Warrant Officer Program

[EatSleepFly]

Has anyone here done the Warrant Officer route to fly helos? I've searched through some old posts, but I wanted some more recent perspectives, if possible.

I've always wanted to serve, I'd like to fly helicopters (military or otherwise), and I'm beginning to think more and more that this would be a good route for me to go.

Anyways, I guess my questions are:

1.) I suppose going to a recruiter the best way to get the process started?

2.) How many slots are available this year?

3.) What (or actually who) am I up against? My grades were never straight A's, I've jumped around several different jobs (but in the same field), and my credit probably sucks ass. Are these things going to make it a "no"?

4.) Does my civilian flight experience, though fixed wing, help or hurt me in any way?

Any other insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

[USMCmech]

I looked in to it, when I was getting out of the Marines.

My experiance was that the Army recruiter wasn't much help. They don't focus on officer recritment much.

Find a current or fromer army pilot (C650 ?) for the straight dope.

I'm told they look for "some college" but don't require a degree. There is a written apptitude test. Any flight experiance will be a plus, but isn't a reall big help. You have to go through boot camp, then AWOCS, then flight training.


Some of my info may be wrong however.

[scoobs]

The Army guard is looking for warrent officers to fly.They used to require you serve before but do to the war they waived it.Go to baseops.net and click on job listings.

[Silverhawk]

I'd second baseops.net... it's a good start... i noticed they have a few (IERW) initial entry rotary training posts for the Army Reserve and even guard units looking I think.. plus maybe look for the units website or even call.. both beneficial..

but like mentioned... I've had the best luck getting info by just digging for pilots or calling until I found someone with the scoop...

[bullmastiff]

Hawk

Can you send me some links for those. I had a friend who was looking for Reserve/Guard units that will hire off of the street. Alot of the units are Good ol boy units, and only want to hire from within.

ESF- For you, go to kiowapilots.com Ask questions over there. In fact, do a search

I noticed that UND has an Army helo program. Does anyone know how it works?

[C650CPT]

[ QUOTE ]
Alot of the units are Good ol boy units, and only want to hire from within.

[/ QUOTE ]

And why wouldn't they want to promote from within? The selection process is to find the best candidates to serve in those positions. The Guard likes to deal with known qualities.

Let me dispell a myth here, it is not because they are Good ol boy units, its because each state has to pay for every school slot, wheter or not the candidate finishes school. The other thing about National Guard units is that the individual could be part of that organization for a long long time, 20 + yrs. I know some in the Guard who have been in for close to 40 yrs. So the prerequisite to be in a Guard Unit for 3 yrs. like our state has prior to going to Flight School is a screening process. Each Candidate also has to go through a Pre Warrant School for a final screening. The State is protecting its' investment. In the Guard I also had to do a simplified pre Basic Training. It was in every sense much harder than the Army Basic Training, in fact I was seriously concerned about getting through Basic Training unitl I actually got there and saw how much easier it was. When the Guard went to this system they stopped thier losses at the Basic Training level by something like 80%.

ESF
To answer your questions, I went through the program 13 yrs. ago and I'm sure some things have changed. One thing I can tell you from what I've seen in the field is that there is a need for pilots now, which could be to your advantage, But this I guarantee you ... you will get deployed someplace sooner than later. Again not necessarily a bad thing as it is great for experience. I recommend going to the US Army Warrant Officer Career Center web site www.usawocc.army.mil and looking for aviaiton specific career field information. There are many "gates" to go through such as age, eye sight, physical condition, background checks and such. The application process can take some time so start now. I would find an Aviation recruiter if you are considering the Guard, if you are considering Active Duty any recruiter should be able to help you. Be carefull though they only want to get you in the Army and then leave it up to you and your first duty station to apply for Warrant Officer school, Don't buy that crap. If you want Warrant then only sign a Warrant Package. Let me know if you run into problems.

As far as how many slots ... I don't know but you are only after one so go for it.

Who are you up against ... only yourself. You have to think like this to get it done.

Your credit issues could be a problem when it comes to getting a security clearance which is needed to fly and be an officer ... get this question answered early.

