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I am a prior enlisted marine interested in the WOFT program. I have always wanted to fly but I am close to the age cutoff. I am 29 turning 30 in November and in the civi world right now.

 

I had a few questions about the training and deployment pipeline for army pilots:

 

1. How long is flight training? What is required and how long before you are operational?

2. Does anybody really rock out of warrant officer training? I dont want to go back to being a grunt because that is where I am going if I rock out.

3. Is it hard right now to get a slot as a pilot? I know the army is hurting for re-enlistments and general recruiting but I am assuming with the economy the way it is, they would have more applications in the last month or two.

4. Deployment schedule - how long are deployments for the army? (Iraq / Afghanistan)

5. What are my chances of getting an Apache or Blackhawk (anything but a "frogger" - thats what we called them - CH-47)?

6. I have a 4 year degree - if I wanted to get commissioned later in life is that an issue? I am very good at planning on a battallion level and I enjoy it but would like to stay operational for a while as a pilot if i could.

7. Where are the major army bases for pilots? Korea, Germany, Rucker, - Hawaii? California? somewhere nice?

8. If I do this, I plan on staying in until retirement because after the tour as a pilot, I am over the hump. What career options do you have when you get out?

9. Non deployed life in the rear - I would like to get my masters or a few masters because I am a nerd at heart - would I be able to with day to day life as a warrant officer?

 

Any help would be appreciated and thanks in advance to everyone.

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I'm only going to answer #5 because it pretains to me, the other questions, you can find in the Military Thread on this very forum...

 

 

The CH-47 is not a "frogger" CH-46 which is the what the Corps flies. MUCH different in performance, size, capability, etc... the 47 beats the 46 hands down...

 

Oh, and as far as the 64's or 60's... the chances of you getting either one of those aircraft are great. they are the most common aircraft, where as the 47 and the 58D are much smaller communities.

 

Take a look at the pic below... we are standing on top of our aircraft... you can see the aft pylon on the left.. keep in mind the aft rotor system is still a ways above my head.... the 46 behind us is ALOT smaller....

 

post-5178-1239408192_thumb.jpg

Edited by FLHooker
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I am a prior enlisted marine interested in the WOFT program. I have always wanted to fly but I am close to the age cutoff. I am 29 turning 30 in November and in the civi world right now.

 

I had a few questions about the training and deployment pipeline for army pilots:

 

1. How long is flight training? What is required and how long before you are operational?

2. Does anybody really rock out of warrant officer training? I dont want to go back to being a grunt because that is where I am going if I rock out.

3. Is it hard right now to get a slot as a pilot? I know the army is hurting for re-enlistments and general recruiting but I am assuming with the economy the way it is, they would have more applications in the last month or two.

4. Deployment schedule - how long are deployments for the army? (Iraq / Afghanistan)

5. What are my chances of getting an Apache or Blackhawk (anything but a "frogger" - thats what we called them - CH-47)?

6. I have a 4 year degree - if I wanted to get commissioned later in life is that an issue? I am very good at planning on a battallion level and I enjoy it but would like to stay operational for a while as a pilot if i could.

7. Where are the major army bases for pilots? Korea, Germany, Rucker, - Hawaii? California? somewhere nice?

8. If I do this, I plan on staying in until retirement because after the tour as a pilot, I am over the hump. What career options do you have when you get out?

9. Non deployed life in the rear - I would like to get my masters or a few masters because I am a nerd at heart - would I be able to with day to day life as a warrant officer?

 

Any help would be appreciated and thanks in advance to everyone.

1. with all the holds 2 years.

2.Rock out? not sure what that means...if that means get kick out...only if you lie cheat steal or tolerate those that do. If it means to punk out..then no its not that hard..i graduated in OCT 2008

3. We need pilots.

4. As long as your needed...

5a. Black hawks and Apaches...no problem..if you want it..and its available (which it will be) then you'll get it..

5b. HOOKERS are an amazing airframe. (i want apaches) remember to select based on the mission not the airframe. dont pick an airframe based on its looks...pick the mission..all the birds are amazing.

6. if you want to fly more..then go warrant...if you want to command and maintain just your necessary hours go O-grade..we had o grade come to the corps..and warrants go to the O grade. your choice. about switching..its just paper work and needs of the army.

7. you can find that out online.

8. Crop dusting!! just kidding...honestly though...skies the limit from what i've heard..you'll choose a track...safety, ip, maintenance, and specialize in that as well...but you have a degree...you can work on your masters or doctorate while your in.(thats what im going to do)

9. as i mentioned..earlier yes you can...but not during flight school its not recommended with the work load you have...here.. i guess i could take classes...but then i wouldn't have a life.

 

hope that helps.

Edited by ErOk_OnE
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Erok,

 

He's basing the 47 thing off of the Corps' 46... completely different airframe...You actually have to bend over to walk into a 46.... HA

 

WOW..thats insane...thats like the HOOKS mini me..lol. i just looked it up wasn't that the heli that catches on the end of the land pad and falls into the ocean?

 

by the way...im in systems...and start up procedures...

its getting busy...which is cool

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Hey thanks gents.

 

I'm still a ways away from putting my package in but I just had a few questions.

 

Erok - why did you choose army aviation instead of any other branch if you don't mind me asking. Personally - I think I would get more stick time in the Army than in the Navy / Marines without all the duties of a commissioned officer unless I wanted them.

 

The only reason I dont want to fly 47's or 46's is because they are flying targets from what I've seen during my deployments. I really want apaches because I remember what it's like having a cobra or apache over you while youre on the street. It's very very comforting and it's a purely offensive platform.

 

How did you guys end up choosing your platforms? Why did you choose your current platform instead the other ones? Is there a fixed wing transition program of some sort? If Iget in and closer to retirement I would like to see if I could get a job as an airline pilot.

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Systems, good stuff man. Congrats, and you are exactly right... it's only gonna get faster. in about a year, you will look back and go 'damn'. Keep studying, it builds on each other.

 

 

Yeah, I had no idea that the 46 was that much smaller, until they parked right next to us... I walked in, and me having to duck was the first thing I noticed, then the lateral room, then I hit my head trying to get into the cockpit on the forward transmission.

 

Their engines are even internal, ours are external... 1800hp vs 4800hp (47 if isn't not obvious) each engine... the list goes on. it's definitely a much smaller version.

 

And you are right, the video where the helo catches the side of the ship is a 46.

 

 

CHAD

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