What insight do you have for someone looking to get into an Army Flight Warrant Officer Program?

2019-02-05T20:48:43-05:00

I am seeking to enlist in the Army as a Warrant Officer Pilot. I do not have any piloting or flight experience, however. I hold a BA in Government, MPP in Policy and MPA in Administration as well as professional experience at the managerial and experienced level in research, finance and government. I don't have any upfront disqualifiers (criminal record, tattoos, children) although I do wear corrective lenses (to 20/20) for astigmatism.

I don't know any Warrant Officers but I do have a retired Army O3 and current O5 that are willing to recommend me. Otherwise I have two Government Officials that are willing to write my recommendations as well (Large Texas county Commission and large Texas city City Councilwoman).

I've taken an unofficial ASVAB and scored a 78 (without studying or prior knowledge), and meet the height/weight restrictions (5'11/190) but am not in military fitness shape. I am 27.5 as of this writing.

I am not in a mad rush to serve and plan to commence fitness training very soon and will be meeting with a recruiter.

Any advice, recommendations or insight would be greatly appreciated.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2019 8:59 PM

2019-02-05T20:59:50-05:00

Go to goarmy.com. According to that you need 110 on the ASVAB.

https://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 a helicopter or fixed-wing pilot, the Army can help you turn that dream into a reality. Warrant Officers fly some of the most exciting, technologically advanced aircraft in the world.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2019 9:19 PM

2019-02-05T21:19:01-05:00

Please utilize the search function for previous questions and answers regarding this topic. In the end researching for yourself and not asking questions until you’ve hit a dead end will help you immensely in the Army

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Feb 5 at 2019 10:10 PM

2019-02-05T22:10:28-05:00

We had a family friend who'd been Army enlisted, got Army WOCS for rotary flight, then did his bachelors at Emory Riddle in aviation, Army released him, USCG picked him up, he finished his 20 yrs as a USCG O-3, that being said, with all you have, I'd also submit for Army fixed wing pilot, they have fixed wing, I've seen it mentioned on here...I'd also try for Navy and USMC aviator, as well as naval flight ofcr (NFO), also USAF pilot, as well as nav/weapon sys ofcr (WSO), I passed the NFO aeromed eval while I'd been USAF, I was just never to go intersvc transfer, there's also the NOAA Corps, they do pue science, so you might need a STEm bachelor's minimum, however, I'd most def also look at USCG flight, as our friend did as well, I perceive your interests, I merely mention all those as alternate suggestions, always helps to have alternate possibilities, you know? Your got a good deal, honest, and I can perceive why you'd stand a pretty fair chance, I think, I just figured I should mention all those other possibilities, that's all, hmest, of be most eager for your thoughts, no rush, whenever convenient....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Feb 5 at 2019 10:13 PM

2019-02-05T22:13:56-05:00

And purely as a personal preference, from am aerobic standpoint, if you do any martial arts or not, look at aikido and iaido, very aerobically de!amding, I had to run 2 miles in fatigues and combat boots in 18 mins for Army ROTC, then, a mile and a half in shorts and sneakers in 12 mins for USAF OTS...and I know you want active duty (AD), most likely, however, don't discount getting flight as Guard and/or Reserve first, as well, then seeking AD, just another thought....

Response by Abe Dean made Feb 6 at 2019 3:14 AM

2019-02-06T03:14:31-05:00

I'd do more individual research as someone else mentioned in the thread. However, with a college degree (which you have), and a I guess a Congressman vouching for you (which I don't know you've tried or not, to your point involving government officials), would that not qualify you for OCS, or at the very least get a foot in the door? I'm the son of an Enlisted man, so anyone O or E, feel free to correct me on what I got wrong in my thought process vs. actual policy, or how things work now (I'm like 40, now, so I don't mean to tell tales out of school). It just sounds like what I'd do in that particular mental quandary. Either way you decide to slice it, good luck bro.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 6 at 2019 4:14 PM

2019-02-06T16:14:04-05:00

My advice is to talk with Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard Officer recruiters. You have college degrees, so you should consider trying for an officer commission instead of a WO. Better pay and leadership opportunities.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Feb 6 at 2019 7:49 PM

2019-02-06T19:49:46-05:00

And with a double masters, for you to not seek an age waiver, I assure you, would he an abject waste of a possibility, to my way of thinking, honest...if you tried for USAFR, USNR, USCGR, or USMCR, possibly also Guard, Guard Tech, or Reserve Tech, that might also increase your chances, submitting to both ARNG as well as ANG also, for any flight spots with them, if they exist, honest....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Feb 6 at 2019 7:53 PM

2019-02-06T19:53:35-05:00

http://m.aviationweek.com/combat-aircraft/us-army-aviators-have-new-route-fixed-wing-flying

Read this....

us-army-aviators-have-new-route-fixed-wing-flying

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Feb 6 at 2019 7:54 PM

2019-02-06T19:54:52-05:00

https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/aaaa/2017/04/27/cae-s-dothan-fixed-wing-flight-school-open-for-business/

And this....

