Posted on Dec 27, 2018
What advice do you have for someone who wants to be a pilot? Do I have a better chance of getting into WOFT after enlisting as a 15R?
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I'm a senior in Highschool, my goal is to become a warrant officer and fly choppers. My recruiter told me I won't get in and he offered me to become a helicopter mechanic, he said from there submit your application to WOFT and I would most likely get a spot in.
I wouldn't really mind going to aviation school and learn how to repair helicopters because I feel like that is a useful job to have. I just wanted to know how you guys feel about this whole thing? Is it true that I have a better chance to get in after enlisted for something such as 15R?
I wouldn't really mind going to aviation school and learn how to repair helicopters because I feel like that is a useful job to have. I just wanted to know how you guys feel about this whole thing? Is it true that I have a better chance to get in after enlisted for something such as 15R?
Warrant Officers
Pilot
Aviation
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 9
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TLDR; find a new recruiter.
If you want to fly, don't accept anything else. Forumns are full of guys who were told the same half truth your recruiter told you.
A WOFT packet is a lot more work for a recruiter for the same amount of credit.
Go to the Armys WOFT webpage and look up the packet reqyirements and get as much done yourself. Once youre at the point where a recruiter needs to do stuff (MEPS, physical,ECT) then go to one of the WO briefs and ask for a recommendation for a recruiter in your area that has experience with the process.
Good luck, and never settle!
If you want to fly, don't accept anything else. Forumns are full of guys who were told the same half truth your recruiter told you.
A WOFT packet is a lot more work for a recruiter for the same amount of credit.
Go to the Armys WOFT webpage and look up the packet reqyirements and get as much done yourself. Once youre at the point where a recruiter needs to do stuff (MEPS, physical,ECT) then go to one of the WO briefs and ask for a recommendation for a recruiter in your area that has experience with the process.
Good luck, and never settle!
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PO3 Christian Brielmaier
Yes, there is a ton of material and if you don't have roots in the military, it can be overwhelming.
Folks on Rally Point are great resources and pilots are very willing to help those looking to get into the field. There are several groups on RP dedicated to pilots and the programs. There are also a bunch of SWOs here that can help.
I'm on my phone, otherwise I'd provide direct links to these places to check out:
The WO briefs section on the Army WOFT page lists contacts in your area. I'd attend a brief if it's close enough and you can make the schedule work for you. Otherwise, shoot the point of contact for yourocal brief an email. There is a list on the WOFT page that has instructions for how and who to contact.
Print into the packet checklist. This is the most important paper on the page. There will be a lot of stuff that does not apply to you, so complete what you can.
Check out the Verticle reference forum, lots of good folks and info on that page.
IMO the application process itself is your first test on a long road- it's a long and often frustrating process so patience and dedication is key.
Getting a private pilot license is a decision you need to make. If you have the money, then go for it. Anything that will make you stand out from other applicants is good but be aware that it's very expensive. My personal opinion is don't bother unless you can afford to put yourself through the entire program and walk away with a commercial license. A private pots license is probably worth less that the LOR you could get from your flight instructor. 40 hrs means the FAA is reasonable certain you won't crash, but I've been to a lot of schools and the quality of training varies greatly.
Another note on a private license: a fixed wing license will cost about 1/4 of the price for the same in helicopters. So if you do decide to do it get the fixed wing and do a hicopter add on. It's cheaper and imo being dual rated gives you a considerable leg up.
Hope this helps and feel free to reach out via message if you need anything. I'm no expert, but I can point you in the right direction.
Oh yes, one thing I do recommend is going out to a local flight school and getting what's called a Discovery flight. Great, cheap way to see if flying is really for you.
Maxwell Sun
Folks on Rally Point are great resources and pilots are very willing to help those looking to get into the field. There are several groups on RP dedicated to pilots and the programs. There are also a bunch of SWOs here that can help.
I'm on my phone, otherwise I'd provide direct links to these places to check out:
The WO briefs section on the Army WOFT page lists contacts in your area. I'd attend a brief if it's close enough and you can make the schedule work for you. Otherwise, shoot the point of contact for yourocal brief an email. There is a list on the WOFT page that has instructions for how and who to contact.
Print into the packet checklist. This is the most important paper on the page. There will be a lot of stuff that does not apply to you, so complete what you can.
Check out the Verticle reference forum, lots of good folks and info on that page.
IMO the application process itself is your first test on a long road- it's a long and often frustrating process so patience and dedication is key.
Getting a private pilot license is a decision you need to make. If you have the money, then go for it. Anything that will make you stand out from other applicants is good but be aware that it's very expensive. My personal opinion is don't bother unless you can afford to put yourself through the entire program and walk away with a commercial license. A private pots license is probably worth less that the LOR you could get from your flight instructor. 40 hrs means the FAA is reasonable certain you won't crash, but I've been to a lot of schools and the quality of training varies greatly.
Another note on a private license: a fixed wing license will cost about 1/4 of the price for the same in helicopters. So if you do decide to do it get the fixed wing and do a hicopter add on. It's cheaper and imo being dual rated gives you a considerable leg up.
Hope this helps and feel free to reach out via message if you need anything. I'm no expert, but I can point you in the right direction.
Oh yes, one thing I do recommend is going out to a local flight school and getting what's called a Discovery flight. Great, cheap way to see if flying is really for you.
