Already Contracted
 

Howdy,
A little background information, I am currently a junior at Texas A&M and have already made the plunge and signed an OCS contract with Texas National Guard. I am a political science major (yes I know worthless degree without law school) and I recently got my PPL with about 100TT. I will be attending basic this summer and the following summer after graduation I will be going to OCS. I have done some research and my understanding is that during OCS I will be assigned a branch. While I will have no problem serving wherever I am needed, my first choice would be aviation. Subsequently I have two questions.
1. Should I take the money that I earn at basic and apply it to getting my instrument?
2. Is there anything I can do in the time leading up to OCS to help me with obtaining my desired branch?
Thank you for your time any information would be greatly appreciated.

I was always under the impression that with the guard you got to pick your branch, as you pick a unit. I know it's somewhat of a back door route to get guaranteed aviation, as you can simply be accepted by an aviation unit and thus upon commissioning you are an aviation officer. Call up whoever recruited you and see if they have you assigned to a unit, and if not look into what aviation units the TX Guard has and how to contact them.

Poly Sci degree...
 

Did you hear about the Aggie that went to Harvard Law School after he got his Poly Sci degree at A&M? He was looking for the library and got lost. Walked up to another student and asked, "Excuse me sir, but could you tell me where the library is at?" The Harvard student said, "Sir...Here at Harvard, we do not end our sentences with a preposition." The Aggie said "OK then...Can you tell me where the library is at @$$ho1e?" :D

There are only two things from Texas......


(I am always happy to make a positive contribution to a thread)

Steak and really smoking girls? :D

No I am sure I’m not currently assigned to a unit, in fact I don’t even have a current MOS (job) I am just a officer candidate. I believe from my very limited experience that the Army differs from the Air Force reserves in part because you go to OCS before receiving your branch. I was wondering if anybody was currently in an aviation position in a national guard unit how they worked to get into that position?

So Army NG, not Air NG.

Military officer school
Army - OCS
Air Guard -AMS
Air Force Reserve - OTS

I did not go the OCS route, but I sit on interview boards for aviators from time to time. We have had a state OCS grad roll through. He was selected to go to IERW and may well be there now, I haven't seen him in a few months. He had some issues in the interview, not because he was a dud, but he had no exposure to Army Aviation and it showed.

Are you currently drilling? Can you get to a TXARNG aviation unit and introduce yourself? Alot of our RLO's were SMPs and proved themselves while in college.

Each state handles IERW slightly different. Find out how TX does it, who is in charge of the selection process and make contact. Find out what items you need to accomplish for the flight school packet and realize that it is your responsibility to complete it. The entire process is part of the evaluation, never forget that. You need to be self motivated, an asset to the unit and let them know you will be a good return on their investment. A great many hopeful people are emliminated solely because they don't complete their part of the packet or show attitude.

Your civilian flight experience is good, but don't play it up too much.

Some of the things I would do if I were you...

1. Start doing a lot of research on your own about what Army Aviation is about and what you want to do in it.
2. Find the TXARNG aviation unit location(s), learn the airframe types and what missions they perform.
3. Find the points of contacts, SAAO (State Army Aviation Office/LTC or COL), OPs Officer (MAJ or LTC) and ask to be put on their calender for an appointment to introduce yourself and start the process.
4. Show up early, well dressed and rested with a resume etc and SELL YOURSELF.
5. Start studying for the AFAST (ARCO "Flight Aptitude Test" study guide)
6. Look into drilling with an aviation unit. The more exposure you have, the better off you will be. Realize that you are being judged all the time and many folks want a flight school slot.

a couple places to start reading:
www.aptap.org
www.verticalreference.com
Google

The overall mind set you'll need for the process is "Persistence & Semper Gumbi" It's a long painful process but worth it.

Good Luck