I am considering going the Warrant Officer Flight route to become a helo pilot (the "street to seat" pilot option is very appealing to me) in the Army Reserve but heard the National Guard gets more flight time and is better. I asked a NG Recruiter how I could become a Warrant Flight Officer and she said I CANNOT sign up/qualify for Flight school (get a guaranteed seat) before I join like the Reserve will do. She said I have to first join the Guard as an enlisted..put in a packet for WOCS or OCS..then after completing that have to put in a packet for Flight school and WAIT. My question to you guys is...How long would this route take?? Is this easy to do like she makes it sound or really rare for this to work? Is this a good/reasonable option to become a pilot or is it a ploy to just get me to sign papers?! I just want to know if this is a sort of "bait & switch".... like them saying "oh ya, just sign up..wait a little bit and you will definately get into flight school later--but in the meantime you will be in the infantry while you wait for flight school to get back to you!". If someone has gone this route before, knows anyone who has, or has any advice for me that would be phenominal as I know nothing about the best way to become a Pilot in the NG. I look forward to your responses. Thanks a ton
The person who told you that you fly less in the Reserves or that the Guard is "better" is the one blowing smoke.
I've served as an aviator in the Guard and the Reserves - the mission is the same, the flight time is the same, the aircraft are the same, the pay is the same, and the uniform is the same. The only difference that I could see is that promotion is faster in the Reserves and there is less politics.
I think you should speak with the guy Trafficmp suggested, and you should also talk to the Reserves.
The Guard is limited on the number of flight slots it gets each year. It is afraid that a 'street-to-seat' candidate will just use the Guard as a method for getting on Active Duty and will leave the Guard with money spent and no aviator to show for it.
You can put your packet together as soon as you enlist in the Guard though. If you show initiative and drive, you shouldn't have any problems getting in.
