What are the chances of getting branched aviation rotary wing pilot after OCS?

SPC Benjamin Norman — Sun, 28 Jan 2018 17:26:33 -0500

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2018 6:26 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Jan 2018 18:26:37 -0500

As far as I know, airborne school isn't required to be a fixed wing pilot. And as for your chances, it's all up to the needs of the Army, but the higher up the OML you finish, the better your chances are of getting the branch you want. I know in my class of 32 officers for AV BOLC we had about 18 West Pointers, 12 ROTC (which is what I did) and 2 from OCS.

Response by CPT Nicholas D. made Jan 28 at 2018 9:12 PM

CPT Nicholas D. — Sun, 28 Jan 2018 21:12:08 -0500

Airborne is not required for fixed-wing pilots. The Army currently does not operate any aircraft with an ejection seat. (The OV-1 Mohawk was the last.) Other than going to the Experimental Test Pilot Course (where you’ll fly an F/A-18 Hornet) or getting detailed to NASA as an Army Astronaut (flying T-38s)... you’ll probably never will fly an aircraft with an ejection seat (for the Army.) Airborne is no more required to fly an airplane than Air Assault to fly a helicopter. The courses, although related in nature, are not part of flight training.

The “chances” question is a tough one to answer. Are you doing an Active Component OCS option or Guard/Reserve. What are your test scores (APFT, SIFT, ASVAB, etc)? What are the needs of the Army at the moment you are applying. Snagging a 15A gig out of OCS May be easier in the Guard, but that varies state by state. Tough question, although the Airborne one was easy...

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jan 28 at 2018 10:15 PM

COL Charles Williams — Sun, 28 Jan 2018 22:15:21 -0500

Slim, and never....