What advice do you have for someone who wants to be a pilot? Do I have a better chance of getting into WOFT after enlisting as a 15R?

Maxwell Sun — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 20:59:05 -0500

I'm a senior in Highschool, my goal is to become a warrant officer and fly choppers. My recruiter told me I won't get in and he offered me to become a helicopter mechanic, he said from there submit your application to WOFT and I would most likely get a spot in.

I wouldn't really mind going to aviation school and learn how to repair helicopters because I feel like that is a useful job to have. I just wanted to know how you guys feel about this whole thing? Is it true that I have a better chance to get in after enlisted for something such as 15R?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2018 9:05 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 21:05:53 -0500

Don’t listen to him. High School to Flight school is a real thing. If he doesn’t help you go to the next town over or wherever the next recruiting station is and ask them. And do the same until you find one that helps you. They pulled the same thing on me and instead of going helicopter mechanic I went infantry to do some cool guy stuff. It was fun but I’m reporting to WOCS in April and I guarantee that I’ll be going there with people right out of high school. Don’t ever settle. Good word of advice that applies for anybody in the military, they will only help you if they benifit from it, or that it annoys them so much to the point where it would be easier to just help you. The only reason he’s saying that is cause it’s a lot more work on his end and if he’s not willing to help you then find a recruiter that will. They’re out there you just have to look(or annoy them until they help you)

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2018 9:07 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 21:07:44 -0500

You’d have more knowledge of the helicopter and such which would help you on the SIFT. However, (I am also in the process of putting my packet in) the person on the board that I spoke to said the following is what they really check and the rest is used for comparing two people if it comes down to one slot: SIFT (60+ is good but they will look at 50s, if you get a 40-49 it is not too likely you will be picked up so study hard on this), Your PT (on army standard strive for a 270 with a 80 or better in each event), and Why you want to be an Aviator letter (do not say, “I wanna fly.” Your Job First is a warrant officer and second a pilot, so demonstrate in your wording that you would be a good leader and only tell them things you can back up. He said they can call bluffs easily.) However the choice is yours, go through AIT for a 15 series job to gain some knowledge or just study for the SIFT and try to get WOFT first. Think about your choice of which path and don’t jump the gun or you might regret it.

Response by PO3 Christian Brielmaier made Dec 27 at 2018 9:12 PM

PO3 Christian Brielmaier — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 21:12:34 -0500

TLDR; find a new recruiter.

If you want to fly, don't accept anything else. Forumns are full of guys who were told the same half truth your recruiter told you.

A WOFT packet is a lot more work for a recruiter for the same amount of credit.

Go to the Armys WOFT webpage and look up the packet reqyirements and get as much done yourself. Once youre at the point where a recruiter needs to do stuff (MEPS, physical,ECT) then go to one of the WO briefs and ask for a recommendation for a recruiter in your area that has experience with the process.

Good luck, and never settle!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2018 9:18 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 21:18:15 -0500

Run away! He’s being lazy!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2018 9:18 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 21:18:36 -0500

Maxwell Sun Below are the requirements per the Army Recruiting Command:

https://recruiting.army.mil/ISO/AWOR/Civilian_WOFT/

https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service/advance-your-career/warrant-officer.html

U.S. ARMY RECRUITING COMMAND In-Service Opportunities U.S. Army Warrant Officer Recruiting ...

The official website for the Army Recruiting Command (USAREC)

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2018 9:28 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 21:28:19 -0500

Don’t listen. It’s much easier to be accepted to WOFT as a civilian than it is as a SM because they get a lot less civilian applicants, and the crew chiefs that I know going through flight school have almost no advantage. They just get called on in class a lot more. Find a new recruiter that will help you.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Dec 28 at 2018 12:25 PM

MSG Frank Kapaun — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 12:25:13 -0500

Have you taken the ASVB yet? Do you even qualify for High School to Flight School? Can you pass a flight physical?

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Dec 29 at 2018 12:58 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 12:58:12 -0500

Remember when listening to a recruiter he or she has goals to fulfill that have nothing to do with what you want to do with your military service. If you are about to be a HS grad and you want to fly, then the Army Aviation WO program is a good way to go. The Air Force won't talk about you being a pilot until you have a bachelors degree and are eligible for a commission. Either way you'll have to pass a flight physical and have high scores on your testing.

Listen to the Army folks in this string for the best advice.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2019 11:18 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 11:18:30 -0400

You must have Ray Bans and refuse mandatory soldier training.