Not selected for WOFT - Advice on Options

[zaurus]

MissLibertyBelle

 

Did you enlist in the AF as a college graduate? That's a tremendous uphill battle when competing for an OTS slot, especially for a non rated position.

[Velocity173]

Not sure why there is even a discussion on the AF vs AR but Zarus is mostly correct.

 

AF is needing to keep experienced pilots. The bonus is for pilots already in, not new people coming in. Just like in 2002 we had an across the board bonus for 6-14 yrs flying experience in the Army. We had plenty of people wanting to come in so there's no point in offering them a bonus. We were also accepting everyone with waivers back then. Now, not so much.

 

Same as AF. I haven't read anything that says they have a recruiting problem. When you're washing out roughly15-20% of your students, you can bet they have plenty knocking at the door to give it a try. Oh yeah, for you Army hopefuls the washout rate is about 1-2 % so you're good.

 

As far as who runs the show in each branch? Yeah, the AF is going to have pilots dominating the higher echelon. That's common sense. Why is it hard to get money for Army aviation? Because we don't have pilots making budget decisions. Call it a good ole boy network or whatever but the simple fact is the ground guys far out number the pilots in the Army. Look at the Marines. Took a miracle to get Gen Amos in as Commandant and you've got everyone all up in arms because an aviator got the position.

Edited September 26, 2013 by Velocity173

[Rob1341]

Is the army washout rate really only 1-2% for pilot training? Guess I just assumed it would be higher.

[AW1985]

The attrition rate is ridiculously low- we lost two people all the way through. One in primary and one in instruments. The class average was in the mid-ninties. Army flight school is designed for the students to succeed.

 

As for the USAF, I was in for 8 years. I had no issues getting promoted. It was a means to an end and it got me where I am now. I agree with Zaurus though- OTS is an uphill battle for enlisted. One year the selection rate for enlisted was 25-30 out of 800. The USAF would rather have college grads off the street. It's a better investment reference longevity. The average enlisted college grad is 25-27 (I was) and I already had 6-7 yrs of federal service. In the end they get more bang for their buck with a 21-22 year old who can give them 20 yrs as oppossed to the 12-13 yrs I could have given them.

[Velocity173]

Is the army washout rate really only 1-2% for pilot training? Guess I just assumed it would be higher.

As the older IPs would say "eliminations have been eliminated." Many get set back in training but rarely does someone get dropped from the program.

 

Just like AW stated above, I think we had maybe 1-2 drop when I was a student. As an IP at Lowe for almost 4 yrs, I think I saw only 1 drop. She had integrity issues outside of flying though.

 

I won't go into the procedures or should I say the politics in trying to get someone eliminated. As an IP you just work within the limitations you're given and do the best to send quality aviators to line units.

[Justine]

The option to go AF pilot/weapons officer is different for the OP than enlisted.

 

You go to OTS with a contract for those two billets. The OP could consider going to Marine OCS as well. They contract pilots 'street to seat' but their OCS is the gamble to go to. Going RA OCS and trying to go AV is also a gamble.

 

IMO if the OP wants to fly, reapply to 153A or go AF OTS.

[zaurus]

Justine

 

All AF OTS selectees are given their career field (MOS) prior to signing their contract whether rated or non rated. Don't like what's offered, decline your contract and be on your way.

[Joe_P148]

Justine

 

All AF OTS selectees are given their career field (MOS) prior to signing their contract whether rated or non rated. Don't like what's offered, decline your contract and be on your way.

 

We are talking about WOFT not OCS.

[Justine]

 

We are talking about WOFT not OCS.

 

 

Joe-

We were discussing other options than WOFT as serving as a military aviator. IDK know why Zarsus is pulling irrelevant information into the discussion.

 

 

[robo]

Hey JC, what the hell happened here? I read all the posts and I was lost at the end of page one.

Back to your problem: It's up to you if you wanna try again for woft. But if you do, you need to take your whole "one inch" packet, a red marker, and start working on it.

What steps did you take to improve your packet after you were first time "non select"?

[Lindsey]

Just one inch?

[robo]

That's what the man said in his post. But nevermind, he posted on the 18th of September and that's when he was last active. So all the above might have been in vain...

[Lindsey]

Hey Robo I think you and I are the only ones going to Jackson in November. See you there.

[robo]

Awesome! We will have a blast soldiering around south carolina. See you tonight at 2100 est, in the woft chat room.

[Yamer]

wait theres a freakin chat room?

[Rob1341]

Ha. I thought the same thing.

[Ardo09203]

wait theres a freakin chat room?

+1

[Lindsey]

Awesome! We will have a blast soldiering around south carolina. See you tonight at 2100 est, in the woft chat room.

Say what?

[robo]

On future soldiers website once a month or every two months there is a woft cyber squad chat

[robo]

And it so happenes that tonight at 2100 est there is a woft chat room.

[Lindsey]

Awesome. See you in 20

[Ardo09203]

Can anyone get in? Or only selectees

[Lindsey]

Can anyone get in? Or only selectees

 

It's not worth it. It's mainly a 15 series chat room so it's all the future mechanics and air traffic control guys asking questions about AIT. No WOFT chat at all basically. Anyway, it's only for future soldiers. You need an AKO login.

[Velocity173]

On the subject of going AF. There is an excellent thread on Baseops titled Army vs Air Force flying. Great insight from those who were prior Army and went Air Force. Good reading for anyone who has a degree and unsure about which branch to go.