I served 5 1/2 years active and have been in the IRR since I seperated in 2005. I am going through the process of trying to go back in but it's taking sooooooo long! I sent off my package for a waiver approval which from what I am told ALL Vets need if they want to go back in. I sent this package off in May and here it is August and still no one knows anything. The recruiters don't seem to know what the heck is going on. I have a RE-1 code so I know I am eligible to go back in. I am anxious to go in ASAP and it just seems to be taking forever. Anyone have any advice?

not to sure if this helps.You might want to see if you can switch to a rate that has more open jobs open in the reserves. Since they only can take so many people in the different rates.

7001469

I know you mentioned your intentions on going back into the Navy but you may want to checkout this one particular Army program that no other military service offers. The Army has a requirement to train between 1,000-1,200 helicopter pilots annually. Approximately half of those slots are filled by Warrant Officers and the remaining slots filled by Lts (O-1 & O-2).

With only a high school diploma or a GED with 15 college credits, you can qualify for helicopter flight school and a Warrant Officer appointment thru the Warrant Officer Flight Training (WOFT) program. The Army's WOFT program has been in existence since the 1950s. 92% of the Army's aircraft are helicopters and they do have a number of small executive jets/turbo prop aircraft in their fleet. As a Warrant Officer pilot, you'll be able to fly fixed wing aircraft as well during your career but, you must start out initially in helos.

Once being selected for the WOFT program under a written guaranteed contract, you MAY or MAY NOT be required to attend a 4 week course for prior service personnel called the Warrior Transition Course (WTC). After completing WTC if required, you'll then attend Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) for 6 weeks. Upon successful completion of WOCS, you receive your Warrant Officer appointment as a WO-1 and then starts WOFT. No enlistment bonus sorry but you'll be a Warrant Officer after only 6-10 weeks in the Army and it should be a nice pay raise for you. Your Naval service counts towards retirement, obviously. WOCS and WOFT are conducted at Ft Rucker Alabama, the home of Army Aviation and the washout rate for both courses is less than 10%. The most difficult part of the WOFT program is being SELECTED. Like the TV commercial says, even a Cave Man/Woman can do it when it comes to flight training.

The Army has Warrant Officer pilots as young as 19/20 yrs old flying the friendly/unfriendly skies and defending freedom in far away places like Iraq, Afganistan, Bosnia and South Korea. There are a few hundred former Navy enlisted that made the Army transition throughout the years for the WOFT program.

The total ACTIVE duty commitment will be approximately 7-7.5 years (six year commitment after completing WOFT). This program is also available in the Army Reserves and Army National Guard if you wish to serve as a part time soldier and pilot. The Army is the only service that does not require any college credits at all to be a Warrant Officer and pilot if you're a high school graduate.

By the way, for any interested readers out there do take note, you can enlist for the WOFT program specifically as a civilian WITHOUT any PRIOR military or flying experience. Don't let any Army recruiter convince you otherwise. Enlisted experience is NOT a requirement but is an added plus on the selection board in your case. 70%-75% of the WOFT selectees are prior service personnel.

Selection requires good health/vision, vision can be corrected by surgery at your expense, AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP, good test scores, letters of recommendation, and haven't reached your 33rd birthday without a wavier. A great program that has been in existence for over 50 yrs. Very, very competitive since college is not a requirement but obtainable if that's your desire.

In Army aviation, your missions may vary from delivering troops/supplies, reconnaissance, possibly saving lives as a Med evac pilot, or just blowing things up in protecting your soldiers in flying the AH-64 Apache.

Officers earn their pay when leading troops in harm's way and your chance of going to Iraq as a helo pilot is higher than 95%. In fact, it's almost damn near automatic if you elect to go active duty. It's not a question of if, but when. This program is not for the faint of heart. People's lives will be literally in your hands. If you want that responsibility where soldiers count on you for their safety, try ARMY Aviation in the pilot seat as a high school grad.

Did you ever get back into the navy reserves? If not I am a navy reserve recruiter here in DC.

AG2(AW/SW)Stacey Crane
Navy Reserve Recruiting Station Washington
183 Spruance Circle S.W. Bldg 351, Suite 230
Annacostia Annex, DC 20373
Mobile: 301-440-0837
stacey.crane@navy.mil

This message has been edited. Last edited by: scuba438,

I did get into the reserves but now meps is toying with me as far as going active! They fired the civilian that sends off the packages for re entry prior service folks and they can't "locate" my file.....and I sent this package off last may. Nice work Meps!!!!!!!!