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Any "high school-to-flight school" applicants that are were selected wanna give some advice?


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Currently a senior in high school, I recently started on my WOFT packet with my recruiter and got a few questions relating to high school applicants.

  1. What kinds of experience and skills did you put in your "Why I Want to Be an Army Aviator" essay? I see all these essays by prior service dudes with references to their experience and knowledge of aircraft firsthand and command positions to show leadership. While I don't really have experience leading anyone outside of school projects for class.
  2. The requirements say 18, but is it possible to get selected at 17 or will the board immediately pass my packet off? I ask this because my graduation is in June 2018, but I don't turn 18 till Oct 2018.
  3. And lastly, if my packet takes a while to process and passes my ASVAB score's expiration date as it also expires Oct 2018 will I have to retake it even though I submitted it while it was valid?
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I talked about projects I had led for student government and Cross Country, along with losing weight to get where I am, etc. I made mine a little too personal I believe. What I read on here makes my essay look like a pile, but the people I interviewed with for LOR`s thought my essay was great, so I kept it the way it was.

 

I was 17 for most of the process and it wasn't a problem at all. My recruiter did not ever mention it, but it may be because they just did not know. The website says you have to be 18 when you enlist but it also says High School Senior could apply. I would just ask your recruiter. I did my flight physical at 17, part 2 was on my 18th birthday actually.

 

I also took my ASVAB Junior year, but I only cut it close by 2 months. Worse case scenario, you might have to take it again.

 

PM me I'd be glad to help. I was just selected on the September board and graduated in May of this year.

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Currently a senior in high school, I recently started on my WOFT packet with my recruiter and got a few questions relating to high school applicants.

  1. What kinds of experience and skills did you put in your "Why I Want to Be an Army Aviator" essay? I see all these essays by prior service dudes with references to their experience and knowledge of aircraft firsthand and command positions to show leadership. While I don't really have experience leading anyone outside of school projects for class.
  2. The requirements say 18, but is it possible to get selected at 17 or will the board immediately pass my packet off? I ask this because my graduation is in June 2018, but I don't turn 18 till Oct 2018.
  3. And lastly, if my packet takes a while to process and passes my ASVAB score's expiration date as it also expires Oct 2018 will I have to retake it even though I submitted it while it was valid?

 

 

I'm high school to flight school, now at a line unit.

 

1. Show that you are active in community service, if you aren't, get involved. Participating in multiple sports and clubs helps considerably in your packet. Doing nothing but getting good grades won't cut it. The leadership experience comes from those two areas.

 

2. USAREC enlistment program procedures says "Be at least 18 years old at the time of RA Enlistment and not passed 33rd birthday at the time of selection. Age waivers will be considered on a case by case basis."

I also did my flight physical while I was seventeen, I really had no issues being younger then 18 when I applied.

 

3.There's a chance you would have to take it again if you pass the expiration date.

 

PM me if you have any further questions.

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  • 2 months later...

im not high school, but im 17 and in college right now. Is 18 too young since you're competing against people older with way more experience than you? My recruiter told me i wouldn't be that competitive because im not prior service and my college credits are in cs and not an aviation related field.

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im not high school, but im 17 and in college right now. Is 18 too young since you're competing against people older with way more experience than you? My recruiter told me i wouldn't be that competitive because im not prior service and my college credits are in cs and not an aviation related field.

You need to find another recruiter. He sounds like a turdball. You most definitely can qualify as a civilian with no aviation experience.
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You need to find another recruiter. He sounds like a turdball. You most definitely can qualify as a civilian with no aviation experience.

cant really, im in germany so my options are limited and hes already a couple hours away. He said he would help me anyways if i didnt take his advice and go enlisted/reserve and then go warrant. Is age a negative factor?
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Experience, and, concurrently age are certainly helpful. Would you be a stronger candidate with some life experience under your belt? Yes. Is it necessary? No. There are plenty of kids on this site picked right out of high school. Your recruiter is either misinformed or full of it. Don't enlist first hoping to do WOFT later.

 

Mike

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Experience, and, concurrently age are certainly helpful. Would you be a stronger candidate with some life experience under your belt? Yes. Is it necessary? No. There are plenty of kids on this site picked right out of high school. Your recruiter is either misinformed or full of it. Don't enlist first hoping to do WOFT later.

 

Mike

i wouldn't drop out of college to enlist now. i only have 2.5 years of college left. It would be different for woft though. just wondering if i shouldn't try now since my recruiter was pretty skeptical and it would make sense that prior service and aviation degrees are important.

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If you don't have to worry about paying for college, I'd just finish it up at this point and apply your senior year. That said, if you're feeling antsy there is nothing stopping you from applying as a college student. If you are qualified, you very well may get picked, as we've seen over and over on this site.

Mike

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im not high school, but im 17 and in college right now. Is 18 too young since you're competing against people older with way more experience than you? My recruiter told me i wouldn't be that competitive because im not prior service and my college credits are in cs and not an aviation related field.

 

Listen to Mike.. I was in your exact place with a recruiter telling me the same nonsense. It is true that you are young and don't have much life experience but that shouldn't stop you from giving it a chance. I enlisted and 19 months later I really wish I would have just found a new recruiter. I'm lucky to have NCO's that support me and want to see me drop my flight packet at this point. The civilian side seems to have a much higher acceptance rate if that means anything to you.

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Listen to Mike.. I was in your exact place with a recruiter telling me the same nonsense. It is true that you are young and don't have much life experience but that shouldn't stop you from giving it a chance. I enlisted and 19 months later I really wish I would have just found a new recruiter. I'm lucky to have NCO's that support me and want to see me drop my flight packet at this point. The civilian side seems to have a much higher acceptance rate if that means anything to you.

Im surprised the civilian acceptance rate is higher. Shouldn't the army prefer experienced and proven people? Im probably gonna stick with my recruiter since hes the only one close and hes stlll 4 hours away and give it a try from the civilian side. Good luck with your packet!

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