"Can you tell me what your typical day is like at Rucker. How long are you in class? Do you fly everyday? How long is your average training flight? How much spare time do you have everyday?"
The typical day in Army flight school depends on what stage your in and whether you're flying in mornings or afternoons (they alternate weeks). Days in Primary and Instruments tend to be shorter, days in Basic Combat Skills tend to be longer. This is my daily schedule right now in Basic Combat Skills:
0530-0630 Physical Training
0730-1030 Academics, though we often don't go a full 3 hours
1110 Get picked up and taken to the flightline by bus
1130-1230 Preflight briefing with your flight / Daily Questions
1230-1300 Briefing with your IP
1300-1700 Flying (Usually 1.2 - 2.0 hours a day, stickbuddy flies the rest)
1700-1800 Postflight brief / grading with your IP
1830 Get picked up by bus and taken back to post
When I've got a lot to do, such as checkride preparation, I can end up at the Learning Center studying until it closes at 2100. That makes for a long day, but it's rare.
At that point you're free, but typically you will need to spend an additional 1-3 hours studying and flight planning for the next day. During Primary your main concern at night is studying EP's and Op Limits. In Instruments it's flight planning and studying for academics. In Combat Skills, it's mission planning and studying your tactics.
"I have a bachelors degree and I currently work Part 125 freight charters and also flight instruct on the side. I have always wanted to be involved in military aviation and fly helos and Im thinking of giving the Army a shot. "
I was a defense contractor developing software in the Washington, DC area with a bachelors degree. I joined for the same reason and do not regret it, though the pay sucks in comparison.
"I just got married a few months ago and I wonder what life would be like for my wife as the partner of a warrant officer. How much time would I have to spend with her? What kind of conditions would we be living in?"
Being married, you'd have the option to live on post. I'd take it... the housing isn't bad and if you get your name on the housing list when you arrive for WOCS, you'll probably have a place available by the time you graduate. I'm single, so I can't comment about how much time you'll have with your wife and all, but know that you should be gone all day and will have to study a bit at night.
"I love working out and lifting weights, would I have time to do this as well while Im there? How is the gym there? "
The main gym on post was just decked out with brand new free weights, which is nice. They've got pretty much everything you can imagine... free weights, Nautilus machines, a variety of cardio machines, basketball/volleyball courts, olympic size swimming pool, etc. Whatever your thing is, you can do it. In order to truly get time to workout, the best thing is to do well on your record Physical Fitness Tests. If you score at least 90 points in each event (pushups, situps, and 2 mile run) you are exempt from the company PT that I mentioned in my schedule above. Then you can go and workout during that time... otherwise you may have to wait until after your duty day and weekends.
"Thanks for all your help. If your wondering Im 25 and have about 1500 TT 500 ME."
I can't imagine you having ANY trouble with flight school once you get over the whole transition to rotary wing. No problems. However, I have seen a guy with over 100 hours of civilian instrument time fail his Instrument checkride. The best advice that I've heard is, even if you know better from your civilian career, fly how the Army and how your IPs teach you. Most IPs are pretty good and they'll recognize your skill level and will teach you appropriately.
Good luck, and let me know if there's anything else I can help you with. Cheers,
- Juris
