What can I do to make sure I get accepted to become an aviation warrant officer?

2017-05-05T03:36:08-04:00

I am 25, have a college degree and im studying for the SIFT exam right now. I don't want to be a crew member, I want to be the Pilot. Also if y'all could give me some insight into your life as a warrant aviation pilot that would be awesome.
Thanks in advanced for helping a nooby like me guys.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2017 3:55 AM

2017-05-05T03:55:31-04:00

As a 15R, AH-64(E) crew chief. I can tell you that you might have to enlist. Having knowledge about either style of air craft ( CH-47, UH-60, AH-64 ) you have a slight advantage as to knowing the trade. Also I can tell you that for a flight packet you need at least. CW3 or higher for LOR. Here is a link to possibly help you on your journey. http://m.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service/advance-your-career/warrant-officer/flight-warrant-officers.m.html

Flight Warrant Officers | GoArmy.com

If you have dreamed of becoming an aviator, the Army can help you turn that dream into a reality. Warrant Officers pilot some of the most exciting, technologically advanced aircraft in the world.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2017 6:01 AM

2017-05-05T06:01:02-04:00

being a recent graduate of WOCS i did see a 7 week class that consisted of "street to seat" high school kids. pretty much 18 to 20 year olds with no army experience and their job is to just fly. Give me your email and i can shoot a message to peer of mine who i graduated with. He ended up recruiting a high school kid that turned out to be in the junior class below us.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2017 6:06 AM

2017-05-05T06:06:55-04:00

if selected you will enlist just to go thur basic and be sent to Fort Rucker for Warrant officer candidate school, basic course and flight school which pending on aircraft is a.two year process

Response by CW3 Jim Lance made May 5 at 2017 6:40 AM

2017-05-05T06:40:29-04:00

First off, you're on the right track. Seeking info from those of us who have been there is an excellent start. I've been out of the Army for awhile now but find your way over to the airfield and introduce yourself to the aviation warrants there. Just like you did here, tell them your goals and seek their advice. If things are still the same, you're going to need a senior warrant officer or field grade officer recommendation for your selection packag. Go over to personnel and ask to visit the warrant officer there as well. He or she can help guide you on the requirements for putting together your packet.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2017 9:38 AM

2017-05-05T09:38:44-04:00

Hey,

You're already doing it. We had a 19 year old kid who was accepted street to seat. He had good text scores, but that's really it. He graduated flight school as 21 year old AH-64E pilot. You'll be fine. Get with a recruiter(you'll probably know more than he does about WOFT) and just be consistent.

I did enlist as a 15U, Chinook Helicopter Repairer because my wife was not a citizen. I didn't need to do so. It was bad information from my recruiter, but I went and was selected for the 160th SOAR(A). It had really helped me and I wouldn't change it.

Just be persistent. The hardest part is the packet. PM if you need anything.

Good Luck!

Fly Army!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2017 7:33 PM

2017-05-05T19:33:26-04:00

First and foremost you're not a nobody you are making your self better and more marketable for the civilian sector and I have a company of Pilots both Warrants and commissioned officers. Get ahold of me through here or my email [login to see]

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made May 5 at 2017 7:51 PM

2017-05-05T19:51:45-04:00

First, you seem to be doing all the right things, and you're not a nobody. That said why not go for the Air Force? I've got way over 2000 hours in the air and not too humble to admit that the only time I've been scared in the air was as a passenger in a helicopter. While helicopter pilots are well trained, the majority are day VFR flyers. Sure some get trained in night IFR ops, but not all. The air force will train you to fly in any conditions and environment. Spend some extra time, see how your degree fits and go for becoming an Air Force pilot, the helicopter track is still there if that's what you really want to fly.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made May 7 at 2017 2:52 PM

2017-05-07T14:52:28-04:00

You're doing fine and just apply and soon! We need quality recruits in the branch as pilots as I just received a call from a 19 year old I put in 6 months ago as he signed into Fort Rucker this weekend to start WOCS after basic training. We are pulling as many as we can from the young ranks and civilian sector for longevity going forward to the branch as it is getting to old. There are other strings on RP that give guidance and ideas, get the latest recruiting smart book from the website and keep pinging the RP warrants when you have questions, we're here to assist.

Response by PFC Griff Schoen made May 8 at 2017 1:34 PM

2017-05-08T13:34:35-04:00

Just gotta say. This thread is awesome! I wish rally point existed when I enlisted. You guys are really trying to help this young man become a pilot. After my ASVAB, I was leaning toward Apache crew member or patriot missle technician. Instead, I let the recruiter talk me into blowing stuff up. I don't regret it now but I was really bummed that he didn't try to steer me the direction I wanted to go initially. Not bagging on him cuz he was good to me otherwise and I know recruiters have stressful jobs. Any way, I wish I'd had a resource like rally point to help guide my decisions. Gary, listen to these guys and don't take no for an answer. Even SEAL candidates get do-overs sometimes. Good luck to you.

Response by SFC David Xanten made May 8 at 2017 4:36 PM

2017-05-08T16:36:14-04:00

It's not rocket science for a Recruiter to be able to enlist someone, who is qualified, to enlist for the WO flight program. Most any Recruiter ought to be able to work it out. The most important part is the flight physical.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2017 12:12 AM

2017-05-09T00:12:34-04:00

Gary Henson I have now processed 3 WOFT packets while in recruiting. The process can be lengthy if you have any "speed bumps" along the way. Also the boards usually only happen once a quarter, so if you miss 1, you have a 3-4 month wait till the next one. The whole process is realitively simple, it's all a paper competition. They will look at your Letters of Recommendation, PT score, SIFT score, ASVAB score, Photo, and board appearance score. As long as you do the best you can in each, you should have a good shot at being selected.

Talk to your local recruiter, there should be somebody with knowledge on the WOFT process, at least the Center Leader. If nobody knows, ask them to go up their chain and ask their First Sergeant.

Most of the advice on here is good, just be weary about what you read on the internet, not everybody is fully informed. Or they say they are but are mistaken.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2017 6:30 AM

2017-05-09T06:30:44-04:00

Great info on this thread. Thank you!

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2017 5:01 PM

2017-05-12T17:01:59-04:00

Talked to my classmate in my WOBC and he just got off the recruiter trail. He said it is still around but you really need a strong LOR from a reputable aviation warrant. What I recommend is finding a Warrant officer on here and possibly do an interview with him/her and see if they will write you a LOR. Have something to provide to show forth that you are capable of taking on a huge role.

That being said I have a prior Navy WO in my class that went thru WOCS at a different time and he had tons of street to seat people. So the opportunity is out there, now it is up to you how bad you want it!

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2018 11:20 AM

2018-01-21T11:20:22-05:00

By doing exactly what you're doing. Start early, shake hands, kill the SIFT, have good eyes.
Just so you're aware of your options, the air force is almost at a dangerously low level of pilots, the navy is a great options. Our aviation wings are gold not silver. That's gotta mean something. If you want more info on the navy route shoot me a message I'm here at flight school right now

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jan 21 at 2018 2:12 PM

2018-01-21T14:12:58-05:00

Read all applicable regulation in becoming one, attend all of your medical exams, do everything you need to do. Read and study what you need to read up on. Keep your self in the best shape you can possibly be, if you need to improve your ASVAB, pay a tutor to help you if you need to.