Newbie questions

[diamohelo]

Hey guys,

 

Ive been on here for a while and decided to finally post. Everyone seems real helpful on this site so I was wondering if you guys and girls could help me out a little. I apologize in advance for a lengthy post but I figured I'd put it all on the table and see if you guys can give me some direction.

 

Ive always been interested in flying ever since I was a teenager. Out of high school I went to a community college and eventually received my associates degree in liberal arts. I continued going to school a little bit but decided to step back and look at the bigger picture. I recently took an intro flight in a schweizer 300 and I was instantly hooked. Now I'm trying to figure out what my next step should be.

 

I am interested in becoming a pilot in anyway possible. I have always been interested in being in the military as well and flying helos in the military would be a dream come true, however I want to do it the best way possible. I have the option of going back to school and completing my degree with less than 50 credits remaining, but the degree is not something I am jumping for joy about. I could also take some flight lessons in the process as well. The other option is to pay for all the ratings myself, and if the military route doesn't work out then I could always become a pilot in the civilian world, something I would love to do as well. How abundant are jobs in the helicopter world?

 

The military option is the route I am hoping for, the army specifically. What would be the best way to go about it? Would finishing my degree and getting a little flight time the be the right way or would flying on my own trump a random degree. how high does the army hold previous flight experience in a helo or fixed wing? I also have some questions on getting into the army via the woft program.

 

Also, I have worn glasses/contacts for around 8 years and I understand that my vision is worse than the army requirements and I would need to get surgery before I would be able to apply. That is something I am willing to do but I am not sure when I should do that. Because of the complications involved it seems best to get the surgery before I would invest in flying on my own. I also was diagnosed with adhd 5 years ago but was only on meds for less than a year before going off them because I felt they weren't necessary. I also have a condition with my heart called a ii/vi low pitched systolic ejection murmur, or stills murmur. It is a "hole" in my heart that a cardiologist caught about 8 years ago, however I have gone to a doctor since then and done some testing and from what I have been told the hole had closed up as expected. How does the army look at these waivers? Would having to receive 3 such waivers lower my chances of being selected, or is that something that occurs after i get selected?

 

Thanks for anyone who took their time to read this. I know it was long but I think I told you just about everything I could of. Thanks again!