Warrant Officer Q's
11-24-2008, 11:42 PM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Nov 2008
Posts: 3
Warrant Officer Q's
I'm looking for info on flying whirlybirds as a warrant officer in either the Guard or AD Army. I'll be 26 in January, a CFI certificate short of a BS in Aviation Science, and have 200+ hours fixed wing time. Also I'm perpetually single with no prior military experience.
Here's what I'm looking for:
Competitive ASVAB/AFAST scores?
Personal experiences with enlisting in the Guard, and making a quick jump to WO.
Personal experiences as an Active Duty WO
Anyone's 2 cents.
P.S. Even though your average copter is an ugly hunk of metal that resembles a modern art masterpiece, and has the aerodynamics of a rock with a big fan on top, I would thoroughly enjoy flying one.
Here's what I'm looking for:
Competitive ASVAB/AFAST scores?
Personal experiences with enlisting in the Guard, and making a quick jump to WO.
Personal experiences as an Active Duty WO
Anyone's 2 cents.
P.S. Even though your average copter is an ugly hunk of metal that resembles a modern art masterpiece, and has the aerodynamics of a rock with a big fan on top, I would thoroughly enjoy flying one.
11-25-2008, 01:49 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Posts: 111
Don't have any experience being a warrant officer, only have experience wishing I were one and experience being around them. KiowaPilots.com has a LOT of information that will answer some specifics you have. Make sure you utilize the search function and I would recommend not posting there for a while.
I would recommend talking to some guard pilots in your area about their experience. The AD and guard road to flight school is a little different.
As a ballpark, most WOs in my OH-58D class had AFASTs between 120 and 140. This really isn't a significant portion of the packet from what I've heard. I had quite a few LT buddies who got in the 90s. Prior flight experience definitely helps...PPL-commercial, either way, shows you are competent enough to make it through and have the desire/discipline to apply yourself. A lot of the AD people I knew in flight school who got picked up the first time they applied had at least a private ticket.
Any specific Q's feel free to PM me or any of the other army pilots on here, i'm sure people can help you out.
I would recommend talking to some guard pilots in your area about their experience. The AD and guard road to flight school is a little different.
As a ballpark, most WOs in my OH-58D class had AFASTs between 120 and 140. This really isn't a significant portion of the packet from what I've heard. I had quite a few LT buddies who got in the 90s. Prior flight experience definitely helps...PPL-commercial, either way, shows you are competent enough to make it through and have the desire/discipline to apply yourself. A lot of the AD people I knew in flight school who got picked up the first time they applied had at least a private ticket.
Any specific Q's feel free to PM me or any of the other army pilots on here, i'm sure people can help you out.
11-25-2008, 11:55 AM
#3
On Reserve
Joined APC: Nov 2008
Posts: 15
"I'm looking for info on flying whirlybirds as a warrant officer in either the Guard or AD Army."
That is a great ambition, as I have proudly served into my 33rd year as a Warrant Officer in a combination of Active Component (AC), Army Reserve (AR) and Army National Guard (NG), and I am proud of every minute of my career. I should say dual careers, as I am also a professional pilot in my civilian career. With that experience, I believe that i have license to give advice.
The first advice that I would give any person, male or female, is that entry into any military organization should be done with a clear and sober approach. If flying a "whirlybird" would be a thrilling kick-in-the-pants to you, go get lessons from some civilian flight school. However, if you want fly a complex Army rotory-wing aircraft, in a complex mission in which lives may be saved or lost, depending on your skills, abilities and bravery; in all weather conditions; in harm's way; with little rest because the mission is at night and it was too damn hot to sleep in the day; and to even get to this point, you will have sacrificed personal time and family time to study hard to make it through initial flight school and advanced aircraft training; and if you understand all of this, then we may proceed with the advice.
First, you need to decide what kind of service you want to serve and what you want to do career wise. If you want to go AR or NG in order to have a civilian career, you will need to realize that it is sometimes harder to balance the two careers than most people are willing to give. I know a lot of Guard and Reserve guys who fly for a civilian living, as I do. One is required to keep competency in the civilian aircraft and the Army aircraft simultaneously, which requires dedication and discipline to self study. Civilian employers are not always very helpful with your military career, although required to be by law. Military commanders are not always willing to allow the aviator to drill on days other than unit drill days and there are the Additional Flight training Periods (AFTP's) that have to be met on a semi-annual and annual basis. There is a balance between the civilian employment and military duty that, again, requires discipline and time away from self and family. Frankly, not all who start this lifesyle stick with it.
Active component is also demanding. You are 24/7, even though there are days where you will be home by 1630, there may be many other days where you won't be home until the job is done, and then, even though that job was done, there's another duty to keep your attention for several more hours. Again, discipline to self study to keep flying proficient, even though you may have additional duties that are not flying related. Just some food for you to think about to guage your interest level.
Once you make the descision which route to take, then you will know which recruiter to see.
Here are some answers to your questions:
AFAST: The more the score the more the chances of getting selected. I came in at a very competetive time. I made 153 on mine and I was just a drop in the bucket in the pool. There are study materials available to help your score.
