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Cliff Notes- I'm 27 years old and have considered joining the military since middle school but never went through with it. I was in AFROTC in college and did well but bailed before Field Training. There didn't seem to be much enthusiasm to keep people around at this detachment and there was lots of petty, cutthroat behavior that really turned me off. My buddies got pilot slots so that decision still somewhat haunts me but I stand by it. Fast-forward 7 years. I've picked up my private pilot certificate and have ~85 hours, an associate degree in fire science, gotten some life experience, have a dependable but long work history. I mostly do seasonal jobs driving busses in ski towns and National Parks but have done them well. I started working on my tailwheel endorsement and my new instructor did Army aviation and just raves about it. I had considered putting in a packet before he mentioned it.
My question(s): To you people who have gone through WOCS and WOFT, was it worth it? Are you satisfied with the return on your time and effort invested? What is your actual day-to-day life as a pilot like? How many flight hours did you get a year? What got you through the door (mostly street to seat people)? What's the likelihood of getting in at age 27-28 with a random work history, an unrelated degree, and some flight time? Essentially, is this a similar story to someone who succeeded or do I even have a shot? How are your post-military flying prospects?
I'm interested in this option but don't really have much info about what it's actually like. I've maxed out my YouTube and internet research and still don't feel like I know enough to go for it. Perhaps you can help.
Other possibly pertinent information: I had 5 years of CAP and went pretty far in the program. I'm reasonably fit and have some respectable marathon times. I've worked as a firefighter/EMT. I want to fly but I also think I would be successful in the military. People always ask me randomly if I was in and just say I have that personality. My last holiday was 5 weeks in Taiwan and Hong Kong and I'm pretty convinced that we will eventually be at war with the Chinese Communist Party and I would really like to take part if I'm right. That last bit is random I admit but this isn't just about flying.
Thanks for your input!
My question(s): To you people who have gone through WOCS and WOFT, was it worth it? Are you satisfied with the return on your time and effort invested? What is your actual day-to-day life as a pilot like? How many flight hours did you get a year? What got you through the door (mostly street to seat people)? What's the likelihood of getting in at age 27-28 with a random work history, an unrelated degree, and some flight time? Essentially, is this a similar story to someone who succeeded or do I even have a shot? How are your post-military flying prospects?
I'm interested in this option but don't really have much info about what it's actually like. I've maxed out my YouTube and internet research and still don't feel like I know enough to go for it. Perhaps you can help.
Other possibly pertinent information: I had 5 years of CAP and went pretty far in the program. I'm reasonably fit and have some respectable marathon times. I've worked as a firefighter/EMT. I want to fly but I also think I would be successful in the military. People always ask me randomly if I was in and just say I have that personality. My last holiday was 5 weeks in Taiwan and Hong Kong and I'm pretty convinced that we will eventually be at war with the Chinese Communist Party and I would really like to take part if I'm right. That last bit is random I admit but this isn't just about flying.
Thanks for your input!
Posted in these groups: 
Warrant Officers
Aviation
Potential Recruit
Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS)
Warrant Officers Aviation Potential Recruit Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
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How do I put this in a kind way? No, I don't think I can. If you don't feel the call to serve then maybe you should not join the army. Flying is fun. Living and working with warriors is great. But if you don't feel the call to serve then no amount of "return on investment" will make you happy, and you will not be a good member of the team. Remember, when you sign up, that includes the possibility of the ultimate sacrifice, you life.
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Michael Enderle
Thank you for the response Major. I certainly won't try to justify myself in my response here but I'm sure I can't be the only one who's gone in with unclear or improper motives. I would like to master a trade and live a purposeful life but if it was something useful and marketable, that would be iceing on the cake. In my research so far I keep coming across people who say that in the military you are an asset in the strictest sense of the word. It seems it would be foolish of me to not be proactive in getting the best situation possible. Do they have a bad attitude or am I being paranoid or something else? Do you recommend the route you took or would you have done something else? What route did you take? Thank you again the response!
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SPC Erich Guenther
Mike, lol. Your not getting into WOFT with "unclear or improper motives" that was what he is trying to tell you..........you completely missed it. You don't start a job interview by telling the interviewer that you are really there to get the best deal for yourself.........or do you? That doesn't have to be spoken and rather shouldn't be. Instead you should present yourself as a professional and say what you bring to the table and what contributions you can make if your fortunate enough to get accepted into the program.
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MAJ Matthew Arnold
I know some people don't like the sheep-dog parable, but I'm going to refer to it to make my point. I have always been a sheep-dog. It is my nature to protect the flock. I chose to be on offensive lineman, to protect the QB. I couldn't wait to get into the army, to protect the flock. I started my army career in the infantry, airborne, 82nd airborne division, to be at the tip of the spear, to be among those who were actually doing something to protect the flock. After 5 years airborne infantry, I became an army aviator and fulfilled a 24 year career. But I was still young and wanted to serve in some way so after that, I served as a civilian military advisor in several partner countries in Africa. I am literally too old and worn out now to serve anymore, or I would. If you are following me, it needs to be a need you have.
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It actually sounds like you’re pretty well off compared to other applicants. Not to steer you off-topic, but are you familiar with Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course Aviation (PLC-Air)? It’s an ironclad contract that guarantees you a slot at Pensacola. No other service can boast a guarantee for an officer to go to flight school. And it broadens your opportunities from helicopters to tilt-rotor, KC-130s, and tactical jets. If you’re set on Army, ignore. Good luck!
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Michael Enderle
Thanks for the info! So my inclination towards Army woft is that I can get in without a bachelor's degree and to my knowledge that's the only military aviation avenue that's possible in. With PLC-Air you have to be fully commissioned and with a 4 year degree correct?
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Maj (Join to see)
Yes, four-year degree, leading to commission. Oh, well. Good luck to you, and I hope someone can answer your question!
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Yes it's worth it.
But the value is different per person. I almost guarantee everyone that's done it will say it's worth it.
Flight hours will vary per aircraft but you have minimums to adhere to. If you sign up and make it, your ADSO time will get you sufficient hours for a post military job. Some people focus on that idea through flight school, but that is a long ways away and the civilian market is always changing.
Day to day is going to vary based on location, duty, aircraft, etc. Regardless, you'll still be in the Army.
Plenty of people that are older/younger get selected with more/less experience than you. Wont know until your packet is in.
But the value is different per person. I almost guarantee everyone that's done it will say it's worth it.
Flight hours will vary per aircraft but you have minimums to adhere to. If you sign up and make it, your ADSO time will get you sufficient hours for a post military job. Some people focus on that idea through flight school, but that is a long ways away and the civilian market is always changing.
Day to day is going to vary based on location, duty, aircraft, etc. Regardless, you'll still be in the Army.
Plenty of people that are older/younger get selected with more/less experience than you. Wont know until your packet is in.
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