Army Warrant Officer advice please

[Flyingdude]

Hey guys,

I am looking for some information from some of you guys in the know. I am in the initial stages of considering opportunities as a Warrant Officer in the Army flying helocopters. I am getting fairly close to the age limit of 33, as I just turned 31.

I have always wanted to serve my country as a pilot. When I was younger I had to drop out of college early to get a job and support myself. It was not until my very late 20's that I went back and got my degree, that I met the requirments to be an officer and fly for the Navy, Marines, Air Force. Then I was too old, therefore, it eluded me.

I now have over 6,200 hours flying for multiple airlines, Part 135 companies and being in the middle of my 3rd furlough in this industry. In doing some research, I still meet the age limit to apply for a Warrant Officer position flying helo's.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. What is the commitment time? What is the payscale like? How competitive is it to get in? (I understand that my age might make me less attractive, however, I do triathlons so the physical tests would be no problem. As having a good amount of previous flight time couldn't hurt either, even though it is all fixed-wing) Just any info about what I am considering would be great. Thanks ahead of time for your responses.

 

[Lynxman]

Not trying to dissuade you but, I think it's going to be tough since your age is getting up there. The Army can pick from so many people now that it's nearly impossible to get a waiver for anything. I've been attempting to go Warrant now for almost 8 months and its been hell for me. PM me for details I'm sure others will chime in too.

 

[FlyArmy11]

Ask your questions on www.aptap.org Good Luck!

 

[jetjock6]

My best advise would be to do your research before you ask any Army aviators questions on public forums. Otherwise your calling in fire on your own position.

http://www.kiowapilots.com/ has some great info too. Good luck!

 

[CRJFlyer]

I've started the process as a backup plan. (furloughed NJA)..So far it's been pretty straight forward. I'm not sure why one poster has been trying 8 months? I went in last weds. and have my AVSWAB (sp?) and physical tomorrow and wed. And they already wanted to schedule my FAST for thursd. (I had to delay that atleast a week to find a babysitter).

After that is a few more physicals/agilities tests and then the boards. (assuming I get my paperwork done by then). It may take awhile but so far it's been running pretty smoothly.

Don't know if waiting for the board review is what holds people up? I'm pushing 32 and have been told it's more difficult the older you get. Then again I'm in better shape now than when I was 24. And have about 5000 more flight hours since then too. So maybe that makes me a bit more marketable?

If anyone has any input as to why it takes some people a long time let us know.

 

[Flyingdude]

I've started the process as a backup plan. (furloughed NJA)..So far it's been pretty straight forward. I'm not sure why one poster has been trying 8 months? I went in last weds. and have my AVSWAB (sp?) and physical tomorrow and wed. And they already wanted to schedule my FAST for thursd. (I had to delay that atleast a week to find a babysitter).

After that is a few more physicals/agilities tests and then the boards. (assuming I get my paperwork done by then). It may take awhile but so far it's been running pretty smoothly.

Don't know if waiting for the board review is what holds people up? I'm pushing 32 and have been told it's more difficult the older you get. Then again I'm in better shape now than when I was 24. And have about 5000 more flight hours since then too. So maybe that makes me a bit more marketable?

If anyone has any input as to why it takes some people a long time let us know.

CRJFlyer,

I too am furloughed NetJets and Spirit and I am looking at the Warrant Officer program. However, you are further along in the process than I am, as I just started the research. Good luck to you!

 

[wordsofwisdom51]

I'm also working on the warrant officer packet. To those of you who have yet to take the AFAST, my advice is to get the Arco study guide. I learned this from researching kiowapilots after buying the others. Avoid the others. They will drive you crazy! Especially on the cyclic movements section. There are some wrong answers on the practice tests, especially the Baron's study guide. After taking the AFAST myself, I can see that the Arco study guide was much closer to the real thing than the others. Good luck!

 

[Lynxman]

My issue is a med issue involving a plate and screws in my arm. The arco book will help you greatly. CRJ Flyer where did you go for recruitment? Recruiter? Every recruiter I've used has been slow or didn't know exactly the process.

 

[wordsofwisdom51]

I've had the same problems with recruiters. It is difficult to find one that will help you with the Warrant Officer paperwork. Some have no idea how to do it. Keep visiting different recruiters until you find a good one. Take care of them like buying them lunch or something. Let them know you appreciate the work they put in for you. After all, they need some kind of incentive to help you. From my understanding, they get no credit for getting you signed up (unless they talk you into enlisting.)

 

[CRJFlyer]

I just went to my local recruiter..I did some research beforehand (either here or on a military website) and knew about the recruiter problems.

When I went in to the recruiter station I basically let the first person who greeted me know that I wanted to go W.O. helicoptors and nothing else. He sent me to a recruiter who had just finished doing an Officer entrant. So I probably got lucky.