Your fixed wing back ground means sqwat at this point, I would guard that information for the time being. You might possibly use it to get a fixed wing slot down the road but don't count on it as it is all based on the needs of the Army. You will however have an easier time in Instruments than the other candidates, but when it comes to the nuts of learning to fly a helicopter you will have to overcome some negative transfers of habits.

Git er dun!

Jim

[scoobs]

There are tons of units that are hiring off the street.Go to baseops.com and scroll down toward the bottom.I was going to do it but I need eye surgrey.Good luck

[EatSleepFly]

Wow, thanks for all the great info/advice guys! Right now I'm just looking at my options in case the time comes when I have to say enough is enough. My main hesitation is that I've gone through so much crap in this career, I'd really like to see it pay off, and I don't think its that far off if I could ever get flying again (although by the end of this month, I won't have 90-day currency in anything ). I have to say though, the fact that some units are hiring off the street really interests me. I would probably try to pursue that route first, since that would allow me to also keep flying civilian fixed-wing (right?).

Anyway, thanks again guys...especially you, Jim, for taking the time to respond. Stay safe over there!

[bullmastiff]

[ QUOTE ]
There are tons of units that are hiring off the street.Go to baseops.com and scroll down toward the bottom.I was going to do it but I need eye surgrey.Good luck

[/ QUOTE ]

On Baseops.net it looks like the South Carolina Army Guard is hiring, as well as the Army Reserves.
Jim- Sorry to offend you by calling them "Good Ol Boy" states
ESF- I dont think the credit will bother you. ALot of the time they are looking for someone with ALOT of debt to disqualify. Not so much, late payments, things of that nature. If you only need a secret clearance, dont worry about it at all. SCI/Top Secret will scrutinize the credit report a bit more. If you are still concerned, or it is extremely bad, then PM me I have a guy that will clear it up for you, I can go into details at a later time

[MikeD]

Question for Navy/Marine guys:

I was talking with a civilian that claimed he was going to go to a Warrant program in the Navy from off the street, like the Army. Now I'm not 100% sure, but I'm 99% sure that Warrants from off the street only come from the Army and only for the Aviation branch. Other Warrants in the Army, as well as all Warrants in the Navy/ Marines HAVE to come from the enlisted grades, generally E-5 and above. I'm 99% sure my argument was spot on target and the guy was full of it, but can anyone confirm?

[USMCmech]

At least in the Marines, I belive you are correct.

To screen for a WO promotion you need to be at least a Staff Sargent (E-6) with 8-12 years in service.

[GatorFC]

Yeah Mike, in my 6yr Navy career, I never knew of any warrants that weren't enlisted before. I thought that was the whole point of warrants in the first place - officers with prior and specific education and experience in their chosen career fields. As far as I know, civilians say with a lot of IT experience but no degree may become Navy IT's, but they're still going through bootcamp and going to be enlisted. Civilians with degrees are, of course, going to be sent to OCS and bypass warrant all together.

Now, after 9/11 I know the Nav came up with a whole bunch of new reserve programs with a shortened boot camp for certain professionals with a lot of experience but not neccesarily a degree that wanted to serve (i.e. the aforementioned IT fields), but they all still ended up enlisted.

At first blush, I would call the BS flag, but you never know with the Nav. They could have some new-fangled program for warrants. Maybe someone who's still in could comment? I've been out for 2yrs. as of yesterday. No more IRR and chance of being called up (not that there really ever was one with the Navy).

[GatorFC]

Another thing Mike, what exactly was the warrant program? That could narrow down the BS'ness of it even further.

[dingo222]

I'm not sure about the other branches, but i can speak for the Army. You are correct; 99% of the warrants off of the street are for aviation. Warrants for the other areas of the army require you to be an NCO (E-5 or higher) with at least 4 years of service before you can even apply. Not sure about the other branches, but warrants are tech's or soldiers with previous and relative experience in their job field. Off the street expercience doesn't count. The Army is pulling warrants off the street for aviation if the candidate has the requisite education, test scores, background etc. Hope this helps!