How long would you want a new soldier coming to your unit to wait before requesting to go to WOCS/WOFT?

SPC Kole Cordier — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 13:11:34 -0400

Due to a long story which I won't get into, I have to go enlisted and graduate infantry OSUT before going to WOCS or OCS. (I chose infantry because I wouldn't want to be a mechanic or ATC) My goal is to fly helicopters. I already have a 4 year degree and pilot experience. I just don't want to be a jerk or inconvenience to my first unit by showing up the first day and saying "hey I wanna go fly helicopters, see ya!" My question is how long should I wait to be courteous?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2019 1:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 13:19:30 -0400

Don't worry about being courteous, drop your request as soon as you are eligible. A good command team will be supportive of your professional development. From the time you submit your packet so the time that you go off to school will most likely be at least a year, so your unit we'll get plenty of time with you and have sufficient time to get a backfill

Response by CW4 Anthoney Lowry made Apr 30 at 2019 1:24 PM

CW4 Anthoney Lowry — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 13:24:28 -0400

i was already in the process of getting my packet together when i showed up at Ft. Polk back in the 90's. still took about a year to finish it up, go to the board, get picked up, and then PCS. you need to put your career ahead of the unit. your unit has been there long before you and will be there long after you are gone. if you do not take care of your career, nobody else will. i say be up front when get there. Tell them your goals and work towards them.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Apr 30 at 2019 1:47 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 13:47:22 -0400

How long? As soon as you can!!!!!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2019 1:48 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 13:48:37 -0400

To go WOC, you have to serve in your MOS for 3 years....if memory serves. But I could be wrong

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Apr 30 at 2019 2:16 PM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 14:16:37 -0400

You MUST be DMOSQ and have an MOS that is transferable to MOC W or you will not beanketi becomes WarrantIfficer unless your talking Warrant Officer Flight which you must apply and beboardedand accepted on a competitive basis.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 30 at 2019 3:21 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 15:21:40 -0400

IMO you made a poor choice by enlisting in the first place. Now it's time to recover. First do your very best to be outstanding at Basic and AIT. Learn everything you can as well as you can as fast as you can. It will prepare you for flight training. Different programs provide separate pathways to either WO or Officer, so check into them and put in applications for everything for which you are eligible as soon as you are eligible.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2019 3:36 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 15:36:19 -0400

SPC Kole Cordier the easy answer is as soon as you sign into your new unit I would begin to assemble your packet. When it is as complete as you can make it go to your chain of command and seek the assistance you need from them. By doing it that way you are showing the initiative and not just another guy who says he wants to fly helicopters. With the Army's current current model for selection, junior guys have a better chance of being selective than do senior personnel. Having said that, the sooner you put your packet in the better. The biggest hurdles are the flight physical,the SIFT and the letter of recommendation from a CW3-CW5 or O-4 or above aviator. Get the first two done early so you know if you are physically and mentally qualified. Study for the SIFT as it is different from any test you have taken. Once those are complete finish the rest of the packet. It can be found at http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/. Once all that is done, get you CO Commander and BN Commander to write your letters of recommendation. Then and only then seek out a senior Warrants Officer for their LOR. I hope this helps. If you need any other guidance let me know and I will assist where I can. Good luck!

U.S. Army Recruiting Command

Bringing quality young men and women into the Army - people who will complete their tours of duty and make a contribution to the Nation’s defense - is the objective of the U.S. Army Recruiting Command as it goes about the mission of providing the strength for America’s Army.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 30 at 2019 4:05 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 16:05:09 -0400

No one would begrudge you the opportunity. Apply. Thank you for your service.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2019 8:53 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 May 2019 20:53:04 -0400

Soldiers advancing to do better things that they also enjoy help us all in the end.
I have a couple soldiers who get heckled for wanting to go to Selection, from my own leadership, and my response is why are you mad that they are striving to be Tier one operators and do what our country needs. Go for what you love man.

Response by 1SG Alan Boggs made Nov 22 at 2019 7:37 PM

1SG Alan Boggs — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 19:37:15 -0500

If only you could see the future RECRUIT Kole. You will fail out of basic. All you questions that you post after this one will be moot. Nope you won't be a Warrant, you won't be special forces, you won't need to know how many push ups are done in infantry school and you won't need to know about Tricare. And you most definitely are not a veteran in the eyes of most soldiers.