a world I am trying to step into.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made May 26 at 2021 9:26 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Wed, 26 May 2021 21:26:57 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member You are in Stockton, CA? Doesn’t the CAARNG still have a large Rotary Wing Maintenance presence in Stockton? Drop in and announce that you are buying lunch! You will probable not encounter anyone who recalls CSM Arval King, a veteran of 3 wars! When locked out of his room at Camp Roberts, he located the window for his room, (bottom floor, wooden barracks), smashed the window, crawled in and went to bed! 1980 era!

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2021 10:22 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 May 2021 10:22:28 -0400

Brother, drop your packet. It’s the only way you’ll know for sure.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2021 6:30 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 May 2021 18:30:23 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member send me a message on email [login to see] . I have some contacts that are aviators in the California guard that may be able to help you.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made May 28 at 2021 1:41 AM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Fri, 28 May 2021 01:41:20 -0400

I retired from the Utah Nat'l Guard years ago. You are in a different state and it has been several years so my information may not be accurate. You need to be in the aviation unit. We gave all our flight school slots to young soldiers that were already in the aviation unit. There were several of them that wanted to go to flight school and we already knew them, so why would we take a chance on an unknown soldier from another unit. It's not like the Regular Army. You need to find a slot in your MOS in the aviation unit and start begging for a slot to flight school.