Maxwell Sun
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SGT Dave Walters
Max, I couldn’t agree more with Christian. I am one of those guys that went that route. (67N) It took forever and life happens. Stay focused, be persistent and never ever give up!
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Don’t listen to him. High School to Flight school is a real thing. If he doesn’t help you go to the next town over or wherever the next recruiting station is and ask them. And do the same until you find one that helps you. They pulled the same thing on me and instead of going helicopter mechanic I went infantry to do some cool guy stuff. It was fun but I’m reporting to WOCS in April and I guarantee that I’ll be going there with people right out of high school. Don’t ever settle. Good word of advice that applies for anybody in the military, they will only help you if they benifit from it, or that it annoys them so much to the point where it would be easier to just help you. The only reason he’s saying that is cause it’s a lot more work on his end and if he’s not willing to help you then find a recruiter that will. They’re out there you just have to look(or annoy them until they help you)
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SPC (Join to see)
Maxwell Sun I will say it does help that’s probably what set me over the edge for the rest of my peers but it’s very verryyyy expensive. For all the ground school and hours and equipment you’re looking anywhere from 7,000-10,000 or even more depending on where you live and who you go to. Usually, the bigger the airport the bigger the price tag. But if you get a good enough score on the SIFT you don’t need to worry about getting it
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Maxwell Sun
SPC (Join to see) - Thanks! How long did it take for you to get your private license? That is something i've been looking into. Do you think I can do that and work on my WOFT packet at the same time? Because if that's the case, once I get my license I will just work that into my WOFT application.
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SPC (Join to see)
Maxwell Sun that’s what I did actually. Got back from deployment and started on my WO packet and then started on my license. If you’re really committed you CAN get it I’m month but I’m reality if you can only fly on the weekends and after school probably like 2-3 months if you’re really committed
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Maxwell Sun Below are the requirements per the Army Recruiting Command:
https://recruiting.army.mil/ISO/AWOR/Civilian_WOFT/
https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service/advance-your-career/warrant-officer.html
https://recruiting.army.mil/ISO/AWOR/Civilian_WOFT/
https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service/advance-your-career/warrant-officer.html
U.S. ARMY RECRUITING COMMAND In-Service Opportunities U.S. Army Warrant Officer Recruiting ...
The official website for the Army Recruiting Command (USAREC)
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Don’t listen. It’s much easier to be accepted to WOFT as a civilian than it is as a SM because they get a lot less civilian applicants, and the crew chiefs that I know going through flight school have almost no advantage. They just get called on in class a lot more. Find a new recruiter that will help you.
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Remember when listening to a recruiter he or she has goals to fulfill that have nothing to do with what you want to do with your military service. If you are about to be a HS grad and you want to fly, then the Army Aviation WO program is a good way to go. The Air Force won't talk about you being a pilot until you have a bachelors degree and are eligible for a commission. Either way you'll have to pass a flight physical and have high scores on your testing.
Listen to the Army folks in this string for the best advice.
Listen to the Army folks in this string for the best advice.
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Have you taken the ASVB yet? Do you even qualify for High School to Flight School? Can you pass a flight physical?
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MSG Frank Kapaun
Maxwell Sun well, if flying a helicopter is what you want to do, find a recruiter willing to put in the time to do a High School to Flight School packet. Get off your ass, what you aspire to do is a long, involved process.
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You’d have more knowledge of the helicopter and such which would help you on the SIFT. However, (I am also in the process of putting my packet in) the person on the board that I spoke to said the following is what they really check and the rest is used for comparing two people if it comes down to one slot: SIFT (60+ is good but they will look at 50s, if you get a 40-49 it is not too likely you will be picked up so study hard on this), Your PT (on army standard strive for a 270 with a 80 or better in each event), and Why you want to be an Aviator letter (do not say, “I wanna fly.” Your Job First is a warrant officer and second a pilot, so demonstrate in your wording that you would be a good leader and only tell them things you can back up. He said they can call bluffs easily.) However the choice is yours, go through AIT for a 15 series job to gain some knowledge or just study for the SIFT and try to get WOFT first. Think about your choice of which path and don’t jump the gun or you might regret it.
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Maxwell Sun
SGT (Join to see) - Okay, studying for the SIFT, I will definitely keep that in mind. Also, I took a look at the sample WOFT Packet and it seems like a boat load of gibberish to me that I don't understand. Someone advised me to do most of it alone but I don't think that is possible and I definitely need a recruiter to help me. Is that just my problem or is it really that hard to understand?
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SGT (Join to see)
It’s not easy. In fact, most people quit the process just because of the paperwork required. I truly believe it’s that long so the board only reviews the packets of people who full heartedly want to be there/attend WOFT. It will take time to put your entire packet together (due to recommendations and other key portions, it could take as little as a couple months to a year, really depends on your dedication to completing the packet). It will look challenging, but hey: if it was easy, everyone would do it. If you really want to do this, just research and if you ever need help you can ask me or simply post another question. Maxwell Sun
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Maxwell Sun
I'm currently doing the latest SF-18, (Updated in 2016 if that is the latest), is that a good spot to start? After that I will probably get going on my essay, someone told me a page typed is good enough.
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SGT (Join to see)
It’s a good start. If it changes, USAREC (US Army Recruiting) Command will post it on their website. One page should be good. Just demonstrate in that one page why you should be chosen over everyone else.Maxwell Sun
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