I'm naive enough about this that I had to look those tests up to see what they were. I also have a few questions: When is the best time to take them? How big of a factor do they play with regards to being chosen?

And I have no idea what units yet. It would have to be in the western states. It kind of sucks if I have to move but I'll do it.

 

For ANG and the Reserves, you do know your aircraft and base before you even go to AMS or OTS. That's because you have to apply to the base directly.
I took my AFOQT and BAT senior year of college because that's when I got seriously interested... studied a little with Arco's AFOQT book (you should be able to find it in your neighborhood BN). That book should help you out, tell you exactly what types of stuff will be on the AFOQT. You can't study for the BAT (which is now TBAS) because it's simply a hand-eye coordination test.
Your pilot composite score from the AFOQT, TBAS and the number of flying hours you have add up to a PCSM score... no one knows what percentage of each factor goes into the PCSM score, but obviously the higher PCSM you have, the better, so try to get at or above 90 percentile on all of the AFOQT sections... and btw, it doesn't matter if you have 300 hrs or 3000 hrs, the number of flying hrs they factor into the PCSM score is capped at or around 300 I think so anything after that doesn't matter.
A good PCSM score isn't the only thing they consider though... you actually go to the interview like any other job, and sit before several people... who knows what they want.. a personality that would fit in with their guys, previous military flying experience, etc. etc.

 

Yes, however last I checked Warrant Officers in flying positions had to have some college (2 yrs I believe). And I don't believe that you can go into the Army right into a Warrant Officer postion.

Most Warrants that I know of (all of them are full time guard) that are flying started out in aviation support positions as non-commission officers or enlistees and applied for Warrant School, then flight school.

 

Not really true…however most Warrant officers do come from the enlisted ranks (50%-60%), the percentage changes depending on the demand. The demand is up now and will be for some time…so yes, you can go into the Army's Warrant Officer Flight Training Program off the street with no college. Some college helps, and if it is recent you should have gotten good grades. The two biggest factors in the selection is your score on the Flight Aptitude Skills Test and your GT score, (General Technical). The GT is like your IQ test for military skills, all the branches have them but call them by different names. The education requirement for Army Warrant Officers currently is that you have to have a Bachelors Degree (4 year) by your 15th year. To compete for promotion you will want to complete it sooner. With all this said there is still a lot of guys(and gals) right off the street in flight school flying helicopters right now. If your really interested go to this link.

http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/ You will see a link on the page for civilian applicants and military applicants. Each has its on prerequisites.

 

AnotherPilot,

I'm not trying to steal the thread away from you, but I'm thinking about the ANG and have a couple of questions too, maybe we'll both benefit from them.

Right now, I'm a Junior in High School and understand that I could join as a Senior and go through basic training and get that all out of the way.

My end goal is to eventually end up at the Majors or a nice corporate job (everybody elses goal too). I'm working on PPL and should have that finished by April.

I have been trying to decide whether to go the civilian route, or the military route. Both have there good and bad sides. Then I read a thread the other day about joining the ANG and enjoying both sides of the fence.

I understand that if I join I get college tuition paid for at a 2 or 4 year school and the G.I. Bill Benefeits. To be a pilot for the ANG, you must already have a 4 year degree, or as Slice said, have already 3 years of college. Am I correct?

If I join when I am still in High School and hopefully get a MOS such as Load Master I will have to serve 6 years correct? After I finish college, can I apply to be a pilot? And, If I do get selected to go to UPT am I now required to serve 10 more years as a pilot?

Sorry for all the questions, I don't know much about ANG but would like to find out more about it. Thanks in advance.


--Okie_Pilot

 

I said you can get interviewed at many units if you have completed 3 years of college...as in, you're now a senior. Unless the rule has changed, technically in the ANG you didn't need a degree to be commissioned and had 5 years to complete it after becoming a 2LT. However, I've only known 1 person to do this and it was a long, long time ago. So, a 4 year degree is pretty much required. If you are in the middle of an enlistment contract when you go to UPT, you'll sign a new one before you leave. The present committment is 10 years AFTER earning your wings(roughly one year after you start). Your previous time counts only towards retirement and pay. It doesn't reduce the 10 years you now owe the man.