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Advice needed. I am a E-5 soldier, currently in Illinois ARNG. I want to become an airline pilot and I want to continue serving in ARNG. Option1. Recently I became very curious on how to become an Aviation Warrant Officer in ARNG. From what I understand an aviator is busy, more than one weekend a month. Putting together a packet for WOFT will take me at least 1 year. Graduating Ft. Rucker and coming back to my unit - another 2 years. So, in about 3-4 years I will have ~ 200 hours of rotary wing experience. And slowly start getting my ratings for fixed wing (2 years maybe). Option 2. I will continue doing the one weekend a month, doing what I am doing, and start throwing my money and get my fix wing PPL. After that, with my money and GI Bill (on VA website they said VA will pay only $12k - $13k a year) I can get all my ratings and qualifications up to multi engine with in about 2 years of hard work. Probably I will have ~ 280 - 300 hours of fix wing experience. Option 3? Is there any way I can combine option 1 & 2? Is being an aviator in the ARNG a bonus, or will drag me back for whatever reason (schedule, responsibilities, etc...)? If God knows how and I get those 1200 - 1500 hours and I I can apply for airlines, they will have a problem hiring me knowing that they have to share me with the ARNG and mess with their schedule more often then they like to? Are there any pilots here that are doing both, ARNG Aviation and flying for airlines (if this is a thing) and would like to share their experience, I will greatly appreciate it. I am missing something? I don’t mind any corrections if I said something that is not true or real, I am looking for advice for my specific situation. Thank you.

Hey All, I'm currently a Junior in high school getting a head start on learning what is required to become an army aviator, particularly following the warrant officer route. I am motivated to do whatever it takes to accomplish this lifelong dream of mine. Recently I have been talking to a VT Army Guard recruiter about enlisting into an aviation-related MOS when I turn 17 in April, in order to build time in grade, build relationships within the relatively small unit, and allow me to go to college at the same time, after high school. I've been told all this would look great to the board and help with LORs when I eventually apply for WOFT. Last month I took the ASVAB through my recruiter, getting an AFQT of 97. On the other hand, I've searched and read-up on the whole process for WOFT straight out of high school, and that option looks particularly attractive as it would mean flying active duty with a shorter route to get there. In your experience, which option seems the better choice as far as getting selected for training, and how feasible would "street to seat" WOFT be without a degree? Also, if I were to join the Guard, is switching to active duty after getting my wings a possibility? Any information on this or even the process would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much, --Mike