CAE's Dothan fixed-wing flight school open for business

CAE USA was given the goal to open a fixed-wing training facility for the U.S. Army in a year all while a lawsuit over the contract loomed in the background, but the company was able to meet that goal.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Feb 6 at 2019 7:56 PM

2019-02-06T19:56:20-05:00

http://www.usawoa.org/

Look at this also....

USAWOA Online | U. S. Army Warrant Officers Association

To serve as the preeminent professional association supporting Army Warrant Officers in all components and statuses (Regular Army, ARNG and USAR, whether currently serving, former, or retired) and their families.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Feb 6 at 2019 7:57 PM

2019-02-06T19:57:59-05:00

https://www.chpa-us.org/

This is isefl....

Home

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Feb 6 at 2019 7:58 PM

2019-02-06T19:58:19-05:00

Sorry, typo, useful....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Feb 6 at 2019 7:59 PM

2019-02-06T19:59:19-05:00

http://www.quad-a.org/

You'll def want this....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Feb 6 at 2019 8:12 PM

2019-02-06T20:12:43-05:00

https://www.google.com/search?q=military%20aviation%20training%20age%20waiver%20or%20waivers&client=puffin-a&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

I explicitly looked up age waivers generally, they do apparently exist for Navy I'd seen up to 29 on case by case, with he double masters, that's why I think it'd def be worth your at least asking, I didn't look at the other sites or svcs, however, I can't imagine one couldn't apply to be at least reviewed, you could offer them quite a good deal at your level, Army WOCS only needs high school, I'm unsure how Army nav/WSO is handled, however, trust me, def think about rear seat spots, not just pilot/aviator, when I'd been in, USAF opened aviation unit command to have/WSOs, I recall that, explicitly, so I assure you, such spots would be well wort your time to check, I'm unsure if age waivers for them are as stringent, you'd need to check that, obviously....

military%20aviation%20training%20age%20waiver%20or%20waivers - Google Search

In order to show you the most relevant results, we have omitted some entries very similar to the 10 already displayed.If you like, you can repeat the search with the omitted results included.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Feb 6 at 2019 8:15 PM

2019-02-06T20:15:58-05:00

And purely out of curiosity, have you ever done any private and/or commercial FAA approved flight training at all, as a resume builder, to increase your chances wit the svcs, incl rotary wing, or going up for at least check flights, even if you have to pay, just to have a more coherent idea of what flying is actually like? Where I was had an aero club, I did go up in fixed wing a cpl of times, however, I didn't make effective use of it, that was a major loss of opportunity....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Feb 6 at 2019 8:20 PM

2019-02-06T20:20:40-05:00

https://www.google.com/search?q=military%20enlisted%20drone%20pilot%20shortqge%20or%20shortqges&client=puffin-a&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

I'm not saying you want this, also, I don't know how easily or if at all one could bridge to warrant or commissioned flight pilot or nav/WSO this way, howeverz, I !erely offer it as food for thought, that's all, honest....

military%20enlisted%20drone%20pilot%20shortqge%20or%20shortqges - Google Search

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Response by LTC Gary Earls made Feb 7 at 2019 1:17 PM

2019-02-07T13:17:00-05:00

Is there a National Guard flight facility near you?? If so, check to see if you can talk to one of their Warrants.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2019 8:47 PM

2019-02-08T20:47:41-05:00

The Army is taking almost all of the civilian applicants that they can get right now and you sound more than qualified. You’ve done great research so far and I don’t have anything to correct you on. Recruiters generally aren’t very knowledgeable about the WOFT program but it’s a manageable process and they are the correct people to contact. Just be sure to find one who seems willing to help you, as some are reluctant to do the extra work a WOFT packet requires. Are you looking for information on flight school and the general career path of Warrant Officers as well?