Flight Packet Questions

[IWannaFly]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum. I am a 97E SPC currently deployed in Iraq, so I think it may take a little bit of time to get my packet in order, but I'm working at it. I've run into a few questions looking at the website for WO recruiting and the sample packets.

 

I've read a little on here and I see a lot about an essay I have to write, but I can't find anything on it on the website or the sample packet. Has something changed or am I just not lookin in the right spot?

 

Another question is about the letters of recommendation. It looks like I have to have 3. One from my Company Commander, one from my BN Commander, and one from a CW3 or MAJ or higher in flight. Can I get others too or replace one of those with a higher ranking person?

 

I've got a little bit of aviation experience. I have a commercial/instrument in fixed wing, but have never flown in a helicopter. I took a practice AFAST and did pretty well. Is there any way to figure out, based on how many of the practice questions I got right, how I would have done had that been the actual test?

 

As far as education goes...I joined the Army in Jan 2005 and was in training for 2 years. Most of that was at the Defense Language Institute learning Arabic. I also got an Associate degree there. Do I count that as civilian or military education?

 

This is something that's really got me nervous. I had asthma as a kid(and the military knows about it), but it doesn't affect me any more. My last problem was 10 years ago, but on the requirements, it says that prior history of asthma at ANY age is disqualifying. What are the chances of me being able to get a waiver? I run about a 13:30 two mile, ran a marathon about a year ago, am a civilian pilot, and SCUBA dive. My lungs don't bother me at all.

 

That's all the questions I can come up with right now, but I'm sure more will pop up as I go along and get further with my packet. Thanks for any help.

 

Blake

[IWannaFly]

Alright, I have another question to add to the list. I've been working on my resume. I've been using the example online. Is that really the format they want us to use? It seems kinda confusing. Is there anywhere to look at a finished resume in order to have a better reference? Thanks.

[Linc]

In some sort of order:

 

*That is the format they want you to use for the resume. I would look for ways to be creative with it. When I did mine, I used a professional looking but completely unique font.

 

*Since you are applying from within the Army/military, the "essay" is a paragraph or two at the end of your resume describing your motivation and justification for becoming an Aviation Warrant Officer. Only civilian applicants have to write an essay.

SUMMARY:

 

Write a paragraph or two explaining why you are fully qualified to perform the duties of a warrant officer in your skill. This is a very important part of the resume. Make this a call to action, but do so without turning off the reader. Include in bold type all of your significant accomplishments/achievements (below-the-zone promotions, impact awards, noteworthy distinctions, deployments, challenging assignments, unique skills in MOS, standards exceeded on a significant inspection/evaluation, etc) mentioned earlier and explain how you are exceptionally qualified and have the leadership, management and technical skills needed to become a WO. Answer this question: What have you done or accomplished that sets you apart from your peers? (Additionally, aviator applicants should include why they want to be an Aviator.

*Asthma:

4-18. Lung and chest wall

The causes of medical unfitness for flying duty Classes 1/1A/2/2F/3/4 are the causes in paragraphs 2-23 and 4-2...

d. Asthma (493), including reactive airway disease, exercise-induced bronchospasm or asthmatic bronchitis, reliably diagnosed and symptomatic after the 13th birthday, is disqualifying. Reliable diagnostic criteria may include any of the following elements: substantiated history of cough, wheeze, chest tightness, and/or dyspnea that persists or recurs over a prolonged period of time, generally more than 12 months.

 

*No, there is no way to directly correlate how you scored on an unofficial practice test with how you will score on the actual test.

 

*The Army doesn't issue degrees, so if you earned an Associate's while at DLI and you have a diploma for same, count it as a civilian education degree. Count all your military training, even if it helped you earn the degree, as military training and experience.

 

Hope those help.

[iflytandemrotor]

IWanna,

 

The hardest thing about Army flight school is the packet.

 

Keep plugging away!

 

Have you looked at this site?

 

http://usawocc.army.mil/

 

Lots of information on that website.

 

IFLY

[IWannaFly]

Link,

This is all very helpful. Thank you. My asthma looks like it still may be an issue. My latest problem was just after my 14th birthday. I'm 24 now though. Are waivers for that very common?

[IWannaFly]

Thanks, IFly.

[Linc]

Blake,

 

I think the key words also include reliably diagnosed. The paragraph goes on to define what reliably diagnosed and symptomatic means, as well as describing the symptoms that describe Asthma. For this paragraph to be true, I think you would have to have access to your childhood medical records. If you don't have access to those records, I don't know how you can establish a reliable diagnosis. Was the doctor you saw a family practitioner, or a specialist? I've had doctors suspect that I had allergies, but they've told me that I would have to see a specialist (allergist) to be sure and to identify what the allergies are. I'm not so sure the same situation doesn't apply to asthma. I will see my flight doc tonight, so I will talk to him.

[Voluptuary5]

Linc,

 

It sure is good of you to help those of us putting together Packets like you do--it’s very much appreciated!

 

Just wanted to give you a public “Thank You” for all your guidance!