Active Component: That's the route that I took, initially. I completed my Active duty Service Obligation (ADSO) and then decided to go for the airline business. I have been a Guardsman or Reservist since. I will tell you that I have more combat deployment time and combat flight time as a Guardsman and Reservist than I ever did AC, and I have more Active Duty years of Federal service as a Guardsman or Reservist than I did with my ADSO. I am on active duty right now, and expect to be for a least one more year.
Warrant Officer: The best rank structure (IMHO). We are the professional and subject matter experts to lend advice and instruction in our area of expertise. We are respected by all other ranks in the Army. We have the ability to talk to privates and general officers, alike, with comfort.
I hope that I didn't come off as an ass to you. I just want to let you know that you need to be serious in your desire. I've seen these same questions asked on other forums. Of the ones inquiring, about 10% are serious enough to pursue the field. Of that, maybe 20% are selected.
If you are serious, I am sure there are others on here willing to help you, as I will be.
That is a great ambition, as I have proudly served into my 33rd year as a Warrant Officer in a combination of Active Component (AC), Army Reserve (AR) and Army National Guard (NG), and I am proud of every minute of my career. I should say dual careers, as I am also a professional pilot in my civilian career. With that experience, I believe that i have license to give advice.
The first advice that I would give any person, male or female, is that entry into any military organization should be done with a clear and sober approach. If flying a "whirlybird" would be a thrilling kick-in-the-pants to you, go get lessons from some civilian flight school. However, if you want fly a complex Army rotory-wing aircraft, in a complex mission in which lives may be saved or lost, depending on your skills, abilities and bravery; in all weather conditions; in harm's way; with little rest because the mission is at night and it was too damn hot to sleep in the day; and to even get to this point, you will have sacrificed personal time and family time to study hard to make it through initial flight school and advanced aircraft training; and if you understand all of this, then we may proceed with the advice.
First, you need to decide what kind of service you want to serve and what you want to do career wise. If you want to go AR or NG in order to have a civilian career, you will need to realize that it is sometimes harder to balance the two careers than most people are willing to give. I know a lot of Guard and Reserve guys who fly for a civilian living, as I do. One is required to keep competency in the civilian aircraft and the Army aircraft simultaneously, which requires dedication and discipline to self study. Civilian employers are not always very helpful with your military career, although required to be by law. Military commanders are not always willing to allow the aviator to drill on days other than unit drill days and there are the Additional Flight training Periods (AFTP's) that have to be met on a semi-annual and annual basis. There is a balance between the civilian employment and military duty that, again, requires discipline and time away from self and family. Frankly, not all who start this lifesyle stick with it.
Active component is also demanding. You are 24/7, even though there are days where you will be home by 1630, there may be many other days where you won't be home until the job is done, and then, even though that job was done, there's another duty to keep your attention for several more hours. Again, discipline to self study to keep flying proficient, even though you may have additional duties that are not flying related. Just some food for you to think about to guage your interest level.
Once you make the descision which route to take, then you will know which recruiter to see.
Here are some answers to your questions:
AFAST: The more the score the more the chances of getting selected. I came in at a very competetive time. I made 153 on mine and I was just a drop in the bucket in the pool. There are study materials available to help your score.
Active Component: That's the route that I took, initially. I completed my Active duty Service Obligation (ADSO) and then decided to go for the airline business. I have been a Guardsman or Reservist since. I will tell you that I have more combat deployment time and combat flight time as a Guardsman and Reservist than I ever did AC, and I have more Active Duty years of Federal service as a Guardsman or Reservist than I did with my ADSO. I am on active duty right now, and expect to be for a least one more year.
Warrant Officer: The best rank structure (IMHO). We are the professional and subject matter experts to lend advice and instruction in our area of expertise. We are respected by all other ranks in the Army. We have the ability to talk to privates and general officers, alike, with comfort.
I hope that I didn't come off as an ass to you. I just want to let you know that you need to be serious in your desire. I've seen these same questions asked on other forums. Of the ones inquiring, about 10% are serious enough to pursue the field. Of that, maybe 20% are selected.
If you are serious, I am sure there are others on here willing to help you, as I will be.
11-25-2008, 02:13 PM
#4
On Reserve
Joined APC: Nov 2008
Posts: 15
Rather than edit, I'll add.
I forgot one small detail. If you are 26 now, you better crap or get off the pot and make a decision to put in your paperwork. It's not an overnight process. It can take a year, or more, to get accepted. My initial application to acceptance took from June to April of the next year.
I forgot one small detail. If you are 26 now, you better crap or get off the pot and make a decision to put in your paperwork. It's not an overnight process. It can take a year, or more, to get accepted. My initial application to acceptance took from June to April of the next year.
11-25-2008, 02:31 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Position: USAF
Posts: 1,398
... I have bascially just finished my WOFT packet now... with basically the same type of stuff as you paulymeadows.... except I'm only 2 years younger.. having said that the packet, like mr. greggo said, is not an overnight process... and it really depends on your recruiter...
kiowapilots.com is a great place to get info ... like it was said before, it is better to read on that forum rather than to comment.. every possible question has been asked there already.
