Spent some time talking with army recruiters about the Warrant Officer program today. It seems to be a decent program and I am considering putting through a packet. I am curious if anyone out there has gone through after flying commercially for a while first. I did a little thread search and found a couple useful, but wanted some up to date information.

Further, as per another thread, it seems many feel this is a bad time to be a helo pilot in the Army. No where to go, no PIC time etc. Anyone care to corroborate, or elaborate on that?

I currently have over 4500tt, , 1200pic and 430tpic, college degree, but I am furloughed with no recall in sight and zero opportunities outside of starting at a regional all over again, which quite frankly, is almost out of the question. I've regretted not serving in the past, and feel this might be my shot.

Anyone else go this route? Thanks.

-PC

 

Go to APTAP.org for the latest gouge. It is a good route and flying helo is a blast.

 

Talk with all the services. You'll be told no by some but it's not the final no. Going other services will allow you to decide if you want jets, props or helos. Also, go to baseops.net and see what guard/reserve units are hiring. Even if they are not hiring talk with them or even go see them. It is amazing what face time does. If you get a slot you will really enjoy it. KC-130 Marine unit out of NY is real short people. I feel that there are better opportunities than doing the WOFT program.

 

Thanks for the replies. I'll add another qualification and reason I am interested in WOFT. I am currently 32, turn 33 in March 2014. The Army program has the highest age limit, all others are quite a bit lower and at best require a waiver.

 

I'm currently at Rucker in flight school and came here with about the same amount of experience as you. I'll tell you that its a great opportunity to fly for any branch of service and you will not regret it as I'm sure most others on this section of the forum can attest to.

I was sick of regional's and low pay/quality of life so I put in a packet. I actually went with the guard instead of active duty which is something you should also look into, especially if you still have a seniority number somewhere. The only downside to this route would be that you cannot go into the guard directly as a "street to seat" pilot (usually). They want you to start as enlisted and then you can put in a packet for WOFT.

I'll be honest though, WOFT is not easy. You're flight experience will not transfer much other than maybe to give you a good "air sense." The army is going to train you how to fly the way that they want you to fly and it has been very hard for me to let go of some of my old habits and experiences.

Ultimately, you gotta do what you want. Let me know if you got any other questions.

 

Once you have your wings you can transfer to another service such as the Air Force (Guard/Reserve) and attend "Fixed Wing Qual" - no age limit for that course - only DOD issued wings required. I do believe you have to be <35 to receive your commission though. So if you have any desire to switch branches, go to Army flight school as an Lt. No plan to switch - stay WO!!! Coast guard also recruits Army helo guys for flying, but they want you to be less than 35 last I knew.

 

I went to IERW in 2002 as a 2LT, with about 5 years 121 and an aviation degree. I think my life was easier in some ways, but there is a lot of stuff your logbook won't help you with. WOCS, SERE, etc you will have to tough out with everyone else.

Once I got out of primary I had a lot of fun, my primary IP was still the biggest a#$ I have ever met. Just remember to shut up and color.

I went guard, the way to go in my opinion. I never had to go back to the airlines which has been great.

 

A friend retired as Commander of an Army Reserve helicopter unit. A couple of years later, his successor asked him if he would consider coming back as an Instructor. He replied, "OK, but I only want to fly, so make me a WO."

 

I know USAF, USN, USMC, USCG and foreign students attend the JPATS pilot training program. The Army student pilots train in an Army program. I don't believe their DOD Wings would qualify them for another services "fixed wing" programs.

Someone please correct me if things have changed.

 

Army guys qualify but it's quite an uphill climb for them. If you didn't go to the army fixed wing program your chances are pretty much nil and even with the army FWMEQC the other services don't really equate the rigors of UPT/Primary with the FS program. The other thing that makes it very difficult for the army guys is accessions. For some reason it is a time consuming laborious process to switch services(especially with the army) and the squadron just can't wait that long. At least these were my experiences when I went in front of a board in 2010. I hope the board I'm going in front of this fall will yield me better results!