My recruiter wasn't real familiar with the process/paperwork. I think he got some help via e-mail and delivered a packet of background paperwork to me that same day. (I live 5 minutes from the station so it's real easy for me).

I was also able to get all the birth certificates/SS cards/ marriage license to him quickly too.

So far I've had a good experience. He hasn't tried to get me to go in any other way etc. Like I said, they've gotten my tests scheduled very fast. (almost too fast since my plan A is still lingering) I'll keep posting on my process or problems.

 

[CRJFlyer]

I was just thinking...So far I haven't filled out any paperwork except the background, reference type stuff.


Has anyone had more paperwork initially? I saw a section on goarmy.com that had a bunch of forms you could download. Haven't had a chance to revisit the website. Might try again, today, to print it all off.

 

[JECKEL]

Try the following link for help and answers.

A bit of advice that helped me when I became a Warrant Officer.

I went to the local Army recruiter who specializes in enlisted personnel and got the usual run around. Nobody knew anything and no one knew anyone who knew how to do it.

Frustrated I went to another recruiter in the next city. He said son, he called me son, I spend my entire day trying to get people to "enlist" in the Army not getting them to be officers. You need to talk to recruiters who recruit officers. I drove the extra 1 1/2 hours to Army recruiters who do nothing but send people to OCS and Warrant Officer Flight School. To make a long story short, it went smooth as silk. They had all the right answers, all the right questions and all the right paperwork. I believe, from day one that I entered their office to leaving for training was 8 months.


http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/index.htm

 

[psysicx]

What are the board dates? And how long after having Lasik can you apply? I'm looking into it and just starting the process.

 

[psysicx]

Anybody else having problems registering on Kiowapilots?

 

[Lynxman]

Yup won't let me do it.

 

[CRJFlyer]

Took the ASVAB(sp?) and MEPS physical this week. Very straight forward and overall an acceptable experience. (I was told that they can be a bit rude sometimes)..

Next step is AFAST next week(a flight aptitude test, reading instruments and such);

and also setting up my Flight Physical (I think it pertains to motion/air sickness type stuff, pressure chambers etc.)

Minimum score for the ASVAB is 110 GT...(I thought I did ok, but somehow pulled a 137/140 which was better than I was expecting). I also scored in the 98th percentile out 99%. So overall it went well.

I asked my recruiter about my chances since I did well on testing and have a pretty healthy aviation background. He said even with my age being close to 33 I'm most likely looking pretty good. He said they normally don't see high scores from enlisted guys so mine were pretty impressive.

I feel I've gotten lucky with the process so far. Recruiter is willing to help process me as a W.O. and the MEPS station was very helpful as far as giving me W.O. info.

Make sure if you do go to MEPS for the ASVAB and physical that they know that your trying to be a W.O. No change in the processing , but they do make a full copy of your medical results for you to pass along to the rest of the testing people along the way. And I'd say in general it makes you a bit more "special" than just your average high schooler going into the infantry.

I'll post again after the AFAST..

BTW you can prob. go to Borders or Barnes & Noble and read up on the AFAST, and do practice tests. Or buy the books for maybe $20. I'm just gonna sit in there and read for a few hrs.

 

[Lynxman]

I must say I'm jealous of you. It seems as if you walked in and boom your set. I've been fighting this for a year provided I have a special case, but still. Def a big thumbs up to you and your recruiter.

 

[CRJFlyer]

I'm still waiting for the shoe to drop..(lately it seems that I can do nothing right!!)


But yeah the process so far has seemed really straight forward.... Unless I'm missing something, my recruiter explained the steps and it seems very easy to follow...

1)ASVAB test
2)MEPS physical
3)AFAST test
4)Flight Physical

get all the required documents, transcripts, reconmendations, copies of all licenses and anything else that helps. ie:, awards, dean's list stuff.

5) send your info to one of the bases to get the ok to attend a review board
6)Do the review board interview
7)That info gets sent to Ft. Knox for final authorization. (from what I've been told, rarely is that outcome different from your reveiw boards)
8) Sign the contract...off to basic at Ft. Jackson, then to Ft. Rucker for W.O. training and helicoptor training.

Thats pretty much my understanding. If anyone knows of anything I'm missing lemme know so I can bring it up to my recruiter.

FWIW I have @6300TT, most of that is jet. And have been flying for around 13 years. I immediately told the recruiters that when I walked in. It has been my experience that unless I explain to people that I'm a full fledged pilot, they assume that I'm either flying "those small planes" or just a pilot for fun. (or just starting out)..That way they knew I was both semi-intelligent, and I was serious about flying and wasn't going in the Army for anything else.

 

[Flyingdude]

CRJFlyer,

How many years are you committed to when you sign up for helos as a Warrant Officer? And what are you guessing the pay will be?

 

[Lynxman]

The pay is all available on the web. I think the pay while your in flight school is roughly 42K ish give or take a few grand. I forgot the commitment so I'm sure someone else could chime in.