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Backup MOS for WOFT


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I passed my asvab and sift. I take the flight physical tomorrow and I'm just now learning that I might not pass for my eyesight. I have 20/100 in an eye, both are corrected to 20/20. If they tell me I can't fly, I'm going to enlist in another mos and try to get prk once I get in then probably try again down the road. My question is which MOS will help me the most when going for WO in the future?

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I passed my asvab and sift. I take the flight physical tomorrow and I'm just now learning that I might not pass for my eyesight. I have 20/100 in an eye, both are corrected to 20/20. If they tell me I can't fly, I'm going to enlist in another mos and try to get prk once I get in then probably try again down the road. My question is which MOS will help me the most when going for WO in the future?

 

Just remember you can pay for prk or lasik and go for warrant right away without enlisting...

 

With that being said, if enlisting is the route you think is best, then I would definitely choose a 15 series MOS. I think there's probably a debate on which would be "best." I'm a 15P (aviation operations specialist) and if I could go back in time I probably would choose it again, if not then I would go 15Q (air traffic controller). I'm basing this entirely on the aviation knowledge and experience I've gained and not on how "fun" the job is. Sometimes I wish I was working on chinooks and flying all the time but in my opinion my MOS has set me up for success

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I passed my asvab and sift. I take the flight physical tomorrow and I'm just now learning that I might not pass for my eyesight. I have 20/100 in an eye, both are corrected to 20/20. If they tell me I can't fly, I'm going to enlist in another mos and try to get prk once I get in then probably try again down the road. My question is which MOS will help me the most when going for WO in the future?

My advice would be to pay for the surgery, about $3600, then go straight in as Warrant. If you were to enlist, being a repairer or ATC would help the most in flight school I'd imagine. But being 15P would be the easiest route that would still give you some connections. I'm in Quebec school right now and even though I love what I'm doing, I can't help but be bitter watching the papas graduate so quickly.

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Many LASIK places, if not most, offer monthly payment plans with 0% interest so you don't have to drop a giant chunk of change at once. That said, be sure to read reviews and do research on the facility you choose. You aren't given that opportunity if you were to get PRK in the Army, so take advantage of it as a civilian.

 

And yes, it is expensive, however in the long run it is much cheaper than contact lenses and glasses for the rest of your life.

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Agreed on going 15-series. Most of the prior-enlisted WOs here at Rucker were either 15-series, or were combat arms (seems to be very little of anything else). I would recommend 15-series simply for the fact that getting letters of recommendation is going to be stupid easy when you work around warrant officers every day.

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You can enlist in a sister service, too. Aviation in any other branch will set you up just as good and maybe even set you apart from the pack. Not to mention provide a better lifestyle in the meantime. I'm a sister service applicant coming from an Aviation rate and feel pretty good about my packet... Find out in a week hopefully.

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  • 1 month later...

I would say about 50% of the prior service guys were aviation, about 40% combat arms/SOF and about 10% "other".

 

Personally, I say go Infantry, and learn about how the ground fight works. That's not for everyone though, an honestly, it can be pretty rough if you show up to an infantry unit and tell them you want to immediately start working on a flight packet. In terms of appreciating the units you will be supporting from the air, there is no better place to start.

 

Practically, choose an MOS where you will interact often with higher ranks and quickly are given greater responsibilities. Civil Affairs, Combat Medic, Linguist (if you have the skills), Civil Affairs, etc If you want that letter of recommendation, you're going to have to quickly prove yourself to your commander, and thats tough to do when you are one of 40 privates.

 

While I earnestly believe that prior service makes for some of the best Army aviators, that is not always true, and there are some damn fine street to seat pilots in the force. If you enlist first, you have to be comfortable with the fact that you might be stuck as an E4 if you don't get picked up. Also, I would not sign any contract less than 4 years. You have to have 12 months TIS when you drop your packet. You would be surprised how quick BCT, a deployment, and an NTC rotation or two can make it difficult to quickly get a packet turned in.

 

All that to say - if flying is what you want to do in the Army, get your surgery, wait, drop a civilian packet when you are ready. If you are interested in the Army as a career, and part of that progression is to become a WO, enlist and drop a packet every year until you get picked up. Never quit, don't let anyone talk you out of it, and more importantly, don't talk yourself out of it.

 

100% of people who don't apply, don't get selected

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I'm coming from combat arms (USMC Infantry), and while I loved my time in, and wouldn't trade it for the world (and think everyone in the .mil should spend some time as a grunt), I definitely am not bringing much by way of aviation knowledge with me. Leadership, managing tasks, understanding the importance of air, understanding how the military as an organization works (and doesn't) etc, sure. If you really want to be a pilot, I'd say take everyone elses advice and pay for PRK on your own. While I'm still in the process of joining this time around, I can assure you there are parts of infantry life, and enlisted life in general, that really suck. It's certainly not worth it just for the PRK/Lasik. If you want to ride the ride first, though, I'd say go grunt.

 

Mike

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I'm coming from combat arms (USMC Infantry), and while I loved my time in, and wouldn't trade it for the world (and think everyone in the .mil should spend some time as a grunt), I definitely am not bringing much by way of aviation knowledge with me. Leadership, managing tasks, understanding the importance of air, understanding how the military as an organization works (and doesn't) etc, sure. If you really want to be a pilot, I'd say take everyone elses advice and pay for PRK on your own. While I'm still in the process of joining this time around, I can assure you there are parts of infantry life, and enlisted life in general, that really suck. It's certainly not worth it just for the PRK/Lasik. If you want to ride the ride first, though, I'd say go grunt.