Your recruiter can drag his feet through the process, because from my understanding.. it is just more work.. with equal pay-off as a regular enlistee...... My recruiter has been great scheduling all of the tests, medicals, etc.... it does take a while.. perhaps the biggest was scheduling the actual flight physical....and you have to be very proactive about getting things (you'll have a list of things to get organized) If you are interested, get it done asap. I'm waiting on the December board, so hopefully I'll have a date to go by.. but I can't wait!
kiowapilots.com is a great place to get info ... like it was said before, it is better to read on that forum rather than to comment.. every possible question has been asked there already.
Your recruiter can drag his feet through the process, because from my understanding.. it is just more work.. with equal pay-off as a regular enlistee...... My recruiter has been great scheduling all of the tests, medicals, etc.... it does take a while.. perhaps the biggest was scheduling the actual flight physical....and you have to be very proactive about getting things (you'll have a list of things to get organized) If you are interested, get it done asap. I'm waiting on the December board, so hopefully I'll have a date to go by.. but I can't wait!
11-25-2008, 07:00 PM
#7
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: OH-58D ME
Posts: 26
As an Active Duty and soon to drop my retirement paper work CW4 (Jan. 09), I have to say that Greggo and FlyArmy are spot on with their comments.
With that said, I'll only offer this bit of advice: never, ever show up to an Army Aviation Unit and say "I'm here to fly whirlybirds".
Now seriously, I've been flying Kiowa's for 17 years and currently deployed to Afghanistan, so feel free to PM me with any questions that you can't get answered elsewhere.
jfsBoat: You might have to go to the nearest MEPS station of Army base for that. Like FlyArmy said, search KiowaPilots.com or even try CavHooah.com - The Internet's Cavalry Authority - Home Page for some additional information.
Rob
With that said, I'll only offer this bit of advice: never, ever show up to an Army Aviation Unit and say "I'm here to fly whirlybirds".
Now seriously, I've been flying Kiowa's for 17 years and currently deployed to Afghanistan, so feel free to PM me with any questions that you can't get answered elsewhere.
jfsBoat: You might have to go to the nearest MEPS station of Army base for that. Like FlyArmy said, search KiowaPilots.com or even try CavHooah.com - The Internet's Cavalry Authority - Home Page for some additional information.
Rob
11-25-2008, 07:19 PM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: 767 FO
Posts: 293
aslo putting together a packet and saw this on the kiowa forums...any truth to it...
kiowa-Becoming an Army Aviator-November 8 Board
"I just got a message from a friend up at DA.
Due to impending military budget cuts, all orders for WOCS and WOFT are about to be rescinded, and applicants will have to re-apply for the Exigent UAV Remote Operator Program, Enhanced (EUROPE).
All candidates wishing to go to EUROPE and fly the UAVs must meet all the prerquisites and standards of WOFT, but must also show a talent for drinking white wine, smoking Galloises, rolling over for the Muslims, and criticising the Government.
That is all.
Carry on with your normal Sunday activities at this time."
kiowa-Becoming an Army Aviator-November 8 Board
"I just got a message from a friend up at DA.
Due to impending military budget cuts, all orders for WOCS and WOFT are about to be rescinded, and applicants will have to re-apply for the Exigent UAV Remote Operator Program, Enhanced (EUROPE).
All candidates wishing to go to EUROPE and fly the UAVs must meet all the prerquisites and standards of WOFT, but must also show a talent for drinking white wine, smoking Galloises, rolling over for the Muslims, and criticising the Government.
That is all.
Carry on with your normal Sunday activities at this time."
11-25-2008, 08:25 PM
#9
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: OH-58D ME
Posts: 26
aslo putting together a packet and saw this on the kiowa forums...any truth to it...
kiowa-Becoming an Army Aviator-November 8 Board
"I just got a message from a friend up at DA.
Due to impending military budget cuts, all orders for WOCS and WOFT are about to be rescinded, and applicants will have to re-apply for the Exigent UAV Remote Operator Program, Enhanced (EUROPE).
All candidates wishing to go to EUROPE and fly the UAVs must meet all the prerquisites and standards of WOFT, but must also show a talent for drinking white wine, smoking Galloises, rolling over for the Muslims, and criticising the Government.
That is all.
Carry on with your normal Sunday activities at this time."
kiowa-Becoming an Army Aviator-November 8 Board
"I just got a message from a friend up at DA.
Due to impending military budget cuts, all orders for WOCS and WOFT are about to be rescinded, and applicants will have to re-apply for the Exigent UAV Remote Operator Program, Enhanced (EUROPE).
All candidates wishing to go to EUROPE and fly the UAVs must meet all the prerquisites and standards of WOFT, but must also show a talent for drinking white wine, smoking Galloises, rolling over for the Muslims, and criticising the Government.
That is all.
Carry on with your normal Sunday activities at this time."
No. Normal sarcasm from Sparky2.
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