Should I finish ROTC or do WOCS?

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 15:11:30 -0500

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2017 3:11 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 15:11:57 -0500

Greetings! I'm currently a MSII in ROTC and an sophmore aviation student that is paying a boat load of money to obtain my degree and flight ratings. As NG minimum scholarship recipient I can elect to take $5k or full tuition and fees a semester. This year we found out flight fees do not call under said "fees".. My goal is to still to fly on the civilian sid, but It was brought to my attention at. . My goal is to still to fly on the civilian sid, but It was brought to my attention at my first drill this weekend with an aviation unit that i can apply for a WOCs slot. They are in need of pilots bad in my state and my Readiness NCO was really trying to push it on me. The commander also said it was an option for me as well (he is on the board). I fit in really well with the unit, and believe I would have a good chance at receiving a slot. My only worry is that i feel like I would be giving up a lot and how bad it would look even going in front of the board, ie: commitment. On the contrary, Id be doing exactly what I want but without spending $100k at college. Any thoughts?

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2017 3:15 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 15:15:27 -0500

Another note to add: this is just a little thought i was having. In no way or how am I going to make a hasty decision regarding this. Just wanted others opinions on the topic.

Response by CPT Nicholas D. made Nov 9 at 2017 3:28 PM

CPT Nicholas D. — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 15:28:11 -0500

The Warrant Officer route is an excellent one. As an MSII, you aren’t exiting at the final hour. As a Warrant Officer Candidate, if you are an E5 with BLC complete, you would qualify for the shorter WOCS (5 weeks instead of 7 weeks). At the end of WOCS, you would be appointed a WO1 and be in the cue for Flight School. This could all happen much faster than finishing 2 more years of ROTC. At least you will be a rated Aviator while finishing your degree.

As you know, as a rated Army Aviator, you would qualify for reduced ATP minimums and would be eligible for some of the exciting rotary-wing transition programs a lot sooner than if you finished your ROTC program and then went to Flight School. As a Warrant Officer, you will certainly fly more than your O-grade brethren and would accumulate those hours that you need faster for a civilian gig.

The board shouldn’t give you any heartache (at least our State’s board wouldn’t) if your goal is to be a Warrant Officer and an Aviator. The justification is pretty simple: “I love flying, I would prefer to devote my career to being a technical expert in the aircraft versus a more generalist leadership contribution. I want to focus on the flying!”

IERW will afford you a Commercial Rotorcraft Helicopter and Instrument Helicopter ratings. It will be a few (thousand) hours before you are making big bucks in the helo world flying medevac or oil & gas... but your ratings would support an easier transition to the civilian fixed wing side since you’d be working on Add-ons versus initial ratings. There are also a slew of Rotary Wing transitions programs being offered now that won’t be there forever.

I would definitely consider pursuing the WO route if it is something that is available to you.

Response by CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) made Nov 10 at 2017 5:48 PM

CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 17:48:08 -0500

If your goal and primary focus is to fly - become an Army warrant officer aviator. You will never (probably) have to deal with the things the "O" ranks do. I went WO because I liked my job and didn't want to become an administrator - 1SG and CSM. Worst case is your "broadening" assignment will be learning to fly a different aircraft instead of some staff job.