Is WOFT worth it?

Michael Enderle — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 12:06:59 -0500

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!

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2020 12:28 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 12:28:17 -0500

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.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2020 12:31 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 12:31:54 -0500

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!

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2020 12:58 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 12:58:23 -0500

I can only speak to my experience coming from prior enlisted side, but I can say life is 100 times better as a pilot. There is nothing else I can really see myself doing. Like mentioned, hours will vary on the particular assignment but we do have minimums and those also vary per aircraft. As for post-military there are a plethora of options as employers love to hire prior military aviators. I was 18 when I originally joined so I plan on retiring at 38 and maybe doing some private charter stuff, who knows. Overall, for me this is 100 percent worth it, but others may have a different opinon. Experiences and results may vary but I have yet to meet someone that regretted doing this job. (Unless you’re commissioned, then you wish you were a Warrant ;)) Good luck and feel free to contact me with any questions.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jan 22 at 2020 4:41 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 16:41:20 -0500

Not being an aviator I can still reply. I was the PBO for 180th Aviation company in Schwaebishch Hall Germany. Some of the pilots got mad because as a WO1 I got maxed on my OER. My company commander kept asking me do you need some more help? I said no but we need to teach the Saftey officer a CW3 a lesson. He said OK what should we do. I say let us get him drunk and make him naked. Have your wife, not naked stand over him and say you tried to rape me. We did that. He would never look me in the eye. Again. It was a good joke. Do your time and get out.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Jan 22 at 2020 5:16 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 17:16:16 -0500

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.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 22 at 2020 8:53 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 20:53:06 -0500

I want to know what you have to offer to the Army.

Response by SGT Aaron Cordial made Jan 22 at 2020 10:20 PM

SGT Aaron Cordial — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 22:20:39 -0500

I will have to say this if your not to sure maybe your call to serve is not there yet. Because if you joined than you could carry over the self doubt.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2020 10:47 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 22:47:56 -0500

For WOFT there's a lot of work you have to do as well as pass a board. You have to be in flight school before a certain age (30 if I remember right) so the clock is ticking.

You will have to pass the ASVAB with a 110 GT score, pass the physical, do the SIFT test, flight physical, build your board packet which involves you bringing a lot of documents to your recruiter who will spend many hours building it all. Once you get to your board you will be asked about dropping ROTC in college, what you have to offer the Army, why you should be considered over others, and the biggest question, if you don't get WOFT will you still enlist? If the answer is no I can almost guarantee you will not be selected because you don't feel the call to serve.

That's what you really need to think about. The training path for Warrant aviators is lengthy and pretty grueling. If your heart isn't in serving you could wash out and end up regular enlisted. If you feel 100% that if you don't get picked up for WOFT you'll enlist anyway, you may be ready to give it a shot.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2020 10:24 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 10:24:00 -0500

You're assuming that you've already been selected by the board to go to WOFT. I don't believe that you would be selected this late in your life you do seem to have more of a chance than other people that I've worked with but, I just don't think they'll select you but keep up the optimism.

Response by Michael Enderle made Feb 26 at 2020 12:09 PM

Michael Enderle — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 12:09:14 -0500

Thank you to everyone who has offered up some perspective and constructive feedback. It's has gotten me better oriented as to what to expect and I think that can help me be successful. I'm going to buy the study books and take it a step at a time. I believe that I have a lot to bring to the table but this is probably the last shot at doing something like this. I've missed some opportunities before and I don't want to keep wondering about what could have been. Wish me luck.

Response by MSG Roy Cheever made Mar 4 at 2020 2:28 PM

MSG Roy Cheever — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 14:28:04 -0500

Indeed! Be all you can be

Response by CW3 Brian Larsen made May 14 at 2020 9:15 AM

CW3 Brian Larsen — Thu, 14 May 2020 09:15:52 -0400

Michael,
I was in a situation very similar to yours - applying for a "street-to-seat" slot at 27 years old; I had an Associate's Degree, and about 70 hours of Cessna 172 time, had been working dead-end jobs for too long. I had grown up as a "Navy Brat," and serving in the military was not a lifelong goal of mine. Some people gave me a hard time about joining the Army so late, called me a "mercenary" because I "obviously just joined for the money," but as long as you develop and maintain a good attitude, are dedicated to your job, and will put the required time in (meaning you have to spend time outside of work studying and becoming an expert in your craft), success is definitely possible.
I applied to WOCS/WOFT, and was fortunately accepted on my first attempt. I then spent about 14 years flying as a Warrant Officer before I was medically retired due to a ground accident.
Your daily life will depend greatly on what airframe you are assigned, what "track" (Instructor, Maintenance, TacOps, Safety, etc.) you choose, what unit you are with, and what additional duties you are assigned. One thing you should be clear about prior to joining: You will most likely NOT be flying on a daily basis. Generally, you will come to work early for PT, then come back for work call. You will work on performing your additional duties (Commo officer, Assistant Personnel Officer, Assistant Safety Guy, whatever you get assigned), join group training, and fly when you are on the schedule. Basically, there is a LOT of non-aviation-related BS that is required of you - and everybody else - in Army Aviation.
I am medically retired, and do not fly commercially (I went back to school, and make more $$ now than I would have flying), but there ARE options for post-Army transitions. My advice, though, don't focus on the post-Army options until you are within a few years of being done - otherwise you will begin to hate everything about Army life. I've seen both sides of this one.