Guard Pilots

tsimmns · January 27, 2014

Are there actually states that are hurting for Guard Pilots? While I am currently in the Air National Guard I would love to cross over into the Army Guard to find a pilot position.

I know I would first have to enlist into the Army Guard, go to Basic and AIT, but with a background in Avionics I would hope I could get the AIT waived. However, if not it would be no big deal as I don't see the school being a challenge since that's my previous background.(Not implying it will be easy), but have a knowledge in Avionics and Flight Instruments and Controls could not hurt in my opinon.

So, with all that being said, is there a way of knowing which states actually are hurting for pilots and would take just about anyone as long as they are willing to move and join?

cwil7280 · January 27, 2014

I have heard that the UT National Guard has slots open for 64s and 60s. I was looking at going that route through them, but decided active duty sounded better since I could go in with an actual WOFT slot, rather than go to BCT and AIT only to then have to apply for WOFT and not have a guarantee of getting it. Then you have a chance of getting stuck in a 6 year guard commitment in a job you may or may not want to be in.

tsimmns · January 27, 2014

I wonder if I transfer to the Army Guard if I will be in a 6 year committment seeing as how I am currently in a committement? I guess I have a ton of questions for a recruiter.

I wear contacts, might require Lasik, etc. I don't even know if I'd be fit to fly in the Guard. I go in a couple weeks to try and get signed off on a Flight Physical just to try and start getting some flying hours in the meantime.

Justine · January 28, 2014

Call around. I did. You will most likely have to transfer and board there. I got lucky.

Yamer · January 28, 2014

Arizona accepts packets from air guard to woft without enlistment I believe.

Yamer · January 28, 2014

Once accepted you go to basic, then home or to wocs then home or to flight after wocs... Depends on if the state has funding for wocs and flight seats avail

tsimmns · January 28, 2014

Arizona accepts packets from air guard to woft without enlistment I believe.

How would I go about putting in the packet? Would I have to have an Army PT test, would I get this through an Amry recruiter, etc? I would love to know more information on this.

Yamer · January 28, 2014

Your state WOSM will compile your packet, send you to the tests needed and probably administer a pt test for you. Search around and call some people and get in contact with your state or whatever state you want to be in. Your air guard state would be easiest I think otherwise you run into interstate transfers and stuff

Rob Lyman · January 29, 2014

Arizona accepts packets from air guard to woft without enlistment I believe.

I think Florida does too.

Lastshot · January 30, 2014

Are there actually states that are hurting for Guard Pilots? While I am currently in the Air National Guard I would love to cross over into the Army Guard to find a pilot position.

I know I would first have to enlist into the Army Guard, go to Basic and AIT, but with a background in Avionics I would hope I could get the AIT waived. However, if not it would be no big deal as I don't see the school being a challenge since that's my previous background.(Not implying it will be easy), but have a knowledge in Avionics and Flight Instruments and Controls could not hurt in my opinon.

So, with all that being said, is there a way of knowing which states actually are hurting for pilots and would take just about anyone as long as they are willing to move and join?

Just curious -- are you not wanting to pursue flying in the Air Guard?

Lastshot · January 30, 2014

Call around. I did. You will most likely have to transfer and board there. I got lucky.

Justine - you mentioned "transferring and boarding there". Do you mean someone would have live in the state where the Army Guard unit is?

Joe_P148 · January 30, 2014

Are there actually states that are hurting for Guard Pilots? While I am currently in the Air National Guard I would love to cross over into the Army Guard to find a pilot position.

I know I would first have to enlist into the Army Guard, go to Basic and AIT, but with a background in Avionics I would hope I could get the AIT waived. However, if not it would be no big deal as I don't see the school being a challenge since that's my previous background.(Not implying it will be easy), but have a knowledge in Avionics and Flight Instruments and Controls could not hurt in my opinon.

So, with all that being said, is there a way of knowing which states actually are hurting for pilots and would take just about anyone as long as they are willing to move and join?

I don't think any unit is "hurting" for pilots. Or any unit that is willing to take anyone...

Call around.

It inst going to be easy, no one is going to welcome you with open arms, you have to do your research and work for it.

Lastshot · January 31, 2014

What is the enlistment obligation for Active Duty WOFT? Is it 6 years Active Duty (full-time) after you graduate from flight school? Or do you have the option of going Reserve after flight school?

ShaneWey · January 31, 2014

6yrs active duty after wings

Yamer · January 31, 2014

Same for guard

Lastshot · January 31, 2014

Active Duty, as in "Full-time"?...or, do you have the option of going into the weekend/mo thing after flight school, even if you're initially slotted for Active?

Justine · January 31, 2014

I don't think any unit is "hurting" for pilots. Or any unit that is willing to take anyone...

Call around.

It inst going to be easy, no one is going to welcome you with open arms, you have to do your research and work for it.

Agreed, you have to stand out in the best way possible. You have to be an asset in a climate.

To answer the other question, I went through trational ocs in one state and transferred and commissioned in another (the state that picked me up on the fight board)

Yamer · January 31, 2014

If you flight school for active duty I'm pretty sure you have to stay active duty

Joe_P148 · January 31, 2014

Yamer is correct, NG is a different pool of money.

You go In on a AD contract and you do 6. It goes by fast, and you start making a lot more money around the 6 year mark. $650 flight pay monthly plus a nice w3 salary. That is the incentive to stay in past 6.

Justine · January 31, 2014

Active Duty, as in "Full-time"?...or, do you have the option of going into the weekend/mo thing after flight school, even if you're initially slotted for Active?

it could be, but you are usually contracted as a GSXX. Mostly its guys who have a boatload of experience. Guard pilots hardly fly one weekend a month unless you are grounded

tsimmns · February 3, 2014

For those that asked questions, sorry that I am just now getting back.

I am not wanting to pursue flying in the Air Guard. I do not have my 4 year degree yet and the Air Guard is cutting people left and right. Actually, I would just about rather enlist Army guard than Air Guard.

I realize it will not be easy doing either one, but I am about to start calling around. Arizona and Florida will be my first calls. Thanks for more information guys.

Yamer · February 3, 2014

Where do you live right now?

tsimmns · February 4, 2014

Right now I live in MS. There are two Aviation units here that I know of, but I'm pretty sure neither is looking for pilots.

Yamer · February 4, 2014

I can tell you that currently az is now heavy on woc without seats for flight school so testing here might be slim to none at the moment

Edited February 4, 2014 by Yamer

Rob Lyman · February 4, 2014

In Florida our last boards had two slots available (maybe more) and only three applicants that made it to the board. Two were selected. Can't beat a 66% chance of selection! We are upping our recruiting efforts as a result so there is a bigger pool to select from. So you can see, results can vary from one board to another.

Getting to the board can be difficult. Paper work, paper work, paper work! You've got to run every straggling thread to the end.