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I'm currently a freshman in college majoring in aviation. As part of the degree, I will get all my ratings up to CFI/CFII/MEI and I have already completed my private pilot's license. My goal after college is to get a pilot slot in the Army National Guard.

 

I've looked into the ANG a lot, but I am more interested in flying helicopters.

 

Here are my questions:

 

1. How much more competitive will I be if I already have all my civilian ratings (fixed wing)?

 

2. I realize a bachelor's degree is not required, however, how much of an added advantage is it?

 

3. Is the process for rushing units and getting a flight slot the same as the ANG?

 

4. Is it more competitive to get a flight slot in the Air National Guard or the Army National Guard?

 

5. How is being a warrant officer in the Army compared to being an officer in the air force?

 

6. How many days a month do pilots work in the Army National Guard? How much of the work is flying?

 

7. How often are deployments and how long are they?

 

8. Is the Army National Guard a good job to have along with the airlines likes the Air National Guard?

 

Thanks!

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1) Considerably (IMO)

2) Huge

3) Not familiar with ANG and each state seems to have their own process

4) Not sure

5) Not sure theres a better job in the army than a warrant officer aviator

6) Not at a unit yet so Ill defer to others. You constantly hear that its more than the typical one weekend a month/2 weeks a year commitment, however.

7) Ill defer to others with more experience

8) Ive heard of many ARNG aviators getting on with the airlines

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I'm currently a freshman in college majoring in aviation. As part of the degree, I will get all my ratings up to CFI/CFII/MEI and I have already completed my private pilot's license. My goal after college is to get a pilot slot in the Army National Guard.

 

I've looked into the ANG a lot, but I am more interested in flying helicopters.

 

Here are my questions:

 

1. How much more competitive will I be if I already have all my civilian ratings (fixed wing)?

 

2. I realize a bachelor's degree is not required, however, how much of an added advantage is it?

 

3. Is the process for rushing units and getting a flight slot the same as the ANG?

 

4. Is it more competitive to get a flight slot in the Air National Guard or the Army National Guard?

 

5. How is being a warrant officer in the Army compared to being an officer in the air force?

 

6. How many days a month do pilots work in the Army National Guard? How much of the work is flying?

 

7. How often are deployments and how long are they?

 

8. Is the Army National Guard a good job to have along with the airlines likes the Air National Guard?

 

Thanks!

1. Might help.....wouldn't hurt

2. HUGE ADVANTAGE! Honestly when going through mine, the past few street to seat guys had masters degree (but do not get one to better your chances).

3. Each state has their own process.....what state?

4. Depends on what you are wanting to fly....from a Army standpoint they put you in what they need (but it could also change after primary....like I said, depends on the needs of the unit!)

5. Watch Apache Warrior....It might give you a better understanding of the difference between a Warrant and Commissioned.

6. It is more like part-time job....also depends on what Airframe you are selected for. Flying at least once a week some weeks, along 1 weekend a month, and 2 weeks a year.....deployments....preparing for deployments....etc.

7. Around 9 months. However, that doesnt include the time before preparing and training for that deployment.

8. Yes....but remember it is a job....not always going to be easy, even if flying is your "dream"

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I'm currently a freshman in college majoring in aviation. As part of the degree, I will get all my ratings up to CFI/CFII/MEI and I have already completed my private pilot's license. My goal after college is to get a pilot slot in the Army National Guard.

 

I've looked into the ANG a lot, but I am more interested in flying helicopters.

 

Here are my questions:

 

1. How much more competitive will I be if I already have all my civilian ratings (fixed wing)?

 

2. I realize a bachelor's degree is not required, however, how much of an added advantage is it?

 

3. Is the process for rushing units and getting a flight slot the same as the ANG?

 

4. Is it more competitive to get a flight slot in the Air National Guard or the Army National Guard?

 

5. How is being a warrant officer in the Army compared to being an officer in the air force?

 

6. How many days a month do pilots work in the Army National Guard? How much of the work is flying?

 

7. How often are deployments and how long are they?

 

8. Is the Army National Guard a good job to have along with the airlines likes the Air National Guard?

 

Thanks!

 

1. As others have said, could help but won't hurt. It shows you have an interest in aviation and an aptitude to fly. Have you ever been in/flown a helicopter? If not, I'd take a discovery flight in one at some point before signing on any dotted lines to ensure it's something you'd enjoy doing for the next 6 years.

 

2. Not required to become a Warrant Officer, but it will eventually be in order to progress in your career. Having it from the get-go will definitely give you a leg up.

 

3. Not familiar with the ANG application process and I went the ROTC route, but knowing people in the unit will definitely be a must in order to get a flight school slot. As said above, each state may have their own method to go street-to-seat, or none at all.

 

4. Apples to oranges. Both are hurting for pilots. I wouldn't say one is "harder" to get per say, just different. This will also be state dependent. I went to flight school with Guard guys who literally had a flight school slot dropped in their lap and others who had to work years to get one.

 

5. Stateside with your unit will probably not be a noticeable difference. TDY and any schools/deployments you will probably have a better time as a ANG pilot the ARNG pilot.

 

6. You'll have semi-annual minimums you have to maintain, which are airframe specific. However, it is on you to meet them. No one is going to tell you when to be at the facility to fly. We have guys who fly 1-2 times a week and others who fly once a month. This is on top of drill, AT, and deployments. Like the airlines, living near your base makes life easier.

 

7. Typically 9 months plus 1-2 months on either side for mob/de-mob. Frequency is going to vary by state and airframe.

 

8. Yes. By graduating from Rucker you are eligible for the R-ATP at 750 hours. Army pilots (to include full-time Guard technicians) are leaving in droves to go fly for the airlines. Guard flying on the side will also help subsidize the low pay for the first couple of years.

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1. My flight school class had two guys with prior ratings. My current battalion has two guys with prior ratings. Your selection chances might be higher but it’s obviously not a huge increase.

 

2. A degree probably won’t hurt but plenty of people are selected with no college education. It doesn’t do much for promotion either, I’ve watched the majority of my friends make CW3 and CW4 without a degree.

 

The rest vary by state and unit so it’s hard to give a good answer.

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