 

Fly safe,

 

-V5

[IWannaFly]

Link,

I was definitely reliably diagnosed. I went to a specialist and it was determined that I had allergy induced asthma. I took corrective shots for a few years and the problems went away...even most of my allergies. The area I am from has a lot of allergins and while everyone else is running around with hay fever, I barely have a runny nose. I've heard the shots don't work for everyone, but they definitely worked for me. Thanks for all your help on all this.

 

Blake

[Linc]

V5,

 

I spent 6 months trying to put a packet together with a recruiter and ended up not really getting any help at all from the recruiter. He just didn't know enough. Then I enlisted and still found myself trying to figure things out on my own. The internet was a fledgling creature, freshly hatched from the mind of Al Gore, so the access to information was still old-fashioned, detective work. Well, I made it in, but what good is knowing where all the references are that have this information needed for the process if it simply remains in my brain can?

 

I won't give away everything, a lot of this process is still the applicant earning it themselves. I just try to make the way a little clearer and a little less fuzzy.

 

Blake,

 

I talked with my flight surgeon, (E.F. Hutton, anyone?) and he said that you are still not out of the ballgame even with symptoms after your 13th birthday. That's not a guarantee that you will pass the flight physical, but there are rules and then there are guidelines and it seems that there is still enough flexibility for the Aeromedical Review Board at Fort Rucker to make judgment calls. And that is most likely what it would be in your case, their judgment call. I think it will come down to the flight surgeon that does your physical, and what comments he makes on the form. I would point out the allergy link and the fact of how well you can perform now without any medication or symptoms of asthma, I mean, good god, man, a marathon even!

[IWannaFly]

Thanks a bunch. That really eases my mind a bit. I take the AFAST on or around the 11th. After that, I'll schedule my physical, so hopefully I'll be done with all this before too long. Thanks for your help.

 

Blake

[FLHooker]

Iwannafly, where are you from? And where do you plan on doing the flight physical? I would suggest, and maybe Linc will back me up on this, that you get the physical done AT Ft. Rucker by their flight surgeons. That way there is no problem once you get to flight school to get your upslip (if you do it elsewhere, you still have to be looked at by Rucker's own...don't ask me why). Plus, they probably see more issues being at Rucker than other places. Anyway, just food for thought, not sure if it is reasonable.

 

 

 

CHAD

[Linc]

Chad,

 

Even if he has it done at Fort Rucker, it will still have to go for the Aeromedical Board Review to be qualified or disqualified. It's just a shorter trip at Fort Rucker to go across a couple hallways.

[IWannaFly]

Iwannafly, where are you from? And where do you plan on doing the flight physical? I would suggest, and maybe Linc will back me up on this, that you get the physical done AT Ft. Rucker by their flight surgeons. That way there is no problem once you get to flight school to get your upslip (if you do it elsewhere, you still have to be looked at by Rucker's own...don't ask me why). Plus, they probably see more issues being at Rucker than other places. Anyway, just food for thought, not sure if it is reasonable.

CHAD

 

 

Chad,

I'm stationed at Ft. Stewart, GA, but right now, we are deployed and I am in Baghdad. I'm hoping I can just get it done at the local TMC here.

 

Blake

[FLHooker]

IWanna, sorry, I'm an idiot... you wrote that you were in Iraq. When are ya'll back stateside?

 

Linc, what I was saying is that when we classed up, we all had to go BACK to lyster for another 1/2 physical, however, if you did your initial there at Rucker, that was waived. Beyond that, I really don't know what happens with them.

 

 

 

CHAD

[FLHooker]

IWanna, sorry, I'm an idiot... you wrote that you were in Iraq. When are ya'll back stateside?

 

Linc, what I was saying is that when we classed up, we all had to go BACK to lyster for another 1/2 physical, however, if you did your initial there at Rucker, that was waived. Beyond that, I really don't know what happens with them.

 

 

 

CHAD

[Linc]

We went before WOCS and nobody got waived.

[FLHooker]

Gotcha

[IWannaFly]

Chad,

We should be coming back around June '08. We've only been here since March. If I'm accepted, I'm hoping it works out so that I come home, spend a few months with my wife, and then head over to Ft. Rucker. We'll see.

[FLHooker]

Good deal, and good luck to you. Get your packet in asap, and you could be pulled back early!

 

 

 

 

CHAD

[IWannaFly]

Grrrr....I was scheduled to take the AFAST, but it got cancelled. The only proctor they have here left Iraq. They're expecting another one to come in around mid-September though. Worst case scenario though is I take it when I go on leave. I guess I have to be patient now.

 

Blake

[Linc]

Interesting to know, I'll have to see if a soldier in my formation is aware of the proctor's departure.

[ARMYAV8R]

Grrrr....I was scheduled to take the AFAST, but it got cancelled. The only proctor they have here left Iraq. They're expecting another one to come in around mid-September though. Worst case scenario though is I take it when I go on leave. I guess I have to be patient now.

 

Blake

 

 

Are you taking the AFAST for Active duty WOFT? or Reserve or Guard??? Let me know...this is not making sense.

 

WOC Blake (Scott)

[Linc]

The soldier was notified by email of the test proctor's departure from Iraq. Same news, possibly mid-September. Hang in there.

[ARMYAV8R]

OK, linc..I got it..did not realize he was in Iraq...