WOCS and flight school?

2019-08-20T12:03:24-04:00

Prior 11B, currently 68G, wanting to drop my packet for warrant officer aviation. How long is the entire training from WOCS to completion and being sent to your duty station? Do you get to pick your aircraft or do you get placed with one based on how you do in training? Is there an aircraft that is better than another?

Response by CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2019 12:10 PM

2019-08-20T12:10:04-04:00

The WOC portion was about 7 weeks if I'm not mistaken. Not sure as far as the aviation part. And I remember one of my buddies saying the DHG and HG got to choose station and aircraft. Wish I could've been more help. Good luck

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2019 3:56 PM

2019-08-20T15:56:08-04:00

1. Be prepared to spend 1-2 years at Fort Rucker from WOCS through flight school graduation. All of that depends on how long the bubbles are between phases at the time. It’s one continuous pipeline divided into several phases and occasionally you have to be in hold status waiting for the next thing to start.
2. Aircraft selection is based on the OML at the end of primary and available aircraft at selection will be based on current needs of the army. Sometimes there’s more Apache slots and sometimes more Blackhawks and so on. 1st in the class makes their selection then 2nd and on down the line. If your choice is there when it’s your turn, then you get it. Otherwise you pretend like you wanted the other thing all along. ; ).
3. All of the Army aircraft have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. What is better will depend on what mission you’re drawn to. Attack, Air Assault, Medevac, heavy lift? They all have their place and they all do their mission very effectively. I haven’t met an army pilot yet that hates the aircraft they fly and spend their time wishing they were flying something else. Best of luck as you start the process and feel free to message me if you have further questions.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Aug 20 at 2019 9:08 PM

2019-08-20T21:08:00-04:00

You do not get to pick your aircraft. Based on training. I would think as a WO1 it will be a Huey or OH58. As the PBO for a Chinook unit as a W01 only the most senior warrants flew Chinooks. Myself, Adjutant annld CW2 on the group staff were the only officers who were non pilots.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2019 10:59 PM

2019-08-20T22:59:31-04:00

WOCS is currently only 5 weeks long. They did away with the 7-week course for soldiers who had not attended BLC yet. I'm not sure if this is a trial run for fiscal year 19 or if it is a permanent change.

1-2 years for the entire process sounds about right. It depends on whether you are AD, Guard/Reserve as well. Guard gets priority on airframe selection and they are generally classed faster since it's on the states dime. It also depends on the airframe. Training to fly an Apache is longer because there is more to learn with the aircraft. Weapon systems, TADS, drone link capabilities, etc.