I spent 5 1/2 years on active in the Air Force - worked as a medical lab tech in the hospital...and I've spent the last 7 months in the Reserves working out on the flightline. LOVE THAT WORLD SO MUCH MORE! The only time I ever felt like i was "in the military" when I was in the medical field was when I was deployed (HUSH...I know 4 months is hardly a deployment...but you know what I mean!). Had to go back to tech school (AIT) this past summer for the new job in the Reserves...and it only made me realize how much I miss being on active duty...

So I talked to the AF recruiter...nada! Went next door to the Army...and I gotta say, I'm leaning towards that. Initially I told him I wanted nothing medical unless he could guarantee me a flight medic slot. Other than that I'd rather do maintenance. We discussed those options...and then got on the topic of my grades/scores/performance reports/etc. The recruiter looked at me and said "Jesus...have you ever thought about being a Warrant Officer?" And of course, the conversation turned to aviation...

I know NOTHING about the aviation world...I don't even know what questions to ask. I have no idea what this job entails...the training/the school. Could I make it through...I have no doubt that I could. But I wonder if it's even logical for me, a 31 yr-old female with no flight experience, to even be considering this. I would LOVE to do it...but am I crazy?

Any insight would be great...

Age limit was recently dropped to 27.5. Not saying you shouldn't try, but its a long shot at best.

per what reg? everything i read says 33...

vitaminc2o

Need some proof on 27.5. Go Army website states up to 33. There was a recommendation last year to lower the age to 29 and raise the AFAST score to 110, but those 2 changes haven't been approved by DA as of yet.

Prove me wrong. I haven't been since 1922.

You cannot be older than 29 to be eligible for WOCS/WOFT. Must have a 110 GT and 90+ AFAST. Age waivers are given, but the latest statistic is only 2% are granted. Putting together that packet is a lot of work for a 2% shot.

If doing maintenance turns you on, you can always be a 15R/T/U. In MOS 15T/U you have the chance at being selected for aircrew duties, meaning you go fly missions aboard the bird. Or you can stay on the ground and turn wrenches. Whichever works for you.

If you want to be an Aviation Officer, you can do a few years (6 years MOSQ for 15U) and then apply to be a Maintenance (aka, "Walking") Warrant, providing you still qualify agewise.

Good Luck!

Matt
SPC, AV
US Army
OCS Selectee
Class 303-10

oh wow...sorry - I totally sounded like a smartass! Promise I wasn't trying to be...lol!

Thanks though -

27.5, 29, 33 any more guesses? Does anyone have written proof other than the Goarmy website that states no older than 33 without a waiver?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: zaurus,

Mad_Matt...the WOCS website states "no older than 33 at time of board convening"...this is starting to confuse me...lol!

Not so much worried about the scores...I'm much better than a 110 GT & I think I'll be fine on the AFAST as well.

Thanks for the rest of the advice...makes alot of sense. I kinda like the 15T/U aircrew duty...might go that route. I just figure if I'm smart enough...and I'm good enough...why not go for broke with the WO route, ya know?

If the Warrant Officer website says 33, then run with that.

I was thinking about the MILPER Message that restricts Commissioned Officers to age 29 or younger:

quote:

MILPER Message 09-237
para 5C:
C. NOT HAVE REACHED 38TH BIRTHDATE AT TIME APPLICATION IS RECEIVED BY HRC (SEE PARAGRAPH 7a). FOR THOSE APPLYING FOR AVIATION BRANCH, NOT HAVE REACHED 30TH BIRTHDATE AT TIME APPLICATION IS RECEIVED BY HRC (NON-WAIVERABLE).

note: bold is mine, for emphasis.

Matt
SPC, AV
US Army
OCS Selectee
Class 303-10

Mad_Matt

Seems you haven't been wrong since 1922 either. You're correct for Commissioned Officers regarding flight training. The Warrant Officer branch allows somewhat older farts in the pilot seats.

21253687

You never stated your education level? Are you a college grad? The Army is actively seeking OCS applicants, even old farts like Mad_Matt. Max age is up to 41 with waivers for non aviators.

Most Army pilots get hit with the flying bug a little late in life where they are out of the running for the other military services. Either too old, not having a degree or having the wrong degree/GPA to be competitive.

But Army aviation is a great career field in or out of the pilot seat. Active duty commitment is 6 yrs after being winged, approx 7.5 yrs total. Hope you like running a lot. The Army is crazy about PT. In fact, your aircraft selection could be determined by your PT score in flight school.

