sairiWOFT2018 Posted August 28, 2018 Report Share Posted August 28, 2018 Hey there, I'm new to this forum and was very happy to find a boatload of information from the stickies and other posts. I'm a Freshman at UIC, and I hope to put in my packet in 2019. I worry about my viability as a competitive candidate for a number of reasons. Of course the first being my age; I have heard wonderful stories of 18/19/20 year old who have successfully made it in, and it seems that their backgrounds are inlaid with excellent community service, extra curriculars, great LORs...etc. I have been an average student throughout high school and didn't really do much outside of class. Discovering WOFT has been amazing for me personally, in the sense that it has uncovered a drive within me, and I will do everything within in my ability to ace my classes this year. I've also joined ROTC for the army experience and to potentially foster some leadership and discipline skills. Outside of that, I'm not really sure how to market myself and become a competitive candidate in the early 2019 boards. Should I talk to a recruiter now? What board should I be preparing for(as in should I wait until second semester grades are full in, or maybe first semester). Any recommendations/help would be great. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penlandc Posted August 28, 2018 Report Share Posted August 28, 2018 From a National Guard standpoint, my state wouldn't favor you, unless you had a stellar background. The WOSM in my state told me at my FEDREC board that he has been telling 21-22 year old college grads to enlist then start your packet. I am 30, have civilian experience, but cannot speak to the AD side. But yes, do things that will make your application look better. Find some potential LOR people and sit and have a conversation with them. Ask them tough questions, but be real with them. Younger AD guys have seemed to have great luck with getting selected, but make sure AD is the way you want to go. I will have to fly once a week and I will have to work my civilian job around my flight schedule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BM1 Posted August 29, 2018 Report Share Posted August 29, 2018 Apply. If your a FQ/NS apply again. Youve lost nothing and have established a pattern of not giving up. Best case is you get picked up and save yourself some money you would have spent on a degree your not gonna use and let the GI bill finish ot later. Its going to take you a year or 3 to make it through the application process anyways from the day you contact a recruiter. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gideon Posted September 4, 2018 Report Share Posted September 4, 2018 There are plenty of 18/19/20 year olds coming through flight school now. Have 1 in my class and heard of a bunch behind. The Army is hurting for aviators and the worst they will say is no. I would say start now and be flexible. Whatever plan you try to put in place the Army will make sure it goes at their pace no matter what. Heard of my buddy who spent 24 days on his packet. (Enlisted to warrant) but for me (civilian to warrant) took about a year to get accepted. Then 6 month till I shipped. So the earlier you start the earlier you get an answer. Talk to your a recruiter now to get the ball rolling of this is the way you want to go. but be prepared for him to not know a whole lot about WOFT. They just dont deal with it that often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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