Its been pretty quiet on here....have people quit applying for WOFT?

"have people quit applying for WOFT?"
Well I'm getting a leason in "hurry up and wait", the Army way right know. I had my packet turned in plenty early and was waiting for the review board. Then I was told there were not enough guys to interview (5 is minimum) so they axed the July date. I was told they moved it to the first of August to give some guys more time to get their stuff together. So now I'm being held up by somebody else. Welcome to the Army, ha.

I wouldn't sweat it. I "Boarded" on the 9th of July, maxed the points, then was told that Rucker is holding their boards on the 17th of Aug (they typically follow local boards within a couple of days) because of low applicant flow. So your not really out anything by waiting because you wouldn't get the final word until August anyway. Where are you out of?

I'm down in south Georgia. Only a couple of hours from the gate at Rucker. Took a road trip over there last year to get a tour from a friend who is an instructor pilot. If you can you should check it out. Where are you? I wonder if this low applicant count is every where or just in my area.

quote:

Originally posted by johndoe31533:
I'm down in south Georgia. Only a couple of hours from the gate at Rucker. Took a road trip over there last year to get a tour from a friend who is an instructor pilot. If you can you should check it out. Where are you? I wonder if this low applicant count is every where or just in my area.

Oh thats really cool you got a tour of the place! Do they do tours for military personel or was it just a hookup from your instructor pilot buddy?

I get the impression the shortage is everywhere since Rucker isn't having their boards, all local boards go to them and they are the final authority. Im out of Az.

Not enough guys to board at Rucker.....

You're taking a very localized happening and turning into an Army wide epidemic. The proverbial mountain from a mole hill.

What shortage, guys? Hate to tell you, but we are not short on pilots. There certainly is not a lack of applicants, just a lack of selection. The standards are changing, Rucker has to catch up.

Don't buy into the BS that we'll just take anybody and teach them to fly. You need to be highly qualified to be considered, and even more to get picked up. Doing the minimum isn't going to cut it anymore.

That makes sense as well, I was just going off what my recruiter told me. Can you offer some insight as to what the new standards are and what the competition looks like? I have an age waiver (not sure if that'll hurt me, Im 32yoa) but I have a CFI, CFII MEI two associates and a B.S. Im currently a corporate pilot with about 800TT. I just finished local boards and maxed the points. Any insight you could offer would be great!!

I don't think we were trying to describe "an Army wide epidemic". I'm just talking about the info my requiter passed on to me about the applicants in my area. No disrespect but I haven't heard any "BS" concerning Rucker just taking anybody. In fact, I've been told it's one of the most selective program's in the military and I've known that from day one. Your preaching to the choir. My stuff is already turned in and I still call my requiter every now and then to ask if there is somthing I can do better.

quote:

Originally posted by smyth8321:
I'm currently a corporate pilot with about 800TT.

How is that possible? What corporation would put a non-ATP rated pilot on the insurance? That is, unless you are sandbagging 135 VFR. I couldn't get a job with 1800TT, so I am understandably curious what and who you are flying for.

I certainly hope you aren't calling teaching "corporate." God knows my time in the CFI world was anything but corporate.

For both of you....

If you have a good recruiter that is working with you, that is a major part of the battle won to get into the program. So many recruiters haven't the faintest idea that this program even exists, not to mention what the staffing levels are. I would balk at a "good recruiter's" assessment of slots anyway seeing how they aren't here. It's all hype until you sign your contract.

The process is designed to be vague and applicant-process intensive. That weeds out 90% of the people who "think it would be cool" to be an Army aviator. 5% get started but don't finish, the other 5% finish and submit. However, those that Do finish are usually very competitive and very driven, just like you both. Keep in mind, it isn't about the strength of YOUR packet alone. It's how you stack up against the people you are submitting with as well. There are only so many acceptance slots per board based on current manning levels and attrition rates. This is Darwinism at its best...enjoy the blood bath.

Best of luck to you both. See you when you get here!

Thanks traffic. Your right, I'll see you guys when I get to Rucker. I go to the Board 02 August. Should know more after that.

No....not saying that teaching qualifies as "Corporate" and Not "sandbagging 135". I work for a medical company flying execs to various offices around the west. As far as not getting hired with 1800tt? Not sure, the market was sunshine and rainbows up until about 18months ago, then the pink slips were given out like candy, although it seems that the guys that were flying are still flying, just not for the airlines. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time and got a job. I dont know about their insurance rates or why they have a lower time pilot, but my check comes in every other Friday, flying or not.

Thank you for you insight as far as the applicant process. What do you know about the quals of applicant pool? Do many have licenses, degrees, prior service etc?

Well, good for you for being in the right place at the right time. Can you PM your company name? I am on the West coast as well. I have a distinct feeling that my current civilian job isn't going to be there when I get back. Stupid economy.

To answer your question:

People like us, meaning rated pilots with degrees are NOT the normal applicant. Most of the folks you will probably end up in flight school with have 0 time behind the controls and have no idea how the basic controls of an aircraft work. I have always thought that one should at least have a PPL before coming here to shallow out the learning curve. I think it would help immensely.

That being said, Primacy here is a b****. The whole training process focuses on that law of learning for the first 100 hours or so. After that, its kind of a rush to get you to understand, apply, and correlate what you have learned to being a combat pilot. As a CFI, you will see this stick out in the curriculum and recognize when IP's are BS'ing you about flying. If selected, you will have a much easier time than most because you know how to talk on the radio, know your airspace, and have good air sense.

I almost wish that there was an accelerated course for those of us with experience. It would save the Army some money. You know, a class every quarter for folks with at least an IFR rating.....anything to speed the process up.

I can't say for sure you'll get picked up, but you have a pretty good chance.

Hahah, I will gladly provide you the name of my company....just as soon as I sign my contract Thank you for the pulse on the candidate pool. I have heard from a couple of sources that applicants that have already attained their FAA "tickets" are few and far between, although Im not going to go quitting anything just yet. Plan for the worst, hope for the best. Also, I have heard that USAREC boards have been moved up to Aug 12th? Has anyone else hard that?

I've been trying to pursue WOFT from the reserve side. I've spoken with a recruiter who hasn't been very helpful in determining whether or not I would be eligible based on my location. I am in the Chicago area and there are not any reserve rotary wing aviation units within 500 miles. I saw a post on here that said if you do not live within 120 miles of an aviation unit you do not qualify. I've been having a tough time verifying that. Can anyone else?

Are you dealing with a WOFT recruiter or just a recruiter? Id go to a unit that has an aviation wing with specific WOFT recruiters and ask them. They seem to be in the know.

I am thinking about joining a Reserve unit with the intention of becoming a 153-A warrant officer, and am looking for more information about the program.
I am located in California and would probably have to move in order to be closer to a base that houses the AH_64 Apache.
My questions are:
-What is the duration of the contract?
-Can you specifically sign for a flight position?
-And is there anyone you can get me in touch with that has been down the same path?

Thanks a lot for your time.

Zeb