Army National Guard WOFT
Hey all, just wanted to use this discussion for questions if anyone is interested in flying army. I was recently selected as a warrant officer/Pilot in the army national guard and will be flying the CH-47F Chinook. I was also prior service Navy so I understand a lot of the process and can try to help in any way for people interested. I know everyone wants to be a fighter pilot and I was one of those people but then I went on a Chinook ride where I was hanging off of the back ramp, 500ft above the beach, wearing night vision goggles and I realized that the Army can also provide a very exciting aviation career while also pursuing the airlines (if that’s your goal). I have a 98 AFOQT Score and a 95 PCSM and applied to both my local F35 unit and my army unit and the army picked me up first. If you’re in a position like me, I’m already working on my commercial license and didn’t want to risk applying once a year in the hopes of getting a fighter slot just to never get picked up when I could broaden my chances by also considering the Army. Also Warrant Officers fly a lot more than regular line officers (according to the CW4 at my unit who has over 5k hours of chinook time). Again, just something to consider. Fly safe!
- 18 Replies
Kevin, great incite man! Super stoked for you as you start your career. The 47 is a beast. You will love it.
Our WOFT “Street to Seat” and Intro to Army Aviation Course should be live soon. In the Army Intro Course I dive in to flow of live at Novsel and at your first unit. Let us know what you think! Also, please do not hesitate to reach out. I was an Army RLO Active Duty and now am full time National Guard as W2 with about 10 years in.
-Brett, 2482314355
Kevin, great to hear your success story man! Keep kickin butt!
Thank you Coma for all your help!
That’s is great to hear, congratulations. Do you know what the age cut off in Guard Units? I am Enlisted Navy, prior Flight Engineer now Mech, looking for options. Any information is appreciated.
For my state you had to be under 33 yrs old and they weren’t allowing age waivers since there is already high demand. This may vary by state though.
And that makes sense thank for the info. I am well pass that 39. I guess I may try and target Air Guard units for an Enlisted position. It would be great to get back in the center seat.
Congrats Kevin.
I’m enlisted in the guard – just got picked up for an Officer pilot slot at the last board. Being that it’s guard the RLOs fly a ton especially compared to active duty RLOs and I see plenty of them getting similar hours to the warrants. My state was short on all pilots, warrants and RLOs but had less applicants on the Officer side and more slots. I’m happy to help anyone with the process for Utah – we have Apaches and Blackhawks.
That’s awesome congrats Will! I was born in Layton and considering switching states eventually if the time and opportunity ever arise further down the road. I know delta has a big base there so it’s a possible opportunity but not until a lot later in my career. Utah is beautiful so I imagine the flying there is very scenic.
I’ve only been on a couple flights and the views were incredible. We’ve got a decent number of pilots flying commercial. Delta has a huge base and just broke group on a pilot training center at SLC too. There’s also some other airlines with crews based here so plenty of options
Yeah I live by the beach in Florida but I’ve always felt a calling to the mountains especially Utah where my family is from and where I’m familiar with the area. Either way, you’re in a great spot for an aviation career and we’ll see where I end up.
For everyone’s awareness, it seems like every state has different requirements for Street to Seat, and most of that depends on WHO you talk to.
For example: Indiana allows street to seat Warrants (no RLO), however Tennessee is the opposite.
Many states have said that it there isn’t a program for Street to Seat as they require testing and medicals in advance. You can find a state that allows for Street to Seat and get medicals/testing done that way, and then try for states that have said that they don’t offer street to seat (a few have said they may make an exception based on flight experience and medicals completed etc).
I have not interviewed for any Army units, but I did take the testing and flight medicals so that I can drop an application if I ever decide to.
Just be aware; although Army is faster and typically much less competitive, I have heard SEVERAL times from Army Aviators that Army Aviation is the best job in the Army but any job in the Air Force is better than being an Army Aviator. That being said, they have all said that if they had the option of flying in the Army, or nothing at all, they would have gone Army all day.
Good Luck!
May I ask where is the link for today’s webinar with coach Brett Kroll?
All, below are the links to our two new live courses. Please let me know what you think! If you are not a member yet, sign up here: http://bogidope.com/?bd=brotallion
Intro Course: http://bogidope.com/courses/introduction-to-u-s-army-aviation/
Street to Seat: http://bogidope.com/courses/street-to-seat/
Any advice for a civilian trying to get a foot in the door? I’m likely most interested in WO, Guard or Reserve but also entertaining AD. I have yet to take the ASVAB and SIFT but have excellent and decent AFOQT and ASTB scores respectively, so hoping the biggest hurdle will be just getting them arranged. I’m trying to understand if the Guard/Reserve/Active dynamic is similar to the AF process as well, since that is the one I’m most familiar with. Thanks!
One of my friends just got picked up by the PA Army National Guard for street to seat, he started by calling and meeting with his recruiter. They got him in for testing, paperwork, and an interview. His process took about 9 months from meeting with his recruiter to getting sworn in.
I’m currently at Ft Novosel for flight training and I’m in the guard. Feel free to message me and I’ll help you with whatever I can. Taking the SIFT and getting the flight physical done are probably the two biggest steps I would say.
Kevin, Congrats on your selection! You will/are going to have an excellent time flying the 47.
All the Best,
Andy
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