Originally Posted by
kc135boom
I am looking for some advice. I am currently a boom operator in the Air Guard and have been offered a pilot spot in the Army Guard. But as a rotary guy. I can go Apache or Kiowa. I would love to stay in the Air Force side of things but I am 31 y/o and would need a waiver for flight school. I have great academics and airmanship. But I am still 31 y/o. Does anyone know how long the Army pilot course is at Fort Rucker?
I have been think about going to the Army, doing my time, and then transferring to the Air Guard or Reserve side after that. If I went Warrant Officer and was over 35 y/o would I still be able to go to OCS? If I went Officer would it matter then? Does anyone know or can point to someone who would be willing to give a waiver? I'm not really thrilled with the whole Army thing, but it is a pilot spot. And to add a twist to things, the Navy offered me a Naval Intelligence Officer position. Any advise would be great. Thanks
Lindy
Lindy,
I'm an army CPT. Flight school has changed some since I went through in 01-02, but for the better. From day one to advanced aircraft qual and (warrant) officer basic course complete people were looking at 18 months. You can throw the 5 week warrant officer candidate school into that time too. Now aviators are getting into their advanced aircraft faster and you should be able to finish up in about 12 months.
If you want to fly in the army then you need to be a warrant officer. Branch officers (LT's, CPT's etc) are more focused on the leadership / command / staff / management side of the house. While we still fly, it is no where nearly the amount that warrant officers fly. As a warrant officer, you will eventuall be able to choose a career track (Safety, Standardization, Maintenance, or Tactical Operations).
I was almost an AH-64 driver (by choice), but got lucky and picked up a fixed wing slot right out of flight school. If I had to go back and be a helicopter pilot, I'd choose Kiowas. The Cav / Scout mission, on the front lines, down low, directly in the fight with the infantry is where the action and excitement is. Not to mention there is no simulator, like the 64 has, so you won't have actual flight time requirements reduced for more time in the box.
You will deploy in the guard and reserves. If you wanted to transition to fixed wing or active duty that would be a possibility once you were in the "Army" system. Right now the Reserves are short fixed wing aviators, and volunteering for a 12 month deployment would really help an outsider get into a C-12.
Check out APTAP (army pilot to airline pilot) for more Army advice and knowledge as there aren't many of us on APC. Send me a PM if you have more questions or hit me up on this thread. If I have learnded nothing else, I know that for the right person everything in the army is waiverable.