cargo hopeful

Quick question guys, and please excuse me if it sounds, in any way, ignorant. Could a regional jet pilot at the age of 32, who wants to serve their country as a military pilot be allowed to take the officer test and qualify for a flying spot or will he be disqualified because of his age? I know the cut off age is 27 or so to enter the military flight school training. It just sucks that you can’t serve your country as a pilot because you did not make the decision 5 or six years earlier. What about the air national guard or the reserve?

Thanks.

LAfrequentflyer

Not possible.

If you are interested in serving you can still apply and earn a commission until age 35. I would recommend it. Even if you only stay for 4 years it will be time well spent leading / mentoring young americans.

-LAFF

Slice

The cutoff without a waiver is actually 30 for the AF/ANG. I think the Army's max is a little higher.

1Seat 1Engine

I agree with Slice. The max age is now 30 and has been for a couple years. I don't think you'll be able to get a waiver at your age...sorry.

However there's a lot of jobs in the ANG and USAFR that you might find rewarding and we're always looking for good people.

I think that it is possible to get a waiver in the Army to start helicopter training past age 30 and they like people who already have a commercial fixed wing.

9999

Taken off of GoArmy.com This is for the Warrant Officer program. If you want to fly in the Army, go Warrant.

Do you have what it takes to become a Warrant Officer? Applicants for the Warrant Officer Candidate School/Warrant Officer Flight Training program must:

Have a high school diploma.

Be at least 18 years of age at the time of Regular Army enlistment and not have passed your 33rd birthday when the board convenes. High school seniors may also apply. If you are 33-34 years of age, you may request a waiver.

Be a citizen of the United States.

Score 90 or higher on the revised Flight Aptitude Selection Test (FAST). FAST test results are valid indefinitely as long as verifiable official records exist. No waivers are available for failure to meet the minimum FAST score.

Earn a minimum of 110 General Technical (GT) score on the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) (non-waivable as well). The GT score is one component of the ASVAB results.

Meet the Active Duty Army's screening height and weight standards.
Take a complete physical exam at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) and meet entry medical fitness standards as determined by military medical authorities no more than eighteen months prior to the date of application. Must also undergo a Class 1A Flight Physical Examination in addition to the one conducted at the MEPS and have results approved by Flight Surgeons at Fort Rucker, Alabama, prior to the selection board. The Flight Physical must also be less than 18 months old.

I am getting ready to go over 20 years active duty this month. If I can help you with any questions you may have, please feel free to ask. I don't regret a thing about the last 20 years. It has been very rewarding.

Panel Monkey

If you get a commission and come in as an officer you can apply for an age waiver and a pilot slot after one year. The waiver will not be considered for civilians or enlisted personnel, officers only, at least that's what they told me. I know a few guys who got approed for their age waivers.

cargo hopeful

Thanks for all the reply guys/gals. How exactly does a waiver work? Does one individual make the decision or is it a panel of people? What are usually the most cited reasons people cite for requesting a waiver? What are the odds that the average waiver has of passing (due to age)? So the Air Force and Air National Guard cut off without a waiver is 30, what about the Marines/Navy? Same?

Panel Monkey

I think the waiver goes in front of a panel of people, not just one person. I don't know what the statistical odds are, it's done on a case by case basis. When I checked into this stuff the Navy was also age 30, the Coast Guard was 35 and the Army wasn't specific (although I really didn't look into them much for information on this). All of this may be different now, I looked into it around 5 or 6 years ago.