training before the military

[907bob]

would you have a better chance at flying helicopters in the military if you got your license before you joined, and would it make a difference if you had a private vs. a commercial license?

[ascott20]

The Army doesn't care if you're prior trained or not.  Their program is geared towards someone who has never even seen an aircraft before.  The Coast Guard has a program called Blue Force 21 or something like that that recruits college students by guaranteeing a flight school slot.  However, I believe you have to be enrolled in an aviation-related degree.  I believe the Navy and Marines have a similar program... at least they did when I was at ERAU.  The Air Force requires all flight candidates to have some flight time (I know the ROTC cadets had to get 11 hours in a cessna) before commissioning.

 

I'm here at Ft. Rucker training to fly Army aircraft.  I came here with my commercial and it didn't make a bit of difference; for both my accession or my entry level of flight training.  I think it was better too.  The Army has a slightly different emphasis than the civilian world in their primary training.  For example, you'll fly a Jetranger from day 1 and your autos are expected to be full touchdown all the time.  So I did get to learn a little bit of new stuff during primary and instruments and I got a lot of flight time... so I'm not complaining:)

 

I hope this helps!

[AndrewT]

The Coast Guard has a program called Blue Force 21 or something like that that recruits college students by guaranteeing a flight school slot.  However, I believe you have to be enrolled in an aviation-related degree.

Yeah, its called Blue 21, I'm not sure about the Force part though...I've always seen it as just Blue 21. Anyway, you can still apply for it if you're not in an aviation/engineering/or electrical engineering related degree. As long as you have some flight training (i.e., at least a private pilots license...probably doesn't matter if its helicopter or fixed wing) then you can qualify for the program....IF the CG decided to accept you. I think you apply to both CG OCS and for a flight slot with one application, but talk to a recruiter about that.

 

Oh yeah, if accepted to OCS, the CG will pay the last two years of college for you.

[justfly]

BLUE 21 Guaranteed Flight Initiative

[ascott20]

That 2 year scholarship is pretty decent... it's called Cadet Student Precommissioning Initiative (CSPI).  I was in the process of applying for it before the Army got me.  That was before the Blue 21 program.  Still an excellent program though!

[907bob]

looks like i should head down to the coast guard and talk to somebody

 

edit: well i went and talked to a recruiter and it turns out you need 500 hours along with the degree

[daveatc1234]

Hey, Ascott20. Would you mind expanding a bit on your road to Rucker? I am about to do my Board next month for WOFT, so I'd like to get a bit of insight into the path. Are you Warrant Officer or Commissioned? How was Boot Camp and WOCC? Any info would be greatly appreciated! Best of luck to you!

 

:unclesam:

[AndrewT]

907bob, I think you were given some wrong information there, unless they changed things in the past 5 months. On my computer at home I have the e-mail address for the officer in charge of the program, so send me PM when you get a chance.

 

daveact1234, ascott20 is commissioned....and good luck with your board

 

 

i feel to helpful and informative today!

[ascott20]

daveatc1234,

 

Like Andrew said, I'm on the commissioned side of the house.  But, flight school is the same either way.  There is a guy in this forum who was in my class, and he is a warrant.  His screen name is AV8.  I'll have him PM you and get you some info.  I'll probably shoot you a PM too sometime tomorrow.   Good luck man.