 

Mike

Mike nailed it on the head. I am a current Infantry Noncommissioned Officer and was just selected. My experiences have definitely molded me as a leader and taught me a lot, but I feel my struggle will come with not having much aviation experience. I have ridden in them, I have jumped out of them, but my knowledge is nowhere near those in the Aviation MOSs. I wouldn't trade my experiences and friendships in the Infantry for the world, but if all you can think of doing in the Army is flying, the Infantry will provide you very little. Mike, nicely put man!
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I'm looking forward to this new magical land that is the air wing -- having met some of the unit they talk about very laid back, etc. Beats getting yelled at for literally nothing all the time.

 

I will say I'm glad to see a lot of combat arms guys going this route.

 

Mike

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Mike nailed it on the head. I am a current Infantry Noncommissioned Officer and was just selected. My experiences have definitely molded me as a leader and taught me a lot, but I feel my struggle will come with not having much aviation experience. I have ridden in them, I have jumped out of them, but my knowledge is nowhere near those in the Aviation MOSs. I wouldn't trade my experiences and friendships in the Infantry for the world, but if all you can think of doing in the Army is flying, the Infantry will provide you very little. Mike, nicely put man!

I came in as an infantryman with a deployment and a lot of combat experience. I can tell you that my infantry experience has been beyond valuable. Understanding the ground fight, how the ground forces talk and see the battlefield, has been immensely beneficial to my development as a pilot.

 

My lack of aviation experience was no hindrance at all. Everyone starts from the ground floor. Some technical info was helpful to the former aviation guys, but not significantly so. Most of the distinguished honor grads were combat arms or street to seat, at least while i was in flight school. You can replace a lack of technical knowledge by studying. You'll never be able to replace a lack of ground combat experience

 

Im not saying going combat arms is the best, but I'm definitely saying that it does not put you at a disadvantage.

 

Now, as far as being easier to get letters of recommendation and the support of your unit to submit your packet, being in aviation definitely helps. But once you're accepted, it really makes no difference

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I came in as an infantryman with a deployment and a lot of combat experience. I can tell you that my infantry experience has been beyond valuable. Understanding the ground fight, how the ground forces talk and see the battlefield, has been immensely beneficial to my development as a pilot.

 

My lack of aviation experience was no hindrance at all. Everyone starts from the ground floor. Some technical info was helpful to the former aviation guys, but not significantly so. Most of the distinguished honor grads were combat arms or street to seat, at least while i was in flight school. You can replace a lack of technical knowledge by studying. You'll never be able to replace a lack of ground combat experience

 

Im not saying going combat arms is the best, but I'm definitely saying that it does not put you at a disadvantage.

 

Now, as far as being easier to get letters of recommendation and the support of your unit to submit your packet, being in aviation definitely helps. But once you're accepted, it really makes no difference

Well, this makes me feel a hell of a lot better. As I have stated, I was just selected on the May board and felt I would be behind the power curve as an infantryman with no aviation experience aside from Air Assault School and calling in MEDEVAC and fire missions on previous deployments. I figured my experience would come in much more handy following flight school in whatever units I am a part of, but not as much in flight school. That's super comforting to know. Thanks for the motivational speech!

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Well, this makes me feel a hell of a lot better. As I have stated, I was just selected on the May board and felt I would be behind the power curve as an infantryman with no aviation experience aside from Air Assault School and calling in MEDEVAC and fire missions on previous deployments. I figured my experience would come in much more handy following flight school in whatever units I am a part of, but not as much in flight school. That's super comforting to know. Thanks for the motivational speech!

Yeah don't worry about being behind. And your experience will be a big help in bolc, wocs and sere. Lend your expertise when it is helpful, and look for people with different backgrounds to help you out when you stray into unknown territory. But everyone will be learning 5/9 for the first time

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Yeah don't worry about being behind. And your experience will be a big help in bolc, wocs and sere. Lend your expertise when it is helpful, and look for people with different backgrounds to help you out when you stray into unknown territory. But everyone will be learning 5/9 for the first time

 

I concur! You're not behind on anything. Army flying is its own machine. Be willing to learn from different backgrounds but also be willing to have patience and mentor/help the street to seat guys. I am one myself. Unfortunately we know nothing except how tradoc life is so the big Army and simple things like leave packets can be very confusing at first.

 

Anyway, you will be fine don't sweat any of it. Everyone starts at a level field. Hard work, time management and great study habits ( with peers or alone) is what really makes the difference. Flight school is easy, only thing is that it's a lot info all at once.

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Yeah don't worry about being behind. And your experience will be a big help in bolc, wocs and sere. Lend your expertise when it is helpful, and look for people with different backgrounds to help you out when you stray into unknown territory. But everyone will be learning 5/9 for the first time

Great advice here. Seriously, find those around you that will help you elevate your game. It will be easy to pick out who is putting in the effort and who isnt. If you are in the position to help someone else, do it. Too many people get caught up in the OML battle and lose sight of the fact that when its all over, the guys around you will be your co-workers. Help each other be as squared away as possible.

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itsbigfootguys, flanker, stock trader, thanks for all of the advice! I'm so ready to take that advice and run with it. This site has been amazing as I have gone through the process and it is folks like you that I gather my inspiration and knowledge as I navigate. Now, maybe one day I'll get the email with a school date....

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itsbigfootguys, flanker, stock trader, thanks for all of the advice! I'm so ready to take that advice and run with it. This site has been amazing as I have gone through the process and it is folks like you that I gather my inspiration and knowledge as I navigate. Now, maybe one day I'll get the email with a school date....

It'll come within 60 days or so from being picked up, and your report date to wocs about 4 months from there, depending on the backlog at Rucker. Have fun!

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