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Old 08-16-2006, 01:33 PM
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Default Best Way Into the Army National Guard

I keep hearing that if you find a unit with fixed wing and talk to them directly about joining(Army National Guard, not active). You can get a pilot slot if your already a pilot. I have my Commercial Multi with instrument privileges. I'll have my High Altitude Endorsement, High Performance Endorsement, Commercial Single, CFI, CFII, and MEI with a good chunk of time built up within a couple months. I also heard that Civ. pilots with this much experience generally get in as a pilot with out a problem and is much easier to do so than going in with out any experience. Is there a way besides OCS, WOFT, or high school to flight school? Who do you talk to besides recruiters(The ones they always transfer you to When you call.) I don't think they really understand that I’m not willing to fix blackhawks after this much advanced schooling, and that I’m only willing to fly. So I can't exactly get a strait answer. Any recommendations?

I'm trying for the Army National Guard because they do not require a college degree. (Im working on it.) Will that prevent me from getting in, or...
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Old 08-17-2006, 08:32 PM
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Originally Posted by erj145aviator View Post
I keep hearing that if you find a unit with fixed wing and talk to them directly about joining(Army National Guard, not active). You can get a pilot slot if your already a pilot. I have my Commercial Multi with instrument privileges. I'll have my High Altitude Endorsement, High Performance Endorsement, Commercial Single, CFI, CFII, and MEI with a good chunk of time built up within a couple months. I also heard that Civ. pilots with this much experience generally get in as a pilot with out a problem and is much easier to do so than going in with out any experience. Is there a way besides OCS, WOFT, or high school to flight school? Who do you talk to besides recruiters(The ones they always transfer you to When you call.) I don't think they really understand that I’m not willing to fix blackhawks after this much advanced schooling, and that I’m only willing to fly. So I can't exactly get a strait answer. Any recommendations?

I'm trying for the Army National Guard because they do not require a college degree. (Im working on it.) Will that prevent me from getting in, or...
Yes, you can get a pilot slot. Also check the Army reserve. Both are looking for pilots and a college degree is not required.
Now, as far as "a way besides OCS, WOFT or high school to flight school", no. The military does not hire civilian pilots. You must be a member of the military to fly military aircraft... not sure what you are getting at. You will have to come on board as either a WO or commissioned officer. Either way, you will have to go to basic training, then OCS or WOCS, then flight school. Plan on about 2 years.
Also, you will be trained as a rotary wing pilot. After serving some time flying helicopters if you have proved yourself you may get a fixed wing slot with the Army Guard. Yeah, some people stumble into a fixed wing slot from the get go, but they are very few and far between. Even those pilots are taught to fly RW first, then sent to FSI for the fixed wing course.
Also, understand that most National Guard pilots have:
a. Done at least one active duty tour, probably more.
b. Most are either airline pilots, police pilots, EMS pilots, Customs pilots, or some other sort of professional pilot.
Understand that with a & b, your experience will be helpful getting on board and getting through flight school, but won't mean much in the unit.
As an example, when my unit deployed we only had 3 pilots who were on their initial assignment. My co-pilot was a Viet Nam pilot with over 18,000 helicopter hours. Most of the pilots were military instructor pilots. Most of us were CFI/CFII/MEI/ATPs. Except for our three new pilots and the commander, every pilot had over 5,000 hours (the commander had over 1,000 hours).
Also, expect to deploy... you can guess where. The flying will be very difficult, but rewarding. The hotels suck; the food leaves something to be desired; and the locals are sometimes unfriendly. The air conditioning in the aircraft... well, there isn't any unless you count frozen water bottles. It gets up to 140 degrees and you are wearing your crap. And I'm not talking t-shirt and flip flops.
If you are still interested, contact a unit near by directly. You want to ask for a training officer or S-1. They will be able to help you. Don't bother with a recruiter unless it is some one the S-1 or training officer has told you to call. Good luck.
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