Coming from the medical side of the Air Force, it should be quite a culture shock when you go Army Strong. The Army goes out of their way to be Army different. Their flying suits are very similar to the AF ACU (2 piece). Plus they can't wear their metal aviator/crewmember wings while flying. Don't ask me why they don't wear cloth wings but that's the Army mindset. Plus you get to wear the beret all the time. Please wear it right and not like a pizza hat. You will meet a few former AF members flying above the best in Army Green or should I now say Army Blue?

If and when you go Army aviation, welcome back to the fight. Expect two tours to the Middle East as a minimum. In fact, they have women flying the Apache gunship AH-64D. You can go from healing in the AF to getting even in protecting your soldiers.

The WOFT selection process is extremely competitive since a 4 yr degree is not a requirement. Even that being the case, over 60% of the selectees will have the 4 yr degree. Once selected the washout rate in WOCS and Flight Training is less than 5%. You have to work at it, if you wish to fail. Its tough not to be in the upper 95% of your class.

Good luck in going Army Strong, OOOHA !!! (don't know how to spell it or even say it correctly)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: zaurus,

zaurus -

WOW! thanks for all the info! Yes - I do have my Bachelor's (BS in Occupational Education with a specialty in Medical Lab...from Wayland Baptist). I know...it's pretty much a crap degree & really doesn't make me very competitive for anything (hence the reason I haven't looked to closely at commissioning!). It was a very military friendly 4-yr degree...if you catch my drift!

My biggest fear about changing uniforms is the "culture shock." We all know the AF isn't quite so gung ho about it's PT...and no, unfortunately, running is not my greatest attribute!

I look forward to getting back in the fight...I miss it! It was the one thing I was good at, that I succeeded at...but I just didn't get what I wanted (personal satisfaction) out of the AF. I left wanting so much more from my enlistment. I know I'm smart enough to do any job - & I'm too damn stubborn to fail...I just think if I have the brains, I have the degree...why not use them & get paid? Right? :-)

21253687

You're in the driver's seat. You're a college grad and just BARELY young enough to go Army aviation in the Warrant Officer Flight Training (WOFT) program. Believe it or not, you're too old for the other services regarding pilot training. Word of warning, the DA may lower the age to 29 in the near future. That recommendation was made earlier this year by the Commanding General of the aviation school at Ft Rucker Alabama. Another word, don't wait, get your WOFT packet in yesterday.

Regarding WOFT, don't fall for the recruiter's trick of having you enlist and submitting your WOFT packet once on active duty (AD). That tremendously reduces the paper work and effort for the recruiter. Besides, you're fighting against the clock and it may take 1-2 yrs before you can even submit a WOFT packet once on AD. That's if they approve your request and the age limit wasn't lowered.

What really works in your favor even though I assume you lack flight experience is your prior enlisted experience and gender. 60% of the WOFT selectees are prior service. For prior service personnel, the Army isn't much concern on them having flight experience. Your military experience, letters of recommendation and overall performance APRs will determine your fate in the selection process.

Once you're a Warrant Officer aviator, you can submit an OCS packet with the guarantee of being branched aviation as a Commissioned Officer. OCS is 12 weeks at Ft Benning with the maximum age of 41 in attendance as of right now. The age is always subject to change but the 4 yr degree is one of the requirements for OCS.

By the way, that's the only way you can be branched an aviation Commissioned Officer if you wish to pursue that course of action because of your OLD age. If not an aviation Warrant Officer attending OCS, the maximum age is 29 regarding branching aviation if they have slots available. All aviation branched Commissioned Officers are pilots if you didn't know that. No navigators in the Army.

Aviation branch assignments are rarely given at OCS. The Army has between 300-400 Commissioned Officer pilot training slots annually. Those slots are quickly filled by West Point and ROTC grads. Leaving practically none for OCS grads unless they're Warrant Officer aviators.

The Warrant Officer aviators are the Army's professional pilot corp. There are approx 700-800 WOFT slots annually and they're rated in all aircraft, helos as well as fixed wing. The Warrant Officer aviator will continually be assigned a flight billet. Whereas the Commissioned Officer aviator will rotate in and out of flying assignments in broadening their career development to become commanders. Consequently, the Warrant Officer aviator accumulates more flight hours than their Commissioned Officer counterpart over their careers. Commissioned Officers rarely fly once promoted to Major other than to maintain minimums to receive their flight pay.

The Army's aircraft make up is 94% helos and 6% fixed wing. The Army has a few non tactical jet aircraft as VIP transport, mostly flown in the Reserves.

Enough info. Have a great weekend on me. And, think about flying above the best as an aviator. Heck, you may even get to fly Med Evac.

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