Is it possible to become a pilot in the Army as an O-grade officer?

Sgt George Kinyaevsky — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 14:00:48 -0400

I was wondering if this was possible or if flight seats are only reserved for Warrant Officers. If this is a thing, does branching work the same as everything else at OCS or is there a special process to become a pilot as a 2LT? If the branching works the same as every other branch, how many pilot slots does the average OCS class see? Thanks in advance.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2019 2:04 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 14:04:12 -0400

One of my classmates is going through the process of becoming a pilot. He did a flight physical prior to phase 1. I know that it's possible but it's competitive and you have to make those connections/ contacts early in the process to be able go that route.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2019 2:09 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 14:09:59 -0400

I caveat this with the fact I went through OCS in 2008, so those who have been through sooner please correct my info. When I went through, they identified those in the first couple of weeks who wanted to branch aviation. That group separated from us a few times during the course to get things like flight physicals and whatever other things are required for aviation branch. Then when branching day came, only those with that stuff completed could pick aviation. We had only a few seats for aviation though, so if there were say 10 candidates with the pre-reqs complete but there were only 4 seats, 6 candidates would have to branch something else.

Response by LtCol Paul Bowen made Jun 17 at 2019 2:21 PM

LtCol Paul Bowen — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 14:21:28 -0400

Sgt Kinyaevsky,
You need to contact an Army Officer Selection or Recruitment Officer for more information.

Given the USAF claims to be short on pilots, take a look at them, too.

Why Army Aviation? The usual pipeline for rotory-wing aviation for Marines, Navy & Coast Guard is a college degree, OCS, Flight School. Age is a factor on this route: you must be younger than 26 1/2 at the time of commissioning.

The Army Aviation route is less formal. When we had “Throw Away Aircraft” (WW2, Korea, Vietnam and Cold War) we had “Throw Away Pilots”, meaning enlisted pilots and “Naval Aviation Cadets” (NAVCAD) who were NAVCAD rating and paid E-5 until they completed Flight School. Then commissioned as an Ensign/2ndLt O-1.

To make it past O-3, you needed to squeeze a Bachelors Degree in there.

The WO/CWO world is unique to Army Aviation (as far as I know).

Start finding out the programs. I went Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) Jr. & Sr. in 1978 & 1979. Commissioned in 1980. Completed Naval Flight School on 13 AUG 1980. Got to fly the F-4, TA-4, EA-6B & T-2C from 1981 to 1992.

I would do it over again in the Navy. No drama, just flying. Contemporaries who “Cross-Decked” had solid flying careers in FA-18 Hornets & Super Hornets & EA-6B Prowlers.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 17 at 2019 2:22 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 14:22:07 -0400

He will have to compete with other OCS grads.

Response by SFC Michael D. made Jun 17 at 2019 2:27 PM

SFC Michael D. — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 14:27:44 -0400

We had many Commissioned officers in DUSTOFF. Cav also. Just realize, the Commissioned pilots that we had were MSC (Medical Service Corp) and could be flying a helicopter one assignment and flying a desk at another. The Commanders of the Air Ambulance companies are usuallyy Major and the Batallion Commander Col.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2019 3:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 15:05:08 -0400

I was in the 11th aviation command and we had a full bird that was fixed wing, he flew some sort of surveillance jet, and we had a few officers that were rotary as well, I had to input their flight pay.

Response by SGT Michael Hearn made Jun 17 at 2019 11:33 PM

SGT Michael Hearn — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 23:33:05 -0400

Be all you can be in the ARMY.
You already Capt. My CO was a Captain he flew in Vietnam

Response by SGT Michael Hearn made Jun 17 at 2019 11:33 PM

SGT Michael Hearn — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 23:33:41 -0400

145th AVIATION COMPANY

Response by SGT Michael Hearn made Jun 17 at 2019 11:34 PM

SGT Michael Hearn — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 23:34:36 -0400

Did he say 03 if not I need t0o go to bed/LOL

Response by MAJ Norman Rollo made Jun 18 at 2019 8:43 AM

MAJ Norman Rollo — Tue, 18 Jun 2019 08:43:29 -0400

Yes it is. I've known several Commissioned pilots

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2019 12:47 PM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Jun 2019 12:47:12 -0400

Sgt George Kinyaevsky Yes, you too can become a Pilot if selected as for Aviation Branch out of ROTC/OCS. As for the Average number for an OCS class, I'm not positive that is really known or available. I will tell you if you are National Guard rather than Regular Army, you can get the State/Command to assign you the slot before Graduation and thus not compete with the rest of your class.

I commissioned out of ROTC (after the Corps) and classmates of mine were able to go to an Aviation BN CDR and be approved for Aviation, rather than having to compete with the Army for those slots. I also went to my BN CDR (Engineer BN) and was granted a Signal Officer Slot so that I didnt have to compete with anyone else. I knew my branch before commissioning.

Best person to talk to about this is an Army Officer Recruiter, or OSM.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Jun 21 at 2019 4:28 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Fri, 21 Jun 2019 16:28:28 -0400

The difference for Army between the Warrant Officer Path and the Officer Path is the Warrant Officers generally fly longer over their career than the Officers do. If you go the Officer Path by the time your a Major or LTC your likely to be in command. WO path only requires a High School diploma, Officer path requires a college bachelors degree. Thats all I know.

Response by SGT |Patrick Pitttman made Nov 26 at 2019 11:50 AM

SGT |Patrick Pitttman — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 11:50:17 -0500

Im a us army SGT in the 160th SOAR and yes it is fully posibble