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First off, I know there is a dedicated Forum for this but there is not much going on there and I have some questions. Mods please feel free to move if need be.
So I'd really like to be a pilot. However, I'm right at the cut-off age and have no college. My recruiter said the best bet is to enlist in the Aviation field and get to know some folks for recommendations to become a WO and fly birds. That way there is no age limit or its move up by a few years(can't remember exactly). Any truth to that??
Next up; A few people have said to me that many times, if/when deployed, the Army will pull you from your MOS and make you infantry if they need more infantry at the time. Any truth to that??
So I'd really like to be a pilot. However, I'm right at the cut-off age and have no college. My recruiter said the best bet is to enlist in the Aviation field and get to know some folks for recommendations to become a WO and fly birds. That way there is no age limit or its move up by a few years(can't remember exactly). Any truth to that??
That might be a long shot, even if true. You can apply while you are in any MOS, if you meet the requirements.
Next up; A few people have said to me that many times, if/when deployed, the Army will pull you from your MOS and make you infantry if they need more infantry at the time. Any truth to that??
A few people? What people? Have they ever been genuine U.S. Army Soldiers? I have been hearing that crap forever, but never really saw it in my 22+ continuous years as a U.S. Army Soldier. I'm sure it has happened, almost everything happens in the Army. I know some guys who went into Infantry for the large enlistment bonus. "Active Army Enlistment Bonus: Qualified active duty recruits may be eligible for a combination of bonuses totaling up to $40,000. " Bonuses
Yeh I know it will be a long shot but figured I may as well try.
The recruiter did say I can do it from any MOS, but said it will really help if I picked a MOS in the Aviation field where I could get to know the Aviators and whos who.
Thanks for the link.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Poncho_NM
A few people? What people? Have they ever been genuine U.S. Army Soldiers? I have been hearing that crap forever, but never really saw it in my 22+ continuous years as a U.S. Army Soldier. I'm sure it has happened, almost everything happens in the Army. I know some guys who went into Infantry for the large enlistment bonus. "Active Army Enlistment Bonus: Qualified active duty recruits may be eligible for a combination of bonuses totaling up to $40,000. " Bonuses
Rich
Funny enough, all from people that have never served but knows some body that that knows somebody that said.....upeyes.
I have two buddies, one that is active, and plan to ask them both. But I doubted there was any truth to it.
I would tell you that you should go directly into whatever the Army does to qualify aviators (I may be wrong but I think the Army is the only service not requiring a Bachelor's for driving an aircraft).
I'll mention this but I'm sure you already know that the Army basically flies only helicopters (rotary wing).
Also, the cost of training an aviator is huge, I doubt they'd pull you and make you a ground pounder on a whim. You're a value added asset.
Also, the cost of training an aviator is huge, I doubt they'd pull you and make you a ground pounder on a whim. You're a value added asset.
From what I've seen with today's OPTEMPO, that is true. The Army has spent too much money in you just to send you out as an 11B. If you are Field Artillery or Armor, it is likely to happen to you. You will become maneuver and perform dismounted patrols.
You're at the cut off age for a pilot? What is it...33'ish? You're in a tough position. I see two choices here
1- Apply for WOFT through USAREC. If you're not selected, enlist into the branch (aviation) you want to do.
2- Enlist now and apply to WOFT later. I believe you'll be eligible for an age waiver if you're past the cut off. Essentially they subtract your active service from your age and if you're under the age cut off, you're good. For example, 36 yrs old with three years of active service is considered 33 (36-3) for waiver purposes.
Let me start off with this--- they can't say no unless you ask. However, with no shortage of applicants of Soldiers wanting to become a pilot, you're facing an uphill battle because of your age and education level. That's the reality of it.
If you enlist as in the aviation branch, you're not going to be pulled and told you're an infantryman. My branch, Field Artillery, did perform infantry tasks in Iraq and Afghanistan. But my battalion still performed its mission of providing fires (we fired 30K rounds in Afghanistan from 06-07). That said, they don't take aviation mechanics, crew chiefs, flight engineers, etc., and tell them to go on patrol. Aviation units don't become what we call "land owning" units. Your friends watch too many movies or have been fed a bunch of BS......and I'll bet they never served in the military.
I would tell you that you should go directly into whatever the Army does to qualify aviators (I may be wrong but I think the Army is the only service not requiring a Bachelor's for driving an aircraft).
I'll mention this but I'm sure you already know that the Army basically flies only helicopters (rotary wing).
Also, the cost of training an aviator is huge, I doubt they'd pull you and make you a ground pounder on a whim. You're a value added asset.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Army_Guy
From what I've seen with today's OPTEMPO, that is true. The Army has spent too much money in you just to send you out as an 11B. If you are Field Artillery or Armor, it is likely to happen to you. You will become maneuver and perform dismounted patrols.
Thanks guys and pretty much my thoughts.
I'm going to try going directly for pilot and if that doesn't work i'll go for Aviation Operations Specialist and try again for pilot later.
You're at the cut off age for a pilot? What is it...33'ish? You're in a tough position. I see two choices here
1- Apply for WOFT through USAREC. If you're not selected, enlist into the branch (aviation) you want to do.
2- Enlist now and apply to WOFT later. I believe you'll be eligible for an age waiver if you're past the cut off. Essentially they subtract your active service from your age and if you're under the age cut off, you're good. For example, 36 yrs old with three years of active service is considered 33 (36-3) for waiver purposes.
Let me start off with this--- they can't say no unless you ask. However, with no shortage of applicants of Soldiers wanting to become a pilot, you're facing an uphill battle because of your age and education level. That's the reality of it.
If you enlist as in the aviation branch, you're not going to be pulled and told you're an infantryman. My branch, Field Artillery, did perform infantry tasks in Iraq and Afghanistan. But my battalion still performed its mission of providing fires (we fired 30K rounds in Afghanistan from 06-07). That said, they don't take aviation mechanics, crew chiefs, flight engineers, etc., and tell them to go on patrol. Aviation units don't become what we call "land owning" units. Your friends watch too many movies or have been fed a bunch of BS......and I'll bet they never served in the military.
Thanks. I'm looking hard at enlisting as a Aviation Operations Specialist and then applying for WOFT later. What you have said seems to be in line with other feedback i'm getting.
I'm going to try going directly for pilot and if that doesn't work i'll go for Aviation Operations Specialist and try again for pilot later.
You're 32? The physical part of the training is likely going to kick your ass, pick you back up and then kick your ass again. Really. You'll be training with people 10 years younger than you. I was 26/27 when I went through USN OCS and PriFly and it was physically...............challenging. Most of the folks in my class were 22/23 and although it doesn't seem like much I really noticed the difference.
You're 32? The physical part of the training is likely going to kick your ass, pick you back up and then kick your ass again. Really. You'll be training with people 10 years younger than you. I was 26/27 when I went through USN OCS and PriFly and it was physically...............challenging. Most of the folks in my class were 22/23 and although it doesn't seem like much I really noticed the difference.
Oh I know.
I'd be lying if I said i'm not intimidated by it.
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