How would I go about becoming a helicopter pilot in the army?

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 03:29:35 -0400

I’m currently in the Rhode Island Army National Guard as an 11B and realized that the guard just wasn’t for me and neither is being an infantryman an I was wondering how I would go about becoming a helicopter pilot in the Army. I plan filling on filling out a dd form 368 to go active duty so I could fly full time but I just don’t know where to start once I’m active duty.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2020 5:13 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 05:13:29 -0400

Visit the Warrant Officer reqruiting page and start working on a packet.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2020 10:57 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 10:57:42 -0400

You've got a long road ahead of you. Once you get your release you'll want mto pick a different job, which is not what you really want, but you'll do that anyway. So, you'll have to wait until the AIT you choose to have an opening. Then you go there for however many months. Then PCS. Now about a year will have passed. Then you can go about meeting pilots to get your LORs. That should take at least another year till your command team is comfortable enough to recommend you to be a pilot.

Or you could do the smart thing, keep your 11B MOS, come straight to a base you choose, work on your letters, and cut about a year off that time line.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2020 2:08 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 14:08:54 -0400

AV Branch WO corps is currently very under strength. You may be able to transfer to AD straight to WOCS (Provided you pass the SIFT, 1A Flight Physical, Packer, etc.) Hardest part will probably be getting the release from the NG. Go see a WO Recruiter.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2020 2:09 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 14:09:47 -0400

Packet*

Response by SSG Matthew Koehler made Mar 28 at 2021 10:03 AM

SSG Matthew Koehler — Sun, 28 Mar 2021 10:03:58 -0400

Rhode Island National Guard has Aviation assets as well! You should visit their flight facility and ask lots of questions. I deployed with the Rhode Island Medevac in 2003-2005 (Operation Noble Eagle). They are a great group of brothers!