When is the best time to put in a flight packet? Does rank matter?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 20:42:58 -0400

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2016 8:51 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 20:51:55 -0400

No rank does not matter. Are you Regular Army, Guard or Reserve?

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Jun 20 at 2016 8:59 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 20:59:17 -0400

Do you fulfill all the requirements? College and testing.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2016 11:18 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 23:18:37 -0400

Rank does not matter but you have to build a resume for your packet, so will be smart if you give it a shot at your job first and then apply, you have 40% more probability of been selected as a SPC than you have now

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 10:11 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 10:11:41 -0400

We had a PFC in my unit make it through the board, but that was back when the Army was hurting for people. Your best bet is to make yourself as competitive as possible, knock out some college and study religiously for the SIFT.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Jun 21 at 2016 10:47 AM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 10:47:19 -0400

GT => 120, pass AFST, You can’t have vision worse than 20/50 in either eye, can't be color blind.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jun 21 at 2016 11:40 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 23:40:44 -0400

Rank is immaterial to the board and branch, however accessions can be difficult due to shear number of techs for a aviation packet. My first packet went in at PFC, then SGT and finally SSG before selection. Start now snd never give up if it is something you wish to do!

Response by CW5 Michael Scheller made Jun 25 at 2016 8:49 AM

CW5 Michael Scheller — Sat, 25 Jun 2016 08:49:59 -0400

You've received much good advice here that revolves around one central theme; apply, early and often. At least one response was that your résumé matters and that you should build that before you apply. I spent many years doing flight school interviews, reviewing candidates packets, and helping them polish them. I have at latest count, done so for 22 successful selectees, the first of which has been a CW4 for a few years now. Even with all that experience, I gave up on trying to divine what "the board looks for". That seems to be a much moving target and difficult to pin down but one thing remains true; your packet must be complete, error free, and professional. That includes any letters of recommendation. If one of your recommendations is full of typos, spelling and grammar errors it reflects upon you as well. Don't think that matters? You're right. It doesn't matter to 75% of the people who grade your packet but the other 25% also have a vote and they notice everything.

Get as many people as you can to review and critique your packet. The guy who pulls out a red pen and AR 25-50 is the guy you want. If a LOR is full of errors either pull it and get another or take it back to the recommender with the corrections already made for their new signature.

When it comes to resume building, again don't worry about the board wants. Build it with a view on three things:
1. Good for promotion points.
2. Good for a civilian career.
3. Something I want to do for me.
After all, there is life after the military; injuries and illness curtail the career of many a great Soldier. Be prepared to not be selected for WOFT, to not be selected for promotion, to not be able to continue to serve. If you find things that meet all three criteria, do it.

All in all, good luck to you and keep after it. Getting selected is the hardest and the easiest part of becoming an Aviation Warrant Officer.