What advice do you have for someone who wants to submit a warrant officer packet (for 153A)?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 May 2016 08:48:11 -0400

I've already looked through the warrant officer recruiting website, where should I start studying to take the SIFT test? Any information you can give me on the packet would also be awesome! What can I do right now to improve my chances of getting in? Thank you in advance!

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2016 9:04 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 May 2016 09:04:16 -0400

Going through the current process for 255A/255N it is pretty intense process. The biggest key to any application for warrant officer is having NCOERS that will make you standout. The most difficult part you may have is getting a WO LOR. I know people who do not work in or around aviation WOs and it makes it difficult to get the LOR cause you cannot just write one and ask for one.

Otherwise if you meet all the minimum qualifications you should be good. I was starting on my 153A packet at one point but I didn't want to bother with the age waiver since it is only 1% selection for age.

For the SIFT test there is a FAA study guide and the first 4 chapters cover the SIFT if I am not mistaken.

Best of luck

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2016 9:22 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 May 2016 09:22:29 -0400

The sift is an adaptive test with the idea in mind that you "can't" study for it. I was told study AFAST guides and parts of ASVAB, namely reading and comprehension and math, but I never really got around to studying. It escalates very quickly when you start answering questions correctly consecutively though. When I took it, it was early in its fielding so by now they've probably shifted where they expect people should score based on the history in the last three years or so. I realize that's probably not the specific answer you're looking for, but I assure you I'm no genius and I did fine. A lot of similarities in some sections with the "IMPACT" test they put you through after a deployment to gauge whether you've had some brain trauma. Matching shapes, patterns, and so on. Goes into a bit of aviation specific stuff like showing you a picture with a horizon where you determine what the aircraft is doing like nose up, left bank, combination, and so on. A portion of it started getting into fundamentals of flight that went deeper into anything I knew. If you're curious about that, you could read some into FM 3-04.203, namely chapter one, and of course with a focus on rotary wing sections. As for the packet, the guidance is pretty spot on with only a handful of gray areas like whether or not to use 3rd person or 1st person perspective in the resume area. There's a question here about that so look that one up. If it'll give you a warm and fuzzy I can send you my packet. Very few things have changed or have been adjusted slightly so be watchful for that. Buddy of mine sent me his and it was helpful, but I could've honestly gotten the same result just using what's on the site. It certainly is comforting having an example from a person that got picked up. Message me if you'd like it though. Look up "warrant packet" here and there'll be at least two or the discussions that have received a lot of feedback and heat advice from guys with much more experience than I, including many who have at some time or another been board members. Best of luck to you, don't hesitate to message me with more questions. I'll certainly let you know if I don't know something so I don't blow smoke.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2016 3:52 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 May 2016 15:52:32 -0400

Ensure you have the GT score to qualify as a W.O. first. Study for and pass the SIFT with a good score. Get your flight physical done. Pretty much do the best you possibly can on the things you can control like PT, GT score etc. Get a good letter from a CW4 and up. The packet is what kills most applicants from what I saw.Most people don't want to do the work, or expect others to do the work for them. It's your future, put your best foot forward with what you write on your packet. Check out vertical reference dot Com for good info about the packet. There are a lot of civilians applying but good info to be read there. Good luck.